1 December 2011
Spring Dam Gain Builds Buffer for Drier Months
- Dams bank almost 70 billion litres in spring
- Rainfall above average; streamflow below average
- Water use down 0.1%
Melbourne’s water storages have increased by 68.5 billion litres in spring, helping dams build reserves for the warmer and drier months ahead.
Storages started spring at 61.9% and finished at 65.7%. The 3.8% increase came as rainfall at the major catchments that harvest most of Melbourne’s water was 28.5% above the long-term average.
Despite the wetter-than-average spring, the amount of water that flowed into the major dams (streamflow) was 22.4 % below average.
The disparity between rainfall and streamflow is a result of a relatively dry end to winter and the sporadic nature of the spring rainfall. Much of the early spring rain was absorbed by the catchments which reduces the amount of streamflow into the dams.
Manager of Water Supply, John Woodland, said the spring result contributed to a strong storage filling season, the time of year – usually winter and spring – when dams made their highest gains of the year.
“The spring increase has helped build a buffer to minimise the effect of the coming warmer and drier summer months when dam levels typically start a 6-month decline,” said Mr Woodland.
“With the Bureau’s outlook favouring a drier- and warmer-than-average summer, the improved storage position will help limit how far dam levels drop.
“Melburnians have made a habit of helping lock in storage gains by using less water, and spring was no exception, with consumption down slightly on the same period last year.”
Consumption across all uses (residential, business and industry) in spring was 1 million litres a day less, or 0.1% lower, than the same period in 2010.
The Victorian Government yesterday announced that water restrictions would be eased from Stage 2 to Stage 1, effective today (1 December).
Media Contact: Nicolas McGay (03) 9235 2278; 0438 981 836
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