Bowatenna Reservoir will be completely drained from 24 August for essential repair and maintenance work, the first full-scale maintenance since its construction around 50 years ago.

The three-week programme will address heavy sediment accumulation, which has reduced the reservoir’s capacity from about 56 million cubic metres to 23 million cubic metres.

The reservoir is expected to begin refilling from 14 September. Authorities have also warned the public not to enter the drained reservoir bed.