The Monthly Water Report provides a summary of the status of Victoria's water resources and water supplies at the end of the reporting month. It is based on validated water resource information provided by Victoria's 19 Urban and Rural Water Corporations and the Bureau of Meteorology. Each month's report is published online the following month. For detailed, specific and up-to-date information, please contact the relevant Water Corporation or the Bureau of Meteorology. Links to these organisations are located within the Monthly Water Report. 

Rainfall

Total rainfall was well above average for most of Victoria during March.  85 rainfall gauging stations saw their highest March rainfall on record.

Streamflow

Generally, streamflows at the end of March were higher than typically expected across most of the State for this time of year.  Streamflows in the north-east, south-east and south-west of the State were above average. 

Storages

The total volume of water in most of Victoria’s major storages increased this month. By the end of March, Victoria’s major storages were at 81.2% of total capacity.

The total volume of water in Victoria’s major regional storages increased to 84.1% and Melbourne’s storage levels increased to 64.8%.

Restrictions on Urban Water Supplies

There were no changes to urban water restrictions during March.  At the end of the month, 29 Victorian towns were still on restrictions.  This is less than at the same time last year, when 41 towns were still subject to water restrictions.

Irrigation Allocations

All G-MW systems in northern Victoria have reached the maximum allocation for HRWS for 2011/12, and the Campaspe, Broken and Bullarook systems have reached the maximum allocation for LRWS.

In the southern irrigation districts, the allocation for Macalister was increased to 100% LRWS. The Werribee/Bacchus Marsh LRWS allocation was increased to 45%.

Restrictions on Unregulated Streams

Diversions from 27 unregulated streams across the State are subject to restrictions at the end of March.  This is higher than at the same time last year when 6 streams were subject to some form of restriction on diversions.

Seasonal Climate Outlook

The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest rainfall outlook for April to June 2012 shows that a drier season is more likely for Victoria, Tasmania and southeast SA, while a wetter season is more likely for northeast NSW.

The Bureau reports that the 2011–12 La Niña has ended, with key indicators returning to neutral values. Climate models surveyed by the Bureau suggest that neutral conditions will persist until at least early winter.