THE torrential rain that pummeled the shire on Saturday was not all bad news.
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With all the rivers and creeks flowing freely, the level of the Bowra Dam rose 0.7 metres, effectively filling it for the first time since pumps were turned on in September 2014.
Nambucca Shire’s Manager Water and Sewerage, Richard Spain, said the level was now 0.5 metres below the spillway, an optimal operational level.
The milestone is a significant one for the $54 million dam, which has been filling in earnest since late November 2014, and brings with it a saving in pumping costs of around $60,000 (current costs are between $12,000 to $15,000 per month).
Mr Spain said the water would now be left to settle before being introduced into the shire’s drinking water supply at the end of the year.
“With the low river flows and the warm weather keeping evaporation quite high, we have been struggling to get the dam full,” Mr Spain said.
“This rain means we can turn the pumps off for now.
“With this optimal level reached, we can now use the dam rather than river water when the next dry period arrives, keeping river extraction levels to a minimum.”
Onsite yesterday Nambucca Shire Mayor Rhonda Hoban said it was wonderful to see the dam full after years of looking at plans and artists impressions on paper.
“This has taken so many years – it is very satisfying to finally see the reality after so long,” Rhonda said.
