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RIVER MURRAY WEEKLY REPORTFOR THE WEEKS ENDING WEDNESDAY, 30TH DECEMBER 2015 AND 6TH JANUARY 2023Trim Ref: D16/208

Rainfall and inflowsRainfall was widespread across much of the Murray–Darling Basin during the week ending 30 December. The highest totals were recorded in southern Queensland, northeast and southeast New South Wales (NSW) and northeast Victoria (Map 1). Western NSW and Victoria mostly recorded lesser totals, while most of South Australia failed to record any rainfall.

The highest weekly rainfall totals in Queensland included 95mm at Springfield, 72mm at Surat, 65mm at Munnaweena and 62mm at St George airport in the Maranoa catchment, 76mm at Applethorpe, 57mm at Hannaford and 54mm at Texas and Ellangowan in the Darling Downs, and 56mm at Mungallala in the Warrego catchment. In New South Wales the highest totals included 77mm at Inverell SCS and 69mm at Glen Innes airport AWS in the northern tablelands, 62mm at Pindari Dam on the northwest slopes and 48mm at Gundagai on the southwest slopes. In Victoria the highest totals were recorded in the northeast and included 75mm at Mount Buffalo, 69mm at Mount Wombat and 68mm at Mount Hotham AWS.

Map 1 – Murray–Darling Basin rainfall for the week ending 30th December 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

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Widespread rainfall continued in the following week (ending 6 January 2016) with totals greater than 50mm across large areas of southern Queensland, northeast New South Wales and the southern Alps (Map 2).

The highest weekly rainfall totals in Queensland included 128mm at Boothulla, 127mm at Mungallala and 101mm in Wansey Downs in the Warrego catchment, 107mm at Mitchell and 95 mm at Springfield in the Maranoa catchment and 93mm at Jandowae and 86mm at Southwood in the Darling Downs. In New South Wales the highest totals were in the Snowy Mountains with 169mm recorded at Perisher Valley AWS and 153mm at Thredbo along the eastern boundary of the catchment. Other notable totals in NSW included 98mm at Collarenebri, 87mm at Angledool and 78mm at Lightning Ridge in the north. In Victoria the highest totals were recorded in the northeast and included 88mm at Strathbogie North, 69mm at Moroko Park and 67mm at Omeo.

Map 2 – Murray–Darling Basin rainfall for the week ending 6th January 2016 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

Streamflow responses in the upper Murray tributaries were variable though generally fairly modest, however the continuing wet weather is generally resulting in slower recessions. On the Mitta Mitta River the flow at Hinnomunjie bridge peaked at 950 ML/day on 27 December 2015 and around 1,100 ML/day on 5 and 6 January 2016. On the upper Murray, the flow at Biggara peaked at 600 ML/day on 27 December 2015 and around 1,200 ML/day on 5 and 6 January 2016. On the Ovens River, the flow at Rocky Point peaked at 700 ML/day on 27 December 2015 and 570 ML/day on 6 January 2016.

In the northern Basin, rainfall experienced over the last two weeks has resulted in relatively modest responses in some of the headwater tributaries of the Darling River. Without further significant rainfall, these are not expected to contribute any significant inflows to the upper Darling River nor have any beneficial effect on Broken Hill’s water supply.



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December 2015 summaryAverage rainfall was recorded across much of the Basin during December 2015, however the notable exceptions were South Australia, western Victoria and southwestern, south eastern and central northern New South Wales where rainfall was below to very much below average (Map 3). Across the Basin as a whole, the Bureau of Meteorology has reported that area-averaged rainfall for December was 34.9 mm. This total was 28% below the long-term mean and it was the 47 th driest December observed during the past 116 years of record.

