RIVER MURRAY WEEKLY REPORT
FOR THE WEEK ENDING WEDNESDAY, 8TH APRIL 2016
Trim Ref: D15/13998
Rainfall and Inflows
Rain fell across almost the entire Murray-Darling Basin this week with only the far north-west remaining
dry. Totals in excess of 25 mm were widespread over eastern areas and in the lower Murray region and
eastern Mt Lofty Ranges of South Australia. Lighter totals were recorded through central and southern
parts of the Basin (Map 1). The rain fell in association with a trough system in the north and with the
passage of a complex slow moving low pressure system across south-eastern Australia during the past
few days.
The highest rain totals were recorded either side of the NSW-Queensland border. This rain has triggered
sharp stream flow responses along stretches of the Border Rivers, including peaks around the minor
flood level along the Macintyre and Weir Rivers near Boggabilla and Goondiwindi. Notable rainfall totals
included 121 mm at Garah and Dalveen, 92 mm at Talwood, 91 mm at Emmaville and 74 mm at Wee
Waa. Worthwhile rain also fell in the south-east across the upper Murrumbidgee catchment including
118 mm at Captains Flat and 89 mm at Cooma.
Figure 1 - Murray Darling Basin rainfall week ending 8th April 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)
Stream flows along the upper Murray tributaries increased only a small amount, with most of the higher
rain totals falling in adjacent catchments. On the Mitta Mitta River, the flow at Hinnomunjie Bridge
increased from 130 to 260 ML/day. On the Ovens River, the flow at Wangaratta increased from around
200 to 300 ML/day.
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Page 1 of 6
River Operations


Hume storage volume to fall to 20% next week
Lock 8 to be lowered to 80cm below full supply level
MDBA total storage fell by 103 GL this week, with the active storage now 3,587 GL (43% capacity).
Although rainfall has temporarily reduced demands and losses across the system, flows downstream
of Yarrawonga continue at close to channel capacity. One of the large downstream demands is the
requirement of the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement to provide 350 GL in Lake Victoria by the end of
May. Releases downstream of Yarrawonga will remain high in order to meet this target, along with
other demands, unless there are further rainfall events which assist.
Dartmouth Reservoir storage decreased by 24 GL to 2,971 GL (77% capacity). The release from
Dartmouth, measured at the Colemans gauge, is currently 6,000 ML/day aimed at transferring water to
Hume and will continue at this flow rate over the coming week.
At Hume Reservoir the storage fell by 65 GL to 644 GL (21% capacity), see photo below. Hume
storage volume is expected to fall to 20% over the coming week. Releases at the start of the week
were 18,500 ML/day but were gradually reduced to 13,500 ML/day in response to the forecast rainfall.
Reducing releases in anticipation of rain and the possibility of a “rain rejection” event (a marked
reduction in irrigation demands at the major irrigation offtakes) reduced the risk of unseasonal flooding
of Barmah-Millewa forest as well as helped maintain consistent levels in Lake Mulwala over Easter.
Photo 1 – Hume Reservoir storage level at 22% over the Easter weekend (source Sean Kelly).
At Yarrawonga Weir, the total diversion through the major irrigation offtakes reduced on the back of
rain and mild temperatures. The MDBA order through the Mulwala Canal at the Edward escape was
reduced by 400 ML/day last week and subsequently increased again to assist in managing the weir
pool level. The release downstream of Yarrawonga Weir continued at close to 10,000 ML/day. The
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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MDBA continues to run water through the Mulwala Canal (with releases at Edward, Wakool and
Perricoota escapes) and through Yarrawonga Main Channel.
On the Goulburn River, flows at McCoys Bridge have receded throughout the week and are forecast to
average around 950 ML/day. The flow above the minimum of 350 ML/day at this time is environmental
water aimed at providing a base flow in the Goulburn River and is expected to continue for much of
autumn.
Downstream at Torrumbarry Weir, diversions at National Channel have decreased from around 3,000
to 2,200 ML/day and the downstream flow is currently about 6,600 ML/day.
On the lower Murrumbidgee River, Inter Valley Transfer (IVT) water continues to be delivered at
Balranald with a target of 900 ML/day.
The Euston Weir pool level will recommence lowering after it was raised temporarily last week to
assist a number of boats that were stranded on the ‘cut’ – a natural elevated cutting through a bend in
the Murray that is normally inundated by the weir pool. Euston weir pool will continue to fall this week
until a target of 25cm below full supply level (FSL) is reached. The lowering will provide additional
flows in the Murray to meet downstream demands. The weir pool is likely to remain lowered for some
time, unless there is sufficient future rain in the mid-Murray.
