RIVER GAUGING STATIONS INFORMATION (24hr Average):   0000KOB005 Driekoppies Weir 3.565 m3/s   | 0000KOB003 Enjakeni Weir 5.896 m3/s   | 0000X1H001 Hooggenoeg Weir 2.228 m3/s   | 0000KOB004 Lebombo Weir 1.346 m3/s   | 0000KOB007 Mananga Weir 5.982 m3/s   | 0000KOB008 Matsamo Weir 1.913 m3/s   | 0000KOB012 Mzimnene Weir 0.155 m3/s   | 0000KOB001 Sandbult Weir 0.654 m3/s   | 0000KOB002 Tonga Weir 3.044 m3/s   | 0000KOB011 Mhlume Weir 177.800 m3/s   | 000KOB006A HP Regulating Weir Ch A 6.850 m3/s   | 000KOB006B HP Regulating Weir Ch B 6.833 m3/s   |

Driekoppies Dam

Dam Wall Structure-Driekoppies Dam

The structure for the Driekoppies Dam Wall was dictated by the geological conditions. It consists of a zoned earthfill dam with a 150m long uncontrolled concrete gravity spillway section. The Spillway has been profiled for an overflow of 3.900m3/s, based on the attenuation of the Regional Maximum Flood hydrograph. Energy dissipation of the spillway overflow is by means of a row of individual splitters above a continuous step. Further erosion protection is provided immediately downstream of the spillway section by concrete aprons with baffle blocks.The outlet works provide for multi-level intakes into a dual 2m diameter pipe system with downstream sleeve valve control. The selection of the level of intake is by means of butterfly valves, based on water quality monitoring in the reservoir. The outlet pipe system is sized to release the estimated short term peak downstream demand of 33 cubic metres per second with the water level in the reservoir at a very low, i.e. 27m below full supply level, wigh only 1,5% of the gross storage capacity remainin. Should emergency emptying of the reservoir be necessary for any reason, it could be done within a period of about 2 months for a full reservoir, with a maximum combined release buy the dual pipe system of about 75m3/s at full supply level Extensive preparatory work was required to prepare the alluvial plain on the lower left bank for embankemtn construction. Drilling of a line of thirty eight pressure relief wells at 20m centres along the downstream toe of the embankment was followed by densification of 72 500m2 of low density cohesionless material by means of dynamic compaction. An 800m long portion of the cutoff below the relevant part of the embankment, where it passes through the alluvial deposits, was constructed as a grout curtain by means of the tube-a-manchette grouting process.

The Instrumentation System Installed at Driekoppies Dam includes:

  1. Hydro/meteorological stations;
  2. Measurement of deformations along the embankment using precise survey methods;
  3. Monitoring of water levels and seepage flows at the downstream toe drains and the pressure relief wells;
  4. Geotechnical instrumentation at two sections along the left embankment (deformations and pressures) and
  5. Measurement of pressure at the interface between the left embarkment and the concrete face of the left tongue wall.