More rain has fallen across the Fassifern in the past four weeks than in the 12 months of 2019.

The only exception is in the Harrisville area where the tally remains about 80mm shy of the 2019 total.

Rain began in the Fassifern on January 15 and as of early this morning, the Bureau of Meteorology rainfall stations are indicating our ‘normal’ wet season has begun.

The readings from the Cunningham’s Gap National Park rainfall station indicate that it recorded the highest 24 hour rainfall in February with a fall of 121.1mm in the 24 hours to Friday, February 13.

Is it enough to declare our worst drought on record is broken?

“Not yet,” was the reply from a Kalbar primary producer, but he is cautiously optimistic.

“This is a positive start to the New Year,” he added, “but we will need good follow up rain to fill all the underground aquifers and keep the creeks flowing.

“The grass in the paddocks and the fresh in the creeks and gullies and not having to scramble to buy in feed for the cattle is a relief.”

But he warned that it would take a long time for many graziers to recover from the forced destocking and the significant drain on bank balances.

The rise in the water level in Moogerah Dam is good news for farmers on the Warrill Valley Irrigation Scheme.

Early this morning, the dam was holding 38.1 percent of capacity - a rise of almost 10 percent since water restrictions were imposed by Seqwater in January.

The Maroon Dam water level has also increased. It is now holding 60.4 percent of capacity.

Rainfall totals, based on BoM rainfall stations, are as follows:

• Boonah - 366mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 268mm)

• Kalbar - 414.9mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 231mm)

• Mt Alford - 414.9mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 298mm)

• Knapps Peak - 381mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 306mm)

• Maroon Dam - 402mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 396mm)

• Carney’s Creek - 474mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 434mm)

• Croftby - 364mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 344mm)

• Harrisville - 201mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 278mm)

• •Cunningham’s Gap National Park - 613mm for 2020 (total for 2019 - 337mm)

(* The total for the Cunningham’s Gap National Park is up to 9am January 13, while all others are up to 9am January 16.)