Dam · KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa · DWS
Pongolapoort Dam
84.8% full
Total capacity
2,395.3 Mm³
River
Pongola
Basin
Usutu-Mhlatuze
Primary use
water supply
Operator
DWS
Coordinates
-27.383°S, 31.967°E
Last updated
2026-06-29
Current fill
84.8%vs 7 days ago
-0.2%losing
vs 1 year ago
N/A7-day trend
→stable
Weekly storage
Fill history — multi-year
About this dam
Dam height
63 m
Year built
1973
Dam type
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. -27.383, 31.967 · Open in Google Maps
About Pongolapoort Dam
As of June 29, 2026, Pongolapoort Dam is filled to 84.8% of its total capacity, holding roughly 2,031 Mm³ of water out of a maximum 2,395 Mm³. At this level the reservoir is high.
Over the most recent week on record the fill level has held broadly steady (-0.2 pts).
Across the readings we hold for Pongolapoort Dam — 8 data points between May 31, 2026 and June 29, 2026 — the level has ranged from a low of 84.8% (June 29, 2026) to a high of 85.8% (May 31, 2026).
The dam at Pongolapoort Dam stands 63 m tall and is a gravity dam and was completed in 1973. It is operated by DWS primarily for water supply. It lies within the Usutu-Mhlatuze basin at 27.383°S, 31.967°E.
Key facts
- Current fill level
- 84.8%
- Water stored
- 2,031 Mm³
- Total capacity
- 2,395 Mm³
- 7-day change
- ▼ 0.2 pts
- Primary use
- Water supply
- River
- Pongola
- River basin
- Usutu-Mhlatuze
- Dam height
- 63 m
- Year completed
- 1973
- Operator
- DWS
- Coordinates
- 27.383°S, 31.967°E
- Last updated
- June 29, 2026
Recent readings
| Date | Fill level | Volume (Mm³) |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Jun 2026 | 84.8% | 2,031 |
| 22 Jun 2026 | 85.0% | 2,036 |
| 16 Jun 2026 | 85.5% | 2,048 |
| 9 Jun 2026 | 85.5% | 2,048 |
| 8 Jun 2026 | 85.6% | 2,050 |
| 7 Jun 2026 | 85.6% | 2,050 |
| 3 Jun 2026 | 85.6% | 2,050 |
| 31 May 2026 | 85.8% | 2,055 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the current water level of Pongolapoort Dam?
As of June 29, 2026, Pongolapoort Dam is at 84.8% of its capacity, holding approximately 2,031 Mm³ of water, according to DWS South Africa data.
Is Pongolapoort Dam reservoir full?
No. As of June 29, 2026, Pongolapoort Dam is high at 84.8% of its capacity, so it is not full.
Is the water level at Pongolapoort Dam rising or falling?
The level at Pongolapoort Dam has been broadly stable over the latest week on record (-0.2 points).
How much water can Pongolapoort Dam hold?
Pongolapoort Dam has a total capacity of 2,395 Mm³.
Where is Pongolapoort Dam reservoir located?
Pongolapoort Dam is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, within the Usutu-Mhlatuze basin (coordinates 27.383°S, 31.967°E).
When was Pongolapoort Dam dam built?
The dam at Pongolapoort Dam was completed in 1973.
What is Pongolapoort Dam used for?
Pongolapoort 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.