Recent rainfall has seen Bathurst's water storage hit its highest level in almost nine months. As of Tuesday, July 28, Ben Chifley Dam sat at 41 per cent, an increase of almost 1.1 per cent in the past week. And the level could increase even more by next Tuesday, as water continues to run into the dam following 64.6 millimetres of rain in Bathurst between July 25-29. ALSO MAKING NEWS: Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke said he expects the level to increase by even more by the next reading. "We've had good rain and there's good reports out there that the creeks are running well into the dam," he said. "Farmers have told me that there isn't much rain going into the ground, rather it's good running water going into dams or creeks. We just need more of it. "I reckon if we give it another two or three days, we'll have another two or three points. It could be up to 43 or 44 I reckon, but we only do the levels on the Tuesday." The dam level has come a long way in the past few months. In February, the dam level had dropped below 30 per cent for the first time in the past 18 years. Since then however, it's risen gradually, but there's still a long way to go for the dam to hit 50 per cent for the first time since March, 2019. Cr Bourke didn't give an exact figure for when the current extreme water restrictions would be eased. "We've got a long way to go and we'll just wait and see," he said. "I don't mind being wet and cold if our dam is getting full." Cr Bourke said Bathurst has been using a lot of water out of Fish River at the moment. "We'll be able to pump that back into the storm water harvesting, so things are looking a lot brighter than this time last year," he said. "We've just got to be cautious of our restrictions and we can't be resting on our laurels." There is currently an amber level alert currently in place for the dam, which means water related recreational activities are now allowed. The current water restrictions have been in place from February 24, which allows watering before 10am or after 4pm on Sundays and Wednesdays only for a maximum of 30 minutes water running time (one tap only). Buckets and watering cans can be used, as hoses, micro-sprays or watering systems are not permitted during restrictions.
ON THE RISE: While there's still a long way to go, Ben Chifley Dam has hit its highest level in nine months. Photo: CHRIS SEABROOK
Recent rainfall has seen Bathurst's water storage hit its highest level in almost nine months.
As of Tuesday, July 28, Ben Chifley Dam sat at 41 per cent, an increase of almost 1.1 per cent in the past week.
And the level could increase even more by next Tuesday, as water continues to run into the dam following 64.6 millimetres of rain in Bathurst between July 25-29.
Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke said he expects the level to increase by even more by the next reading.
"We've had good rain and there's good reports out there that the creeks are running well into the dam," he said.
"Farmers have told me that there isn't much rain going into the ground, rather it's good running water going into dams or creeks. We just need more of it.
"I reckon if we give it another two or three days, we'll have another two or three points. It could be up to 43 or 44 I reckon, but we only do the levels on the Tuesday."
The dam level has come a long way in the past few months.
In February, the dam level had dropped below 30 per cent for the first time in the past 18 years.
Since then however, it's risen gradually, but there's still a long way to go for the dam to hit 50 per cent for the first time since March, 2019.
Cr Bourke didn't give an exact figure for when the current extreme water restrictions would be eased.
"We've got a long way to go and we'll just wait and see," he said.
"I don't mind being wet and cold if our dam is getting full."
Cr Bourke said Bathurst has been using a lot of water out of Fish River at the moment.
"We'll be able to pump that back into the storm water harvesting, so things are looking a lot brighter than this time last year," he said.
"We've just got to be cautious of our restrictions and we can't be resting on our laurels."
There is currently an amber level alert currently in place for the dam, which means water related recreational activities are now allowed.
The current water restrictions have been in place from February 24, which allows watering before 10am or after 4pm on Sundays and Wednesdays only for a maximum of 30 minutes water running time (one tap only).
Buckets and watering cans can be used, as hoses, micro-sprays or watering systems are not permitted during restrictions.
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