Surfing the forecasts for dam safety

MANAGING TasWater’s portfolio of more than 300 dams is a challenging job, especially during periods of extreme rainfall.

The company’s Dam Safety Team has been investigating how to improve the information it uses to keep its dams safe during storm periods.

It requires a system that can process a lot of real-time and forecast weather data, keep pace with changing conditions and produce information efficiently and accurately.

TasWater’s senior dam safety engineer, David Krushka, took on the task and with a passion for dam safety — and being a keen surfer with an interest in weather forecasting — he’s the ideal person for the job.

“For us to be able to forecast storm events and resultant run-off we need to be innovative, have a system that is simple to use and visually easy to understand,” David said. “It also needs to be capable of handling extensive realtime information from sources like weather stations and forecast rainfall data from the Bureau of Meteorology.”

Given the complex nature of the project, TasWater staff worked alongside a number of technical specialists to develop the system it wanted.

With the co-operation of hydrological and information technology specialists, the company has been able to match rainfall data with hydrologic and hydraulic predictions.

That then enables TasWater to obtain an assessment of what stream flows are likely to occur.

“Our system is recognised as worldbest practice and has only been possible by drawing on the skills and support of our own TasWater specialists and consultants,” David said.

Proving its worth, TasWater’s forecasting system was effectively rolled out during last month’s extreme rainfall in Hobart.