Newsroom

WaterNSW is increasing releases from the Menindee lakes system towards a rate of 18 gigalitres per day (GL/day) from Weir 32, as inflows continue and rain drives more significant tributary flows in the northern basin.

WaterNSW regional dams are preparing to receive modest inflows, with storages across key sites expected to capture and retain run-off generated by the forecast rain this week.

New trials of a potential treatment method for mange-afflicted wombats in the Bendeela recreation area near Kangaroo valley commence this week.

Warragamba Dam’s spill rate is falling after it peaked at 2am overnight at 117 gigalitres per day (GL/day) - well down on today’s predicted peak.

Warragamba Dam is expected to spill on Friday as a result of inflows generated by a significant rain event forecast for the Greater Sydney catchment between Wednesday and Friday this week.

Significant rainfall and recent flood events have resulted in a landslip on Tallowa Dam access road, at Lake Yarrunga

WaterNSW has confirmed the appointment of two members to its Board of directors, including new Chair, Mr Peter Duncan AM.

WaterNSW is scheduling releases from the Menindee Lakes to manage storage levels in anticipation of a large volume of inflow from the Northern basin in coming months.

WaterNSW will formally announce details of its state-wide Reconciliation Action Plan, at a ceremony in Dubbo on Thursday, 17 March, CEO Andrew George announced today.

The peak outflow forecast from Warragamba Dam has been downgraded to a level below that experienced during the March 2021 spill event.

WaterNSW is monitoring a significant rain event making its way into the Greater Sydney catchment later today, with Sydney’s dam network at 97.6% of storage capacity, and Warragamba Dam at 99%,

WaterNSW is monitoring a significant rain event making its way into the Greater Sydney catchment, which is likely to push some Sydney dams beyond capacity, including Warragamba.

WaterNSW is calling for nominations for membership of its Customer Advisory Groups across rural and metro NSW.

WaterNSW will not proceed with a planned increase to water releases from Menindee lakes after on-ground monitoring raised concerns of an increased risk of localised impacts.

The public meeting scheduled for Tuesday at Pooncarie has been rescheduled to Thursday (20 January) at 9.30am, WaterNSW announced today.

Releases from Menindee lakes have successfully created storage capacity to capture a large volume of the inflow making its way into the lakes and which is expected to reach its peak in February.

Forecast estimates from large flows in the Namoi valley, Border Rivers and Southern Queensland tributaries indicate that significant inflows totaling 1800-2200 gigalitres will flow into Menindee lakes from December until February.

Releases from Menindee lakes will increase further following consultation with local community representatives and downstream stakeholders, as inflow forecasts from the northern basin continue to increase.

The gate to the back area of Bendeela Recreation Area will open for the summer school holidays at midday on Friday, 17 December. The gate will remain open until 4pm on Sunday 30 January 2022.

Releases from Menindee lakes will continue to increase as preliminary modelling indicates that recent northern basin rain events could generate inflows well in excess of 1000 gigalitres over summer.

WaterNSW regional dams are preparing to capture the next increase in inflows, with almost all storages across key sites reduced in anticipation of the forecast rain event.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Warragamba Dam is a water supply dam, supplying water to more than 5 million people in Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains. WaterNSW operates Warragamba Dam using set procedures and protocols, including H14 protocol which stipulates the gates operational procedure for Warragamba Dam during a flood event.

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.

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.