WC dam levels

Bassassin · 08-02-2010, 03:28 PM

I noticed over the weekend that while Clanwilliam Dam is still at 100% capacity the gates have been closed, indicating that the flow of water into the dam is slowing down. It's still quite early in the year for water levels to start dropping in the WC. The recent spell of dry warm weather has been pleasant for us and has resulted in some decent late winter fishing but maybe it doesn't bode so well for dam levels over the summer.

As much as I'm not crazy about more rain and cold, for the long run it would probably benefit the bass and our sport if we get back into winter weather patterns for a couple of weeks longer.

Any thoughts?

bassmaster · 08-02-2010, 03:35 PM

I was actually talking to someone yest that mentioned they think it is the dryest winter in the Cape for a while. We do however normally get quite a few fronts in August so maybe there will still be some more rains to keep our dams full for a while... but from what he said and what he knows... I worried a bit... :blue-doubt: :blue-confused: it could be a long hot summer with serious water level issues... lets just hope for the best. :blue-cool:

Ian_Fisherman · 08-02-2010, 04:03 PM

Hope is all we have left I am afraid!

Bassassin · 08-02-2010, 04:07 PM

Looks like some rain predicted for Sunday according to the SA Weather Service website.

***Navrik*** · 08-02-2010, 04:09 PM

It was crazy weather at clan on Sunday - from freezing conditions to burning hot mid day. No wonder the fish couldn't hold on to the lures on Sunday...person after person I spoke to were reporting a whole lot of fish they missed. It was as if the fish were not committing to the lures and we could not get proper hookups.

Bassassin · 08-02-2010, 04:13 PM

Navrik Wrote:...person after person I spoke to were reporting a whole lot of fish they missed...

Let's not forget that they were all fishermen and we know their reputation for economy with the truth when it comes to their fishing prowess :blue-biggrin: It's also a documented fact that "missed" fish are always massive :blue-badgrin:

Mombakkie · 08-02-2010, 04:50 PM

Our average July rainfall on the farm for the past 5 years is 140mm, we didn't have half that last month. But like it has happened in the past we can get good rains well into October.
Late rains like we had last year can lead to a very poor spawn mainly due to a sudden rise in water levels or sudden drops in water temperature. What often does happen is that the fish have a second spawn in January/February.
I chucked bunches of young vines to be planted in a dam to prevent them drying out. When I removed them along came dozens of small (1 - 3 cm) bluegill that could only be from a late Jan/Feb spawn. They were taking cover in the bunches which were in water 2 ft deep.
I think farm dams due to their small size relative to the bigger resevoirs are more prone to inclement weather during the spawn. Heavy rain could raise a farm dam by 2 feet overnight flooding nests while a larger impoundment will rise much less and take longer to do so.
In my humble opinion of course.

Frogstar · 08-02-2010, 07:57 PM

Well looking at PDV's spreadsheet.

Not much in it over the past 5 years.

<table width="90%" border="1" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="2" align="center"><tr><td>Dam</td><td>26 July 2010</td><td>27 July 2009</td><td>29 July 2008</td><td>30 July 2007</td><td>24 July 2006</td></tr><tr><td>Kwaggas</td><td>66%</td><td>71%</td><td>70%</td><td>67%</td><td>55%</td></tr><tr><td>Clan</td><td>95%</td><td>98%</td><td>97%</td><td>101%</td><td>99%</td></tr></table>

PDV · 08-03-2010, 08:18 AM

The rainfall in the Paarl area was definitely lower this year. For July we had 50% of the average over the last 25 years. May was higher than average and June was on par.
The first four months was lower than average. Hopefully the rainfall for August will be better.

:blue-rolleyes:

Ianversfeld · 08-03-2010, 05:25 PM

Please send rain rain and more rain.

I have a dam 450 000m3 capacity.... not even at 75 000m3 yet! Need it to irrigate trees and pastures for the horses.......

Rain Rain Rain please!

Plaasdam · 08-03-2010, 06:54 PM

Paarl has had way below the average.
My dam is normaly full by the end of June.

Was there today,still not full?

Saw plenty bass though!!

sharky · 08-16-2010, 06:16 AM

I was out in the southern cape and Karoo region last week and it's very dry out that way. Riviersonderend and Heidelberg already got water restrictions. Apparently alot of farmers in the region are switching to ostriches in stead of the traditional cattle and sheep.

Ladismith and Oudtshoorn seem to be doing a bit better an even have snow on the mountains.

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WC dam levels