October 4, 2022 – After the collapse of the dam at Jagosfontein
Nearly a month after the incident, satellite imagery shows that the landscape is still altered by a coating of silt. For comparison, another image (below) was taken by the Operational Land Imager (OLI-2) on Landsat 8 on September 10, the day before the dam collapsed.
10 September 2022 – Before the dam at Jagersfontein collapsed
The breach of the dam is visible on its south side, from which most of the slag-wastewater mixture gushed. Analysis of satellite imagery by geologist Dave Petley shows that the watershed reaches a mile (1.5 kilometers) wide and extends about 5.3 miles (8.5 kilometers) to the southeast. The sludge then turned north, entered several streams and rivers, including the Prosesspruit River, and continued at least as far as the Kalkfontein Dam (north of the image), affecting water systems used for drinking and agriculture.
As the water receded, only white and brown deposits were left at the site. The shallowest areas in this image are likely dry slag and mud. Note that the banks of the Prosesspruit River appear wider after being eroded and damaged by floodwaters. .
The flood destroyed more than 160 homes, killed at least one person and hundreds of animals, and damaged more than 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) of pasture, according to news reports. How long the silt will last remains to be seen, and as the material dries and hardens, it could start to be blown away by wind or washed away by rain.
