Pilbara’s Harding Dam is nearing full capacity for the first time in three years thanks to heavy rainfall across Western Australia brought by Tropical Cyclone Damien.
Water Corporation North West Regional Manager, Sharon Broad, said the last time Harding Dam was at full capacity was February 2017, after a low pressure system brought significant rainfall to the area.
“Prior to Tropical Cyclone Damien, Harding Dam was sitting at only 18 per cent capacity and was taken offline so it is fantastic to see the dam replenished to near full capacity,” Ms Broad said.
“It will only take one more rainfall event in the coming months for us to see the dam start to overflow in quite a spectacular fashion.”
Once Harding Dam reaches full capacity, water overflows via a spillway into the Harding River, which flows past the banks of the downstream recreational picnic area.
“In the meantime, we are reminding the local community to please switch off their sprinkler reticulation systems – which should not be needed for at least the next few days after gardens received a free drink from Damien,” Ms Broad said.
Water Corporation has been supplying the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme from the Millstream and Bungaroo aquifers since late 2019 when Harding Dam was taken offline due to its low water level.
In the coming weeks, Water Corporation will reinstate Harding Dam as the primary water source for the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme.
Harding Dam can hold 64 billion litres of water, which is enough water to supply Karratha, Wickham, Dampier, Roebourne and Point Samson residents connected to the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme for approximately 18 months.
