Mundaring Weir may overflow soon

6/8/96

Mundaring Weir may overflow as early as next week, according to Water Resources Minister Roger Nicholls.

Mr Nicholls said the Water Corporation had advised him of the possibility and wanted to alert people living in the Helena Valley below the dam.

People with pumps or boats on the river or any other equipment close to the present water line should make them safe, because if there was an increased flow there could be some debris washed down the valley.

Mr Nicholls said the last time Mundaring overflowed down its 40-metre spillway was 22 years ago in October 1974.

The dam was currently holding 83 per cent of its capacity. Two weeks ago the figure was 25 per cent.

"Mundaring is a small dam in a large catchment and if it continues to make water at that rate it could overflow as early as next week," the Minister said.

In June it was holding 17 million kilolitres and it is now holding 53 million kilolitres, with a capacity of 64 million kilolitres.

The water is now 1.7 metres below the spillway which is in the central section of the dam wall.

If an overflow occurred, the water would flow down the Helena River to join the Swan at Guildford.

Mr Nicholls cautioned people against rushing to the hills on the chance of seeing the dam overflow.

"There is limited parking at Mundaring Weir and people could experience long delays," he said.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 322 6529