The area was well down on its February average of 152.7mm, recording just 13.2mm, prompting a warning from Shoalhaven Water director Carmel Krogh that if the area didn’t receive some significant rainfall by the end of March the Shoalhaven could well be placed on water restrictions.

On Saturday Nowra recorded 12.2mm, followed up by 5.8mm on Sunday, meaning it has already recorded 18mm, well on its way to its month average of 91.4mm for the month of March.

The wettest Nowra March on record was 2012 when 319.8mm was recorded while the driest was in 2009 with 33.4mm.

There are predictions of showers for the rest of the week and falls of possibly up to five to 10mm on Friday.

The falls were wide and varied, with reports of heavy rain in Cambewarra and Wogamia which registered 56 and 40mm respectively, while on the flood plain at Pyree around 18mm was recorded.

In other local falls Berry recorded around 60mm, Ulladulla 4.6mm and Jervis Bay 12.

Over the mountain, Kangaroo Valley had 52mm and Moss Vale had 36.8, while further north, Albion Park had 87mm.

Parts of the region have been in the grip of what farmers call a green drought. Pastures look green but in many areas the grass has little nutritional value.

Farmers hope these falls and hopefully some follow-up falls will provide a much needed boost in pasture growth and a good start to autumn.

Council takes flow from the Shoalhaven River at a draw off point at Burrier.

When flows drop below 90 megalitres a day, council is forced to rely on its off stream storages to supply homes and industry.

Last week flows were close to the cut-off point, just below 100 megalitres.