Sydney
1.1 Storages
Supporting information
The closing storage volume for Sydney region on 30 June 2012 was 2,776,537 ML. The following tables provide a summary and breakdown of information on storages in the Sydney region. Storage volumes reported on 30 June 2011 and 30 June 2012 include dead storage volume. Storages in the Sydney region increased in volume over the 2011–12 year by 537,432 ML. This was mainly due to the above average rainfall experienced in the region, particularly the large flood event that occurred in March 2012. For more information, please refer to the Rainfall in the Climate overview in Contextual information.
Storage |
Total storage capacity (ML) |
Dead storage volume (ML) |
Volume (ML) 30 June 2011 |
Volume (ML) 30 June 2012 |
All |
2,862,252 |
108,4711 |
2,239,105 |
2,776,537 |
1 Based on available data.
Storage |
Total capacity (ML) |
Dead storage volume (ML) |
Volume (ML) 30 June 2011 |
Volume (ML) 30 June 2012 |
| Avon | 214,360 | 67,660 | 167,480 | 186,560 |
| Blue Mountains1 | 2,890 | 0 | 2,460 | 2,640 |
Cataract |
97,370 |
180 |
77,710 |
79,620 |
Cordeaux |
93,640 |
0 |
74,120 |
89,640 |
| Fitzroy Falls | 22,920 | 12,970 | 21,710 | 21,960 |
| Lake Burragorang (Warragamba Dam) | 2,031,000 | 4,000 | 1,571,640 | 2,016,310 |
| Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam) | 90,000 | 0 | 90,000 | 90,000 |
Nepean |
67,730 |
370 |
53,350 |
68,100 |
| Prospect | 48,200 | 14,870 | 45,590 | 42,450 |
| Wingecarribee | 25,880 | 1,750 | 20,560 | 20,480 |
Woronora |
71,790 |
0 |
32,820 |
62,750 |
Total |
2,765,780 |
101,800 |
2,157,440 |
2,680,510 |
1 Blue Mountains storage reservoirs include Medlow Reservoir, Greaves Creek Reservoir, Upper Cascade Reservoir, Middle Cascade Reservoir and Lower Cascade Reservoir.
Storage |
Managing authority |
Total capacity (ML) |
Dead storage volume (ML) |
Volume (ML) 30 June 2011 |
Volume (ML) 30 June 2012 |
Lake Lyell1 |
Delta Electricity |
34,192 |
2,083 |
28,500 |
34,192 |
Lake Wallace1 |
Delta Electricity |
4,004 |
1,798 |
3,839 |
4,004 |
Thomsons Creek Dam1 |
Delta Electricity |
27,500 |
0 |
18,961 |
27,500 |
Pejar |
Goulburn Mulwaree Council |
9,000 |
90 |
8,857 |
9,000 |
Sooley |
Goulburn Mulwaree Council |
6,250 |
300 |
6,103 |
6,250 |
Farmers Creek No. 2 |
Lithgow City Council |
450 |
Not available |
420 |
450 |
Bamarang |
Shoalhaven City Council |
3,800 |
100 |
3,800 |
3,350 |
Danjera |
Shoalhaven City Council |
7,660 |
2,300 |
7,660 |
7,660 |
Flat Rock Creek |
Shoalhaven City Council |
400 |
0 |
309 |
405 |
Bundanoon |
Wingecarribee Shire Council |
1,170 |
Not available |
1,170 |
1,170 |
Medway |
Wingecarribee Shire Council |
2,046 |
Not available |
2,046 |
2,046 |
Total |
96,472 |
6,6712 |
81,665 |
96,027 |
|
1 Volume is assumed to be 100% of total capacity due to lack of available data.
2 Based on available data.
Shoalhaven City Council pumps its entitled water from the Shoalhaven River (diverted from Lake Yarrunga) at the Burrier pumping station. Bamarang and Flat Rock Creek storages receive water pumped from Burrier pumping station. In addition to this water, these two storages have their own natural runoff. During the 2011–12 year, all water received from the Burrier pumping station was diverted to water treatment plants or commercial customers (in accordance with established service agreements). Therefore, volumes shown in the above table do not include water pumped from Burrier.
Water from Danjera Reservoir is diverted to water treatment plants when there is insufficient diversion from Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam) for pumping at Burrier. No diversions were made during the 2011–12 year.
Quantification approach
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Data source
Provided by
Method
Telemetered electronic level sensors record level data that is converted to a volume using a rating table.
Assumptions, limitations, caveats and approximations
Uncertainty information
The volume is based on measured data. Uncertainty value based on meter accuracy and professional judgment is +/– 5%.
Lithgow City Council
Data source
Provided by
Method
Manual level readings converted to a volume using a rating table in a spreadsheet.
Assumptions, limitations, caveats and approximations
Information on dead storage volume was not available.
Uncertainty information
The volume is based on measured data. The uncertainty estimate was not quantified.
Shoalhaven City Council
Data source
Provided by
Method
Telemetered level data were converted to a volume using a rating table.
Assumptions, limitations, caveats and approximations
Nil.
Uncertainty information
Sydney Catchment Authority
Data source
Provided by
Method
Water level by visual inspection of gauging boards and from hydrometric sensors. Level readings converted to volume using rating tables. Storage tables for storages were developed from bathymetric surveys and other methods.
Assumptions, limitations, caveats and approximations
Uncertainty information
The volume is based on measured data. Estimated uncertainty based on accuracy of sensors and other level measuring devices and professional judgment on rating tables is +/– 5%.
Wingecarribee Shire Council
Data source
Provided by
Method
Water levels received from level sensors located in the storages through the council's radio telemetry system were converted to a volume using rating tables. In addition, water levels obtained by operation officers were loaded into a spreadsheet where rating tables produce storage volume.
Assumptions, limitations, caveats and approximations
Information on dead storage volume was not available.
Uncertainty information
The volume is based on measured data. Estimated uncertainty based on sensor accuracy, organisational practice and professional judgment on rating tables is +/– 10%.