Wallan Bowls Club now boasts an exciting new rain gauge and digital reader, thanks to Melbourne Water.
Replacing the Club’s decades-old gauge which has since been dug up, the venue saw a large, pale green gauge and digital reader installed near the previous gauge’s location.
The digital reader not only allows members to easily view rainfall data, but sends the data via radio signal to Melbourne Water’s virtual interactive map, to provide the public with free-to-access information on rainfall, which is updated hourly.
Now part of a network of 200 gauges and readers across the state, Melbourne Water Senior Hydrographer Sarah Beattie said the organisation hopes to use the data to better analyse and predict flood risk.
“Understanding rainfall patterns across Melbourne helps us plan for the future and provide supporting data for Melbourne Water projects,” she said.
“Collecting rainfall data and expanding our network of rain gauges means we can plan responses to droughts and floods, and ensure rivers and creeks have enough water to support local wildlife.”
Wallan Bowls Club Treasurer Pam Cowen said the Club is proud to contribute to Melbourne Water’s rain mapping.
“The new gauge tells me how much rain we’ve had overnight, how much for the month so far, and for the year. It’s fascinating,” she said.
To view Wallan’s live rainfall data, visit www.bit.ly/4fYqvkx.
