WATER is finally flowing into Burrendong dam which has had to work overtime this long, hot summer.
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State Water yesterday reported of 1161 megalitres (ML) running into the dam and 3400 ML being released in the previous 24 hours.
The dam was sitting at close to 45 per cent storage capacity, down 10 per cent from January 7 when the corporation advised that "high irrigation demand and an increase in environmental releases" were likely to result in record water delivery in the Macquarie Valley.
In early January 5000 ML was being released daily, compared with 8000 ML in the lead-up to the Christmas and new year holidays.
State Water predicted that the dam would be sitting at 40 per cent storage capacity by the end of the irrigation season.
Since January 25 all outflows have gone to "irrigation, community and other holders of water entitlement" and not the environment.
"Between January 1 and 13, two per cent of water releases from the dam were intended for the environment," a State Water spokesman said.
"Larger environmental water deliveries occurred in the three months prior to Christmas/new year on behalf of respective government licence-holders."
From October through to December 2012 about 50 per cent of water released from the dam was for the environment, with the Macquarie Marshes the primary target.
"However environmental flows are also intended to sustain the health of riverine habitats along the length of the river," the spokesman said.