Track water storage, capacity and historical trends for major reservoirs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and beyond.
Water levels at Upper Cascade remain exceptionally high. With current readings at 95.9%, the reservoir holds a robust 2 GL. This provides immense water security for the New South Wales region.
Fed primarily by the Cascade Creek, this reservoir plays a critical role in the South East Coast (NSW) drainage division. Hydrological health in this specific drainage basin is vital for downstream ecosystems. Catchment dynamics in the South East Coast (NSW) are deeply influenced by the retention capacity of Upper Cascade.
Beyond standard municipal supply, Upper Cascade is a vital asset for the regional agricultural economy in New South Wales. Irrigation allocations are directly tied to these storage metrics. Without the buffer provided by this massive 2 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.
With a mild reading of 12°C today, surface evaporation is significantly reduced, helping to preserve current volume. With 0mm of recent rainfall and partly cloudy 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.