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.
What's New - July 2021 - we've made a few changes to the snapshot
- Monthly storage level summary - below the Weekly Storage Table there is a link to the end of month storage data for a larger subset of storages than is included in the weekly table. We have also provided some graph images of monthly storage levels over time for Regional, Melbourne and total Victorian storages.
- Urban restriction summary - below the Climate Driver Update we've included summary information on any current urban restrictions, a monthly data download and a graph of monthly urban restrictions over time for Victoria.
- Stream restriction summary - below the Urban Restrictions there's a fortnightly summary of the streams on restriction, a monthly data download and a graph of monthly stream restrictions over time for Victoria.
- Groundwater level trends summary - below the Stream Restrictions there's a quarterly summary of the groundwater level trends in groundwater management units (GMU) and for each State Observation Bore Network bores (SOBN) that is used to determine the trends. We've also include a quarterly trend determination data download and a map of the current quarterly trends in GMUs and the SOBN bores.
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 | 76.6 | 29-Jul-21 | 75.6 | 63.1 |
| Cardinia | 72.1 | 29-Jul-21 | 72.3 | 77.0 |
| Upper Yarra | 73.9 | 29-Jul-21 | 71.3 | 41.2 |
| Sugarloaf | 85.4 | 29-Jul-21 | 84.4 | 95.5 |
| Silvan | 87.8 | 29-Jul-21 | 88.9 | 87.4 |
| Tarago | 100.0 | 29-Jul-21 | 100.0 | 88.2 |
| Yan Yean | 91.3 | 29-Jul-21 | 90.8 | 87.0 |
| Greenvale | 82.0 | 29-Jul-21 | 81.2 | 86.4 |
| Maroondah | 100.0 | 29-Jul-21 | 100.0 | 99.8 |
| O'Shannassy | 100.0 | 29-Jul-21 | 100.0 | 94.7 |
| All storages | 77.5 | 29-Jul-21 | 76.6 | 66.9 |
| Goulburn-Murray Water | ||||
| Dartmouth* | 69.3 | 29-Jul-21 | 66.9 | 53.4 |
| Hume* | 79.6 | 29-Jul-21 | 71.0 | 49.2 |
| Eildon | 66.1 | 29-Jul-21 | 62.8 | 51.4 |
| Eppalock (Total) | 42.8 | 29-Jul-21 | 39.3 | 39.5 |
| Cairn Curran | 50.1 | 29-Jul-21 | 46.8 | 40.2 |
| Nillahcootie | 100.0 | 29-Jul-21 | 88.2 | 75.8 |
| Tullaroop | 50.8 | 29-Jul-21 | 46.7 | 58.7 |
| Barwon Water | ||||
| Geelong and district | 84.8 | 29-Jul-21 | 82.2 | 56.5 |
| Central Highlands Water | ||||
| Ballarat and district | 91.1 | 27-Jul-21 | 87.7 | 81.6 |
| Coliban Water | ||||
| Coliban Southern | 101.1 | 29-Jul-21 | 97.7 | 76.6 |
| Gippsland Water | ||||
| Moondarra | 100.0 | 29-Jul-21 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water | ||||
| Grampians storages | 35.1 | 28-Jul-21 | 33.3 | 31.8 |
| South Gippsland Water | ||||
| Major systems | 97.7 | 23-Jul-21 | 95.7 | 100.0 |
| Southern Rural Water | ||||
| Glenmaggie | 82.8 | 29-Jul-21 | 82.4 | 85.4 |
| Blue Rock | 100.2 | 29-Jul-21 | 100.3 | 101.3 |
| Rosslynne | 45.4 | 29-Jul-21 | 44.2 | 23.7 |
| Werribee Basin** | 78.8 | 29-Jul-21 | 77.5 | 56.9 |
| Westernport Water | ||||
| Candowie | 96.4 | 23-Jul-21 | 90.0 | 100.5 |
* 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 June 2021:
- Regional storages were 58.2% full
- 5.9% higher than the previous month (52.3%)
- Melbourne storages were 74.9% full
- 3.8% higher than the previous month (71%)
- Total Victorian storages were 60.6% full
- 5.6% higher than the previous month (55%)
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 28 July 2021
Regional monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end June 2021
Melbourne monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end June 2021
Total Victorian monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end June 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) | Upper Yarra | Thomson | Geelong |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall (mm) | Rainfall (mm) | Rainfall (mm) | Rainfall (mm) | |
| 23/07/2021 | 0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| 24/07/2021 | 0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 25/07/2021 | 0.8 | 12.8 | 9.2 | 4.8 |
| 26/07/2021 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 27/07/2021 | 0 | 1.2 | 0 | 1.6 |
| 28/07/2021 | 0 | 3.4 | 0 | 0 |
| 29/07/2021 | 0.8 | 10.8 | 6 | 2.4 |
| Total | 1.6 | 34.2 | 16.2 | 11.8 |
