Re : Vaal Flows

[Hariram]

Hi Guys

I was wondering - should we try and contact someone from the Dept of Water Affairs/Randwater to get water released from the dam/barrage to flush the rocksnott away. Am sure this flush will overall increase the water quality of the river downstream of the barrage and also trigger spawning in the fish species in the river.

i remember hearing that water was released from the dam last year for a river rafting event so why cant they do this for us flyfishers ...

what do u guys think ? is this a practical solution or should we wait for the rains to some and then the water from the klip and taaibos will help flush the system - if not contribute more to the problem as in the case of the klip ...

[Nymph+O-]

Hi there,
I think it is a great idea and I reckon we should get all the guys from the forum that fish the Vaal to add their names to a petition so that we can hand it over to the authorities.

[Scythe]

Only thing to remember is with increased flows comes decreased viz.

The current marginal increase of only 5m^3.s-1 has already done quite a bit to move the hiacynth as well as clear some of the dust/snot off the rocks.

I think unless you have an increase of somewhere between 30-60m^3.s-1 it's not going to do much by way of moving the snot.

[pieterkriel]

It migth proof a good idea to wait a bit longer before asking for something like this, only reason I can give is that we need the current temp. for a week or two more to help to get the algae to die back a bit before flushing.

[Hariram]

well i have contacted someone in Randwater who may be able to advise us on the flows. I am waiting for a response from him. I was thinking of between a 50 and 100 cumec + peak that should wash away the snott - however it may be a problem for the river furthr downstream when it accumulates.

Well Pieter ... u never know when a request like this is granted if ever - so u may get your time for your algae to die off in the warmer water ...

[MaXiMuM]

We have had a similar discusion withDWAF before, and the end result was a big fat NO...

So lets hope it comes around this time...

i would recomend that 200 tons is released for atleast 3 day. This should clean it up a bit, but not affect the water clarity, as it will come out the barrage.

Mike

[Herman Jooste]

Rumours are circulating that the flows will be increased to around 80 cumecs for a canoe race, then kept at 20 for the Junior nationals later this month. Can anyone confirm this??

P.S. I see the 7:00am water temp for yesterday was 15deg and this morning just below that. Whatever happened to "Spring" Summer is here

[chris williams]

I heard they're at 20 for Jun Nats but unsure about before then

[Scythe]

Too many rumours going around methinks.

[pieterkriel]

Too many rumours going around methinks.

you might be right, we have requested a 20cumes constant flow from authorities for the juniors, but from previous experience with the authorities we also know that although they say they will try, it does not mean that they really will