MOUNT Isa has seen its first trickle of water in months creeping along the parched Leichhardt River.
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About 30 millimetres hit the ground in Mount Isa on Saturday but there was also solid falls on the outskirts of the city.
Graziers in the North West are hoping for a good year and Yelvertoft Station, 100 kilometres North West of Mount Isa, enjoyed 50 millimetres of rain on Saturday.
Yelvertoft Station owner Marcus Curr said the station had received a good bit of rain so far this season and he was hopeful for a good year.
“We got 50mm on Saturday night and it has filled the dams so it’s a good start,” he said. “It is all shaping up and hopefully the graziers are looking at good cattle prices and hopefully a good season. It will be a pleasant change for the industry.”
Bureau of Meteorology Mount Isa Office manager Scott Adams said Mount Isa had received some falls but it was not as widespread as they had hoped for.
“As far as the outlook, we expect to see some rainfall for the next few days,” he said. “In the wide spread of things, it doesn’t look very promising for the summer months exceeding the rainfall average.”
In the past week, Mount Isa airport received 26 millimetres of rain, Mount Isa Mines 18 millimetres, Cloncurry Airport 54 millimetres, Cloncurry town had 25 millimetres, Lake Julius 55 millimetres, Lawn Hill 58 millimetres, Camooweal 43 millimetres and Century Mines had 40 millimetres.
Mr Adams said Mount Isa recorded its highest temperature for November in 47 years.
“Mount Isa recorded its highest temperature mean daily average for November at 39.6, with the average being 36.9,” he said.
“It is the highest recording Mount Isa has seen for the month of November in 47 years.
“Cloncurry airport had a record of 40.2 with the average for November being 40.1.”
Water levels have risen slightly with this week’s rain, with Lake Moondarra up to 20.6 per cent, Lake Julius 60.5 per cent and Rifle Creek to 16.7 per cent as of yesterday.
