Track water storage, capacity and historical trends for major reservoirs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and beyond.
Water capacity at Stirling is holding at moderate levels. Sitting at 44.9%, the total stored volume is 57 GL. This represents a typical midpoint for the region's hydrological cycle.
Fed primarily by the Harvey River, this reservoir plays a critical role in the South West Coast drainage division. Hydrological health in this specific drainage basin is vital for downstream ecosystems. The South West Coast region relies heavily on the seasonal inflows captured here.
Agriculture in the surrounding areas of Western Australia depends heavily on the water security provided by Stirling. Irrigation allocations are directly tied to these storage metrics. Without the buffer provided by this massive 57 GL storage, regional farming would face extreme volatility.
Ecologically, the reservoir and its immediate wetlands serve as a crucial habitat for native Australian wildlife. When capacity allows, Stirling becomes a hub for regional tourism and water sports. However, environmental flow releases must be carefully balanced to protect downstream river health.
Cooler current temperatures of 14°C help minimize evaporation losses across the reservoir. With 0mm of recent rainfall and clear sky skies, the catchment is relatively dry today.
Looking ahead, the trajectory of Stirling's water levels will depend heavily on upcoming seasonal rainfall patterns. State water authorities utilize highly sophisticated monitoring tools to ensure every drop is accounted for. Resilience against extreme weather events remains the ultimate goal for the managers of this critical infrastructure.