Newsroom

Steven’s Weir, west of Deniliquin on the Edward River, re-opened to public access on Thursday (2 December) after extensive work on the weir and the grounds.

Burrendong Dam is holding back huge volumes of water from the Macquarie valley downstream after near-record inflows over three days pushed the dam towards its operating capacity.

WaterNSW is monitoring inflows into Warragamba Dam following confirmation that Sydney’s major supply storage started spilling shortly after 9pm last night (Friday, 26 November).

WaterNSW continues to monitor storage levels at the state’s major regional supply dams, almost all of which are receiving constant inflows and are in excess of 90% of storage capacity.

WaterNSW is planning for a spill event from Warragamba Dam storage, commencing tonight (Friday, 26 November).

WaterNSW is seeking to reduce downstream impacts in key regional valleys by capturing inflows where possible and holding back peak flows into dams already near capacity.

WaterNSW is working with the Bureau of Meteorology and regional airspace reference panels to manage inflows into dams across several key areas of regional NSW, with more rain forecast for the week ahead.

Inflows continue for WaterNSW dams in the Gwydir and Namoi valleys after weekend regional rainfall, which is also generating large flows in the Peel valley.

WaterNSW is working with the Bureau of Meteorology and regional airspace reference panels to manage inflows into dams across several key areas of regional NSW, with more rain forecast for the weekend ahead.

WaterNSW is increasing release rates from Burrinjuck Dam to lower the storage level to capture inflows from a rain event forecast for the weekend.

WaterNSW is working with the Bureau of Meteorology and regional airspace reference panels to manage inflows into dams across several key areas of regional NSW, with more rain forecast for the week ahead.

WaterNSW is managing a significant inflow event at Wyangala Dam on the Lachlan River, which could peak at a rate of 100 gigalitres per day (GL/day), after multiple rain events over the catchment.

Changes to the way WaterNSW processes licensing applications include a new operating model intended to improve the timeliness of application processing.

WaterNSW will cut water releases from key dams across the state after days of pre-releases have reduced storage levels in preparation for inflows arising from a significant rain event predicted for much of NSW in coming days.

WaterNSW is advising the community that public access to Hume Dam wall will not be available on Tuesday and Wednesday this week (9-10 November).

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Warragamba Dam raising project for flood mitigation will remain on public exhibition until 19 December, WaterNSW has confirmed.

WaterNSW will continue releases from Menindee lakes in coming months, an operational requirement that will also sustain the downstream environment and restore the lakes’ flood mitigation capacity if needed.

WaterNSW is contacting businesses and landholders along the Tumut River downstream of Blowering Dam with details of a temporary reduction in water releases to allow for maintenance work on Friday, 15 October.

WaterNSW is taking an informed, risk-based and balanced approach to the COVID-19 scenario.

WaterNSW has advised that long-serving and highly respected Chair Anne McDonald has concluded her term with WaterNSW following more than 5 years at the helm of the Board of WaterNSW.

WaterNSW is today commencing releases from the Menindee lakes system into the Great Darling Anabranch, introducing the first prolonged flow into this stretch of river since 2017.

In line with established procedures, WaterNSW is undertaking precautionary inspections on a number of its NSW dams, following reports of earth tremors in Victoria this morning.

Specialist WaterNSW personnel, including on-site teams, are verifying the condition of dam storages, including Hume, Blowering, Burrinjuck and Brogo dams along with Lake Cargelligo. There are no immediate concerns.

Media contact: Tony Webber 0428 613 478

WaterNSW has completed precautionary dam safety inspections at Hume, Blowering, Burrinjuck and Brogo dams, and Lake Cargelligo.

No issues or concerns have been identified. WaterNSW will continue to monitor and review the situation over coming days.

In line with established procedures, specialist WaterNSW personnel conducted the inspections following earthquake activity in Victoria this morning.

Media contact: Tony Webber 0428 613 478

WaterNSW welcomes the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) rural valleys bulk water and Water Administration Ministerial Corporation (WAMC) determinations, handed down today.

