Seqwater

03/06/2026

Out on Minjerribah, also known as North Stradbroke Island, there’s some important work happening to get the Herring Lagoon Pump Station back up and running. It’s been offline since 2023, and getting it sorted is key to making sure the island has a reliable backup water supply. 🚰

Our team got out on Country and sat down with the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), sharing all the possible options upfront. That way, the QYAC Cultural Heritage team can weigh in early and help shape how the project moves forward.

By bringing everyone into the discussion early, we get fewer risks, smarter decisions, and a project that respects the land as much as it delivers for the community. 💬

During Reconciliation Week, the focus stays on working together, sharing knowledge and respecting the places we work in.

30/05/2026

Operational releases from Somerset Dam into Wivenhoe Dam have stopped. For more information, visit www.seqwater.com.au/dam-release-update.

29/05/2026

Down she comes. 👀

Watch the Lake Macdonald Dam wall come down in 10 seconds. 👷

So why pull down a wall that’s done its job for decades? Simple — what experts know about weather patterns, population growth, science and engineering has come a long way since the dam was built 🧠

Sometimes it’s more practical to upgrade what’s there. Other times, it’s more practical to rebuild. So we’re rebuilding it to modern standards, with a clever new spillway design that can safely manage much bigger water flows.

We’ll keep you posted as the new wall takes shape 🏗️

28/05/2026

Operational releases from Somerset Dam into Wivenhoe Dam are planned for the next three days.

These low flow releases will transfer water to the larger Wivenhoe Dam, and are not expected to cause the lake level in Wivenhoe Dam to increase by more than 0.5 metres.

Operational releases are common as Somerset and Wivenhoe dams essentially operate as one system.

There are no flood releases planned for Wivenhoe Dam.

For more information about Somerset releases, watch our video:

From time to time, South East Queensland's bulk water supplier Seqw...

25/05/2026

NSW supports their team with a scarf, sometimes a flag.

We've got a whole dam. 💪

Maroon Dam has been here since 1974, and never missed a season.

Good luck this week, boys. You've got a whole catchment behind you. 🏈

23/05/2026

For years, two weirs on the upper Mooloolah River helped measure and manage water flows.

But these days, they were no longer needed.

So working with Fisheries Queensland, we’ve removed the structures and replanted the banks with locally native species to help the river restore itself.

Since the works were completed, we’ve already seen improved movement for several small native fish species, including empire gudgeon, striped gudgeon, ornate rainbowfish and crimson-spotted rainbowfish! 🐟

These smaller fish play an important role in the river system, supporting larger fish, turtles, birds and other wildlife further up the food chain.

We’re excited to see how the river responds over the rest of the year!

❗ UPDATE: We've seen a bunch of you mention you prefer the look of the water in the 'before' photo as the water looks clearer, it’s a fair thing to notice! 👀

Rest assured, the murkiness in the 'after' photo is completely normal. That photo was taken shortly after significant rainfall, which usually stirs up extra sediment (soil and debris) in the water. As things settle, you can expect the water to clear up again.

Our team checks in on the site to monitor it’s progress, so weather permitting, we’ll share some progress shots in the future!

The important news is what you can't see in a photo: with the weir removed, fish can now migrate freely up and down the river. 🐟

20/05/2026

After all the recent rain across South East Queensland, a number of Seqwater’s ungated dams are now spilling, with waterways and catchments enjoying a healthy boost from the wet weather.

When an ungated dam reaches capacity, excess water naturally flows over the spillway and into the river or creek below. That’s exactly what these dams are designed to do.

Conditions around spillways can change quickly, so it’s important to stay clear of dam walls and fast-flowing water areas.

Before heading out, check local conditions and help keep yourself and your mates safe.

Want to see the latest dam level information? Visit: https://www.seqwater.com.au/dam-levels

We also offer a free Dam Release Notification Service, with updates available by email, SMS or recorded landline message when dam releases are occurring.

Register via: https://www.seqwater.com.au/dam-release-notification-service

18/05/2026

Every wondered why some lakes turn green/blue after wet weather❓ The most common reason — the “nutrient buffet” (aka algal blooms).

🌧️ When it rains heavily, that water can pick up nitrogen and phosphorus before running into lakes. These nutrients are like rocket fuel for cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae). And under the right sunny, warm conditions? ☀️ They multiply fast!

Because these organisms contain chlorophyll (green) and phycocyanin (blue), they turn the lake into a vibrant soup.

Some blooms can produce toxins. If toxin concentrations get too high, we may close our lakes to water-based recreation until concentrations come back down again.

Our teams monitor water quality closely and regularly assess for recreational health-based risks. If you ever spot that green, paint-like look on the water:

🚫 Avoid contact
📍 Check signage and the Seqwater website for updates before heading in

18/05/2026

Operational releases from Somerset Dam began at 11am due to continuing inflows. These operational releases are expected to continue over the next several days.

Please stay away from fast flowing or deep water near waterways downstream of the dams.

We will continue to keep you updated.