Map 3 – Murray–Darling Basin rainfall deciles for December 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

Temperatures during December 2015 were above average across much of the Basin (Map 4). In particular, record warm December minimum and maximum temperatures were recorded in parts of eastern South Australia, western Victoria and southern New South Wales. Associated with this was a heatwave that affected much of south eastern Australia in the third week of December. One of the more extreme aspects of this event was the very high overnight temperatures which occurred on the night of 19-20 December when temperatures didn’t fall below 30⁰C over parts of northern Victoria and western New South Wales. At Mildura, the minimum temperature on 20 December was 31.9⁰C – a new record for the highest overnight minimum in Victoria. More details regarding the extreme December heat can be found in the special climate statement issued by BoM.




http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs53.pdf

Map 4 - Murray Darling Basin mean temperature deciles for December 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

River Murray system inflows for December (excluding Snowy, Darling, IVT and environmental inflows) continued to decrease. The monthly total of around 115 GL is similar to the 120 GL recorded in December 2009 and the lowest for December since 2006 (with inflows of around 60 GL) and around ¼ of the December long-term average of 460 GL (see the graph on page 13). In comparison with the historical record since 1891, only about 10% of previous Decembers have recorded lower inflows than December 2015.

Estimated evaporation losses from MDBA storages for December 2015 are reported in Table 1. Evaporation is estimated by multiplying the surface area of the storage by the net evaporation. Net evaporation is derived by subtracting the rainfall recorded at the storage from the calculated evaporation.

Table 1: Monthly evaporation figures for MDBA storages

StorageApproximate (net) evaporative loss

in December 2015 (GL)**Average storage volume in

December 2015 (GL)Dartmouth 6 2,087Hume 18 1,274Lake Victoria 23 556Menindee Lakes 8 75

**Evaporative loss from storage = surface area of the storage x net evaporation. Net evaporation = measured evaporation (using a ‘pan’ instrument) - rainfall.




2015 annual summaryRainfall during 2015 was below average to very much below average across most of Victoria, average across much of NSW and average to below average in Queensland and much of south eastern South Australia (see Map 5). A few small scattered areas around NSW and South Australia recorded above average rainfall. Notably, rainfall in the upper Murray catchment was average to below average. More information is available in the BoM’S annual climate statement 2015.

Map 5 – Murray–Darling Basin rainfall deciles for 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

2015 was Australia’s fifth warmest year on record, with the annual national mean temperature 0.83⁰C above average. Annual mean temperatures were above to very much above average across the Basin (Map 6).

River Murray system inflows for 2015 (excluding Snowy, Darling, IVT and environmental inflows) were around 3,100 GL. This is around 2/3 of the 4,500 GL recorded in 2014 and 1/3 of the long-term average of 9,100 GL. In comparison with the historical record since 1891, only about 10% of years have recorded lower inflows than 2015.




http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/aus/

Map 6 – Murray–Darling Basin mean temperature deciles for 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

River Operations

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised the 2015-16 El Niño is likely past its peak, with climate models monitored by the Bureau suggesting it will decline during the coming months. The Bureau’s ENSO wrap-up reports that tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures suggest this event was one of the top three strongest El Niño events of the past 50 years. They also report that, based on the 26 El Niño events since 1900, around 50% have been followed by a neutral year, while 40% have been followed by La Niña (increased likelihood of wetter conditions). The climate models also currently suggest neutral and La Niña conditions are equally likely for the second half of 2016, with a repeat El Niño the least likely outcome.

It is important to note however, that with upper-Murray storage levels likely to be low at the end of this water year, significant rain over winter and spring 2016 is required to refill these storages. Similarly, with Menindee Lakes close to empty, inflows are dependent on rainfall over the remaining months of the northern monsoon.

MDBA total storage decreased by 192 GL over the past two weeks, with the active storage currently 3,433 GL (41% capacity).

Dartmouth Reservoir is currently holding 1,951 GL (51% capacity) which is a decrease of 90 GL in the last two weeks. The release, measured at Colemans gauge, gradually reduced from 7,800 ML/day to 6,600 ML/day as bulk transfers to Hume continue. The release is expected to increase to 7,500 ML/day in the coming week. Further details are provided in the attached flow advice.

At Hume Reservoir, the volume in storage fell by 59 GL to 1,181 GL (39% capacity). Downstream at Doctors Point, the flow varied between 12,000 and 16,000 ML/day during the last two weeks.

GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601 Telephone: 02 6279 0100 Facsimile: 02 6248 8053 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mdba.gov.au ABN 13679821382

Bureau of Meteorology advises El Niño likely past its peak Lock 8 pool level reducing to 80 cm below full supply level

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http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/

Some rain and relatively cooler conditions over the holiday period resulted in diversions at the irrigation offtakes remaining relatively low. While diversions at Mulwala Canal were relatively steady averaging 2,800 ML/day (around 1,600 ML/day of the diversion through Mulwala Canal is destined for the Edward River and Perricoota escapes, which are used by river operations to bypass the Barmah Choke), diversions to Yarrawonga Main Canal varied between 700 and 1,200 ML/day. The reduced demand and slight improvements in inflows from the Ovens River (Photo 1) allowed the pool level in Lake Mulwala to remain relatively high during the last two weeks, varying between 124.75 and 124.89 m AHD (currently 124.76 m AHD). The release from Yarrawonga Weir was varied between 9,700 to 10,200 ML/day in order to avoid steady flows which contribute to river bank erosion at these high flow rates, whilst still meeting downstream demands.

Photo 1 – Riding the rapids on the Ovens River at Bright (Photo courtesy: Adam McLean)

On the Edward River system, the flow through the Edward and Gulpa offtakes is about 1,600 ML/day and 500 ML/day, respectively. Environmental water is being used to maintain a higher flow through Gulpa Creek to assist with the maintenance of a bird breeding event in the Reed Beds area of Millewa Forest. Delivery of environmental water is also contributing to higher flows in the Wakool, Yallakool and Colligen Creeks. Wakool Main Canal diversions have been relatively steady over the last two weeks averaging around 240 ML/day. The flow downstream of Stevens Weir remains close to channel capacity (about 2,600 ML/day) as water is delivered through the Edward Escape to bypass the Barmah Choke.

On the Goulburn River at McCoys Bridge, the flow has been steady at around 600 ML/day, but is expected to rise in the coming week following recent heavy rain in the Goulburn catchment, particularly in the Seymour area. The flow is expected to briefly peak at around 1,300 ML/day. Flow in




the Campaspe River has also responded to the recent rain, briefly peaking at 240 ML/day. The delivery of Inter-Valley Trade (IVT) water to the Murray system will continue to contribute to flows above the minimum targets in the Goulburn River, as well as Broken Creek and the Campaspe River during January.

At Torrumbarry Weir, the diversion to National Channel has been steady at about 2,400 ML/day. This includes around 600 ML/day to maintain higher flows in Gunbower Creek to support larval Murray cod development. The majority of these higher flows return to the River Murray upstream of Barham and are used to help meet downstream demands. The release from the weir is currently around 6,000 ML/day.

Downstream on the Murray at Euston, flow has averaged close to 8,000 ML/day for the last two weeks. The flow is expected to remain around this level for the coming week.

On the lower Murrumbidgee River, the flow at Balranald is currently 1,500 ML/day. This flow at Balranald is above the normal end-of-system target for January of 186 ML/day due to the delivery of IVT water. Flows of at least 1,200 ML/day are expected to continue past Balranald into February.

Total storage in the Menindee Lakes has reduced to 69 GL (4% capacity) with release (measured at Weir 32) effectively ceasing on 15 December. Water users in this region are reminded that a red alert warning for blue green algae at several sites at Menindee Lakes and along the lower Darling is still current. Information updates about blue-green algae blooms and Red Alert areas can be obtained from the Regional Algal Coordinating Committee freecall Algal Information Hotline on 1800 999 457 or visit www.water.nsw.gov.au. There has been no flow at Burtundy on the lower Darling since April 2015. The weir pool at Wentworth—at the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers—continues to be maintained at about 10 cm above Full Supply Level (FSL) to assist water users on the lower Darling arm of the weir pool.