WaterNSW will continue to work with the Bureau of Meteorology to ensure the effective management of airspace releases and storage levels while maintaining water security for the local communities.

WaterNSW will today cut releases at the dams expected to receive the highest volume of inflows from the weekend rain event forecast for much of the state.

Strategically timed pre-releases and round-the-clock storage management by on-site dam personnel resulted in Wyangala Dam reducing downstream impacts in the Lachlan valley from the most recent rain event by three-quarters.

WaterNSW has resumed higher releases from Wyangala Dam as inflows continue to increase and the storage is expected to fill later today.

Dam releases from WaterNSW storages in key valleys have been wound back with drier weather conditions now presenting across the state.

WaterNSW has decreased releases from Blowering Dam storage as the volume drops to less than 96% of capacity and inflows decrease.

Releases from Wyangala Dam into the Lachlan River have been reduced from 11 gigalitres per day (GL/day) to 8 GL/day, to reduce downstream river heights.

WaterNSW storages in key valleys have been reduced, to increase dams’ capacity to capture future inflows, in line with this season’s wetter weather forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology.

WaterNSW has released for public consultation an options paper for the inter-valley trade (IVT) between the Murrumbidgee and Murray systems.

WaterNSW is reminding landholders to relocate livestock from low-lying areas in the Tumut and Murrumbidgee valleys, as pre-flood releases from Murrumbidgee dams and downstream tributary flows lift river heights to near minor flood level.

WaterNSW is continuing airspace operations at Wyangala Dam to maximise storage capacity to capture inflows anticipated from weekend rain forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology.

WaterNSW is extending its airspace operations at Burrinjuck Dam to maximise storage capacity to capture inflows anticipated from rain forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for the weekend.

WaterNSW is increasing airspace releases from Burrinjuck Dam to increase storage capacity to capture more inflows anticipated from rain forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for the weekend.

WaterNSW, the state’s bulk water supplier and system operator, is upgrading the five embankment dams of Lake Cargelligo.

The red alert at the Hunter River at Glenbawn Dam has now been lifted. Blooms present in the river and upper reaches of Glenbawn Dam have subsided over the past few weeks

WaterNSW is working with the Bureau of Meteorology and local stakeholder groups to ensure the effective management of the current rain event, including current and future airspace operations in Wyangala Dam.

WaterNSW is working with the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) to monitor a widespread rain event occurring across much of the state in coming days, including south-east NSW.

A joint initiative between WaterNSW, TAFE NSW, Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly (MPRA) and the Regional Enterprise Development Institute (REDI.E), to work with the local Aboriginal community as part of the Wilcannia Weir Replacement project, has been recognised with a major award.

The recent rain overnight in Greater Sydney has seen more rainfall than forecast in Sydney’s catchment areas, producing additional minor inflows into the city’s dams.

National Parks and Wildlife Services has advised WaterNSW it will be undertaking a hazard reduction burn at Wadbiliga National Park this weekend, Saturday 1 May and Sunday 2 May.

WaterNSW is monitoring the second significant inflow event into the Menindee lakes system to occur in the past 12 months.

WaterNSW is monitoring rising storage levels at the two major supply dams for the Murrumbidgee valley, as inflows persist.

WaterNSW is monitoring rising storage levels at the two major supply dams for the Murrumbidgee valley, as inflows persist.

The volume of water spilling from Warragamba dam has fallen further to 200 gigalitres per day (GL/day) down from a rate of 240 GL/day yesterday, after peaking at 500 GL/day on Sunday.

The volume of water spilling from Warragamba dam has fallen to 240 gigalitres per day (GL/day) down from a rate of 300 GL/day yesterday, after peaking at 500 GL/day on Sunday.

The volume of water spilling from Warragamba dam is currently 300 gigalitres per day (GL/day), after falling from an overnight peak of 500 GL/day.

Heavy rain is generating a major spill event at Warragamba Dam, with inflows from the catchment likely to sustain large-volume spill activity for days.

Heavy rain is generating large inflows that are filling Sydney’s supply dam network, with Warragamba Dam forecast to fill and commence spilling by mid-afternoon today (Saturday, 20 March).

Forecast heavy rain over coming days is set to push all of Sydney’s water supply dams close to capacity, with many potentially spilling over the weekend, including Warragamba.

WaterNSW welcomes The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) draft report on rural bulk water supplies and water resource management in NSW.

WaterNSW is continuing its works to investigate replacing the existing, century-old Gin Gin weir with a 21^st century, more environmentally suitable structure.

As required under the Pesticides Regulation 2009 Water NSW gives notice of weed and pest control work by Water NSW or approved contractors in the following locations within the Sydney drinking water declared catchment:

In the lead up to the activation of a new rule in the Barwon-Darling water sharing plan, WaterNSW met with local councils, farmers and irrigators from the northern and southern basin, as well as government environmental authorities at least nine times to ensure the implementation of the new rule was understood.

WaterNSW has moved to correct the record – and acknowledge the role our customers played – in the successful resumption of flow connectivity event in the Barwon-Darling.

WaterNSW is advising unregulated customers on the Barwon-Darling River system to closely monitor its WaterInsights platform as flows in the upper reaches come close to triggering the retraction of a pumping restriction which came into effect on January 12.

WaterNSW is advising unregulated customers on the Barwon-Darling River system that a new rule in the NSW Government’s water sharing plan will likely come into effect on Tuesday, January 12.

Healthy Christmas holiday rainfall across parts of New South Wales has resulted in a rise in river flows and dam levels in the Northern parts of the state and the Hunter and North Coast, while metropolitan storages remain close to full.

WaterNSW recommends people travelling over the summer holidays, especially to areas around the River Murray, regularly check its website for updates on blue-green algae, river levels and water temperature.

WaterNSW has issued a cautionary warning for toxic blue-green algae on the Lower Murray River between Mt Dispersion and Wentworth.

Last month WaterNSW established an investigation to examine statements made by Gundungurra traditional owner, Ms Kazan Brown, concerning WaterNSW (and its contractors) at a hearing of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Proposal to Raise the Warragamba Dam Wall.

Major northern valley supply dams look likely to receive only minor inflows despite the most recent rain event to cross the region in the previous 24 hours

Recent evidence given at a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Proposal to Raise the Warragamba Dam Wall contained allegations against a WaterNSW employee. WaterNSW takes these allegations seriously.

In response to these allegations, WaterNSW will be conducting an internal investigation. No further comment will be made while the investigation is underway.

WaterNSW has increased releases from Burrinjuck Dam as the storage rises to 92% of storage capacity as a result of the weekend rain event and agricultural demand increases.

The cold water pollution trial at Burrendong Dam will remain suspended while WaterNSW assesses damage to the curtain installed as a potential solution.

Storage levels in the Murrumbidgee’s two major supply dams paint a positive picture for communities recently in drought, and with a wet spring forecast, WaterNSW is making releases in preparation for future inflows.

WaterNSW is continuing to make controlled, operational releases from Sydney’s largest supply dam after it filled and spilled just six-months after levels dropped below 45 percent.

WaterNSW has been commended for successfully preventing critical damage to essential water supply and related electricity infrastructure during the devastating black summer bushfires.

WaterNSW is monitoring rising storage levels at the two major supply dams for the Murrumbidgee valley, as the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecasts ongoing wet conditions for the region over Spring.

Find out how WaterNSW operate Warragamba dam when storage capacity is at 100%.

Releases from Blowering Dam will be temporarily stopped tomorrow to allow for urgent remedial works. The public recreational areas will remain open for the duration of the closure.

WaterNSW will outlay its plans to replace the existing, century-old Gin Gin weir with a 21^st century, more environmentally suitable structure at the next round of community information sessions next week.

Important regional water storages are seeing a welcome increase after days of rain makes its way into major dams.

