SA’s water storages enter autumn on a six-year high

Buoyed by a wet spring, South Australia’s reservoirs have seen out the summer with a combined level of 69 per cent – the highest start to autumn since 2017.

10 billion litres of water flowed into the storages during the warmer months to prop up levels, with total summer inflows around double the average volume across the past 10 years.

SA Water’s Senior Manager of Environment and Heritage James Crocker said it was also the third highest total level at the end of summer during the past 15 years, behind 2011 and 2017.

“Our reservoirs went into summer sitting at 93 per cent of their total capacity following a spring that delivered 80 billion litres of inflows, elevating our base to levels not seen in recorded years,” James said.

“By the end of summer last year, combined reservoir levels were comparatively at 55 per cent, with Little Para, South Para and Kangaroo Creek contributing the most to our high volume this year.

“These reservoirs enjoyed a wet spring, and along with another of our larger storages, Mount Bold, have been at their highest levels heading into autumn during recent years.

“What’s more impressive about our reservoir levels is the fact Adelaide’s water consumption across summer was the second highest in the past 10 years, with our water treatment plants supplying 57 billion litres of water.

“Pleasingly, the current level means our reservoirs are in a comfortable position to capture anticipated rainfall during autumn and winter, which the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting to be below median levels for most of Australia.

“We’ve also had to transfer less than half the five-year average volume of water from the River Murray to our reservoirs as a result, with some of this to help manage impacts from poorer water quality due to the floods.”

Beyond storing the state’s drinking water supplies, reservoir reserves have been transformed into popular green open spaces that offer a range of recreational activities.

Mr Crocker said more than 174,000 visitors explored these spaces throughout the recent summer.

“We continue to see the community embrace these beautiful natural sites for recreation and wellbeing, with Happy Valley, Myponga and Warren proving to be the most popular in warmer months,” James said.

“As we transition from summer to autumn, we will start to see their unique environments change as native flora that thrive during the cooler months come to life.”

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