Ben Chifley Dam open for recreational use after blue green algae alert downgraded to amber

Bathurst Regional Council announced on Christmas Eve that a red level algae alert that had closed the dam to recreational users since early November had been downgraded to an amber alert.

According to the council website, an amber alert means that while blue green algae "may be multiplying in numbers", recreational activities can now resume.

"The water should be considered as unsuitable for potable use and alternative supplies or prior treatment of raw water for domestic purposes should be considered," the website says.

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"The water may also be unsuitable for stock watering. The water remains suitable for recreational use."

The timing could not be better for Bathurst's waterskiing community who can now make use of a dam that is finishing the year at close to capacity for the first time since 2016.

Ben Chifley Dam was at 99.4 per cent capacity when Bathurst Regional Council took its reading on Tuesday.

It dropped to just 28 per cent in February before good winter rainfall saw it hit capacity in September, the first time it had been full since 2016.