Unprecedented rainfall has fallen across several of Hydro Tasmania’s catchments.
Floodwaters have caused damage to some of Hydro Tasmania’s secondary assets, mainly landslips and road damage, damage to some canals, as well as failure of some river flow monitoring sites. Until the water subsides further, it is not possible to fully assess the extent of that damage.
Some of the flood flows being experienced in northern Tasmania are at historic highs. However, dams and spillways are operating within their design parameters, according to dam safety manager Chris Topham.
“Importantly, there is no issue with respect to dam safety. We increased the level of monitoring our dams and spillways at the start of the heavy rains. Now that water has started to subside, inspections have found minor damage to non-critical elements of some dams,” he said.
“This minor damage will be repaired over coming weeks, and poses no issue to power generation or dam safety.”
Hydro Tasmania’s cloud seeding program is also on hold due to the high river levels across the state.
