Many of Tasmania’s lakes have reached excess capacity, due to heavy rainfall in July.
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Launceston experienced 123.2 millimetres of rain last month, significantly outstripping the historical average rainfall for July.
July’s above average rainfall was certainly evident at the Trevallyn Dam.
It was reported by Hydro Tasmania that the dam is sitting above the spillway as of Friday.
“The Trevallyn dam is currently spilling and is sitting at around 1 metre above the spillway,” a Hydro Tasmania spokesman said.
“During the flood of 2016, the dam rose to more than five metres above the spillway – this was the highest level in the past five years.
“The current level has been recorded numerous times in the past five years.”
Hydro Tasmania has listed a number of other lakes as above their respective spillways, including Central Plateau lakes Little Pine Lagoon, Lake August, Shannon Lagoon and Penstock Lagoon.
Lakes Rowallan, Parangana, Cethana, Barrington and Paloona on the North-West are also spilling.
The heavy rainfalls throughout the state translates into a far greater ability for Hydro Tasmania to generate energy.
“Since the first of July, we have had enough inflow into Hydro Tasmania’s dams to power almost all of the state’s residential homes for a year,” Hydro Tasmania director of wholesale services Gerard Flack said.
Forecasts from BOM for the start of August predict that the wet weather will continue.
Between four and 10 millimetres of rain is expected to fall in Launceston over the weekend, with a 90 to 95 percent chance of rain predicted.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
