Wivenhoe Dam to be lowered
Updated: 20:34, Sunday November 13, 2011
Wivenhoe Dam levels will be reduced from 80 per cent to 75 per cent as Queensland prepares for the wet season, Acting Premier Andrew Fraser has announced.
Mr Fraser told reporters in Brisbane the decision was made following updated advice about the severity of the expected weather from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
'While the government has been told there will be a period of above average rainfall, for the last few months it has been below the level we had last year so the situation is not as dire as last year.
'If we get an event such as last year, Brisbane will still flood.'
Having decided against lowering levels in September, he said he hoped Sunday's decision would be a comfort to victims of the floods earlier this year.
'For many people who have experienced a very difficult year, thinking about a repeat is a horrific concept, this decision means we are better placed to deal with those factors in the future.'
Minister for Natural Resources Rachel Nolan said the dam would be lowered until March 31 next year and levels would start to be lowered in the middle of this week after downstream landholders had been informed.
Ms Nolan said releasing the water would result in Twin Bridges and Savages Crossing being closed for 10 to 12 days but Colleges Crossing would remain open.
Water will be released for 12 days at a rate of 400 cubic metres per second.
Ms Nolan said the decision was taken following updated expert advice.
'I have sought advice about the BoM's forecast from Seqwater, the Water Grid Manager, the Queensland Water Commission and the Department of Environment and Resource Management.
'My advice is that if water levels are maintained at 75% going into the next wet season rather than being allowed to rise to 100%, then in the event of a flood like last year's, the flood peak would be 0.3 metres lower at the Port Office (Brisbane CBD) gauge,' she said.
Ms Nolan said the decision had been made to not release water from the North Pine Dam.
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