Track water storage, capacity and historical trends for major reservoirs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and beyond.
Fairbairn is experiencing significant storage depletion. With the reservoir sitting at just 34.9%, the total available volume is 1,301 GL. This lower-than-average capacity may trigger preliminary water-saving advisories in Queensland if dry conditions persist.
Fed primarily by the Nogoa River, this reservoir plays a critical role in the North East Coast drainage division. Hydrological health in this specific drainage basin is vital for downstream ecosystems. The North East Coast region relies heavily on the seasonal inflows captured here.
Agriculture in the surrounding areas of Queensland depends heavily on the water security provided by Fairbairn. Farmers and agribusinesses monitor these levels closely to plan their seasonal crop yields. Sustainable water management here ensures that both crops and livestock can survive prolonged dry spells.
The surrounding catchment of Fairbairn also supports diverse local flora and fauna. When capacity allows, Fairbairn becomes a hub for regional tourism and water sports. However, environmental flow releases must be carefully balanced to protect downstream river health.
The weather around the catchment is currently recording 19°C. With 0mm of recent rainfall and clear sky skies, the catchment is relatively dry today.
The Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlooks will play a pivotal role in predicting the future inflows for this catchment. Continuous telemetry and advanced hydrological modeling are employed to forecast storage changes. Resilience against extreme weather events remains the ultimate goal for the managers of this critical infrastructure.