Nepean Dam overflows after recent wet weather in NSW

One of the dams that provides water to Sydney has overflowed after reaching 100 per cent capacity following months of drought.

One of the dams that provides water to Sydney has been filmed overflowing with water, after recent rainfall saw it reach 100 per cent capacity.

The Nepean Dam, located about 100km southwest of Sydney, has risen almost 70 per cent in the last week alone after hundreds of millimetres of rain fell across parts of NSW in recent days.

It is one of the four dams and weirs in the catchment of the Upper Nepean and provides water to metropolitan Sydney, the Macarthur and Illawarra regions and the Wollondilly Shire.

100% water storage reached at #Nepean and #Tallowa Dams, with both dams spilling. Keep up to date at https://t.co/ZgGddYVt1s #WaterStorage #WaterSupply pic.twitter.com/1hGSP1g2M0

— WaterNSW (@WaterNSW) February 10, 2020

At over 80 metres high, the Nepean Dam has a capacity of 70,170 megalitres, but the heavy rain proved too much for the dam to handle.

Footage taken by the ABC shows a massive surge of water rushing out of the overflowing dam.

The Warragamba Dam, Sydney’s primary water supply, has also seen a huge boost in water levels over the last few days.

The dam is now just under 74 per cent capacity, up 31.1 per cent from last week.

The dam reached 100 per cent capacity after the recent rainfall. Picture: ABC

Footage shows water rushing out of the overflowing dam. Picture: ABC

Up to 550mm of rain fell across parts of the northern rivers, mid- north coast, Central Coast, Sydney, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra over the weekend.

Some areas in NSW have copped up to 700mm of rain since Wednesday, including Robertson in the Southern Highlands which saw 698mm, and Pottsville in the northern rivers region hit by more than 600mm.

Despite the rising dam levels, level two water restrictions are still in place for Sydney, Blue Mountains and Illawarra residents.

“It’s too soon to say if the recent rain is the start of drought recovery, or welcome temporary relief from dry conditions,” Sydney Water said.

“In the meantime, it’s important we continue to conserve water so Level 2 water restrictions still apply.”

The rainfall has seen water rising significantly in a number of NSW dams. Picture: Water NSW

This means that for the time being residents still have to follow strict guidelines about how they can use water outside.

Gardens can only be watered with a bucket or watering can before 10am or after 4pm, with hoses not permitted at any time.

Residents can only wash their car using a bucket and sponge and hosing of hard surfaces like paths or driveways is forbidden unless there is an emergency or for health and safety reasons.

Not following these rules could result in a $220 fine.