Record rain fills dams

Suma Park Dam almost reached capacity after Orange's wettest June on record.

The Orange water supply dam, Suma Park, reached 92 per cent capacity on Thursday, June 30, after a record rainfall of 264.4 mm over the month.

Last month was 191.1 mm wetter than the June average.

Spring Creek Dam and Gosling Creek Dam were overflowing after the June rainfall record was smashed by 85.8 mm.

The water at Suma Park Dam is about 30 mm from full and could reach capacity in the next week.

Earlier this year Orange City Council completed construction to raise Suma Park’s wall by one metre, during which time the dam level was restricted to 80 per cent of its capacity.

Although council is continuing to commission new plant equipment, the water level restriction no longer applies.

The wall height extension means Suma Park can hold 10 per cent more water.

Council is also looking forward to hosting a community open day later in the year when residents will be able to see the work at Suma Park first hand.

Meanwhile the first snow of the season fell during the last week of June, blanketing the city centre for about 40 minutes on Friday, June 24, and there was a sprinkling on Monday morning, June 27.