West Barwon Reservoir spills

23 Aug 2022

Following 110 mm of rain in the headwaters of the West Barwon catchment over the past week and a half, the West Barwon Reservoir began spilling this morning.

Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter said recent rainfall in the catchment had increased the storage levels by more than 2 billion litres of water.

“With storage levels now 100% the reservoir spilled morning. A small amount of water is going down the spillway with future spilling volumes dependent on localised rainfall.”

Image depicts water flowing down the spillway of the West Barwon Reservoir.

The West Barwon Reservoir at capacity. Excess water flows down this spillway and then to the Barwon River.

Recent rainfall in the catchment combined with a wet winter has led to ongoing high levels at the reservoir.

“Given the high winter rainfall and high storage levels and likelihood of wet weather over spring, it is anticipated that further spill events will occur at the West Barwon Reservoir this year.  We will continue to monitor storage levels and weather forecasts closely,” Ms Slatter said.

Under Barwon Water’s bulk entitlement to use water from the upper Barwon catchment for drinking supplies, transfers from the West Barwon Reservoir to the Wurdee Boluc Reservoir have ceased. Barwon Water will recommence these transfers as soon as the flows in the East Barwon River subside.

“We will continue to monitor the reservoir levels and weather closely, and work with local agencies to share information and plan for any possible impacts with this current forecasted spilling and any future spill events for the rest of the year,” Ms Slatter said.

Barwon Water is in the process of contacting landholders who could be affected by a spill.

Barwon Water strongly encourages any visitors to the West Barwon Reservoir over the coming days and weeks to take care and observe all safety advice and signage. This includes sticking to designated walking paths and tracks, observing permitted reservoir recreation activities including bird watching, fishing from the bank, bike riding and bushwalking. Swimming or any on water activities are not permitted at the reservoir.

See also: Geelong region water storages, recreational areas.