Southern Rural Water was well prepared for the significant rainfall across Gippsland over the weekend, with operational teams monitoring conditions and managing water storages throughout the event.
Our priority during flood events is community safety, while responsibly managing our water storages and protecting water supplies for our customers.
Southern Rural Water began preparing for the forecast rainfall event early last week, using Bureau of Meteorology forecasts, flood modelling, rainfall observations, river and stream levels, storage levels and other available information to assess potential scenarios.
Based on the forecast rainfall, controlled releases from Lake Glenmaggie commenced ahead of the event to create additional storage capacity for incoming water.
Throughout the weekend, our teams closely monitored rainfall, inflows, storage levels and downstream conditions.
Releases from Lake Glenmaggie, Pykes Creek and Merrimu Reservoir were managed as conditions changed. Decisions about the timing and volume of releases were continually reviewed using the latest forecasts and observed conditions.
At times, releases from Lake Glenmaggie were greater than the volume of water entering the storage. This was a deliberate operational decision to create additional space for incoming water and help manage flood risk downstream.
Over the weekend the maximum release from Lake Glenmaggie was approximately 28,592 megalitres per day, while Pykes Creek reached a maximum spillway flow of approximately 3,650 megalitres per day. Lake Glenmaggie is currently 98% full.
Managing water storages during significant rainfall is a balance between creating capacity for incoming water, managing downstream risks and retaining water to support our customers.
Community safety is at the heart of every decision we make.
While the immediate flood threat has reduced, flood warnings remain current for several catchments across the flood watch area.
With no significant rainfall forecast over the coming days and no additional warnings, river and creek levels may remain elevated as water continues to move through the system.
Southern Rural Water will continue to monitor rainfall, inflows, storage levels and downstream conditions and adjust operations as required.
We will also continue to assess operational requirements and customer demand. Customers will continue to receive relevant updates about allocations and spill availability by text message and through our website.
For official weather information and warnings, please continue to follow the Bureau of Meteorology.
The Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) is the control agency for floods and is responsible for issuing emergency information and warnings to communities. Detailed information from the SES about flood warnings and community notifictions can be found on the Vic Emergency website.