Almost a year of persistent flooding of Western New South Wales' waterways is taking its toll, with so much water in the system that Burrendong Dam is threatening to spill into already inundated rivers.
Sodden embankments along some sections of the waterways have already collapsed, creating potentially dangerous conditions for walkers and runners who use river pathways for exercise.
Walgett has been declared a state of natural disaster and other Western NSW councils, including the Dubbo Regional Council and Gilgandra, have applied for the same recognition and funding support.
Burrendong Dam has been above 100 per cent since November and authorities have been constantly releasing water to mitigate the spill threat, while trying not to exacerbate flooding downstream.
Now Burrendong Dam is at 136 per cent and rising — just 6 per cent below maximum capacity — with 41 gigalitres pouring into the dam every day.
Dam managers have increased releases out of Burrendong Dam into the Macquarie Wambuul River, which has already had two separate significant flood peaks in Warren in the space of a week.
It comes just days after a 1.5 metre-wide stretch of embankment fell into the river along Dubbo's popular river walk.
Stopping the dam spill
Although the dam is technically at maximum capacity at 142 per cent, it did reach 145 per cent last November after extraordinary inflows, including more than 162 gigalitres in a single day.
At the drought's peak in Summer 2020 the dam was at just 1.2 per cent.
Rain on an already saturated catchment last week caused a quick rise with the dam jumping 6 per cent in three days.
Water NSW is working to quickly and safely bring the dam level down by increasing daily releases out of the dam from 14 to 19 gigalitres.
A spokesperson said the authority closely monitored weather forecasts and downstream flows when making decisions on dam releases.
On Monday, the downstream community of Warren was warned the river could peak above the major flood level of 9 metres, just one week after it peaked at 9.2 metres.
While the flood peaked just below 9 metres at the start of the week, the river is expected to experience a prolonged moderate flood for at least a week due to dam releases.
Central West SES acting superintendent Joshua Clark said the area was currently experiencing minor flooding but there was "potential for major flooding" across the area.
"Unfortunately all the systems are completely saturated," he said.
"We do have the potential for more showers to add to the water filling up rivers, creeks, streams and dams. It's a problem we need to manage carefully."
The problem isn't just contained to the Macquarie River — a state of natural disaster has been declared for the Walgett Shire in the nearby NSW north-west after flooding in June and July.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt says floodwaters in the Barwon and Namoi Rivers have left councils with major repair works, particularly to road infrastructure.
More western NSW councils are hoping to receive the same recognition and associated funding support to help tackle the extensive damage caused by prolonged inundation.
"It's a real challenge for every western region local council at the moment," said Gilgandra council general manager, David Neeves.
"This would be the seventh natural disaster declaration for us since March 2019, which just highlights the severe weather we've had and the damage it does.
"Our council has over 1,000 kilometres of unsealed roads in our shire and there wouldn't be a road that doesn't have some type of damage."
Saturated riverbanks collapse
The SES is warning western NSW residents to be wary of riverbanks collapsing and eroding due to the ongoing flood conditions.
Significant erosion caused a 1.5 metre-wide embankment collapse on Friday next to Dubbo's popular river walkway.
Known as "bank slumping," the damage typically occurs after floodwaters recede following extended periods of inundation.
Superintendent Clark said it was an important reminder for people to keep their distance from floodwaters.
"It's a concern for the river catchments across the area because of the saturation within the soil," he said.
"Dubbo is a prime example of why we ask people to be careful and not play around rivers and creeks when they're flooded.
"It's an unpredictable area and can be unsafe."
