Track water storage, capacity and historical trends for major reservoirs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and beyond.
Water levels at Tombullen are alarmingly low. Sitting at a mere 10.9% of its 11 GL total capacity, extreme conservation measures may be required. Extended drought conditions or lack of significant inflows into the catchment are likely the primary drivers of this severe depletion.
Agriculture in the surrounding areas of New South Wales depends heavily on the water security provided by Tombullen. Irrigation allocations are directly tied to these storage metrics. Without the buffer provided by this massive 11 GL storage, regional farming would face extreme volatility.
Ecologically, the reservoir and its immediate wetlands serve as a crucial habitat for native Australian wildlife. During periods of healthy water levels, the area often sees an increase in recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and camping. However, environmental flow releases must be carefully balanced to protect downstream river health.
Current local temperatures are sitting at a moderate 16°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. Given the unpredictable nature of Australia's climate, from La Niña flooding to El Niño droughts, maintaining a dynamic operational strategy for Tombullen is absolutely essential.