Dam Level Crises and Water Restrictions
There have been times when drought has seriously depleted the dam. In March 1983, Lake Burragorang's level reached a low of 45.4% of capacity, only to reach maximum level in the mid 90s; as a consequence the gates were opened. Between 1998 and 2007 the catchment area experienced extremely low rainfall, and on 8 Feb 2007 it recorded an all time low of 32.5% of capacity. If Sydney's water supply were to run out, it would be a major economic as well as humanitarian disaster. The New South Wales State Government tried to reduce this risk by implementing water restrictions and constructing the Kurnell Desalination Plant. Heavy rains between June 2007 and February 2008 restored the dam level to around 67%. Despite this, Level 3 water restrictions remained in place until midnight Sunday 21 June 2009. On 29 February 2012, ABC television news reported that the dam was likely to overflow for the first time in 14 years, due to continuing heavy rain in the region. The dam did in fact begin spilling at 18:53 (AEDT) on Friday 2 March 2012 and again on Friday 20 April 2012.
Read more about this topic: Warragamba Dam
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