At Lock 9, the weir pool is currently targeting about 10 cm below FSL. At Locks 7 and 8, the weir pools are close to 50 cm below FSL. The weir pool at Lock 8 will be further lowered to 80 cm below FSL over the coming weeks. These changes are part of an on-going weir pool variability trial—more information on weir pool level changes can be found on MDBA’s website.

At Lake Victoria, the storage volume reduced by 39 GL over the past two weeks to 495 GL (73% capacity) and this declining trend is forecast to continue over coming months if conditions remain dry. The flow to South Australia averaged around 6,700 ML/day over the last two weeks.

At the Lower Lakes, warm, dry and often windy conditions have resulted in the 5-day average level in Lake Alexandrina falling 6 cm during the last two weeks and is currently 0.65 m AHD. Only the fishways remain open at the barrages to slow the rate of decline in the lake level.

For media inquiries contact the Media Officer on 02 6279 0141

DAVID DREVERMANExecutive Director, River Management




http://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/changes-mid-murray-weir-pool-levels-update

http://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/changes-mid-murray-weir-pool-levels-update

http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/

Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 30 Dec 2015

MDBA StoragesFull

Supply Level

Full Supply Volume

Current Storage

LevelCurrent Storage Dead

StorageActive

Storage

Change in Total

Storage for the Week

(m AHD) (GL) (m AHD) (GL) % (GL) (GL) (GL)Dartmouth Reservoir 486.00 3 856 451.83 1 994 52% 71 1 923 -47Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 180.65 1 210 40% 23 1 187 -31Lake Victoria 27.00 677 25.60 514 76% 100 414 -20Menindee Lakes 1 731* 71 4% (- -) # 0 -2Total 9 269 3 789 41% - - 3 524 -100Total Active MDBA Storage 42% ^ Burrinjuck Reservoir 1 026 607 59% 3 604 -22Blowering Reservoir 1 631 499 31% 24 475 -30Eildon Reservoir 3 334 1 580 47% 100 1 480 -28

* Menindee surcharge capacity – 2050 GL ** All Data is rounded to nearest GL ** # NSW takes control of Menindee Lakes when storage falls below 480 GL, and control reverts to MDBA when storage next reaches 640 GL^ % of total active MDBA storage

Snowy Mountains Scheme Snowy diversions for week ending 29 Dec 2015 Storage Active Storage

(GL)Weekly Change

(GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2015

Lake Eucumbene - Total 2 246 -15 Snowy-Murray +14 311Snowy-Murray Component 1 095 -11 Tooma-Tumut +0 138Target Storage 1 510 Net Diversion 14 173 Murray 1 Release +7 485

Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) *New South Wales This Week From 1 July

2015 Victoria This Week From 1 July 2015

Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) 6.8 234 Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) 4.7 135Wakool Sys Allowance 0.0 34 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) 0.3 263Western Murray Irrigation 1.2 8 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 5 58Licensed Pumps 5.4 97 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) 0.7 20Lower Darling 0.4 6 Licensed pumps - LMW 6 126TOTAL 13.8 379 TOTAL 16.7 602

* Figures derived from estimates and monthly data. Please note that not all data may have been available at the time of creating this report.** All data above is rounded to nearest 100 ML for weekly data and nearest GL for cumulative data**

Flow to South Australia (GL)* Flow to SA will be greater than normal entitlement for this month due to the delivery of additional environmental water.

Entitlement this month 217.0 * Flow this week 46.0 (6 600 ML/day)

Flow so far this month 195.9

Flow last month 210.5 Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C)

Current Average over the last week Average since 1 August 2015Swan Hill 90 90 80Euston 100 100 -Red Cliffs 120 130 130Merbein 120 120 130Burtundy (Darling) 1 340 1 320 1 030Lock 9 130 130 140Lake Victoria 170 170 210Berri 200 210 220Waikerie 250 260 280Morgan 280 290 280




Mannum 340 340 310Murray Bridge 310 310 330Milang (Lake Alex.) 800 790 750Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 710 700 590Meningie (Lake Alb.) 2 030 2 000 2 030Goolwa Barrages 1 430 1 300 1 060

