Dam · Free State · South Africa · DWS
Gariep Dam
98.9% full
Total capacity
4,903.5 Mm³
River
Orange
Basin
Orange
Primary use
water supply
Operator
DWS
Coordinates
-30.544°S, 25.530°E
Last updated
2026-06-29
Current fill
98.9%vs 7 days ago
-1.6%losing
vs 1 year ago
N/A7-day trend
↓falling
Weekly storage
Fill history — multi-year
About this dam
Dam height
88 m
Year built
1972
Dam type
Arch-gravity
Data source
official
Storage data: Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Weekly State of Dams report, South Africa.
Catchment Weather
Past 30 days + 14-day forecast · Open-Meteo
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics. Map: Esri, HERE, Garmin, © OpenStreetMap contributors. -30.544, 25.530 · Open in Google Maps
About Gariep Dam
As of June 29, 2026, Gariep Dam is filled to 98.9% of its total capacity, holding roughly 4,850 Mm³ of water out of a maximum 4,904 Mm³. At this level the reservoir is high.
Over the most recent week on record the fill level has fallen by 1.6 percentage points.
Across the readings we hold for Gariep Dam — 8 data points between May 31, 2026 and June 29, 2026 — the level has ranged from a low of 98.9% (June 29, 2026) to a high of 102.3% (May 31, 2026).
The dam at Gariep Dam stands 88 m tall and is a arch-gravity dam and was completed in 1972. It is operated by DWS primarily for water supply. It lies within the Orange basin at 30.544°S, 25.530°E.
Key facts
- Current fill level
- 98.9%
- Water stored
- 4,850 Mm³
- Total capacity
- 4,904 Mm³
- 7-day change
- ▼ 1.6 pts
- Primary use
- Water supply
- River
- Orange
- River basin
- Orange
- Dam height
- 88 m
- Year completed
- 1972
- Operator
- DWS
- Coordinates
- 30.544°S, 25.530°E
- Last updated
- June 29, 2026
Recent readings
| Date | Fill level | Volume (Mm³) |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Jun 2026 | 98.9% | 4,850 |
| 22 Jun 2026 | 100.5% | 4,928 |
| 16 Jun 2026 | 100.9% | 4,948 |
| 9 Jun 2026 | 100.9% | 4,948 |
| 8 Jun 2026 | 99.6% | 4,884 |
| 7 Jun 2026 | 99.6% | 4,884 |
| 3 Jun 2026 | 99.6% | 4,884 |
| 31 May 2026 | 102.3% | 5,016 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the current water level of Gariep Dam?
As of June 29, 2026, Gariep Dam is at 98.9% of its capacity, holding approximately 4,850 Mm³ of water, according to DWS South Africa data.
Is Gariep Dam reservoir full?
Gariep Dam is essentially full, sitting at 98.9% of capacity as of June 29, 2026.
Is the water level at Gariep Dam rising or falling?
The level at Gariep Dam is falling — it dropped 1.6 percentage points over the latest week on record.
How much water can Gariep Dam hold?
Gariep Dam has a total capacity of 4,904 Mm³.
Where is Gariep Dam reservoir located?
Gariep Dam is located in Free State, South Africa, within the Orange basin (coordinates 30.544°S, 25.530°E).
When was Gariep Dam dam built?
The dam at Gariep Dam was completed in 1972.
What is Gariep Dam used for?
Gariep Dam is used primarily for water supply, and is managed by DWS.
Nearby reservoirs
See also: South Africa dam levels, explained — how the DWS Weekly State of Dams report becomes the national and provincial figures.