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

Rainfall during June was below average across most of Victoria.

Streamflow

Total streamflows continued to recede this month compared to early 2011, with a reduction in the total number of stations recording above average flow at the end of June.  Of the 28 representative streamflow gauging stations in Victoria, 11 recorded flows above the long-term June average at the end of the month. 

Storages

The total volume in Victoria’s major storages increased by 2.1% during June compared to the previous month. The total volume of water in Victoria’s major regional storages increased by 2.2% to 83.8%, while Melbourne’s storage levels also continued to increase off the back of above average inflows, rising to 55.6%.

Restrictions on Urban Water Supplies

There were no changes to urban water restrictions during June.  At the end of the month, 36 Victorian towns were still on restrictions.  This is the lowest number of towns on restrictions for almost a decade.

Irrigation Allocations

The 2010/11 season ended on 30 June with full allocations for high-reliability water shares for all northern systems, and full low-reliability allocations for the Broken, Bullarook and Campaspe systems.

2010/11 also saw full allocations for high- and low-reliability water shares in the Macalister Irrigation District, as well as allocations of 100% high-reliability water shares and 55% for low-reliability water shares for Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigation districts.  The first allocation announcements for the 2011/12 season will be made on 1 July.

Restrictions on Unregulated Streams

At the end of June, diversions from four unregulated streams and lakes across the state were subject to restrictions. This is significantly less than the same time last year when

141 streams were on restriction.  It is the lowest number of streams on restriction for more than five years.

Seasonal Climate Outlook

The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest rainfall outlook for July to September 2011 reports that drier than average conditions are likely for most of Victoria.

The Bureau reports that the 2010/11 La Niña event has ended, with most indicators having returned to average levels.  All available climate models indicate continuous warming of the Pacific Ocean in the coming months, with neutral conditions likely to persist through winter.