At Lock 8, the weir pool level will be gradually lowered a further 20 cm to 80 cm below FSL this week
as part of the current weir pool manipulation trial. The aim of the trial is to increase the variability of
water levels, fundamental for the health of riverine ecosystems, whilst still meeting the needs of
irrigation, navigation and recreation at the weir. The benefits from weir pool variability include
improvements for riparian vegetation, reduced stress on floodplain vegetation and improvement to
biofilms which are important components of the riverine food chain supporting aquatic invertebrates.
Lowering the weir pool level also increases the amount of flowing water habitat (that would otherwise
be ‘slack water’ at the upstream end of the weir pool) which is important for fish and other biota. In
weir pools, recruitment of many of the large bodied native fish such as Murray Cod, Golden Perch and
Silver Perch are dependent on flowing water habitats.
At Menindee Lakes, the storage decreased by 7 GL and is now at 78 GL (5% capacity). Releases at
Weir 32 averaged 350 ML/day this week.
At Lake Victoria, essential maintenance works on the outlet structure are continuing. The storage
volume decreased this week to 166 GL (25% capacity) and the flow to South Australia is currently
6,000 ML/day, with a target of 6,400 ML/day for the next few days.
At the Lower Lakes, the 5-day average level in Lake Alexandrina is 0.51 m AHD. Releases through the
Barrages have averaged around 500 ML/day over the last week because of high tides and swell.
For media inquiries contact the Media Officer on 02 6279 0141
DAVID DREVERMAN
Executive Director, River Management
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
ABN 13679821382
Page 3 of 6
Water in Storage
Week ending Wednesday 08 Apr 2015
Full
Supply
Level
MDBA Storages
Dartmouth Reservoir
Hume Reservoir
Lake Victoria
Menindee Lakes
Total
Total Active MDBA Storage
Current
Storage
Level
Full Supply
Volume
(m AHD)
486.00
192.00
27.00
(GL)
3 856
3 005
677
1 731*
9 269
Major State Storages
Burrinjuck Reservoir
Blowering Reservoir
Eildon Reservoir
Current
Storage
(GL)
2 971
644
166
78
3 859
%
77%
21%
25%
5%
42%
334
452
1 927
33%
28%
58%
(m AHD)
471.41
175.20
22.11
1 026
1 631
3 334
Dead
Storage
Active
Storage
(GL)
71
23
100
(- -) #
--
(GL)
2 900
621
66
0
3 587
43% ^
3
24
100
331
428
1 827
Change in
Total
Storage
for the
Week
(GL)
-24
-65
-7
-7
-103
+1
-8
-42
* 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
Storage
Lake Eucumbene - Total
Snowy-Murray Component
Target Storage
Snowy diversions for week ending 07 Apr 2015
Active Storage
(GL)
2 177
989
1 340
Weekly Change
(GL)
n/a
n/a
Diversion (GL)
From 1 May
2014
384
214
170
658
This Week
Snowy-Murray
Tooma-Tumut
Net Diversion
Murray 1 Release
+12
+1
12
+11
Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) *
New South Wales
This Week
Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net)
Wakool Sys Allowance
Western Murray Irrigation
Licensed Pumps
Lower Darling
TOTAL
22.2
2.9
0.2
7.0
0.1
32.4
From 1 July
2014
811
71
23
255
60
1220
Victoria
This Week
Yarrawonga Main Channel (net)
Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net)
Sunraysia Pumped Districts
Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s)
Licensed pumps - LMW
TOTAL
9.2
16.8
1.2
1.9
2
31.1
From 1
July 2014
280
572
102
60
266
1280
* 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.
Salinity (EC)
Entitlement this month
Flow this week
Flow so far this month
Flow last month
135.0 *
45.1
50.9
249.0
(6 400 ML/day)
(microSiemens/cm at 25o C)
Current
Swan Hill
Euston
Red Cliffs
Merbein
Burtundy (Darling)
Lock 9
Lake Victoria
Berri
Waikerie
Morgan
Mannum
Murray Bridge
Milang (Lake Alex.)
Poltalloch (Lake Alex.)
Meningie (Lake Alb.)
