Wild weather lashing the east coast of Australia has pushed the Warragamba dam to exceed capacity and spill over, with the dam expected to stay full for the next two weeks.
The rain forecast has been closely monitored by WaterNSW and the Bureau of Meteorology throughout this week, with predictions that the inflow could likely push both the Warragamba and Sydney dam networks beyond capacity and result in spill events.
Prior to the significant rain event, WaterNSW raised concerns that the Sydney and Warragamba networks were already at 97 and 98.4 per cent capacity, respectively.
The spill rate of dams is determined by the intensity of the rainfall and the inflow generated.
The spills at Warragamba, Tallowa and Cordeaux Dams come as other spills were predicted at Upper Nepean storages like Nepean, Avon, and Cataract, along with Woronora Dam to Sydney’s South. WaterNSW will be monitoring any impacts on the quality of water in dam storages as a result of inflows, and working with Sydney Water to manage supply.
In regional NSW, Toonumbar Dam, on the North Coast near Kyogle, and Brogo Dam on the South Coast near Bega are both spilling and expected to continue.
Inflows are also anticipated into Burrinjuck Dam on the Murrumbidgee River, and Wyangala Dam on the Lachlan River.
WaterNSW advises landholders and the public to monitor advice from the Bureau of Meteorology regarding changing river heights and the need for precautions with livestock and infrastructure.
To access WaterNSW information on river heights and flow data, click here.
