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
March rainfall was 33% below the long-term average for the whole of Victoria. Rainfall for most of west, central and south-eastern Victoria was below average in March, with only north-east Victoria and an area over Warrnambool reporting above average rainfall.
The monthly streamflow update is currently not available. Please visit the Water Measurement Information System for up to date information on Victoria’s rivers and streams.
Storage levels
The total volume of water held in Victoria's major storages decreased by 4.8% during March, ending the month at 41.8% of capacity. Decreases were recorded in 59 monitored storages. The largest decreases were at the Maroondah Reservoir (in the Melbourne System) where storage levels fell by 23.6% and William Hovell storage (in the Ovens System) where storage levels fell by 19.3%.
This section contains a quarterly update on groundwater trends for January to March 2019 period. The next update is June 2019.
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Urban water restrictions
All towns were subject to Permanent Water Savings Rules in March 2019. Korumburra was on stage 2 restrictions at the same time last year.
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Seasonal Allocation Determinations
Seasonal allocation determinations are made by the respective water corporation resource managers and are made effective in the Victorian Water Register by the Department Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
As at 31 March seasonal allocation determination for high reliability water entitlements increased to 100% for the Goulburn and Loddon systems respectively, and to 35% for the Broken system. In Southern Victoria, seasonal allocation determinations remained the same.
As at 31 March seasonal allocation determinations in the GWMWater increased by 1% to 55% for Wimmera Mallee allocations. Seasonal allocations in the Coliban Water Rural System remained the same.
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Restrictions on diversions
At the end of March, there were 162 unregulated streams subject to diversion restrictions across Victoria. This is 1 less than reported at the end of February. This time last year, there were 138 waterways subject to restrictions.
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Seasonal climate outlook
The Bureau of Meteorology released its latest ENSO Wrap-Up on 19 March 2019. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Outlook moved to El Niño ALERT.
The Bureau of Meteorology released its latest April to June 2019 climate outlook on 28 March. The Outlook shows no strong indication either way towards a wetter or drier than average three months ahead.
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Water for the environment
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder's (VEWH) Seasonal Watering Plan 2018-19 is the major planning document for environmental watering in Victoria in the 2018-19 fiscal year. The plan is based on seasonal watering proposals developed by catchment management authorities and Melbourne Water in consultation with local communities and other partner agencies. The VEWH Seasonal Watering Plan 2018-19 and information on environmental water being delivered across Victoria can be found on the VEWH website.
Up to date information can be found on:
- the Victorian Water Register's website where all environmental water entitlements held by the VEWH can be searched; and
- DELWP's environmental entitlements webpage for general information.