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Dams and Reservoirs

Under a sweltering WA summer could these hexagonal discs save the drinking water of towns?

In its latest effort to shore-up supply, Water Corporation is adding thousands of plastic hexagons to dams to stop drinking water from being lost to evaporation.
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black discs floating in a dam

Sydney’s Warragamba Dam edges closer to capacity as ex-cyclone Kirrily brings heaviest rain in decades

The trajectory of ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily will ensure the southern portion of Warragamba's catchment receives sufficient rain to push the dam level closer to 100 per cent.
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A person watches on as the Warragamba Dam spillway is seen outflowing in november 27 2021

Sunwater releases Paradise Dam replacement design

Bundaberg's controversial Paradise Dam will need to be completely rebuilt after investigations found the wall has "too many issues" to be repaired.
ABC News Current
Duration: 56 seconds

Paradise Dam operators warn 60,000 people living downstream that its 'safety standards' fall short

Tens of thousands of Queenslanders living downstream are told the poor quality of concrete used in the 300,000-megalitre dam's spillway means it cannot be safely mended or reinforced, as the state government prepares plans to rebuild it.
Water flows over the spillway of Paradise Dam near Bundaberg in southern Queensland in March 2013.

Controversial Queensland dam is suffering 'too many issues' and will have to be completely rebuilt, operator says

After lowering Paradise Dam's wall due to safety concerns, its operator Sunwater now says a $1.2 billion plan to restore it won't be enough to make Bundaberg's main agricultural water store safe.
Water sitting in a dam with green grass around it.

Dam waste: Fears for local barramundi and water supply due to cyclone safety net removal

Thousands of dead barramundi could start washing up through the Redlynch Valley in Cairns over the coming days following the removal of a spillway net from Copperlode Dam, the city's main water supply.
man in rain jacket holding large barramundi

Less than an hour from Canberra, 85pc of Yass residents won't drink their tap water

Bathing in dirty, smelly water is nothing new in this town where residents spend thousands of dollars on bottled water to avoid drinking the "rotten" local supply. 
A bathtub full of brown water, with toys floating in it.

Four projects and more than $780 million: Why SA water bills could get more expensive

South Australia's water corporation has proposed bill increases to fund four projects, and the rest of the water network, over the next four years. So what are the projects?
Water coming out of a tap

SA Water seeks to increase water bills 3.5 per cent above inflation in latest business plan

The corporation says the increases could equal a $71 a year increase over the next four years, but are required to maintain service standards and meet its expenditure requirements.
A woman waters her garden.

Anglers and barramundi love this spot but authorities fear fishers could drown

Excitement is building as the wet season looms in a West Australian town famed for its sport fishing. But this man-made angling spot has authorities concerned boaties are risking their lives.
A boat cruises in water between rock bars

$4 billion upgrade of NSW dam scrapped amid warnings environmental impact would be 'catastrophic and irreversible'

Announced in 2019 by the former state and federal Coalition governments, the expansion would have doubled the dam's capacity to improve water security and flood management along the Lachlan River. 
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A dam spilling

Dam modelling shows Brisbane region could face water restrictions next year if dry conditions continue

Long-term modelling shows water grid storage levels could drop to the trigger point for restrictions by the end of next year.
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An outdoor tap drips with water.

The town that disappeared under water leaving only a school behind

Once a thriving community with local dances at the hall, social cricket games, and afternoon drinks at the town's hotel, just stumps remain of the buildings and the township of Kulara, now fully submerged under the Tinaroo Dam.
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Big logs at railway station

Zoo upgrade ditched for new toilet block as cost blowouts leave councils reeling

Regional projects across Queensland are being delayed, shelved or abandoned as huge cost blowouts hit cash-strapped councils.
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Artist impression of zoo hub.

Plans to 'drought-proof' Kalgoorlie-Boulder, as water restrictions lifted

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder lifts water restrictions it imposed in February when local dams almost ran dry after banking about seven months' water supply, and is now progressing plans to "drought-proof" the regional mining centre. 
a water treatment plant

SA residents on alert as dams at risk of falling

Residents living near two South Australian dams at risk of falling have spent another day on alert, as crews try to shore up the structures before wet weather arrives.
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 41 seconds

Risk of dam breach domino effect has residents praying 'that everything holds'

Adelaide Hills property owners downstream of a dam at risk of failing following torrential rain fear a potential cascade effect, with another dam directly in the firing line if the top one gives way.
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A man stands in front of rural land with two dams.

Emergency crews continue to monitor Adelaide dams at risk of failing

A watch-and-act message is in place for a dam at high risk of failure south of Adelaide and a separate warning is in place for a dam in the Adelaide Hills, but crews are confident they will be able to mitigate risks.
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Spillage from a dam at Basket Range leaving debris, rocks and mud everywhere

Warnings for two dams at high risk of failure, as severe weather continues across South Australia

Severe weather continues in South Australia, with the State Emergency Service issuing watch and act messages for two dams at high risk of failure at Basket Range and Hope Forest.
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A dam surrounded by grass with trees in the background

$500m allocated to upgrade Queensland's largest dam as cost blowout revealed

The state government will spend a total of $1 billion increasing the capacity of a north Queensland dam by 150,000 megalitres.
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burdekin dam spills

Ukrainian flood victims shelled by Russia

Ukraine has accused Russia of shelling flood-hit areas after a catastrophic dam collapse, claiming at least one person has been killed after attacks at evacuation points.
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 57 seconds

Ukraine dam burst floods 14,000 homes

Around 4,300 people have had to evacuate after Ukraine's Kakhovka dam burst on the frontline between Ukrainian and Russian-controlled territory.
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 51 seconds

Already traumatised Ukrainians face flood emergency

They have dealt with the horrors of the Russian occupation, constant shelling, and now being flooded out of their homes after the Nova Kakhovka dam was blown up.
ABC News Current
Duration: 2 minutes 13 seconds

Flood warning systems to be improved, but Wyangala Dam expansion misses out again in federal budget

A small NSW town was almost wiped off the map in 2022. There's now hope it will get better warnings if disaster strikes again. 
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aerial view of a dam overflowing

Frustration over stalled Wyangala dam project

Irrigators in the Lachlan Valley are frustrated after years of stalled progress on a promised water infrastructure project while the NSW Labor party says it needs to see more details before committing ahead of the election.
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ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 41 seconds