Track water storage, capacity and historical trends for major reservoirs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and beyond.
Water levels at West Gellibrand Reservoir remain exceptionally high. With current readings at 100%, the reservoir holds a robust 2 GL. This provides immense water security for the Victoria region.
Fed primarily by the Gellibrand River, this reservoir plays a critical role in the South East Coast (Victoria) drainage division. Hydrological health in this specific drainage basin is vital for downstream ecosystems. The South East Coast (Victoria) region relies heavily on the seasonal inflows captured here.
Beyond standard municipal supply, West Gellibrand Reservoir is a vital asset for the regional agricultural economy in Victoria. 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. When capacity allows, West Gellibrand Reservoir becomes a hub for regional tourism and water sports. Authorities must constantly balance the need for human water consumption with the ecological necessity of maintaining healthy river systems downstream.
With a mild reading of 13°C today, surface evaporation is significantly reduced, helping to preserve current volume. Under current partly cloudy weather, there is no direct rainfall contributing to the immediate storage levels.
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 West Gellibrand Reservoir is absolutely essential.