Canberra water levels
Four dams across two water catchments service Canberra and Queanbeyan.
The ACT region uses about 50 Gigalitres (GL) of water each year. Every household and business can help to save water by making small changes, such as shorter showers, choosing water efficient appliances and fixing leaks.
Canberra and Queanbeyan have had Permanent Water Conservation Measures in place since 2010. These are common-sense rules that are similar to Level 1 restrictions in other areas. We all have a responsibility to follow the Measures.
There are more great tips here.
ACT and Queanbeyan Dam Storage Levels
22 November 2023
GL=Gigalitres. The Murrumbidgee to Googong transfer supplements Googong dam levels.
Historical storage levels
GL=Gigalitres
Introducing the enlarged Cotter Dam into our total dam storage capacity means that our total volume has increased from 207GL to 278GL. Previous total storage capacity was around 65% of our new maximum level. For consistency our calculation method is now aligned to that used by the Bureau of Meteorology which counts the volume above the minimum intake level. The enlarged Cotter Dam gives us 76.2GL of usable volume, however in extreme situations it is possible to access the remaining 3.2GL of storage when necessary. Icon Water's other dams have revised total capacities of:
Corin 70.8GL
Bendora 11.4GL and
Googong 119.4GL
| Restriction Level | Start Date | End Date |
| Stage 1 | Dec 2002 | Apr 2003 |
| Stage 2 | Apr 2003 | Sep 2003 |
| Stage 3 | Oct 2003 | Feb 2004 |
| Stage 2 | Mar 2004 | Aug 2004 |
| Stage 3 | Sep 2004 | Feb 2005 |
| Stage 2 | Mar 2005 | Oct 2005 |
| PWCM | Nov 2005 | Oct 2006 |
| Stage 2 | Nov 2006 | Dec 2006 |
| Stage 3 | Dec 2006 | Aug 2010 |
| Stage 2 | Sep 2010 | Oct 2010 |
| Enhanced PWCM | Nov 2010 | Current |
* Previous capacity refers to total combined storage levels before the completion of the new Cotter Dam. The new Dam was built downstream of the old and increased the total water storage capacity by approximately 35%.
For a detailed breakdown of our Water Storage Levels, including historical data, rainfall and consumption, please visit our Water Storage Levels page.