Progress is being made on the R5.7-billion raising of the Clanwilliam dam wall, in the Western Cape, and is expected to be completed by 2028, said Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina.

The pre-construction activities at the dam started in 2018 and the construction progress was at 21% as at March 1, 2025.

The project, which was delayed amid numerous challenges, is one of the megaprojects prioritised nationally.

“I am satisfied with the progress of the project and the multiple work that is running concurrently. This will speed up the completion of the project,” said Majodina.

“Let us ensure that we accelerate the project so that it can be finalised on time. The project will not only determine the safety of the dam but will also bring economic spin-offs to the area of Clanwilliam and its surroundings.”

The newly renovated dam will also increase its yearly yield by about 70-million cubic metres a year, benefitting and developing the emerging and small-scale farmers in the area.

The completed project will supply raw water from the Clanwilliam dam to the farmers, municipalities, mines and industries in the Olifants river valley between the dam and the estuary.

It will also improve the dam safety standards under high flood conditions and improve assurance of water supply to the existing irrigators.

The raising of Clanwilliam dam wall, part of the currently under way Olifants-Doorn river water resources project, entails surface preparation by means of concrete demolition, and drilling and blasting to prepare for the construction of the spillway and the intake tower of the dam.

The concrete placement of the dam’s apron – the construction of a concrete structure below the dam to protect it against water washes in the dam or to form a basin to control flows – was completed in June last year.

The apron also prevents sediments, organic matter and pollutants potentially reducing storage capacity and impacting on the water quality.

The project comprises several components, including the alignment of the N7 National Route, which was completed in 2017.

Old Cape Road will also be raised and realigned, together with the raising of Algeria road crossing the Olifants river.

Other infrastructure affected by the projects are the farms and houses along Renbaan road as well as the hydropower plant.

The dam wall was last raised between 1962 and 1966, with the overspill crest increased by 3 m in length and 13 crest gates raised by 3.05 m, each at 7.77 m wide.

In October 2007, the Department of Water and Sanitation assessed the Clanwilliam dam in terms of dam safety regulations, and discovered that it posed potential danger to the public and could cause damage to property or negatively affect the resource quality.

Following the dam safety inspections and the assessments, recommendations for remedial work were made to stabilise the dam wall and to improve its safety under high flood conditions.