Wet summer windfall for state reservoirs
South Australian reservoirs received more than 10 billion litres of water in summer – around double their average summer intake. See the drone vision
Little Para Reservoir (pictured) is at 69 per cent of its full water capacity today. Photo: SA Water/supplied
SA Water reported today that the state’s reservoirs entered autumn at a combined capacity level of 69 per cent, their third-highest start to an autumn in the last 15 years.
It comes after 80 billion litres of water filled South Australia’s reservoirs in spring, followed by another 10 billion litres in summer.
SA Water said this year’s summer inflows were around double the average summer inflow recorded over the last 10 years.
“Our reservoirs went into summer sitting at 93 per cent of their total capacity following a spring that delivered 80 billion litres of inflows, elevating our base to levels not seen in recorded years,” said James Crocker, SA Water’s senior manager of environment and heritage.
“By the end of summer last year, combined reservoir levels were comparatively at 55 per cent, with Little Para, South Para and Kangaroo Creek contributing the most to our high volume this year.
“These reservoirs enjoyed a wet spring, and along with another of our larger storages, Mount Bold, have been at their highest levels heading into autumn during recent years.”
[solstice_jwplayer mediaid=”TXFVsQci” title=”Mount Bold Reservoir, South Para Reservoir, Little Para Reservoir and Kangaroo Creek Reservoir” caption=”Video: SA Water” /]
Crocker said rainfalls for autumn and winter are this year forecast to be lower than median levels, with South Australia’s reservoirs in a “comfortable position” to capture the anticipated inflows.
SA Water said more than 174,000 people visited South Australia’s reservoir reserves over summer.
SA Water’s live reservoir dashboard reports that South Australia’s reservoirs are today at 64 per cent combined capacity, compared to 52 per cent at this time last year.
SA Water’s live reservoir dashboard today.
The 4.4 gigalitre Barossa Reservoir, home to the Whispering Wall, is at the highest capacity level (93 per cent), followed by the 12.6 gigalitre Happy Valley Reservoir (81 per cent), and 2.9 gigalitre Hope Valley Reservoir (80 per cent).
South Australia’s largest reservoir at Mount Bold is currently at 42 per cent capacity, holding 19.3 gigalitres of its 46.4 gigalitres storage space.
