WaterNSW is upgrading one of New South Wales’ largest inland dams, the Burrendong Dam, by carrying out maintenance work on the dam’s outlet valves.
The work will run from May-July 2016, a period of low irrigation demand, so the works will not disrupt customers.
WaterNSW Manager Water Operations, Craig Cahill, said the lower river flow is to be diverted through another outlet during the course of the works.
“At this time of year there are minimal irrigation needs from our customers which is why the work is being carried out soon,” Mr Cahill said.
Burrendong Dam is situated on the Macquarie River and supplies water to the Macquarie Valley in Central West New South Wales.
“The lower flows are adequate to meet the normal demand which is mainly from town, stock and domestic and some low irrigation demand,” Mr Cahill said.
“The Macquarie Cudgegong Customer Service Committee has also been consulted on the maintenance works and the reduced flows at its last meeting held in March this year.
“Burrendong Dam is currently at 12.7 per cent of its total capacity with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicting that rainfall is likely to be above average across NSW from April to June.
“WaterNSW does however advise that if the dry conditions were to persist over the next few months, a bulk water transfer from Windamere Dam to Burrendong Dam is possible early next year.”
