In this post I am going to be using the Garden Route in South Africa as an example. You can apply the principles regardless of where you personally live. As global temperatures pass 1.5 °C of warming and move toward 2 °C, climate risks are increasing. On the Garden Route these risks are projected...
During periods of water stress, a common and understandable question is: “Hasn’t it just rained?” Rainfall matters but in Knysna’s water system, rainfall totals on their own are not a reliable indicator of recovery. In this short explainer I set out why increases in river flow and dam storage,...
This log tracks Knysna’s water system using satellite-derived surface water extent and river flow data, providing an independent, observation-based view of how conditions are evolving over time. Current Status (12 June) Akkerkloof: 20.1% (up +1.2%) Charlesford: 13,261 kl/day (up +86%) Glebe: Back...
To better understand Knysna’s current water situation, I’ve been monitoring the Akkerkloof and Glebe dams using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. Because these are off-channel dams, rainfall does not fill them directly. They can only refill when pumps successfully move water from the Knysna and Gouna...
Knysna has entered one of the most challenging water periods in its recent history. A Special Council Meeting on 2 December confirmed what many residents have been feeling on the ground: the town’s water system is under severe strain, and the next 4–8 weeks will be critical. In this post I...