Recent rainfall kickstarts environmental releases from Awoonga Dam: Downstream residents urged to remain aware of changing water levels 

Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) will begin downstream environmental water releases today due to increased inflows at Awoonga Dam. 

Under the Awoonga Dam Resource Operations Licence (ROL), GAWB is required to conduct downstream environmental water releases following four or more consecutive days where inflows are greater than 3,210 mega litres a day. 

GAWB Chief Executive Officer Darren Barlow said the releases ensure Awoonga Dam’s strict downstream environmental conditions are met. 

“These releases are very controlled and highly regulated to ensure we balance dam capacity, environmental compliance and the health and safety of our downstream neighbours,” Mr Barlow said. 

“The purpose of releasing water is to manage and maintain the environmental health of the waterways downstream of Awoonga Dam. It’s a matter we take very seriously.” 

The residents and communities located downstream of Awoonga Dam are urged to remain aware of changing water levels. 

“Water levels will begin to rise over the next few days as we trigger the release, and they are likely to fluctuate in the coming weeks,” Mr Barlow said. 

“While the volume of water is not expected to impact access to and from the downstream communities, it is important to ensure your property is adequately prepared for rising water levels. 

“We’re paying close attention and will monitor the situation very closely.” 

The recent water inflow has been a significant boost to the dam, with water levels now higher than it has been since 2019. From Friday 6 March to Friday 13 March, the dam height rose from 31.8 metres to 36.09 metres.