River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 30 Dec 2015

Minor Flood Stage Gauge Height Flow Trend Average Flow

this Week

Average Flow last

WeekRiver Murray (m) local (m) (m AHD) (ML/day) (ML/day) (ML/day)Khancoban - - - 1 270 R 1 190 3 000Jingellic 4.0 1.25 207.77 1 480 F 2 110 3 380Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 3.01 219.90 7 190 F 7 570 7 380Heywoods 5.5 3.09 156.72 12 850 R 13 480 14 630Doctors Point 5.5 2.89 151.36 13 500 R 13 860 15 870Albury 4.3 1.92 149.36 - - - -Corowa 4.6 2.72 128.74 12 320 F 14 400 14 090Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 1.66 116.70 10 250 R 10 020 10 150Tocumwal 6.4 2.28 106.12 10 360 S 10 140 10 370Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.00 80.55 5 950 R 5 940 5 910Swan Hill 4.5 1.18 64.10 5 910 S 5 880 5 850Wakool Junction 8.8 3.08 52.20 8 250 R 8 140 8 140Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 1.56 43.40 7 720 F 7 940 8 090Mildura Weir (d/s) - - 6 750 F 6 770 6 650Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.77 27.53 5 030 F 5 080 5 050Rufus Junction - 3.46 20.39 6 280 F 6 320 6 330Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 0.64 - 3 560 R 3 040 3 420 Tributaries Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 0.92 154.15 430 F 400 560Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 7.91 145.59 420 F 390 280Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 1.30 92.72 630 R 570 540Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 2.39 82.17 2 620 S 2 580 2 550Edward at Liewah - 2.89 58.27 2 420 S 2 400 2 390Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.52 55.02 660 F 680 710Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 1.63 57.59 1 230 F 1 430 1 630Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 3.17 - 50 F 60 80Darling at Bourke 9.0 3.83 - 0 F 0 10Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.60 - 0 F 0 0 Natural Inflow to Hume 2 080 1 630

(i.e. Pre Dartmouth & Snowy Mountains scheme)

Weirs and Locks Pool levels above or below Full Supply Level (FSL)Murray FSL (m AHD) u/s d/s FSL (m AHD) u/s d/sYarrawonga 124.90 -0.04 - No. 7 Rufus River 22.10 -0.43 +1.14No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 +0.00 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 +0.04 +0.09No. 15 Euston 47.60 +0.01 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.03 +0.18No. 11 Mildura 34.40 +0.07 +0.17 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.03 +0.61No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 +0.11 +0.13 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.03 +0.15No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 -0.08 -0.46 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 +0.03 +0.05No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 -0.48 -0.32 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 -0.05 -0.12

Lower Lakes FSL = 0.75 m AHDLake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) 0.68

Barrages Fishways at Barrages Openings Level (m AHD) No. Open Rock Ramp Vertical SlotGoolwa 128 openings 0.69 All closed - OpenMundoo 26 openings 0.72 All closed - -Boundary Creek 6 openings - All closed - -Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - -Tauwitchere 322 gates 0.68 All closed Open Open

AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level




Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 06 Jan 2016

MDBA StoragesFull

Supply Level

Full Supply Volume

Current Storage

LevelCurrent Storage Dead

StorageActive

Storage

Change in Total

Storage for the Week

(m AHD) (GL) (m AHD) (GL) % (GL) (GL) (GL)Dartmouth Reservoir 486.00 3 856 450.85 1 951 51% 71 1 880 -43Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 180.42 1 181 39% 23 1 158 -28Lake Victoria 27.00 677 25.44 495 73% 100 395 -19Menindee Lakes 1 731* 69 4% (- -) # 0 -2Total 9 269 3 696 40% - - 3 433 -92Total Active MDBA Storage 41% ^

Major State StoragesBurrinjuck Reservoir 1 026 581 57% 3 578 -26Blowering Reservoir 1 631 482 30% 24 458 -18Eildon Reservoir 3 334 1 555 47% 100 1 455 -25

