Staff Reporter
TWO sluice gates at the Naute Dam were opened this morning, 29 April 2026, after the dam reached a capacity of 92.313 million cubic meters (Mm³), which is 110.4% of its full capacity.
“To protect the dam wall and safely manage incoming flows, controlled water releases have commenced, with two sluice gates (gates 2 and 3) opened to 1.4m,” the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) explained.
FLOODGATES ARE OPEN: Video of Naute Dam this morning, 29 April 2026. Video: NamWater.
The corporation also indicated that water is being released at a rate of 298 cubic meters per second (m³/s), aided by two scour valves. The release is expected to continue until the dam’s water level drops to 105% of capacity.
Since the gates were opened, the water level has already decreased significantly, with the dam’s capacity standing at 107.6% around 13:18 this afternoon.
“Communities downstream are urged to remain vigilant as water levels may continue to rise,” NamWater cautioned.
