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 has a key responsibility to provide a safe boating environment and should areas of Somerset again drop to unsafe levels, a speed restriction will again be imposed in those areas. Dangerously low levels and submerged objects are still present in the northern most reaches of the lake, and that is the reason that a six knot zone is being maintained in that area,’’
The best winter rainfall in eight years has ensured the majority of Somerset Dam will be open for skiing and jet skiing for the start of the Spring school holidays this Saturday <September 22>.

SEQWater also today advised it had lifted its warning against swimming and skiing on Somerset Dam.

SEQWater Operations Manager Rob Drury said winter and early September rainfall, which added 6 months to the region’s supplies, had increased Somerset Dam water depth by more than three metres, allowing the 6 knot speed restriction on the majority of the Lake to be safety lifted.

However, the speed limit will still apply to the upper northern reaches of Somerset above the recreation area at Kirkleagh (Lake Somerset Holiday Park). The decision to lift the speed restriction was finalised in consultation with Marine Safety Queensland.

Mr Drury said SEQWater was committed to supporting recreation activities on its lakes but would re-impose the speed restriction should Somerset again fall to unsafe levels.

“SEQWater has a key responsibility to provide a safe boating environment and should areas of Somerset again drop to unsafe levels, a speed restriction will again be imposed in those areas. Dangerously low levels and submerged objects are still present in the northern most reaches of the lake, and that is the reason that a six knot zone is being maintained in that area,’’ he said.

Only Somerset was impacted by the new speed limit. SEQWater recreational guidelines do not allow motorised vessels on Wivenhoe or North Pine dams.

Water sampling this week confirmed levels of indicator bacteria (for human or animal waste) were now well under those recommended by Australian Recreational Guidelines. SEQWater issued a public warning of the health risks of swimming and skiing on Somerset three weeks ago after significant winter rainfall triggered major inflows into the dam.

SEQWater said it was a recreational water qulity risk only with no impact on the quality or quantity of available drinking water.

SEQWater said future major rainfall and inflow events were likely to temporarily result in increased levels of indicator bacteria. This was in part due to the drought conditions of its catchments and low dam levels.

7 September 2007

September rainfall delivers up to extra month supply

“While it’s been a major bonus to get the sort of winter and early September rainfall we have had, the reality is our dams are still only at one-fifth of their capacity’’
This week’s rainfall looks set to deliver up to an extra month supply to South East Queensland’s major dams.

Inflows over night, largely into Somerset via the Stanley River, added 5400ML (million litres) to the combined storages of Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams.

An additional 5000ML plus is expected to flow into Somerset over the next 2-3 days as a result of heavy rain in the far north of the catchment and the Sunshine Coast.

The combined capacity of all three dams is currently 20.56%, an increase of .3% overnight. Wivenhoe is at 15.6%, Somerset is 39.17% and North Pine 14.50%.
September rainfall to date combined with the best winter falls in eight years will add up to 5.5 months to the region’s water supply.

SEQWater operations manager Rob Drury said while this week’s rainfall should ensure storages stayed above 20% for most of September, it was not drought breaking.

“While it’s been a major bonus to get the sort of winter and early September rainfall we have had, the reality is our dams are still only at one-fifth of their capacity,’’ he said.