: News Article

Dam level rising to the new spillway crest

12/02/2004

Ross River Dam is filling up.

More than eight thousand megalitres drained into the dam from overnight rains, taking the level to 0.41 m below the new spillway level, or almost 87 per cent full.

NQ Water Chairman Ian Hamilton says water should top the spillway this month.

“We’ve had 153 mm reported at Townsville Airport in the month to 9 am this morning (Thursday 12 Feb),” Mr Hamilton said. “Another couple of showers this month will easily push a flow over the lowered spillway and give us twelve months supply in the dam.”

Rain in January doubled the volume in Ross River Dam to almost 64 per cent of capacity, taking into account the reduced height of the spillway.

The spillway was lowered 3.6 metres late last year in line with recommendations from an expert panel advising on an extensive upgrade to the dam. Capacity is expected to be reinstated before the 2005 wet season with the installation of gates.

The State Government has agreed to fund two-thirds of the upgrade which is expected to cost between $60 million and $90 million.

NQ Water rangers reported falls of more than 160 mm overnight at Lake Paluma which pushed the dam level up by more than 750 mm between four yesterday afternoon and eight this morning. They say it was the heaviest rain in three years. Paluma Dam is running at close to 50 per cent of capacity.

At around 11,500 ML, Paluma Dam is around five per cent the size of Ross River Dam at full capacity. Mr Hamilton says the Mt Spec system can be relied on to supply 20 per cent of Townsville’s and Thuringowa’s water supply.

Contact: Ian Hamilton on 0418 777 284 or Media Liaison Robert Dark on 0417 623 156.

© 2004 NQ Water