DELWP regularly updates the community on a Friday on the status of the state’s water across a variety of categories including storage levels, rainfall, and seasonal outlooks.
Contact the water reporting team at water.reporting@delwp.vic.gov.au for additional information or if you think we can improve the Snapshot.
This week's storage levels
Weekly update of a subset of storages across Victoria
| Storage | Storage level (%) | Source data date | Previous week’s level (%) | Previous year's level (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Water | ||||
| Thomson | 86.4 | 21-Oct-21 | 85.4 | 72.2 |
| Cardinia | 77.4 | 21-Oct-21 | 75.6 | 85.4 |
| Upper Yarra | 91.8 | 21-Oct-21 | 91.2 | 43.3 |
| Sugarloaf | 90.2 | 21-Oct-21 | 89.5 | 98.6 |
| Silvan | 87.7 | 21-Oct-21 | 88.0 | 85.2 |
| Tarago | 100.0 | 21-Oct-21 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Yan Yean | 100.0 | 21-Oct-21 | 98.2 | 91.1 |
| Greenvale | 89.3 | 21-Oct-21 | 88.2 | 83.0 |
| Maroondah | 100.0 | 21-Oct-21 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| O'Shannassy | 100.0 | 21-Oct-21 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| All storages | 86.6 | 21-Oct-21 | 85.6 | 74.2 |
| Goulburn-Murray Water | ||||
| Dartmouth* | 81.9 | 21-Oct-21 | 81.3 | 59.1 |
| Hume* | 98.3 | 21-Oct-21 | 97.2 | 75.6 |
| Eildon | 83.3 | 21-Oct-21 | 82.0 | 66.0 |
| Eppalock (Total) | 56.9 | 21-Oct-21 | 56.3 | 47.0 |
| Cairn Curran | 66.1 | 21-Oct-21 | 65.6 | 49.8 |
| Nillahcootie | 100.7 | 21-Oct-21 | 100.7 | 100.9 |
| Tullaroop | 73.9 | 21-Oct-21 | 73.4 | 61.4 |
| Barwon Water | ||||
| Geelong and district | 97.0 | 21-Oct-21 | 95.8 | 82.5 |
| Central Highlands Water | ||||
| Ballarat and district | 97.7 | 19-Oct-21 | 96.5 | 93.8 |
| Coliban Water | ||||
| Coliban Southern | 99.9 | 21-Oct-21 | 100.2 | 99.0 |
| Gippsland Water | ||||
| Moondarra | 100.0 | 21-Oct-21 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water | ||||
| Grampians storages | 43.8 | 20-Oct-21 | 43.7 | 40.4 |
| South Gippsland Water | ||||
| Major systems | 100.0 | 15-Oct-21 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Southern Rural Water | ||||
| Glenmaggie | 95.8 | 21-Oct-21 | 94.4 | 96.6 |
| Blue Rock | 100.9 | 21-Oct-21 | 100.4 | 100.3 |
| Rosslynne | 55.8 | 21-Oct-21 | 54.9 | 29.4 |
| Werribee Basin** | 85.7 | 21-Oct-21 | 85.0 | 68.2 |
| Westernport Water | ||||
| Candowie | 100.1 | 15-Oct-21 | 100.5 | 100.0 |
* Victoria has a 50% share of inflows to Dartmouth and in Hume
** Werribee Basin storage value is the combined volume of the Melton, Merrimu and Pykes reservoirs
Monthly storage levels
As at the end of September 2021:
- Regional storages were 83.4% full
- 5.8% higher than the previous month (77.6%)
- Melbourne storages were 84.1% full
- 1.9% higher than the previous month (82.2%)
- Total Victorian storages were 83.5% full
- 5.2% higher than the previous month (78.3%)
The graphs and data below are updated at the end of each month. This monthly dataset contains more storages than the weekly storage table above.
Download the monthly storage data (2010 to 2021).
Updated 20 October 2021
Regional monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end September 2021
Melbourne monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end September 2021
Total Victorian monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end September 2021
Map of rainfall received in the last seven days
View the map on the BOM Website.
Rainfall in the Melbourne and Geelong region in the last seven days:
| Date | Melbourne (Olympic Park) rainfall (mm) | Upper Yarra rainfall (mm) | Thomson rainfall (mm) | Geelong rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/10/2021 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 16 | 6 |
| 16/10/2021 | 26.4 | 35.2 | 32.6 | 15 |
| 17/10/2021 | 0.4 | 5.4 | 4 | 0 |
| 18/10/2021 | 0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0 |
| 19/10/2021 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 |
| 20/10/2021 | 0 | 0.2 | 6.6 | 0.2 |
| 21/10/2021 | 0 | 0 | 0.2 | 0 |
| Total | 28.2 | 45 | 60 | 22.6 |
View daily rainfall at:
- Melbourne (Olympic Park) on the BOM Website
- Upper Yarra and Thomson on the Melbourne Water website
- Geelong on the BOM Website.
