Water to be released from Somerset and Wivenhoe Dams

WATER levels at Wivenhoe and Somerset dams will be temporarily lowered over the coming weeks as part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program.

Wivenhoe dam release. Photo Contributed. Picture: Contributed

WATER levels at Wivenhoe and Somerset dams will be temporarily lowered over the coming weeks as part of Seqwater's Dam Improvement Program.

Somerset Dam will be lowered to 80 % of its full water supply storage volume while Wivenhoe will be lowered to 90 % of capacity.

According to Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark Bailey, this will increase the temporary flood storage space in Wivenhoe Dam to allow additional flood waters to be stored if required.

Flow releases from Somerset Dam started today and Wivenhoe releases will start from next week.

Mr Bailey said the latest assessment of Somerset Dam indicated improvement works may be required earlier than previously planned to ensure the highest level of safety standards were maintained.

"This is very much a precautionary approach to best manage Somerset Dam while further assessments can be undertaken to confirm the final nature and detail of any necessary future works," he said.