After years of being at critically low levels, Keepit Dam is thriving once again, with the dam reaching 96.9 per cent capacity as of Sunday.
Keepit Dam has the capacity to store 425,510 megalitres and currently has an impressive 356,530 contained within its banks, up considerably from previous weeks.
The dam is a key irrigation source for numerous crops across the district, including cotton, oilseed and lucerne, and now there is a strong sense of optimism and confidence from primary producers that irrigation supply will be reliable going forward.
A spokesperson for WaterNSW said the abundance of water in the dam meant security, and that the dam level was expected to rise further yet.
“Keepit Dam storage currently sits at 96.9 per cent of capacity,” the spokesperson said.
“This continues a trend of greatly improved water security for communities, farmers and the environment of the Lower Namoi Valley, which was arguably the most severely affected region during the drought in the years up to early 2020.
“The current dam storage level is in stark contrast with the near zero storage capacity experienced for more than 12 months from the summer of 2018-2019 to the end of summer 2019-2020 as a result of record low inflows due to severe drought.
“The inflows of recent months and corresponding storage increases are the largest in volume received into Keepit Dam since late 2016.”
Manager of Lake Keepit State Park, Leith Smith, said the high volume of water spells a busy summer ahead.
“COVID allowing, it is looking like it will be a very good spring and summer,” Mr Smith said.
“We are looking forward to the warmer months and preparing ourselves for the onslaught of visitors.”
When Mr Smith first started in his position more than two years ago, Keepit Dam was at a desperately low level of 0.4 per cent capacity.
“Instead of water, we were looking at dirt,” Mr Smith said.
“We got through those times though, with locals especially supportive, still coming out and spending some money which helped enormously.
“Now the water is nearly up to the tree lines, people are starting to catch cod regularly and everyone who is coming out is seriously impressed. It is fantastic.
“Now that water is back, people are much happier, and the morale is boosted.”
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