Dams and Reservoirs

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.

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.

Bundaberg's controversial Paradise Dam will need to be completely rebuilt after investigations found the wall has "too many issues" to be repaired.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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?

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Around 4,300 people have had to evacuate after Ukraine's Kakhovka dam burst on the frontline between Ukrainian and Russian-controlled territory.

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.

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. 

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.