Map of total rainfall received month to date
View the map on the BOM Website.
Total rainfall received month to date in the Melbourne and Geelong region:
| Site | Rainfall (mm) - Total month to date | October Rainfall Average (mm) | Calculation method (for average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne (Olympic Park) | 86.4 | 58.5 | Mean rainfall (mm) - 30 year period 1981 -2010 from Melbourne Regional Office gauge |
| Upper Yarra | 119.0 | 93.4 | As per Melbourne Water |
| Thomson | 121.4 | 87.5 | As per Melbourne Water |
| Geelong | 62.4 | 51.3 | Mean rainfall (mm) - 28 year period 1983 - 2011 from Grovedale (Geelong Airport) gauge |
Seasonal Climate Outlook
BoM Climate outlook (21 October 2021):
November to January rainfall is very likely to be above average across most of Victoria (greater than 70% chance of exceeding median rainfall). The likelihood is highest in east Gippsland, eastern parts of the Alps and an area in the north between Bendigo, Echuca and Seymour (greater than 80% chance). The likelihood is slightly lower across the western half of the state (60 to 70% chance).
November to January maximum temperatures are likely to be above average along the coast and across the west (greater than 60% chance of exceeding the median). The likelihood is lowest across parts of Gippsland and east Gippsland (30 to 45% chance). The remaining areas have roughly equal chances (45 to 55% chance).
November to January minimum temperatures are very likely to be warmer than average across Victoria (greater than 80% chance).
Next update is expected on 28 October 2021 (pm)
View the full outlook on the BOM Website.
Climate Driver Update
BoM Climate Driver Update (12 October 2021):
The Bureau's ENSO Outlook has been raised to La Niña ALERT. This is due to continued cooling in the tropical Pacific Ocean and an increase in the number of climate models showing sustained La Niña conditions over summer. Historically, when La Niña ALERT criteria have been met, La Niña has subsequently developed around 70% of the time.
La Niña events increase the chances of above-average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during spring and summer.
A weak negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event continues. Most models suggest the negative IOD event will ease to neutral levels in late spring. A negative IOD increases the chances of above-average spring rainfall for much of southern and eastern Australia.
The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) index has been neutral for the past week after being at positive levels for 5 to 6 weeks. It is forecast to remain neutral for the coming week, but is expected to return to generally positive levels from October to December. A positive SAM during spring typically brings wetter weather to eastern parts of Australia.
The next update is expected on 26 October 2021 (pm)
View the full update on the BOM Website
Current urban restrictions
As at 14 October 2021, there were no towns on restrictions, with permanent water saving rules in place across Victoria.
Urban water corporations publish water restrictions on their websites. Visit the Water in Your Region page to find your urban water corporation via the interactive map.
Monthly urban restrictions
As at end September 2021 permanent water saving rules were in place across Victoria, with no towns on urban restrictions at any time during the month. The last time urban restrictions were in place was in June 2020, when 20 towns were on stage 1 restrictions.
The graph and data below are updated at the end of each month.
Download the monthly urban restrictions data (2010 to 2021)
Updated 14 October 2021
Graph of total number of towns on urban restrictions from January 2010 to September 2021
Fortnightly stream restriction update
As at 11 October 2021, 7 unregulated streams were subject to licensed diversion restrictions across Victoria:
- Goulburn-Murray Water – 5 streams (no change from 27 September)
- Southern Rural Water – 0 streams (no change from 27 September)
- Melbourne Water – 2 streams (1 less than 27 September)
- Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water – 0 streams (no change from 27 September)
Next update week of 25 October 2021.
Monthly stream restrictions
As at the end of September 2021:
- There were 8 streams with restrictions or bans on licensed diversions across Victoria (1 less than the previous month - 9 in August).
- Goulburn-Murray Water - 5 streams restricted (1 less than the previous month)
- Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water - 0 streams restricted (the same as the previous month)
- Melbourne Water - 3 streams restricted (the same as the previous month)
- Southern Rural Water - 0 streams restricted (the same as the previous month)
The graphs and data below are as at the end of each month.
Download the monthly stream restriction data (2010-2021).
Updated 20 October 2021
Graph of total number of unregulated streams restricted from January 2010 to September 2021
Quarterly groundwater level trend summary
Groundwater level trend update - 1 April to 30 June 2021 quarter.