Goolwa Barrages
Average over the last week
70
90
110
110
890
120
240
240
300
280
290
300
800
730
2 430
3 340
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Average since 1 August 2014
80
80
110
110
890
120
230
240
290
270
290
300
810
670
2 520
2 630
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
90
100
120
130
800
130
210
220
280
280
330
360
780
620
2 420
1 280
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Page 4 of 6
River Levels and Flows
Week ending Wednesday 08 Apr 2015
7.3
-
1.49
2.69
3.07
2.89
1.93
3.11
1.63
2.27
2.18
1.24
2.99
1.67
2.99
3.27
0.63
208.01
219.58
156.70
151.36
149.37
129.13
116.67
106.11
80.73
64.16
52.11
43.51
27.75
20.20
-
(ML/day)
3 000
2 900
5 390
13 140
13 470
15 000
9 890
10 200
6 280
6 340
7 820
8 640
8 340
8 590
5 160
4 720
F
R
R
F
F
F
S
R
S
R
R
F
F
R
F
R
(ML/day)
1 480
2 620
3 790
15 600
15 810
16 460
9 890
10 110
6 310
5 960
7 890
8 700
7 770
7 900
5 560
4 260
Average
Flow last
Week
(ML/day)
4 630
4 610
3 440
17 530
17 900
17 700
9 910
10 040
6 780
6 630
7 790
7 120
5 970
6 130
5 260
4 340
2.8
11.9
9.0
5.5
5.0
6.1
9.0
-
0.71
7.83
1.59
2.30
2.71
1.42
1.56
3.44
3.93
-
153.94
145.51
93.01
82.07
58.09
54.91
57.52
-
180
290
1 120
2 460
2 160
410
1 160
620
10
10
R
R
F
F
S
S
R
R
S
R
170
220
1 440
2 090
2 190
390
1 260
190
10
0
160
200
2 480
2 320
2 180
270
1 080
30
30
0
220
250
Minor Flood
Stage
River Murray
Khancoban
Jingellic
Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River )
Heywoods
Doctors Point
Albury
Corowa
Yarrawonga Weir (d/s)
Tocumwal
Torrumbarry Weir (d/s)
Swan Hill
Wakool Junction
Euston Weir (d/s)
Mildura Weir (d/s)
Wentworth Weir (d/s)
Rufus Junction
Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s)
(m)
Tributaries
Kiewa at Bandiana
Ovens at Wangaratta
Goulburn at McCoys Bridge
Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s)
Edward at Liewah
Wakool at Stoney Crossing
Murrumbidgee at Balranald
Barwon at Mungindi
Darling at Bourke
Darling at Burtundy Rocks
Gauge
local (m)
4.0
4.2
5.5
5.5
4.3
4.6
6.4
6.4
7.3
4.5
8.8
9.1
Height
(m AHD)
Flow
Trend
Average Flow
this Week
Natural Inflow to Hume
(i.e. Pre Dartmouth & Snowy Mountains scheme)
Weirs and Locks Pool levels above or below Full Supply Level (FSL)
Murray
Yarrawonga
No. 26 Torrumbarry
No. 15 Euston
No. 11 Mildura
No. 10 Wentworth
No. 9 Kulnine
No. 8 Wangumma
Lower Lakes
FSL (m AHD)
124.90
86.05
47.60
34.40
30.80
27.40
24.60
u/s
-0.07
+0.00
-0.08
+0.07
+0.10
-0.01
-0.69
d/s
+0.28
+0.35
-0.60
+0.22
FSL (m AHD)
22.10
19.25
16.30
13.20
9.80
6.10
3.20
No. 7 Rufus River
No. 6 Murtho
No. 5 Renmark
No. 4 Bookpurnong
No. 3 Overland Corner
No. 2 Waikerie
No. 1 Blanchetown
u/s
+0.06
+0.02
+0.05
+0.09
+0.04
+0.05
-0.07
d/s
+0.95
+0.09
+0.24
+0.76
+0.20
+0.08
-0.12
FSL = 0.75 m AHD
Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD)
Barrages
0.51
Fishways at Barrages
Openings
Level (m AHD)
No. Open
Goolwa
128 openings
0.55
All closed
Mundoo
26 openings
0.51
All closed
Boundary Creek
6 openings
0.1
Ewe Island
111 gates
All closed
Tauwitchere
322 gates
0.56
All closed
AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level
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Vertical Slot
Open
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Week ending Wednesday 08 Apr 2015
State Allocations (as at 08 Apr 2015)
NSW - Murray Valley
High security
General security
Victorian - Murray Valley
97%
61%
NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley
High security
General security
95%
51%
100%
0%
Victorian - Goulburn Valley
High reliability
Low reliability
100%
0%
South Australia – Murray Valley
NSW - Lower Darling
High security
General security
High reliability
Low reliability
100%
100%
High security
100%
NSW :
http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/Water-management/Water-availability/Waterallocations/Water-allocations-summary/water-allocations-summary/default.aspx
VIC :
SA :
http://www.nvrm.net.au/allocations/current.aspx
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/river-murray
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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