WaterNSW monitoring Bureau weather forecast
4 APRIL 2024WaterNSW is working with the Bureau of Meteorology (Bureau) to monitor a developing weather event expected to impact the state this week.
The Bureau issues flood advice and warnings, while the NSW State Emergency Service is the lead agency in an emergency situation.
The Bureau is advising that this event could produce moderate to heavy rainfall across many major dam catchments, including for Warragamba Dam.
Warragamba storage currently sits at 96% of capacity, as part of a Greater Sydney dam network currently at 92% of capacity.
Based on the most likely forecast Warragamba will probably fill to capacity over the weekend. The upper end of the forecast would result in the dam experiencing a more significant spill.
Background
As manager of the state’s major supply dams, WaterNSW operates Warragamba Dam in line with NSW Government operating rules and protocols.
These rules do not permit water being released to reduce the storage level ahead of predicted rainfall for flood mitigation purposes. This reflects the dam’s critical role in supplying 80% of Sydney’s drinking water.
The Warragamba Dam catchment area covers 9000 sq/km and stretches across much of the Blue Mountains to Goulburn in the south, and to Lithgow in the north.
- Check the Bureau website to receive the latest weather and flood information – http://www.bom.gov.au/
- For emergency information, contact the NSW SES – 132 500 or https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/?/