Falling dam levels signal dry times ahead

21st Apr 2026

Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is calling on residents and businesses to reduce water use, with dam levels continuing to decline and climate outlooks pointing to warmer conditions, limited rainfall and increased pressure on local water supplies in the months ahead.
While water supplies remain available, Council warns that ongoing dry conditions, high evaporation rates and elevated water demand are contributing to a continued drawdown of storages and increases in restrictions.
The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that the recent La Niña weather pattern is weakening and expected to end during autumn, reducing the rainfall influence experienced in recent seasons. Seasonal outlooks show no strong signal for above average rainfall across inland and tablelands areas, including Armidale, while temperatures are likely to be warmer than average.
Climate modelling also indicates an increasing risk of El?Niño developing later in winter, a pattern historically associated with hotter, drier conditions and heightened pressure on water supplies.
Council is warning that as water storage levels continue to fall rapidly, recovery can take months or even years, particularly without sustained rainfall. Acting early to reduce water use is the most effective way to slow the rate of drawdown and reduce the likelihood of tougher water restrictions being required later.
ARC Mayor Sam Coupland said that early action by the community would play a decisive role in protecting the region’s water supply.”
“Our dam levels are falling, dry conditions are looming, and we are edging closer to Level?2 water restrictions,” Mayor Coupland said.
“The actions our community takes right now will determine whether tougher restrictions can be avoided. Saving water today is critical to protecting Armidale’s supply in the months ahead.”
Council continues to closely monitor dam levels, inflows, climate indicators and water consumption across the region. The actions taken by the community now will directly influence how water security is managed in the months ahead.
As part of this response, Armidale Regional Council will also deliver a community education program reflecting on the 2019 drought, using the region’s shared experience as a reminder of how quickly water security can change.
The program will focus on sustainable water use now, encouraging households, businesses, schools and visitors to build waterwise habits early. By doing the hard yards today, the community can help protect long term water security and avoid the challenges associated with a “Day Zero” scenario that we all experienced in 2019.
For current dam levels, restriction details and water saving tips, visit: www.armidale.nsw.gov.au

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Falling dam levels signal dry times ahead

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