Visiting our dams
Our dams are a great spot to visit. Find out how you can make the most out of your visit and learn more about their historical and natural attractions.
Visiting our damsRainfall & dams
Check dam volumes and rainfall and find out how declining rainfall is affecting the amount of water (streamflow) flowing into our dams. In this section you can also learn where our water comes from and how our water use is tracking.
Our water overview
Updated: Sunday, 24 November 2024
Learn more about how this data is updated
* Average monthly rainfall (for the period 1876 - 2016).
Dam volumes, rainfall and water use data is updated every working day, streamflow is updated weekly.
How declining rainfall impacts our water supply
We need steady, regular rain in order to soak our catchments and get water flowing into our dams. Slowly declining rainfall means Perth's dams receive much less streamflow than in past years. Streamflow is the amount of water entering our dams from our catchments and is measured by changing water storage levels.
The water in our dams is no longer just made up of inflows from rain. Groundwater and desalinated water are stored in these dams during periods of low demand so it is available when it is most needed in the hotter months.
Learn more about how the impact of climate change continues to affect rainfall, the streams that flow into our dams and water use.
How climate change is impacting our water sources
Water sources for our largest scheme, the Integrated Water Supply Scheme (IWSS) which supplies Perth, the Goldfields and Agricultural Region and some parts of the South West have changed dramatically. Water for the IWSS is now comprised of a combination of sources, including desalinated seawater, groundwater, groundwater replenishment and streamflow into dams.
Traditionally, Perth relied heavily on streamflow into our dams as a water source, but declining streamflow has meant dams now play a bigger role as storage reservoirs. The water in our dams is no longer just made up of inflows from rain. Groundwater and desalinated water are stored in these dams during periods of low demand so it is available when it is most needed in the hotter months.
Perth's water sources at a glance
In 2022-23 the breakdown of Perth's water sources (IWSS) consisted of:
%
Desalination
%
Groundwater
%
Dams
%
Groundwater replenishment
Latest dams & rainfall news
20 Oct 2024
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Update
A dry and warm summer is on the way
Despite Perth’s wet August, rainfall run-off into Perth’s dams remains significantly below the long-term average.
25 Jun 2024
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Media Release
New playground and facilities give facelift to popular Perth dam
Visitors to one of Perth's most popular dam recreation areas, Serpentine Dam, can now enjoy a new nature-based playground and improved facilities, thanks to an upgrade by Water Corporation.
