The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is continuing gradual lifting of temporary water restrictions in parts of the Northern Basin as flow targets continue to be met.
Recent rainfall events have provided sufficient inflows to allow access to remaining restricted water held in accounts by general security access licence holders in the Border Rivers and Upper and Lower Namoi regulated river water sources.
Due to periods of heavy rainfall since mid-January 2020 and substantial inflows, there has been adequate recovery in storages to support higher priority needs through to the end of next summer.
As at 25 February 2020, the Pindari Dam volume has risen from 12.5 gigalitres (GL) to 28.5 GL; Glenlyon Dam volume has increased from 8.6 GL to 36 GL; Keepit Dam volume has risen from dead storage to 50.7 GL, while Split Rock Dam volume has increased from 6.8 GL to 18 GL.
The recent rainfall has seen water security restored in these river valleys, meaning the temporary water restrictions applied in the public interest are no longer required.
Accordingly, the July 2019 section 324 orders restricting access to general security account water in the Border River, Upper and Lower Namoi Regulated Rivers have been repealed.
Source: NSW Government