The Monthly Water Report provides a statewide monthly summary of the status of water resources and water supplies. Each month's report is published online towards the end of the following month. It is based on data provided by Victoria's 19 urban and rural water corporations.

Rainfall

Rainfall totals for August were close to the long-term average across most of the state. Southwest and southeast Victoria received above average rainfall for the month. The north west, as well as patches of north-central, central and far east Victoria received below average rainfall.

Streamflows

Close to average rainfall for both July and August has caused significant improvements in both the quantity and distribution of streamflow over the past month.

Of the 28 representative stations, 4 stations recorded flows above 100% of the long-term August average, while flows at another 2 stations were between 80 and 99% of the long-term average. Flows of less than 10% of the long-term August average were still recorded at 10 stations, including 3 stations with zero flows.

Storage Volumes

Most storages showed some signs of recovery this month, with average rainfall received across much of the state over July. However, storages remain very low in central and northern Victoria. This month, the total volume in the state’s major storages increased to 19.5% of capacity.

Melbourne's storages increased to 28.4% of capacity, while regional water storages were at 18.3% of capacity at the end of August.

Restrictions on Urban Water Supplies

During August, Central Highlands Water reduced restrictions for Beaufort and Raglan to Stage 3, while North East Water removed restrictions for Myrtleford, and reduced restrictions for Glenrowan and Whitfield to Stage 1 and Bundalong and Springhurst to Stage 2 and Stage 3 respectively.

332 Victorian towns were on restrictions on 31 August 2009. Of these, 81 were on Stage 1 restrictions, 31 were on Stage 2, 54 were on Stage 3, 19 on Stage 3a, 105 on Stage 4 with general exemptions and 42 on Stage 4. Approximately 190 towns were not on water restrictions but were subject to Permanent Water Saving Rules.

Irrigation Allocations

GM-W allocations remained at 0% for high-reliability water shares (HRWS) on all northern systems throughout the month.

The latest outlook for the 2009/10 season was released by G-MW on 17 August. Under dry inflow conditions, the Murray system would receive 4% and the Goulburn system 12% for HRWS on 15 October. All other systems would remain on 0%. G-MW will make the next allocation announcement on 1 September.

The seasonal allocation on the Coliban Rural System will be announced on 15 September. The allocation for the Wimmera-Mallee irrigation supply system is 0%.

In southern Victoria, the seasonal allocation for the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigation districts remains at 2% of HRWS.This allocation is guaranteed until 30 November 2009.

At the end of the month, Lake Glenmaggie was at 60.6% of capacity, having risen 25.8% since the end of July. At the beginning of August, MID allocations were at 40% for HRWS.  SRW increased the allocation to 45% on 11 August, and to 55% on 25 August.

The irrigation share of Blue Rock was 450 ML at the end of August.

Restrictions on Unregulated Streams

At the end of August, diversions from a total of 133 unregulated streams and lakes across the state were subject to restrictions. This is higher than the same time last year when 114 streams were on restriction.

Seasonal Climate Outlook

The Bureau of Meteorology released its rainfall outlook for September to November on 26 August. The outlook reports a moderate to strong shift in the odds favouring drier than normal conditions for most of Victoria. The chance of exceeding the median rainfall for spring across most of the state is 35%. In far northwestern Victoria, the chance is below 30%, while in the northeast corner of the state, the chance is at best 40%.

The Bureau issued its latest ENSO Wrap-Up on 19 August 2009. Overall, the Bureau continues to report a high probability of an El Niño event during 2009, which is likely to result in below average rainfall for southeast Australia.