Groundwater level trends in groundwater management units (GMUs) are reported quarterly. Groundwater level trends for GMUs have been determined based on 5 years (short-term) or 10 years (long-term) consistent monitoring data from key bores in the State Observation Bore Network (SOBN) (Glossary).
Go to the DELWP website for more information on SOBN and GMUs.
| TREND | GMU type | Declining | Stable | Rising |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term trend | GMA | 10 | 17 | 11 |
| WSPA | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Short-term total | 14 | 21 | 13 | |
| Long-term trend | GMA | 16 | 19 | 3 |
| WSPA | 8 | 2 | 0 | |
| Long-term total | 24 | 21 | 3 | |
Note: Insufficient data or monitoring bores were available to determine a short-term trend in 5 GMAs and a long-term trend in 5 GMAs.
Download the groundwater level trend data for 2018 to 2021.
Updated 28 July 2021, next update October 2021 (for Jul-Sep 2021 quarter).
Groundwater management unit short-term trends - April to June 2021 quarter
The map below shows the short-term (5-year) trends in each GMU (both GMAs and WSPAs) across Victoria. The trends are determined using the data from the SOBN key bores in the second map below.
State Observation Bore Network key bore short-term trends - April to June 2021 quarter
The map below shows the short-term (5-year) trends in each SOBN key bore used to determine trends in the GMUs above.
Groundwater management unit long-term trends - April to June 2021 quarter
The map below shows the long-term trends (10-year) in each GMU (both GMAs and WSPAs) across Victoria. The trends are determined using the data from the SOBN key bores in the second map below.
State Observation Bore Network key bore long-term trends - April to June 2021 quarter
The map below shows the long-term (10-year) trends in each SOBN key bore used to determine trends in the GMUs above.
Seasonal determinations and allocations
Seasonal determinations are made against water shares to provide allocations in declared systems. In northern Victoria, Goulburn-Murray Water makes the seasonal determinations in the relevant systems, while Southern Rural Water makes the seasonal determinations in the Thomson/Macalister and Bacchus Marsh/Werribee systems.
In the Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water area, resource assessments are undertaken every month to determine the amount of water that can be made available to entitlement holders. These monthly assessments result in a formal announcement on water allocations.
Coliban Water assess seasonal allocations for customers on its rural network based on available resources in the Coliban System.
| System | Seasonal determinations / allocations | Date updated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goulburn-Murray Water - 2021-22 | |||
| HRWS | LRWS | ||
| Goulburn | 100% | 0% | 15 October 2021 |
| Broken | 100% | 100% | |
| Murray | 100% | 0% | |
| Campaspe | 100% | 0% | |
| Loddon | 100% | 0% | |
| Bullarook | 100% | 100% | |
| Southern Rural Water - 2021-22 | |||
| HRWS | LRWS | ||
| Bacchus Marsh/Werribee | 100% | 40% | 19 October 2021 |
| Thomson/Macalister | 100% | 0% | 13 July 2021 |
| Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water - 2021-22 | |||
| Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline Product | 53% | 8 October 2021 | |
| Coliban Water- 2021-22 | |||
| Coliban Rural System | 100% | Opening announcement 1 July 2021 | |
Additional Information
Weather and Climate
For most up to date information regarding rainfall conditions, seasonal climate outlooks and other climate information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology site.
Groundwater Restrictions
For current groundwater restrictions visit the Goulburn-Murray Water and Southern Rural Water sites. Go to Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water's site and search for 'groundwater restrictions'.
Seasonal Determinations
Seasonal determinations are made against water shares to provide allocations (Glossary). Visit the Victorian Water Register website for current determinations.
Seasonal Determination Outlook
The Northern Victoria Resource Manager provides information about risk of spill and resource outlook (Glossary) for seasonal determinations.
Water Register and Market Information
The Water Register is a public register of all water-related entitlements in Victoria. It has been designed and built to record water entitlements with integrity and provide crucial information for managing Victoria’s water resources.
You can obtain information about trading water in Victoria at the Victorian Water Register Site. Water products that may be traded in Victoria include water shares, allocations and take and use licences (Glossary)
Urban Water Restrictions
Water restrictions are only applicable to customers on a piped water (reticulated) supply. Urban water corporations publish water restrictions on their websites. Visit the Water in Your Region page to find your urban water corporation via the interactive map.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Water Restrictions also provides a summary of water restrictions.
Visit the DELWP water restrictions page for more detail on the types of restrictions.
Environmental Water Releases
To learn how water for the environment is being used across the rivers and wetlands of Victoria, visit the Victorian Environmental Water Holder website.
Drought Management
Victorian's Drought Preparedness and Response Framework is being used to support drought-affected communities, Visit the Drought Section of the Agriculture Victoria website for further information.
Page last updated: 21/10/21