1345.4 - SA Stats, Jun 2010  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/06/2010   
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WATER


RAINFALL

According to the Bureau of Meteorology's Seasonal Climate Summary for South Australia, Autumn 2010 produced generally warmer than average temperatures and above average rainfall across most of the state.

Much of the rainfall recorded over the season was as a result of an event in early April and in the last week of May.

Almost all pastoral districts received above average rainfall. The highest autumn rainfall in these areas was recorded in Andamooka with 177.4mm, more than three times their autumn average of 45.3mm.

Rainfall totals were generally above average over agricultural districts, though coastal locations were near average, with rainfall totals typically between 80 to 140mm.

Rainfall Anomalies
Diagram: Rainfall Anomalies


Source: 3-monthly rainfall anomalies for South Australia, Australian Bureau of Meteorology


RESERVOIR LEVELS

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Crafers in the Mount Lofty Ranges received the states highest rainfall in May 2010 (133.6mm). The Mount Lofty Ranges is the main catchment area for Adelaide's reservoirs, but despite the good rains at Crafers total water storage at the end of May had fallen to 58% of capacity, down from 61% the previous month. The May 2010 capacity is higher than the levels available in May 2009 (53%) and considerably higher than May 2008 (44%).

TOTAL RESERVOIR STORAGE, As a percentage of capacity, Adelaide
Graph: TOTAL RESERVOIR STORAGE, As a percentage of capacity, Adelaide


Source: SA Water daily reservoir levels