* Menindee surcharge capacity – 2050 GL ** All Data is rounded to nearest GL ** # NSW takes control of Menindee Lakes when storage falls below 480 GL, and control reverts to MDBA when storage next reaches 640 GL^ % of total active MDBA storage

Snowy Mountains Scheme Snowy diversions for week ending 05 Jan 2016 Storage Active Storage

(GL)Weekly Change

(GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2015

Lake Eucumbene - Total 2 249 +3 Snowy-Murray +1 312Snowy-Murray Component 1 112 +17 Tooma-Tumut +0 138Target Storage 1 520 Net Diversion 1 174 Murray 1 Release +9 494

Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) *New South Wales This Week From 1 July

2015 Victoria This Week From 1 July 2015

Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) 8.4 242 Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) 4.6 140Wakool Sys Allowance 1.3 36 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) 13.4 274Western Murray Irrigation 1.0 9 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 3.5 61Licensed Pumps 4.1 102 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) 0.4 20Lower Darling 0.3 6 Licensed pumps - LMW 20 146TOTAL 15.1 395 TOTAL 41.9 641

* Figures derived from estimates and monthly data. Please note that not all data may have been available at the time of creating this report.** All data above is rounded to nearest 100 ML for weekly data and nearest GL for cumulative data**

Flow to South Australia (GL)* Flow to SA will be greater than normal entitlement for this month due to the delivery of additional environmental water.

Entitlement this month 217.0 * Flow this week 47.4 (6 800 ML/day)Flow so far this month 40.8Flow last month 202.5

Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C) Current Average over the last week Average since 1 August 2015Swan Hill 90 90 80Euston 90 100 -Red Cliffs 130 130 130Merbein 130 120 130Burtundy (Darling) 1 340 1 340 1 050Lock 9 130 130 140Lake Victoria 170 170 210Berri 210 210 220Waikerie 250 250 280Morgan 280 280 280Mannum 370 360 310Murray Bridge 320 320 330Milang (Lake Alex.) 830 820 760Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 710 720 600Meningie (Lake Alb.) 2 170 2 100 2 030Goolwa Barrages 1 400 1 390 1 070




River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 06 Jan 2016

Minor Flood Stage Gauge Height Flow Trend Average Flow

this Week

Average Flow last

WeekRiver Murray (m) local (m) (m AHD) (ML/day) (ML/day) (ML/day)Khancoban - - - 2 380 F 2 380 1 190Jingellic 4.0 1.67 208.19 3 970 R 2 660 2 110Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 2.95 219.84 6 820 R 6 900 7 570Heywoods 5.5 3.14 156.77 13 600 S 13 410 13 480Doctors Point 5.5 2.92 151.39 13 980 S 13 770 13 860Albury 4.3 1.95 149.39 - - - -Corowa 4.6 2.93 128.95 13 730 F 13 290 14 400Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 1.64 116.68 10 010 S 9 990 10 020Tocumwal 6.4 2.25 106.09 10 210 S 10 200 10 140Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.07 80.61 6 160 R 6 070 5 940Swan Hill 4.5 1.21 64.13 6 040 R 5 900 5 880Wakool Junction 8.8 3.13 52.25 8 420 R 8 200 8 140Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 1.71 43.55 8 730 R 7 780 7 940Mildura Weir (d/s) - - 7 160 F 6 620 6 630Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.81 27.57 5 780 R 5 240 5 080Rufus Junction - 3.54 20.47 6 770 R 6 450 6 320Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 0.72 - 3 620 R 3 180 3 040 Tributaries Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 0.84 154.07 310 R 280 400Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 7.88 145.56 370 S 300 390Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 1.30 92.72 620 S 610 570Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 2.29 82.07 2 450 F 2 550 2 580Edward at Liewah - 2.91 58.29 2 440 F 2 430 2 400Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.53 55.02 660 F 660 680Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 1.89 57.85 1 510 R 1 300 1 430Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 3.17 - 40 F 80 60Darling at Bourke 9.0 3.76 - 0 F 0 0Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.61 - 0 F 0 0 Natural Inflow to Hume 2 060 2 170

