This information is updated weekly. Most recently updated: 03 Feb 2023 12:09pm Melbourne time, 4 days ago
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.
Flooding
Why wasn't water released from storages and dams sooner?
The primary role of Victoria's water storages is to harvest rainfall runoff during high rainfall times and store water for customers use during low rainfall times.
Most of Victoria’s water storages are not designed or operated specifically for flood mitigation, although they can provide downstream flood peak reduction benefits when possible.
Storage levels
Update of a subset of storages across Victoria
| Storage | This week | Source data date | Last week | 2022 | Capacity (ML) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Water | |||||
| Thomson | 100.0 | 02-Feb-23 | 100.0 | 91.6 | 1,068,000 |
| Cardinia | 86.9 | 02-Feb-23 | 87.8 | 82.6 | 286,911 |
| Upper Yarra | 82.5 | 02-Feb-23 | 85.3 | 74.7 | 200,579 |
| Sugarloaf | 89.4 | 02-Feb-23 | 90.6 | 85.1 | 96,253 |
| Silvan | 88.9 | 02-Feb-23 | 81.7 | 89.1 | 40,445 |
| Tarago | 100.0 | 02-Feb-23 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 37,580 |
| Yan Yean | 96.7 | 02-Feb-23 | 97.5 | 97.9 | 30,266 |
| Greenvale | 86.5 | 02-Feb-23 | 87.2 | 94.4 | 26,839 |
| Maroondah | 97.7 | 02-Feb-23 | 99.1 | 85.1 | 22,179 |
| O'Shannassy | 83.2 | 02-Feb-23 | 94.7 | 100.0 | 3,123 |
| All storages | 95.0 | 02-Feb-23 | 95.4 | 88.2 | 1,812,175 |
| Goulburn-Murray Water | |||||
| Dartmouth* | 99.2 | 02-Feb-23 | 99.6 | 92.5 | 3,856,232 |
| Hume* | 97.3 | 02-Feb-23 | 95.5 | 99.1 | 3,005,157 |
| Eildon | 98.6 | 02-Feb-23 | 98.9 | 85.5 | 3,334,158 |
| Eppalock (Total) | 97.0 | 02-Feb-23 | 97.7 | 53.5 | 304,651 |
| Cairn Curran | 96.8 | 02-Feb-23 | 97.9 | 65.3 | 147,130 |
| Nillahcootie | 95.6 | 02-Feb-23 | 96.5 | 98.4 | 40,400 |
| Tullaroop | 98.1 | 02-Feb-23 | 98.9 | 73.3 | 72,950 |
| Barwon Water | |||||
| Geelong and district | 89.7 | 02-Feb-23 | 91.0 | 89.8 | 95,435 |
| Central Highlands Water | |||||
| Ballarat and district | 93.1 | 31-Jan-23 | 93.9 | 94.6 | 60,594 |
| Coliban Water | |||||
| Coliban Southern | 92.0 | 02-Feb-23 | 93.0 | 89.2 | 69,342 |
| Gippsland Water | |||||
| Moondarra | 99.5 | 02-Feb-23 | 100.0 | 93.5 | 30,458 |
| Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water | |||||
| Grampians storages | 71.8 | 01-Feb-23 | 72.7 | 36.8 | 560,311 |
| South Gippsland Water | |||||
| Major systems | 83.2 | 27-Jan-23 | 83.5 | 82.5 | 6,111 |
| Southern Rural Water | |||||
| Glenmaggie | 77.0 | 02-Feb-23 | 80.9 | 88.5 | 177,640 |
| Blue Rock | 100.0 | 02-Feb-23 | 100.0 | 99.9 | 198,280 |
| Rosslynne | 98.0 | 02-Feb-23 | 98.7 | 66.0 | 25,400 |
| Werribee Basin** | 92.5 | 02-Feb-23 | 93.7 | 87.9 | 68,995 |
| Westernport Water | |||||
| Candowie | 87.0 | 27-Jan-23 | 88.6 | 80.1 | 4,448 |
* 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 December 2022:
- Regional storages were 98.6% full
- 1.6% higher than the previous month (97.0%)
- Melbourne storages were 97.0% full
- 0.9% lower than the previous month (97.9%)
- Total Victorian storages were 98.3% full
- 1.1% higher than the previous month (97.2%)
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 2022).
