- Warragamba Dam to spill on Sunday
- Severe weather warnings continue in New South Wales
Sydney’s Warragamba Dam is expected to spill after reaching maximum capacity, as severe weather warnings continue in parts of New South Wales after days of rain.
WaterNSW had Warragamba Dam capacity at 100 per cent on Sunday morning.
A spokesperson says a spill is expected “very soon” even though there is currently no rain over the dam, as rain from the past 48 hours has reached downstream into the catchments.
Warragamba’s automatic spill gates will open when the dam reaches more than 8cm of full capacity, with estimates putting the current overflow level at 6cm.
The Warragamba Dam catchments cover 9,000 sq km/km from Lithgow to Goulburn, covering much of the Blue Mountains.
Sydney’s Warragamba Dam is expected to spill after reaching maximum capacity, as severe weather warnings continue in parts of New South Wales after days of rain.
WaterNSW has Warragamba Dam capacity at 100 per cent on Sunday morning
“The community should continue to monitor advice on river levels and any flood warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology,” a WaterNSW spokesperson said.
‘WaterNSW modeling based on Bureau forecasts indicates Warragamba will spill, although the exact timing and volume will depend on catchment rainfall and the resulting inflow to the dam.
Dams in the greater Sydney area, including Cataract, Nepean, Woronora, Tallowa, Greaves Creek, Medlow Bath and Middle Cascades, presented potential overtopping risks this weekend.
“The Avon Dam, which is currently at 93 per cent capacity, could also spill,” a WaterNSW spokesperson said.
“If you are downstream of the dam, stay out of fast-moving or deep water near waterways and floodplains.”
Warragamba’s maximum spill rate is expected to be approximately 40 gigalitres per day, assuming the region receives 35mm of rain over the weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts rainfall of up to 20mm in metropolitan Sydney this morning
In the last 24 hours, Sydneysiders saw the highest rainfall figures on record in Campbelltown at 35.4mm.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting rainfall of up to 20mm across metropolitan Sydney this morning.
In the last 24 hours, Sydneysiders saw the highest rainfall figures on record in Campbelltown at 35.4mm.
The maximum across the state from 9am Saturday to Sunday was recorded at Moruya Airport, at 111.6mm.
The BoM issued a statewide severe surf warning, along with a severe weather warning for parts of the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains.
Flood warnings remain in effect along the state’s river banks.
The Tuggerah River had a final flood warning, a moderate risk was warned along the Moruya, Warrego and Deua rivers, and minor warnings remained in place along the Bega, Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers.