Chaffey Dam hits full capacity for first time

CHAFFEY Dam has enough water to support Tamworth for the next 10 years, even if the region doesnt get another drop of rain.

On average, Tamworth uses 10,000 megalitres a year, and with the dam hitting 100,000 megalitres on the weekend, it could easily handle the citys demands for the next decade.

Its the first time Chaffey has been at capacity since October 2012, and the first time its hit 100 per cent since it was upgraded.

The Chaffey Dam car park was full as people turned out to see water pour over the morning-glory spillway.

WaterNSW chief executive David Harris said the water flowing into the unique spillway could reach up to 500 megalitres a day, as water continued to make its way into the catchment.

It is both rewarding and satisfying to see the storage increase beyond its original capacity and provide greater water security to the growing city of Tamworth and our customers, Mr Harris said.

Not only has this upgrade secured long-term water supplies for Tamworth, but it enhances the productivity and prosperity of the region by supplying reliable water to growers.

Deputy Prime Minster, Agriculture Minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce said he got a great sense of joy seeing the water pour into the spillway.

When I came back home, I made it my goal to get the Chaffey Dam project underway, Mr Joyce said.

Its been a great success and allows the further grow of the city of Tamworth and further security for the irrigators downstream.

Peel Valley Water Users Association board member Ildu Monticone said it was great for the region to see Chaffey so full.

However, irrigators have a set amount of water they can take every year and that doesnt change, even when the dam is at capacity.

For us, it means whenever we do need to draw water, we know its going to be there, Mr Monticone said.

Lake Keepit is also nearing capacity, sitting at 93 per cent.

It marks a remarkable comeback for the dam, which was down to single figures earlier this year.