Dam nears capacity as rain threatens spill and possible flooding
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After days of relentless rain, the state's largest water reservoir is now sitting at near-full capacity and could spill at any moment.
For those who remember past droughts and tough water restrictions, the sudden shift serves as a powerful reminder of Australia’s unpredictable climate.
Communities downstream are now watching closely, bracing for what might come next.
Warragamba Dam isn’t just any old body of water—it’s the main source of drinking water for Greater Sydney, supplying millions of people.
Under NSW government rules, the dam is operated as a water security reservoir, meaning it’s kept as full as possible to safeguard Sydney’s water supply.
Unlike some dams designed for flood mitigation, Warragamba can’t simply release water in anticipation of heavy rain.
That means when the heavens open, as they have this week, the only way for excess water to escape is over the spillway.
WaterNSW has confirmed that, based on current forecasts, a small spill is likely within 24 hours.
The exact timing and volume will depend on how much more rain falls and how quickly it flows into the dam. For those living downstream, this is a situation to watch closely.
The threat of the dam spilling comes as communities across NSW are already grappling with rising floodwaters.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has issued urgent evacuation orders for parts of Gunnedah and Raymond Terrace, warning residents that inundation is occurring and evacuation routes may soon be cut off.
If you’re in a flood-prone area, now is the time to have your emergency plan ready and keep a close eye on updates.
The SES has also issued ‘watch and act’ warnings for large swathes of the Hunter Valley and the Namoi Riverlands, including Gunnedah, Narrabri, and Tamworth.
With rivers and catchments already full, even a little more rain could tip the balance and cause major flooding.
It’s during times like these that the Aussie spirit really shines. Over the weekend, more than 1,500 SES volunteers responded to over 2,000 incidents, from rescuing stranded motorists to clearing fallen trees and repairing storm-damaged homes.
Severe storms have battered the Hunter region, ripping roofs from houses and sending trees crashing onto cars and properties.
Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz of the NSW SES praised the tireless efforts of volunteers, noting that while the worst of the weather may have passed, the risk is far from over.
Rivers are still rising, and with 58 warnings in place across the state, everyone needs to stay alert.
Amid the chaos, there’s also heartbreak. Authorities are continuing the search for a 26-year-old woman swept away by floodwaters in the Hunter Valley after the car she was in became stuck.
Her companion was rescued, but hazardous conditions have hampered the search for the missing woman. Our thoughts are with her family and the emergency crews working tirelessly to find her.
Many of our members will remember the devastating floods of years past and the sense of community that always emerges in tough times.
While technology and forecasting have improved, the basics remain the same: stay informed, look out for each other, and don’t take unnecessary risks.
We’d love to hear from you. Are you in an area impacted by the recent rains and flooding? Have you experienced a dam spill or evacuation before? Share your stories, tips, and words of encouragement in the comments below.
Read more: Flood traps 50,000 people, reveals danger through 500 rescues
For those who remember past droughts and tough water restrictions, the sudden shift serves as a powerful reminder of Australia’s unpredictable climate.
Communities downstream are now watching closely, bracing for what might come next.
Warragamba Dam isn’t just any old body of water—it’s the main source of drinking water for Greater Sydney, supplying millions of people.
Under NSW government rules, the dam is operated as a water security reservoir, meaning it’s kept as full as possible to safeguard Sydney’s water supply.
Unlike some dams designed for flood mitigation, Warragamba can’t simply release water in anticipation of heavy rain.
Warragamba Dam nears full capacity, expected to spill after heavy NSW rain. Credit: zetter / iStock
That means when the heavens open, as they have this week, the only way for excess water to escape is over the spillway.
WaterNSW has confirmed that, based on current forecasts, a small spill is likely within 24 hours.
The exact timing and volume will depend on how much more rain falls and how quickly it flows into the dam. For those living downstream, this is a situation to watch closely.
The threat of the dam spilling comes as communities across NSW are already grappling with rising floodwaters.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has issued urgent evacuation orders for parts of Gunnedah and Raymond Terrace, warning residents that inundation is occurring and evacuation routes may soon be cut off.
If you’re in a flood-prone area, now is the time to have your emergency plan ready and keep a close eye on updates.
The SES has also issued ‘watch and act’ warnings for large swathes of the Hunter Valley and the Namoi Riverlands, including Gunnedah, Narrabri, and Tamworth.
With rivers and catchments already full, even a little more rain could tip the balance and cause major flooding.
It’s during times like these that the Aussie spirit really shines. Over the weekend, more than 1,500 SES volunteers responded to over 2,000 incidents, from rescuing stranded motorists to clearing fallen trees and repairing storm-damaged homes.
Severe storms have battered the Hunter region, ripping roofs from houses and sending trees crashing onto cars and properties.
Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz of the NSW SES praised the tireless efforts of volunteers, noting that while the worst of the weather may have passed, the risk is far from over.
Rivers are still rising, and with 58 warnings in place across the state, everyone needs to stay alert.
Amid the chaos, there’s also heartbreak. Authorities are continuing the search for a 26-year-old woman swept away by floodwaters in the Hunter Valley after the car she was in became stuck.
Her companion was rescued, but hazardous conditions have hampered the search for the missing woman. Our thoughts are with her family and the emergency crews working tirelessly to find her.
Many of our members will remember the devastating floods of years past and the sense of community that always emerges in tough times.
While technology and forecasting have improved, the basics remain the same: stay informed, look out for each other, and don’t take unnecessary risks.
Read more: Flood traps 50,000 people, reveals danger through 500 rescues
