Swakop River reaches ocean after more than a decade

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKIt was a joyful day yesterday at the coast as residents of Swakopmund gathered from early morning to watch as the Swakopmund River finally reached the ocean for the first time in 11 years.The last time this happened was in April 2011. Most of the flow contribution to the Swakop River came from the Khan River because of heavy rainfall which occurred in its areas.Groups of people gathered at the beach, clapping their hands and shouting for joy, while others even popped sparkling wine as river water ran into the ocean.Photos, videos and even aerial videos were taken and circulated on social media to remember the momentous occasion.Residents have, however, been urged to stay clear of the river that is in strong flow.Dam levelsMeanwhile, the sluices of both the Hardap and the Naute dams were opened again yesterday morning following repeated inflows since the beginning of this week, while the Neckartal Dam is still overflowing.Since Monday morning, the Hardap Dam had received an inflow of more than 9.2 million cubic meters of water and the level of the dam stood at 72.3% yesterday morning when releases started.On Monday afternoon when the level of the dam was at 73.7%, more than 13.4 million cubic meters was released to bring it down to 69.2%.The Naute Dam received an inflow of about 0.84 million cubic meters of water, which increased its level from 103.8% since Monday to 105.2% by yesterday morning.The Neckartal Dam was 104% full yesterday, while its level stood at 102% on Monday.The average level of the country’s dams stood at 84.6% on Monday, while in the south, the level of the dams was at 92.9%. In the central areas of Namibia, the level of the dams is now at 66.3%, while the eastern dams stand at 26.5%.RiversThe hydrological services of Namibia said flow has been observed and reported in some of the country’s west-, north-west- and south-flowing rivers due to persistent rains received in their catchment areas over the past days.“The Kuiseb River at Gobabeb is rising rapidly, and the water level was at 2.40 meter on Tuesday morning.”The Fish River at the Ai-Ais station recorded 1.07 meter on Tuesday afternoon, while the Orange River at Blouputs recorded 2.8 meter, and at Sendelingsdrift it recorded 2.33 meter that morning.The Zambezi River level at Katima Mulilo recorded an increase of 11 cm since Monday and was measured at 2.30 meter on Tuesday, which is above normal.The Okavango River level at Rundu increased by 10 cm since Monday and the level stood at 4.89 meter on Tuesday. The water level is relatively high compared to the same period last year.This while the level of the Kunene River is still very low and was flowing at 52.9 m3/s on Tuesday. ellanie@namibiansun.com

Swakop River reaches ocean after more than a decade

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-30

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Swakop River reaches ocean after more than a decade

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-30

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