As of 1:00 am on 20 February, 2026, Somerset Dam near Esk in Queensland reached a water level of 291,331 megalitres. This means the dam is about 96 per cent full based on its current safety limits, which have been lowered while construction work takes place.
The dam is currently being kept at a reduced limit of 302,749 megalitres to help with the Somerset Dam Improvement Project. This project involves early work on the dam wall and spillway that will continue throughout the rest of 2026.
For boaters and anglers, these high water levels mean a higher chance of controlled water releases into Wivenhoe Dam. According to Seqwater, reaching these limits can lead to the closure of boat ramps or areas like The Spit. People can check for the latest information on the dam release update page.
While the dam is close to its temporary full mark, it still has a large amount of extra space kept aside for flood water. This extra room helps protect communities like Esk and Kilcoy by holding back between 524,000 and 705,000 megalitres of water during heavy rain.
