Rainfall

Rainfall was well above average across most of the State during November.

Rainfall stations around Mildura and the Loddon and Campaspe catchments recorded the wettest November on record.  About half of the stations in the Mallee region of Victoria recorded more than three times their usual November rainfall.  Rainfall for parts of Gippsland and East Gippsland was average or below average. 

Stream flows

The rainfall pattern was largely similar to October, with intermittent falls throughout the month. However, the combination of heavier rainfall at the end of November and its distribution across Victoria resulted in a dramatic change to the stream flow situation.

Of the 28 representative streamflow gauging stations, 19 stations recorded flows above the long-term November average at the end of the month. Eight stations recorded streamflows between 10 and 99% of the average, while one station located in East Gippsland recorded flows below 10% of the long-term average at the end of the month.

Storages

The total volume in Victoria’s major storages was 73.0% of total capacity at the end of the November. The volume in the State’s major regional water storages increased by 3.4% to 76.7% of capacity, and Melbourne's storages increased by 1.8% to 51.3%.

Restrictions on Urban Water Supplies

During November, Central Highlands Water removed restrictions for seven of its towns, including Avoca and Clunes. Restrictions for Maryborough and district were reduced to Stage 1, and restrictions for the Forest Hill supply system were reduced to Stage 3.

At the end of the month, 154 Victorian towns were still on restrictions, however, this is far less than the same time last year when 266 towns were on restrictions.

Irrigation Allocations

At the end of November, the allocation for high-reliability water shares (HRWS) was 100% on all northern irrigation systems.  A 52% allocation for low-reliability water shares (LRWS) on the Campaspe system and a 100% allocation for LRWS on the Broken system were also announced.

The allocation for the Coliban rural system remained at 70% throughout November.
Grampians Wimmera-Mallee Water has deferred an irrigation channel run on the Wimmera Mallee supply system this year, in consultation with irrigators.

In southern Victoria, Southern Rural Water increased the allocation for the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigation districts to 85% for HRWS. 

The allocation for HRWS in the Macalister Irrigation District will remain at 90% until SRW reviews its decision following the end of the spilling season on 15 December 2010.

Restrictions on Unregulated Streams

At the end of November, diversions from a total of 11 unregulated streams and lakes across the state were subject to restrictions. This is significantly less than the same time last year when 120 streams were on restriction.

Seasonal Climate Outlook

The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest rainfall outlook for south-eastern Australia favours drier than average conditions in western Victoria.  For the rest of Victoria the odds are neutral, with above average rainfall being as likely as below average rainfall.

The Bureau reports that a moderate to strong La Niña event remains in the Pacific Ocean. The negative Indian Ocean Dipole event commenced its normal cycle of decay during November.