Dam poised to overflow again

Dam levels across the South West are almost at capacity with the Wellington Dam tipped to overflow for the second consecutive year, creating a tourism frenzy.

The dam is at 94.2 per cent capacity — an extra 39.26 gigalitres on the same time last year.

The Water Corporation confirmed many of the smaller drinking water dams in the South West were at 83 per cent capacity, almost 14 per cent higher than the same time last year.

In late September last year, Wellington Dam overflowed for the first time in four years and thousands of people made the trip to see the rare event.

The dam holds about 182 billion litres of water, but it is too salty to be used for drinking.

Water Corporation South West regional manager John Janssen said he expected the dam to overflow early in September.

“When water is released or overflows from the dam, it is diverted downstream to the Burekup Weir for Harvey Water to supply to irrigators, ” he said.

“Water released above the amount used for irrigation and industry will flow into the Collie River downstream of the dam, which benefits the environment.

“As the dam is not used for drinking water, the Water Corporation does not have any current plans to increase its capacity.”

In the last 10 years, Wellington Dam has overflowed four times — in 2005, 2007, 2009 and again last year.

Wellington Dam Kiosk owner Wendy Perdon said if the dam overflowed she would stay open until dark to accommodate the massive increase in business.

“When it overflows they have to put traffic lights at the end of the dam because thousands of people come to view it,” she said.

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