Akosombo Dam water at record level

Thursday, November 4, 2010
THE volume of water in the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam hit the highest level ever in the history of the dam at 277.33 feet yesterday, compelling the Volta River Authority (VRA) to open more spill-ways to save the dam from any possible danger.
The current water level is one foot less than maximum allowable water level of 278 feet for the dam.
Currently, six of the 12 spill-ways at the main dam at Akosombo have been opened to allow 40,000 cubic feet of water to flow per each second.
In addition, the Kpong Generating Plant had also had 11 of its 15 spill-ways opened at the level of 42,000 cubic feet per second.
The Minister of the Interior, Mr Martin Amidu, who has responsibility over the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), yesterday toured both the Akosombo and Kpong dams to assess the situation.
He was accompanied by the National Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Kofi Portuphy, the Eastern Regional Co-ordinator of NADMO, Mr R. Owusu Boakye, the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinator, Mr Winfred Tesia, as well as officials from the Ministry of the Interior and NADMO.
The first time the level of the water came closest was in 1991, when it rose to 275.20ft and that was the last time the dam was opened to expel excess water.
In 2007, the volume of water in the dam fell to the lowest level at 234 feet. That was the period the nation suffered a serious energy crisis.
On Monday, November 1, 2010, the VRA began an exercise to save the dam by opening four of its 12 spill-gates to allow 10,000 cubic feet of water per second to flow out of the dam.
The exercise, which is expected to continue till the volume of water goes down to 276 feet, will be constantly monitored against further havoc in areas along the Volta River, which are already inundated.
Mr Amidu took the opportunity to interact with the 22-member Rapid Response Team patrolling the lake to ward off recalcitrant fishermen who would want to move closer to the spill-ways, where the flow of water was swiftest.
He commended the team for the work they were doing and expressed the hope that Ghanaians would appreciate what they were doing to save lives and property.
Mr Amidu encouraged the personnel of the VRA to monitor the exercise in order not to let it cause havoc to inhabitants along the lake.
Briefing the Interior Minister, the Director of Hydro Generation, Mr Kwesi Benu Amoako, said all efforts had been put in place to prevent flooding downstream.
He said the spill-ways had been opened in such a way that the flow of water had been controlled, explaining it was important the spillage was monitored effectively in order not to get too much water out at a time.
The Plant Manager at the Kpong Generating Plant, Mr Johnson Hlordjie, pointed out that the Kpong Dam was opened on Tuesday, to allow the excess water flowing from the main dam to flow out.
He said the water in the dam kept on increasing because the volume of water flowing from up-stream into the dam kept increasing. He explained that the exercise would have to continue for sometime until the volume reduced to about 276ft.