Updated 18 January 2023, next update mid to late February 2023
Regional monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end December 2022
Melbourne monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end December 2022
Total Victorian monthly storage levels - end January 2010 to end December 2022
Map of rainfall received in the last seven days
View the map 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 Victoria:
| Region | Location | Total rainfall for January 2023 (mm) | January average rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | Thomson Reservoir | 22.8 | 64.2 |
| Melbourne (Olympic Park) | 20.2 | 45.1 | |
| Regional | Geelong | 27.8 | 37.3 |
| Colac (Mt Gellibrand) | 6.2 | 40.3 | |
| Cape Otway | 29.8 | 45.4 | |
| Portland | 17.4 | 32.3 | |
| Ballarat | 8.6 | 45.1 | |
| Horsham | 0.8 | 30.9 | |
| Mildura | 24.8 | 25.2 | |
| Swan Hill | 37.6 | 25.2 | |
| Bendigo | 29.6 | 33.7 | |
| Shepparton | 45.6 | 30.0 | |
| Wangaratta | 29.0 | 45.6 | |
| Hume Reservoir | 175.2 | 52.9 | |
| Falls Creek | 143.4 | 110.9 | |
| Bairnsdale | 16.8 | 52.4 | |
| Morwell | 9.4 | 51.0 | |
| Mallacoota | 60.2 | 62.8 |
Seasonal Climate Outlook
BoM Climate Outlook (2 February 2023):
February to April rainfall is likely to be below average for most of Victoria (30-55% chance of exceeding the median) outside of East Gippsland (50-60% chance of exceeding median rainfall).
February to April maximum temperatures are likely to be cooler than average for northern and eastern parts of Victoria (20-50% chance of exceeding the median), while western and southern areas are likely to be warmer than average (50-85% chance of exceeding the median).
Minimum temperatures in February to April are likely to be warmer than average for the whole of Victoria (>55% chance of exceeding the median).
The next update is expected on 9 February 2023 (pm).
- View the full outlook on the BOM Website.
Climate Driver Update
BoM Climate Driver Update (31 January 2023):
La Niña continues in the tropical Pacific, but has weakened from its peak in spring 2022. Long-range forecasts suggest a return to ENSO-neutral during February.
La Niña typically increases the chances of above-average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during summer.
The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is neutral and has little influence on Australian climate while the monsoon trough is in the southern hemisphere (typically December to April).
The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is strongly positive but is anticipated to ease towards neutral during February. During summer, a positive SAM is associated with above average-rainfall for parts of eastern Victoria.
The next update is expected on 14 February 2023 (pm).
View the full update on the BOM Website
Current urban restrictions
As at 2 February 2023, 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 the end December 2022 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 2022)
Updated 6 January 2023, next update early February 2023.
Graph of total number of towns on urban restrictions from January 2010 to December 2022
Fortnightly stream restriction update
As at 30 January 2023, 40 streams are subject to diversion restrictions across Victoria (out of a total of 250 unregulated streams),
18 more than the previous fortnight (26 on 16 January 2022):
- Goulburn-Murray Water – 31 streams on rosters or restrictions (13 more than the previous fortnight)
- Southern Rural Water – 4 streams on rosters (the same as the previous fortnight)
- Melbourne Water – 5 streams on bans (1 more than the previous fortnight)
- GWMW - diversion triggers have been met for 2022-2023
- Wimmera River diverters below Glenorchy weir are permitted to take as of September 2022
- Avoca River diverters below Charlton weir are permitted to take as of 23 August 2022
Next update week of 13 February 2023.
Monthly stream restrictions
As at the end of December 2022:
- There were 8 streams with restrictions or bans on licensed diversions across Victoria
- Goulburn-Murray Water - 2 streams restricted (1 in November)
- Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water - 0 streams restricted (0 in November)
- Melbourne Water - 4 stream restricted (1 in November)
- Southern Rural Water - 2 streams restricted (0 in November)
The graphs and data below are as at the end of each month.
Download the monthly stream restriction data (2010-2022).
Updated 6 January 2022, next update early February 2023
Graph of total number of unregulated streams restricted from January 2010 to December 2022
Quarterly groundwater level trend summary
Groundwater level trend update - 1 October to 31 December 2022 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 DEECA website for more information on SOBN and GMUs.
| TREND | GMU type | Declining | Stable | Rising |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term trend | GMA | 3 | 15 | 20 |
| WSPA | 1 | 2 | 7 | |
| Short-term total | 4 | 17 | 27 | |
| Long-term trend | GMA | 6 | 20 | 12 |
| WSPA | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
| Long-term total | 9 | 23 | 16 | |
Note: Insufficient data or monitoring bores were available to determine a short-term and long-term trend in 5 GMAs.
Download the groundwater level trend data for 2018 to 2022.
Updated 3 February 2023, next update April 2023 (for January to March 2023 quarter).
Groundwater management unit short-term trends - October to December 2022 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 - October to December 2022 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 - October to December 2022 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 - October to December 2022 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 - 2022-23 | |||
| HRWS | LRWS | ||
| Goulburn | 100% | 100% | 15 Dec 2022 |
| Broken | 100% | 100% | |
| Murray | 100% | 100% | |
| Campaspe | 100% | 100% | |
| Loddon | 100% | 100% | |
| Bullarook | 100% | 100% | |
| Southern Rural Water - 2022-23 | |||
| HRWS | LRWS | ||
| Bacchus Marsh/Werribee | 100% | 100% | 27 Dec 2022 |
| Thomson/Macalister | 100% | 5% | 27 Dec 2022 |
| Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water - 2022-23 | |||
| Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline Product | 100% | December 2022 | |
| Coliban Water- 2021-22 | |||
| Coliban Rural System | 100% | Opening announcement 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 DEECA 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: 03/02/23