Storage levels at Keepit Dam have finally moved out of single figures and jumped to 47 per cent of capacity following recent heavy rain in the catchment.
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The dam has been hovering around 10 per cent in the past year, with levels dropping to as low as 3.7 per cent last May when it was storing just 22,188 megalitres.
However decent rainfall in the past month has boosted levels not seen for some time, with the dam currently storing 159 gigalitres – an increase of 42 gigalitres since the start of August.
Water NSW expects Keepit Dam will continue to rise with increased flows upstream, and the Bureau of Meteorology predicting rain from tomorrow through to Saturday.
Commodore of the Lake Keepit Sailing Club Ian Pine said the higher water levels will give the club more room to set courses and make it easier to launch boats. It will also mean larger yachts will be able to get back on the water.
“It brings more enthusiasm to the club and allows us to bring back the larger trailerable yachts, which are up to 8.5 metres, we didn’t use in the past 12 months because of the low water levels,” Mr Pine said.
“With those larger yachts, we can take many more people on as crew and that’s important to us because for some people it’s a more comfortable way of getting an introduction to sailing.
“They can join as crew on a larger boat.
“The high levels also gives a positive feeling to the whole community and to have more water in the dam is a bonus,” Mr Pine said.
The increase in capacity will be beneficial for the sailing club’s open day to be held on October 15.
It is also likely to boost visitor numbers at the park, where people can enjoy barbecues, picnics, the BMX bike track, tennis courts, skate bowl, water park and playgrounds.
Lake Keepit is also well-known for its fishing and is popular with day visitors, campers and travellers from across NSW and interstate.
Water levels in the dam are likely to remain high as there are no major releases planned until later in the year at this stage.