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 | July Rainfall Average (mm) | Calculation method (for average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne (Olympic Park) | 31.2 | 44.7 | Mean rainfall (mm) - 30 year period 1981 -2010 from Melbourne Regional Office gauge |
| Upper Yarra | 134.2 | 101.9 | As per Melbourne Water |
| Thomson | 69.0 | 99.2 | As per Melbourne Water |
| Geelong | 36.6 | 49.2 | Mean rainfall (mm) - 28 year period 1983 - 2011 from Grovedale (Geelong Airport) gauge |
Seasonal Climate Outlook
BoM Climate outlook (29 July 2021):
August to October is likely to be much wetter than average across most of northern Victoria (greater than 70% chance of exceeding median rainfall). Southern Victoria is expected to have closer to average rainfall (50 – 70 % chance of exceeding the median).
August to October maximum temperatures are likely to be warmer than average across most of Victoria (greater than 60% chance). However, in north-western Victoria temperatures are likely to be closer to average (50-60% chance). August to October minimum temperatures are expected to be much warmer than average across Victoria (greater than 80% chance).
Next update is expected on 5 August 2021 (pm)
View the full outlook on the BOM Website.
Climate Driver Update
BoM Climate Driver Update (20 July 2021):
A negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is underway. Most climate models surveyed by the Bureau predict a negative IOD pattern is likely to persist until at least mid-spring.
A negative IOD increases the likelihood of above average winter–spring rainfall for much of southern and eastern Australia. Maximum temperatures are also more likely to be below average across southern Australia.
The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) remains neutral with most oceanic and atmospheric indicators within the neutral range. The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) index is also neutral and is forecast to remain neutral for at least the next fortnight. A neutral SAM has little influence on Australian climate.
The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) has recently strengthened over the Maritime Continent, to Australia's north and will likely continue moving eastwards into the western Pacific over the coming week. An MJO in these regions typically leads to stronger westerly winds over the Indian Ocean, which can reinforce the negative IOD.
The next update is expected on 3 August 2021 (pm)
View the full update on the BOM Website
Current urban restrictions
As at 28 July 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 June 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 28 July 2021
Fortnightly stream restriction update
As at 20 July 2021, 15 unregulated streams were subject to licensed diversion restrictions across Victoria:
- Goulburn-Murray Water – 12 streams (8 less than the previous fortnight)
- Southern Rural Water – 0 streams (no change from the previous fortnight)
- Melbourne Water – 1 stream (1 more than the previous fortnight)
- Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water – 2 streams (diversion triggers not yet met in 2021-22)
Next update week of 2 August 2021.
Monthly stream restrictions
As at the end of June 2021:
- There were 30 streams with restrictions or bans on licensed diversions across Victoria.
61 fewer streams than the previous month (91 in May)
The graphs and data below are as at the end of each month.
Download the monthly stream restriction data (2010-2021).
Updated 28 July 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 November 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 | 37% | 0% | 15 Jul 2021 |
| Broken | 8% | 0% | |
| Murray | 31% | 0% | |
| Campaspe | 23% | 0% | |
| Loddon | 37% | 0% | |
| Bullarook | 100% | 100% | |
| Southern Rural Water - 2021-22 | |||
| HRWS | LRWS | ||
| Bacchus Marsh/Werribee | 95% | 0% | 27 July 2021 |
| Thomson/Macalister | 100% | 0% | 13 July 2021 |
| Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water - 2021-22 | |||
| Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline Product | 0% | 9 July 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: 30/07/21