Dam Levels

Dam Level is a website dedicated to providing information on dam levels in various parts of Australia and improve water conservation awareness.

Archive 12. January 2011

2011 Brisbane Flood

Increasingly torrential spurts of rain are combining with extremely high tides and releases from the Wivenhoe Dam to cause authorities in the cities of Brisbane and Ipswich to prepare the populations for the threat of serious flooding over the course of the next two days. River levels have already risen above the historically high 1974 flood levels. In Ipswich, the unfortunate death of a four year old boy has been attributed to the Queensland floods. The death toll blamed on the Queensland disasters has now reached 10 people total.

The Brisbane and Bremer Rivers are forecasted to hit record height levels. If they do, authorities estimate that over 6,500 properties will be flooded. The Bremer River in particular, has been forecasted to rise to a height of 3 meters, then to 4.5, and will not stop until it breaks the record set in the 1974 flood. In that tragedy, the river level reached an astounding 5.45 meters.

Residents have already stripped food and supply stores completely bare in anticipation of the coming natural disaster. Brisbane has already closed the public library and many shops have been evacuated already, as many parts of the city have already been touched by floods. The river is carrying a steady stream of debris, which includes pieces of boats that the floods have ripped from their moorings. An entire ferry pontoon was also forcibly moved.

The RNA showgrounds is the site of the local evacuation center, but authorities are urging people to stay with family and friends to keep the center from overflowing with people. The Red Cross has said that they can maintain accommodations for 1,000 people. They have already prepared showers, sleeping quarters, a TV to keep up with news reports, and medical personnel and supplies onhand.

Authorities have encouraged those who live on the higher ground in Brisbane to offer a helping hand to family and friends to keep from overloading the public services.

For those wishing to keep up with those who will be affected by the disaster, a telephone hotline has been set up. The number is 1300 993 191.

Burdekin Falls Spill Update

8 February 2008

Leslie Harrison Dam

Current Dam Level: 81%
Review level: 55%
Actual use: 34 megalitres
Limit: 41 megalitres
Previous Week: 31 mL

• Easy-to-understand brochure in PDF
• Detailed information

If you need more information please contact Redland Water & Waste on 1300 362 036.

06 February 2008

Recent rainfall an encouraging sign for Bundaberg and Burnett dam levels

Bundaberg and Burnett dams have benefited from recent rainfall across the region. [more]

7 January 2008

Healthiest dam levels since start of 2007

“As a community we need to continue being vigilant when it comes to saving water.’’
Recent rainfalls in the South East have delivered an extra four months of supply to our major dams. This places dam levels at their healthiest since the beginning of 2007.

Since New Year’s Eve, total dam levels have increased by 4.11% which sees the combined total of the three major dams at 24.01%. Total dam levels have not been this high since January 07, when they were at 23.57%.

Weekend rainfall in the catchment areas ranged from 1mm to 43mm helping soak the surrounding lands to improve inflows, mainly in the upper catchments around the Stanley River.

Although rainfall has been good in the catchments the rain directly flowing into our dams has been less than in the catchment areas. However, an intense storm overnight in the Esk area contributed to the sudden overnight rise in Wivenhoe dam.

Individual dam levels are: Wivenhoe at 16.66%, Somerset 50.85% and North Pine 16.46%.

Inflows should continue for a few days and reduce unless we get more rain.
SEQWater Operations Manager, Rob Drury said while recent rainfall should ensure storages stayed above 20% into February, it is not drought breaking.
“While it’s been a major bonus to get this rainfall, the reality is our dams are still only at one-fifth of their capacity,’’ he said.

“As a community we need to continue being vigilant when it comes to saving water.’’

September 20, 2007

Winter rainfall eases speed limit restriction on Somerset

SEQWater also today advised it had lifted its warning against swimming and skiing on Somerset Dam. [more] [ Water consumed by Australian hotels ]

7 September 2007

September rainfall delivers up to extra month supply

This week’s rainfall looks set to deliver up to an extra month supply to South East Queensland’s major dams. [more]