Australia Weather News
Water is being released from Lake Pedder after filling for the first time since 1988. - ABC
Lake Pedder in Tasmania's south-west has reached capacity for the first time in 28 years.
Heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday increased the lake level by 20 centimetres.
The rainfall pushed it from about 87 per cent capacity to more than 99 per cent.
Hydro Tasmania's dam safety manager Chris Topham said the Serpentine Dam outlet gate was opened when the lake filled on Wednesday afternoon.
"That releases around 240 cubic metres per second down the Serpentine River," he said.
Mr Topham said opening the gate created a controlled spill into Macquarie Harbour via the Serpentine and Gordon Rivers.
"Certainly no-one should notice any differences as far as water levels in Macquarie Harbour, and there's certainly no risk to safety or property," he said.
The last time Lake Pedder reached its full water level was in November 1988.
ABC