WaterNSW to cut dam releases as major rain event looms

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 teams at major supply dams are prepared for flood operations, with Keepit on the  Namoi River, Wyangala on the Lachlan and Burrinjuck on the Murrumbidgee likely to spill. Copeton on the Gwydir may also fill.

The majority of dams across regional NSW are expected to experience inflows before the  weather system moves to the Greater Sydney catchment in the days ahead.

Keepit Dam sits at approximately 96% of capacity after several days of large releases which  reached a rate of 22 gigalitres per day (GL/day) today (Wednesday, 10 November).

Wyangala Dam (99.6%) storage has been reduced from flood surcharge level (>100%), after  receiving consistent inflows over the past week. Releases are currently 16 GL/day and will be  scaled back in line with rain forecast and inflows.

Burrinjuck (91.7%) releases reached 25 GL/day over the past 48 hours and have today been  reduced in preparation for rainfall impacts on the downstream tributaries.

WaterNSW Executive Manager of System Operations, Adrian Langdon said based on weather  forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology and in consultation with local airspace advisory panels,  WaterNSW has already released large volumes from dams in flood-prone river valleys.

“As has been the case for months, most WaterNSW dams are at or near capacity so we are  working with the Bureau to schedule dam releases between rain events to capture the next  inflows, and then cutting back releases as the rain approaches to reduce downstream impacts.”

With the Bureau of Meteorology continuing to forecast a climate outlook that “indicates rainfall  over the coming months is likely to be above average” WaterNSW will continue to make airspace  releases as required.

For more information on WaterNSW storages visit our Regional NSW Dams page.

To access information on river heights and flow data visit: WaterInsights