Farmers, environmentalists and recreational users are expected to flock to a ground-breaking new online information hub with potential to revolutionise water management, pioneered by WaterNSW.

WaterNSW is in the process of contacting businesses and landholders around the Tumut River with information regarding a temporary halt to water releases from Blowering Dam to allow for urgent remedial works and safety inspections.

A permanent pipeline connecting Chaffey Dam directly to Tamworth is now operational capping off a substantial achievement in completing a critical drought response project in under a year and extending Tamworth’s water supply by 12 months.

As part of plans to raise the wall at Wyangala Dam, WaterNSW is already working with key stakeholders in Lachlan valley communities.

WaterNSW will partner with two specialist firms to deliver a historic investment in water infrastructure projects to secure the State’s future water supply, Acting CEO Andrew George has confirmed.

WaterNSW is currently undertaking a statutory review of the Water NSW Regulation 2013 and is seeking submissions from stakeholders.

After six successful years as CEO of WaterNSW, David Harris has advised the board of his resignation. Andrew George is taking over as Acting CEO.

WaterNSW has commenced releasing water from weir 32 into the Lower Darling, a return to continuous river flows for the first time since December 2018, as large volumes of water continue pouring into Lake Wetherell.

WaterNSW welcomes today’s findings handed down in the NSW Land and Environment Court in relation to a case brought against two prominent irrigators in the Brewarrina region.

Water supply from Toonumbar Dam on the NSW North Coast will be interrupted for 1 week starting on the 20th of April while work proceeds to upgrade important elements of the dam system.

One of the dam storages hit hardest by extreme drought – Keepit Dam in the Namoi valley – will make its first water release in more than a year.

The parched and cracked Menindee Lakes in Western New South Wales are rejoicing after the first major river flow since 2016 wet soil that has been dry for years, ending a prolonged period of no-inflows.

Several dams hardest hit by the ongoing drought in New South Wales have experienced welcome reprieve with recent rainfall resulting in the first inflows in years and a minor increase to dam levels.

WaterNSW is advising that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction has been lifted for general security access licences in the Border Rivers and Upper and Lower Namoi water sources.

Persistent heavy rain events across the state’s north-west continue to generate the best natural flow in the Barwon-Darling river system since the floods of 2016.

Recent storms and rain events across the Central West have generated small but welcome inflows into the region’s two major supply dams, with inflows continuing.

Precautionary measures enacted in the wake of unprecedented bushfire damage and the largest rainfall event since 1990 have been successful in protecting Sydney’s dam water quality, WaterNSW CEO David Harris confirmed today.

WaterNSW is advising that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys will be extended to 28 February.

A team of water quality experts from WaterNSW is working to maintain water quality in Sydney’s largest catchment after welcome rain washed significant amounts of ash and debris into Warragamba Dam.

A summary of recent rainfall and flows in the northern NSW Murray–Darling Basin and the rationale for temporary restrictions on access. Please read NSW DPIE announcement (PDF).

WaterNSW is announcing the NSW Government’s temporary irrigation restriction made for the Bega and Brogo Regulated Rivers has been repealed.

Please read NSW DPIE Announcement (PDF)

WaterNSW is announcing the NSW Government’s temporary restriction on floodplain harvesting across the northern basin to preserve any flows in the northern river system for towns, stock and domestic supply and the environment has been amended.

Please see information for Namoi, Gwydir and Northern NSW Murray Darling Basin

Sydney’s dam storages continue to receive inflows from the recent rain event, with Warragamba storage reaching 69% this morning (Tuesday, 11 February), up more than 8 percentage points in 24 hours and continuing to rise.

A number of section 324 orders are currently in place, including  an order restricting floodplain harvesting in the Northern Basin. The orders and reasons for decision are available from the Department's website on temporary water restrictions.

Please see information for Namoi, Gwydir and Northern NSW Murray Darling Basin

Sydney’s dam storages are set to receive their best inflows in nearly three years as heavy rainfall across the catchment is forecast to continue throughout the day.

