In the wake of a powerful rain deluge battering the east coast of New South Wales, a significant development has unfolded: Warragamba Dam, a crucial reservoir accounting for approximately 80 per cent of Sydney’s water supply, has reached its maximum capacity.
Situated in the picturesque Blue Mountains region, this pivotal water source overflowed overnight as heavy rainfall inundated the state.
Water NSW, the authority overseeing the dam’s operations, released a statement confirming the commencement of the spill at 5:45 am on Saturday morning.
This event underscores the profound impact of the recent rainfall, highlighting both the necessity and vulnerability of water infrastructure in managing extreme weather conditions.
The operating rules and protocols established by the NSW State Government prohibit the release of water from the dam, a measure that would lower the storage level in anticipation of forecasted rainfall to mitigate flooding.
The catchment area of Warragamba Dam spans 9000 square kilometres, extending from the Blue Mountains to Goulburn in the south and Lithgow in the north. Presently, the dam is at 96 per cent capacity.
It is currently overflowing at a rate of approximately 200 gigalitres per day following an average rainfall of 100 millimetres since midnight. The sub-catchment near the dam wall received approximately 130 millimetres of rain.
In a statement, WaterNSW reported, “Currently, inflows to the dam are approximately 225 gigalitres per day, gradually decreasing from a peak of 285 gigalitres per day recorded around 9am.”
They added, “Given the flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, the spill from the dam will augment the existing floodwaters in the area.”
This overflow coincides with warnings issued to thousands of residents, urging them to evacuate immediately to avoid being stranded amidst ‘life-threatening’ flash floods. Some areas of the state have already received up to 300 millimetres of rainfall.
Footage from a resident in Bowral, located in NSW’s Southern Highlands region, vividly depicts the widespread flooding, underscoring the severity of the situation. As numerous flood warnings remain in effect for various catchments across the state and in Queensland, where the heavy rainfall persists, the impact of the deluge continues to unfold.
