Ross River Dam statement
Date published: 29 February 2024
Townsville City Council continues to monitor the Ross River dam, as part of its usual practice during the wet season.
Dams across the country are highly regulated to ensure they are operated safely and in accordance with design.
Council’s Ross River Dam Emergency Action Plan (EAP), approved by the State Government, governs the safe operation and management of the Ross River Dam, including the controlled operation of the radial gates on the spillway.
With the rainfall the city has recently received, the dam level is approaching 100 per cent. With the wet season continuing the city may receive more rain in coming weeks.
As occurred last year when the dam reaches 103 per cent, the centre radial gate opens by 0.25m.
The experience of this regulatory opening in 2023 was a negligible rise in the Ross River.
Where the dam continues to rise in accordance with the EAP, further openings of the radial gates will occur, as it did last year.
Visit Council’s Water Supply and Dams page to stay updated on the latest information.
