As of October 26, 2026, Namibia's dams held 1,210.9 million cubic meters of water, representing 77.8% of their combined full supply capacity. This marks a decline from 78.3% recorded a week earlier. According to NamWater's weekly dam bulletin, the country's water storage decreased by 8.56 million cubic meters during the week from October 19 to 26.
The southern dam system remains the best-supplied region, holding 1,111.5 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to 86.4% of its combined capacity. However, this region recorded the largest weekly decline, losing 6.10 million cubic meters of water. Neckartal Dam, Namibia's largest reservoir by capacity, held 853.1 million cubic meters, or 99.5% of its full supply capacity, with a decline of 2.18 million cubic meters during the week.
Other major dams in the country have also recorded significant water levels. Naute Dam stood at 98.8% of capacity, with 82.5 million cubic meters of water, while Hardap Dam held 157.2 million cubic meters, equivalent to 53.3% of capacity. Hardap's water storage fell by 2.85 million cubic meters during the reporting period. Meanwhile, Dreihuk Dam was at 6.7% of capacity, holding 1.04 million cubic meters, and Bondels Dam was reported empty.
In the central area, dams held 64.25 million cubic meters of water, or 41.6% of their combined capacity, down from 65.27 million cubic meters a week earlier. Swakoppoort Dam stood at 65.1% of capacity, holding 41.32 million cubic meters, while Von Bach Dam held 22.92 million cubic meters, or 48.2% of capacity. Their storage levels declined by 393,000 cubic meters and 627,000 cubic meters, respectively.
The Windhoek system also recorded notable water levels, with Goreangab Dam holding 3.70 million cubic meters, equivalent to 102.1% of its listed full supply capacity. Friedenau Dam stood at 43.8%, with 2.95 million cubic meters of water. The combined water storage for the two dams was 6.64 million cubic meters, or 64.2% of their combined capacity.
In the Gobabis system, the water storage level was 2.81 million cubic meters, or 14.6% of capacity, down from 2.92 million cubic meters a week earlier. Otjivero Main Dam stood at 17.4% of capacity, holding 1.71 million cubic meters, while Otjivero Silt Dam was at 0.9%, with 71,000 cubic meters of water. Daan Viljoen Dam held 207,000 cubic meters, or 48.3% of capacity.
NamWater's bulletin also recorded water transfers from Otjivero Dam to Tilda Viljoen Dam during the week. Currently, the combined water storage for the current season stands at 1,269.6 million cubic meters, compared with the current reported storage of 1,210.9 million cubic meters. Key dams in the north, such as Olushandja Dam, held 25.75 million cubic meters, equivalent to 56.4% of capacity, down from 59.2% a week earlier.
Key points
- Namibia's dam levels have fallen to 77.8% as water reserves decline.
- The southern dam system remains the best-supplied region, holding 86.4% of its combined capacity.
- Water transfers from Otjivero Dam to Tilda Viljoen Dam took place during the week.
