Weather warnings as major dam spills
Sydney’s Warragamba Dam has begun to spill after reaching full capacity following days of rain, as severe weather warnings continue across parts of NSW.
WaterNSW has Warragamba Dam’s capacity at 100 per cent on Sunday morning.
A spokesperson said the dam began to spill about 7.30am.
The dam hit full capacity despite no current rainfall over the dam, as rainfall from the past 48 hours made its way downstream into the catchments.
Warragamba’s automatic spill gates open when the dam reaches over 8cm past its full capacity.
Warragamba Dam catchments span 9000 sq/km from Lithgow to Goulburn, encompassing much of the Blue Mountains.
“The community should continue to monitor advice on river levels and any flood warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology,” a WaterNSW spokesperson said.
The spill is not expected to be as big as the one in April, which peaked at 220 gigalitres a day, while it’s estimated this one will be 30-40 gigalitres a day.
Dams in the Greater Sydney area including Cataract, Nepean, Woronora, Tallowa, Greaves Creek, Medlow Bath, and Middle Cascades are all continuing to spill as well.
“Avon Dam, currently 93 per cent of capacity, may also spill,” a WaterNSW spokesperson said.
“If you are downstream of the dam, stay away from fast-flowing or deep water near waterways and flood plains.”
Warragamba’s peak spill rate is expected to be roughly 40 gigalitres per day assuming the region sees 35mm of rainfall across the weekend. By 8am on Sunday the spill rate sat at 6.5 gigalitres per day.
Catchment rainfall was below the forecast at 28mm over 48 hours.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts rainfall of up to 20mm across metropolitan Sydney this morning. In the past 24 hours, Sydneysiders saw the highest rainfall figures recorded at Campbelltown with 35.4mm.
The statewide maximum from 9am Saturday to Sunday was recorded at Moruya Airport, which saw 111.6mm.
The BOM put out a statewide severe surf warning, alongside a Severe Weather Warning for parts of Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains.
Flood warnings remain in place along the state’s riverbanks. Tuggerah River had a final flood warning, moderate risk was advised along the Moruya, Warrego and Deua Rivers, and minor warnings were standing along the Bega, Hawkesbury and Nepean Rivers.
