Storage Levels - April 2011
The total volume of water in most of Victoria’s major storages again decreased slightly during April compared to the end of the previous month. By the end of April, Victoria’s major storages were at 77.8% of total capacity.*
However, this month saw a reversal of the normal April trend for Melbourne’s catchments. Above average rainfall and inflows combined with low consumption saw Melbourne’s storage levels increase by 0.2% to 53.1% during April. Typically, storages decrease by 0.4% per week during autumn. The continuing above average inflows to reservoirs during 2010/11 have held storages steady around 53-54% for 2011 to date. This puts Melbourne’s storages in a good position heading into the traditional filling period over winter/spring.
*This month’s total storages are an estimate, as figures on Victoria’s share of the Murray storages are not yet available for April. Figures for the Murray storages represent March volumes, but April volumes are unlikely to be significantly different.