FOUR of the region’s five biggest dams continued to rise slowly yesterday as more runoff from recent rain and big snowfalls of two weeks ago continued to deliver more water and boost levels.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chaffey Dam, the main Tamworth supply dam, was sitting at just under 52 per cent yesterday, its highest level since early February 2014.
It was holding 33,253 megalitres of water – and had seen an extra inflow of 122 megalitres since Thursday, which was about 40 per cent up on the inflow of the day before.
At Dungowan, the city’s second water supply dam continued to spill after topping the spillway on Thursday just after 2pm.
Dam water watchers said the spill had slowed, but there was still plenty flowing down into the creek and through into the Peel River system downstream.
It’s the first time in two years the dam has been at 100 per cent capacity.
At present, Dungowan is supplying nearly all of the Tamworth city supply and has been for most of the year, and particularly over the past few weeks, as the council takes advantage of its higher levels – and more volatile changes in capacity because of its relatively small size.
It is being supplemented by water from the city wells.
Dungowan Dam water is also historically of “better quality”’ and an easier mix to fix for consumption for domestic use.
The council is also intent on conserving some of the water in the city’s major supply dam at Chaffey.
Keepit Dam continues to climb back up after being at a low only a few months ago of about 4 per cent.
Split Rock Dam , which is at only 6.3 per cent is holding just under 28,000 megalitres, while Keepit is holding at 54,500 megalitres and is up to 11.5 per cent.
Although there were no updated figures for Copeton Dam yesterday, there was still water flowing into it.