WaterNSW has reported on recent dam releases. 

WaterNSW storages in key valleys have been reduced, to increase dams’ capacity to capture future inflows, in line with this season’s wetter weather forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology.

The authority says it took advantage of a brief period of dry weather to safely release water, in consultation with local advisory panels, which include landholders, local councils, NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and other key stakeholders.

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

It has identified the Murrumbidgee and Lachlan areas as a major priority, where major supply dams – Burrinjuck, Blowering and Wyangala respectively - have had their storage levels further reduced in anticipation of ongoing wet weather.

“Strict rules govern these operational pre-releases. A key factor is confidence that the season ahead will generate sufficient inflows to refill the dams for future drought security,” said WaterNSW executive manager of system operations, Adrian Langdon.

“Severe droughts have clearly demonstrated the critical importance of water security to the communities and economies serviced by our major supply dams.”