Cape Town's six major dams are holding just 77.7% of total capacity this week — a steep fall from 84.8% at the same point last year.
Combined system · Data as of 7 August 2026
77.7%
698,139 ML stored of 898,221 ML total capacity.
▼7.1 pts vs 7 August 2025 (84.8%)
Key indicators · dam storage
Water stored
698.1 Gl
▼ 63.6 Gl vs last year
YoY gap
-7.1pts
vs same week 2025
Highest dam
98.6%
Wemmershoek · was 84.0% in 2025
Lowest dam
53.6%
Steenbras Lower · was 77.2% in 2025
Rainfall — last 12 weeks
mm per week · 2026 vs 2025
Rainfall · August
26 mm
▼ 48 mm vs August 2025
Rainfall · last 12 weeks
130 mm
▼ 198 mm vs same period 2025
Weekly precipitation, Cape Town
2026 (this year)2025 (prior year)
Over the last 12 weeks, Cape Town has received 198 mm less rainfall than the same period in 2025 — a 60% deficit.
Weekly trend — how the gap widened
System total % · Jan–Apr 2026 vs 2025
Combined storage, week by week
2026 (this year)2025 (prior year)
The gap between the two years has widened steadily, from early in the year to a 7.1-point deficit this week. Cape Town is currently at 77.7% compared to 84.8% this time last year.