: News Article

Dam level rising to the new spillway crest

12/02/2004

Water is expected to flow over the Ross River Dam spillway tonight.

More than 17 thousand megalitres drained into the dam from rains over the last 48 hours, taking the level to within 40 mm of the crest, (mid afternoon Friday).

NQ Water Chairman Ian Hamilton said continued runoff from the large 750 sq km catchment would fill the dam sooner rather than later.

“There’s been more than 250 mm of rain reported at Townsville Airport in the month to Friday afternoon,” Mr Hamilton said. “Much of that has been in the last couple of days.”

“But it’s been concentrated in the city. Falls of around only 25 mms or so were recorded in the catchment in the last 24 hours and most of that was transferred into the dam thanks to the sodden conditions.

“We now easily have enough in storage for twelve months supply.”

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.

Lake Paluma was cut off to traffic today but NQ Water rangers reported falls of around 80 mm last night in the township and 160 mm at the lake on Wednesday night saying it has been the heaviest rain in three years.

The level of Paluma Dam is 3.2 metres below the spillway which is close to 50 per cent full.

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.

© 2004 NQ Water