Water discharge begins at Ghana’s Weija Dam after gate testing — MyJoyOnline
In Ghana, Ghana Water Limited (GWL) began releasing water from the Weija Dam at 6:00 a.m. on September 9. The water released from the dam on September 8 was used only to test the hydraulic spillway gates, MyJoyOnline reports.
Gate testing
GWL’s Head of Public Relations and Communications, Stanley Martey, said the tests were carried out before the official start of the water discharge to ensure that the gates were operating properly.
According to him, the gates have a hydraulic mechanism and may become stuck. They are therefore checked in advance so that the equipment can operate effectively if necessary. Martey stressed that the release of water on September 8 was not the official start of the discharge.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Water level and rainfall
GWL also explained that the dam may release water more than once a year. The frequency of such operations depends primarily on the volume of water flowing into the dam from upstream.
The company takes into account the current water level and expected rainfall. According to Martey, the maximum operating water level in the dam is about 47 feet. During the main rainy season, discharge may begin at levels above 44 feet due to the expected increase in rainfall and water inflow.
This time, GWL began the discharge when the water level reached about 45 feet. Earlier this year, the company had already released water in May.
