Monthly Water Report

Averaged across Victoria, rainfall was 3.5% above the long-term June mean of 59 mm. Rainfall was above average in large parts of central and western Victoria, but below average in scattered areas mostly in the north of the State.

We are working on a new way to present the monthly streamflow update. While we do that please visit the Water Measurement Information System for up to date information on Victoria’s rivers and streams.

The total volume of water held in Victoria's major storages increased by 2.1 percentage points during June, ending the month at 41.5% of capacity. Decreases were recorded in 12 monitored storages and increases were recorded at 55 storages.

Groundwater is reported quarterly; this update  is for the 1 April to 30 June quarter.

Of the 11 water supply protection areas:

• in the short term (<5 years) groundwater level trends were categorised as: declining for six, and stable for five when compared to levels recorded five years ago.
• the long term (<5 years) groundwater level trends were categorised as: rising for three, declining for four and stable for four (Figure 9 and Table 1) when compared to levels recorded ten years ago

Of the 44 groundwater management areas:

• in the short term (<5 years) groundwater level trends were categorised as: rising in two areas, declining in 22 areas and stable in 16 areas when compared to levels recorded five years ago.
  • There was insufficient information (through a lack of State Observation Bore Network data) to determine a trend in the remaining four areas
• the long term (<5 years) groundwater level trends were categorised as: rising in two areas, declining in 12 areas and stable in 23 areas when compared to levels recorded ten years ago.
  • There was insufficient information (through a lack of State Observation Bore Network data) to determine a trend in the remaining seven areas

As at end of June 2019, six towns were on stage 2 restrictions. Low storages in the Euroa and Sunday Creek systems in Goulburn Valley Water’s (GVW’s) area triggered GVW’s drought response plan in April and have remained in place since then. Stage 2 restrictions were implemented in Kilmore, Kilmore East, Wandong, Heathcote Junction, Euroa and Violet Town. All other towns are subject to Permanent Water Saving Rules.

This time last year Korumburra was the only town with restrictions in place (Stage 3).

At the end of June, there were 62 unregulated streams subject to diversion restrictions across Victoria. This is 42 less than reported at the end of May. This is the largest decline in restrictions from May to June in more than 10 years. This time last year, there were 97 waterways subject to restrictions.

The immediate likelihood of El Niño developing has passed, meaning the ENSO Outlook has been reset to INACTIVE. While the possibility of El Niño can't be completely ruled out for 2019, the tropical Pacific Ocean is more likely than not to remain in an ENSO-neutral phase over the coming months.

The Bureau of Meteorology released its latest July to September outlook on 27 June 2019. The outlook indicates large parts of Australia are likely to be drier and warmer than average.

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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.