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 and rainfall data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Rainfall

Rainfall for June was below average for parts of north-eastern and north-western Victoria.  It was above average in areas around Port Phillip Bay and average for the rest of the state.

Stream flows

Rainfall across large parts of the state and lower temperatures during June have improved surface runoff to streams, particularly in central, north-east, southeast and eastern Victoria. Four of the 28 representative stations, located in the Alpine region recorded flow above the long-term June average. 

Storages

The total volume in Victoria’s major storages increased by 2.9% to 34.5% of total capacity.  The major regional water storages increased by 3.2% to 34.6%. Melbourne's storages are holding 33.8% of capacity, 1.1% higher than at the end of May.

Restrictions on Urban Water Supplies

There were no changes to urban water restrictions during June.

At the end of June, 243 Victorian towns were on restrictions, which is significantly lower than the same time last year when 337 towns were on restrictions.

Irrigation Allocations

G-MW made the final allocation announcement for the 2009/10 season on 1 April.  The allocations for high-reliability water shares finished the season at 100% for the Murray, 71% for the Goulburn, 17% for the Broken, 19% for Bullarook and 3% for the Loddon.  The allocation for the Campaspe system remained at zero for 2009/10.

G-MW released the latest irrigation outlook for the 2010/11 season on 17 May. The first allocations on the Goulburn and Murray systems are expected on 15 August.  The next outlook will be released on 1 July with the first allocation announcement for the 2010/11 season.

The allocations for the Coliban Rural System and the Wimmera-Mallee irrigation supply system remain at 0%.  However, a 30% emergency supply is available to eligible commercial customers on the Coliban Rural System.

In southern Victoria, the seasonal allocation for the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigation district finished the season at 14% of HRWS.  A 6% opening allocation is expected on 1 July.

At the end of the month, Lake Glenmaggie was at 52.1% of capacity.  The allocation for HRWS in the Macalister Irrigation District finished 2009/10 at 100%, and the allocation for low-reliability water shares (LRWS) was 45%.

Restrictions on Unregulated Streams

At the end of June, diversions from a total of 141 unregulated streams and lakes across the state were subject to restrictions.  This is less than the same time last year when 184 streams were on restriction.

Seasonal Climate Outlook

The Bureau of Meteorology released its rainfall outlook for June to August on 23 June.  The outlook reports that the chance of Victoria receiving above average rainfall is equally likely as receiving below average rainfall.

The Bureau issued its latest ENSO Wrap-Up on 23 June. The Bureau reports that major indicators are consistent with the developing stages of a La Niña event.