(i.e. Pre Dartmouth & Snowy Mountains scheme)

Weirs and Locks Pool levels above or below Full Supply Level (FSL)Murray FSL (m AHD) u/s d/s FSL (m AHD) u/s d/sYarrawonga 124.90 -0.14 - No. 7 Rufus River 22.10 -0.49 +1.20No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 +0.00 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 +0.03 +0.08No. 15 Euston 47.60 +0.36 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.02 +0.21No. 11 Mildura 34.40 +0.06 +0.24 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.03 +0.70No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 +0.14 +0.17 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.05 +0.19No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 -0.08 -0.49 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 +0.03 +0.09No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 -0.54 -0.32 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 -0.08 -0.03

Lower Lakes FSL = 0.75 m AHDLake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) 0.65

Barrages Fishways at Barrages Openings Level (m AHD) No. Open Rock Ramp Vertical SlotGoolwa 128 openings 0.65 All closed - OpenMundoo 26 openings 0.66 All closed - -Boundary Creek 6 openings - All closed - -Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - -Tauwitchere 322 gates 0.60 All closed Open Open

AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level




Week ending Wednesday 06 Jan 2016

State Allocations (as at 06 Jan 2016)NSW - Murray Valley Victorian - Murray Valley

High security 97%General security 19%

High reliability 95%Low reliability 0%

NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley Victorian - Goulburn ValleyHigh security 95%General security 32%

High reliability 84%Low reliability 0%

NSW - Lower Darling South Australia – Murray ValleyHigh security 50%General security 0%

High security 100%

NSW : http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/Water-management/Water-availability/Water-allocations/Water-allocations-summary/water-allocations-summary/default.aspx

VIC : http://www.nvrm.net.au/allocations/current.aspxSA : http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/river-murray



mailto:[email protected]?subject=River%20data%20Inquiries

http://www.nvrm.net.au/allocations/current.aspx

Mitta Mitta flow updateLandholders and river users, including pumpers, on the Mitta Mitta River are advised to take into account the forecast releases of water from Dartmouth Dam and make any necessary adjustment to their river activities.

Releases will start increasing from Friday 8 January and reach 7,500 megalitres per day (ML/day) before decreasing from 15 January and returning to 6,200 ML/day by the end of the month.

The information in the table below assumes dry conditions, with little or no rainfall for the period.

Forecast Mitta Mitta flows 8–28 January 2016

Date Releases from Dartmouth Dam

Colemans Gauge Tallandoon Gauge

Flow(ML/day)

Height(m)

Flow(ML/day)

Height(m)

Friday 8 January Flows start increasing 6,500 2.42 6,700 2.91

Sunday 10 January Flows steady 7,500 2.54 7,600 3.06

Friday 15 January Flows start decreasing 7,500 2.54 7,600 3.06

Thursday 28 January Flows steady 6,200 2.39 6,300 2.85

If dry conditions persist, releases are expected to be above 5,000 ML/day over summer.

The releases from Dartmouth Dam may vary from those forecast and flows on the Mitta Mitta may increase at any time if there’s rainfall in the catchment downstream of the dam.

A further flow advice will be issued when there is a significant change to releases.

Landholders and river users on the Mitta Mitta are advised to regularly check the current flows and forecasts on the MDBA website for more information on releases from Dartmouth Dam: www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/storage-volumes-releases

Live river data for Dartmouth Dam, the Mitta Mitta and other sites on the Murray system can be seen at http://livedata.mdba.gov.au.

Summary information about the River Murray system is available in the River Murray weekly report at: http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reports

ENDSFor more information, contact the MDBA Media office at [email protected] or 02 6279 0141Follow us on Twitter @MD_Basin_Auth or Facebook @Murray-DarlingBasinAuthority

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Flow advice

7 January 2016

https://www.facebook.com/MDBAuth

http://twitter.com/MD_Basin_Auth

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reports

http://livedata.mdba.gov.au/

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/storage-volumes-releases

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/storage-volumes-releases

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