Hunter dam levels jump by more than 7 per cent after heavy rainfall

A quick survey of the Hunter Water website showed levels across the region's four major water storage sites - Grahamstown and Chichester dams and Tomago and Anna Bay sandbeds - was at a very healthy 83.6 per cent capacity as of Wednesday afternoon.

This was a jump of 7.5 per cent in the past week and 5.2 per cent for the month.

It was also a whopping rise of 20.8 per cent on where it was one year ago.

The 83.6 per cent reading is the highest level since December 2018.

With water restrictions now eased, the heavy rain over the last few days has meant our farmers and winegrowers are wearing their biggest smiles for some time.

Alex Woods, winemaker at Allandale Winery, said the vines were now in great shape heading in to the heat of summer.

"After the long dry period we'd gone through we really needed good soaking rain to get the vines back in to top nick," he said.

"We've checked recently and the soil profile is now really good. The water has penetrated the surface area which is what we wanted.

"I've been making wine here for 14 years, so I know these vines and they're looking good."

It was a message echoed by Oakhampton farmer Austin Breiner who had been praying for rain for a couple of months after his soil had been drained of moisture.

What he didn't expect was the deluge that unfolded over the past few days - and it left quite a mark on him, literally.

"I went over to replant some cucumbers that didn't come up and one foot sank into the ankle and then the other foot sank into the ankle," he said.

"I couldn't pull them out because of the suction. Waving my arms around didn't make any difference and down I went into the mud.

"I had just put on clean clothes and a clean jumper."

Mr Breiner is very hopeful his summer vegetable crops are going to thrive.

"When it was so dry I couldn't imagine this place ever being that wet again, but it did happen and the cycle has gone on," he said.

"All dams are full and there is water everywhere.

"I hope to have a lot of good vegetables for the market now."

CESSNOCK'S SEVEN-DAY FORECAST