Rosslynne Reservoir capacity is 25,400 megalitres (ML) and is managed by Southern Rural Water.
This reservoir was not designed to manage floods. It simply stores water for various uses including water supplies for the townships of Sunbury and Gisborne and irrigation water for river diverters along the Maribyrnong River.
Operating Rosslynne Reservoir during floods
Rosslynne Reservoir has a fixed crest spillway, so that once it is full any excess water coming into the reservoir will flow over the spillway into Jackson Creek. Therefore Southern Rural Water does not have the ability to deliberately surcharge (over fill) the reservoir.
This reservoir also does not have the ability to pre-release enough water to have any effect on a possible flood, but it can help reduce flood peaks by temporarily storing water if room is available, however, once the lake is full, it has little impact on flows.
When we know high rainfall is possible, our staff work closely with other agencies such as the SES, local councils and the Bureau of Meteorology to provide information on the flows passing through our structures to assist them in their operations.
Southern Rural Water provides daily updates about the water levels in local storages and also has a web page which has links to Bureau rainfall forecasts, flood warnings, river levels and emergency assistance provided by the SES.
We strongly recommend that if you are in a flood prone area that you and your family familiarise yourself with the SES’s "Flood Safe information brochure" and take all necessary precautions.
Please keep clear of dams and spillways during floods
More information
Contact us on 1300 139 510 for more information or to make an appointment to chat to one of our assessment staff.
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