WaterNSW is closely monitoring the impact of an ongoing rain event over Greater Sydney’s dam catchment, including run-off from firegrounds around Warragamba Dam.

WaterNSW is announcing the NSW Government’s temporary restriction on floodplain harvesting across the northern basin to preserve any flows in the northern river system for towns, stock and domestic supply and the environment.

WaterNSW is announcing a NSW Government temporary rule amendment to allow the trade of stock allocation water to assist landholders affected by drought.

WaterNSW is advising that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys will be extended to 17 February.

WaterNSW is announcing that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys is being lifted immediately for high security licence holders in the Peel valley, and for unregulated access in the Mooki River and Quirindi Creek.

WaterNSW is announcing that a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys for towns and stock and domestic supply has been lifted for unregulated users upstream of Bathurst.

WaterNSW is monitoring the results of the rain event taking place across many areas of the Greater Sydney drinking water catchment and large areas of regional NSW.

WaterNSW is announcing a NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the northern river valleys for towns and stock and domestic supply.

WaterNSW is monitoring the results of the rain event taking place across many areas of the Greater Sydney drinking water catchment and large areas of regional NSW.

With rain forecast across much of NSW in coming days, WaterNSW has expanded its preparations to limit potential impacts on the water quality in dam storages.

WaterNSW is advising customers supplied from Brogo Dam that general security irrigation availability will cease as of 6am Saturday 11 January 2020 as a result of temporary rule changes announced today.

WaterNSW will meet with stakeholders in the Cudgegong valley next week to keep them abreast of plans to transfer water from Windamere to Burrendong dam to secure vital supply in the Macquarie valley.

WaterNSW is advising the public that Brogo Dam near Bega, and Blowering Dam near Tumut are temporarily closed due to ongoing bushfire risk, until further notice.

WaterNSW has re-assessed the closure status of multiple recreational areas in the Greater Sydney, Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas and determined that they will remain closed until further notice in the interests of the safety of the public and our employees.

WaterNSW advises that multiple recreational areas in the Greater Sydney, Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas, including Bendeela, will remain closed until further notice in the interests of safety. WaterNSW will re-assess the closure status on Wednesday 1 January as to whether sites will be reopened from Thursday 2 January.

WaterNSW will be delivering up to 80 megalitres (ML) of water to Tamworth Regional Council via the Peel River downstream of the temporary weir (block bank) at Dungowan.

WaterNSW is advising that the NSW Government has implemented a temporary pump restriction on unregulated river and alluvial access licences in the Hastings unregulated and alluvial water sources, to secure town supply for Port Macquarie.

WaterNSW is advising the public that Bendeela Recreational Area and Tallowa Dam will be temporarily closed due to ongoing bushfires and extreme fire danger ratings forecast from Thursday 19 December.

WaterNSW is announcing that an existing NSW Government temporary pump restriction to preserve flows in the Intersecting streams and Barwon-Darling river systems for towns and stock and domestic supply, will be extended to 5 January 2020.

The NSW Government has implemented a temporary pump restriction on low flows in the Dingo Creek to assist with conserving water for town supply and other critical needs.

As the fire risk around Warragamba Dam eases, WaterNSW is now concentrating its efforts on ensuring that ash and debris in raw water supply is minimised.

WaterNSW is meeting with customers and other water users on the state’s far north and far south coasts as drought conditions put growing pressure on local dam storages.

The NSW Government has implemented water restrictions in the Upper Namoi valley to conserve water remaining in Split Rock Dam for essential town supply and critical needs.

The NSW Government has suspended clauses within the Peel Valley Water Sharing Plan as part of drought measures taking place in the region, WaterNSW announced today.

Fires burning in Sydney’s catchment do not pose a risk to water quality in WaterNSW dam storages at this time.

The $4 million Burrendong temperature control curtain project is a finalist in two categories in the Sydney division of the 2014 Engineering Excellence Awards, State Water announced today.

WaterNSW has advised A class licence-holders that they can again access water in the Barwon-Darling River as of 9am Sunday 24^th of January.