Two weeks ago the Vaal Dam in the Vereeneging Area of South Africa burst it’s banks due to massive amounts of rain on the highveld of South Africa. This resulted in Authorities opening 13 sluice gates to release the massive amounts of water flowing into the dam. At one point the Dam was 109% full with large amount of water still flowing in from rivers and it was at this point that authorities had to open 13 flood gates. The spectacle last seen in 1997 drew huge crowds of people which only added to the traffic chaos in the Vereeniging area and traffic authorities were taxed in their duties. Numerous roadways were also flooded due to the amount of water being released from the dam.

As of today the amount of sluice gates open is now down to only 5 and authorities have stated they may close another on or two tomorrow morning but they are still closely monitoring the dam as rain continues to fall around the province.

Mitchell Krog travelled out to the Dam wall on the 30th of January 2010 at the height of the release of water from the dam wall and took the image below using Infrared. “The water coming out of the dam wall was raging like a monster, creating a massive cloud of mist that seemed to join seemlessly into the clouds above it. It was quite something to see many enterprising South African’s who used the opportunity to sell food and drink to the thousands of South African’s who came to see this spectacle” said Mitchell.

The Vaal Dam in South Africa with 13 sluice gates opened as authorities scrambled to release as much water a spossible due to the dam bursting it's banks due to heavy rainfalls in the Highveld region of South Africa - Copyright Mitchell Krog / Living Canvas Photography