AS DAMS inch closer to full across the Tamworth region, thousands of megalitres of water has washed downstream as the state water authority works to make space for more inflows.
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Lake Keepit has surged to 97.3 per cent after recent rain, and Water NSW has now started making releases down the Namoi River.
Close to 10,000ML of water has been released from Keepit Dam since Friday, which is enough to fill almost 4,000 Olympic swimming pools.
More than 2600ML of the resource flowed out of the water supply on both Sunday and Monday, according to Water NSW data.
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Lake Keepit was last up around that capacity level in 2016, when it peaked at about 98.8 per cent before dropping off to less than one per cent full by 2019.
Chaffey Dam - Tamworth's main water supply - has also climbed up to a level close to full, and was sitting at 98.3 per cent on Tuesday afternoon, according to data from Water NSW.
The state water authority has not started releasing significant amounts from the dam though.
Water NSW data shows the standard 3ML per day for the environment is the most that's been coming out daily in recent times.
The Leader contacted Water NSW for comment but it did not respond.
Inflows are expected to boost Chaffey Dam further with some rain on the forecast in the coming days, though only showers are predicted.
The last time Chaffey Dam filled up to the brim was five years ago, back in 2016.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has said there is a 90 per cent chance of rain in Tamworth on Wednesday, which could drop between 3mm and 5mm on the city.
There is more of the wet stuff set to blow in early next week, according to the BoM.
Pindari Dam, north of Glen Innes, is spilling and was sitting at more than 100 per cent full on Tuesday afternoon.
Water releases have also been gushing out of Pindari Dam, with Water NSW data indicating daily releases had more than doubled in recent days, up from about 200ML per day usually to more than 1100ML on Monday.
Split Rock Dam, near Manilla, was sitting at 36.8 per cent on Tuesday afternoon, while Copeton Dam, near Inverell, had reached 63.8 per cent.
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Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
