RIVER MURRAY WEEKLY REPORT
FOR THE WEEK ENDING WEDNESDAY, 3RD JUNE 2016
Trim Ref: D15/48961
Rainfall and Inflows
Rain was recorded across much of the Murray-Darling Basin this week with the highest totals around
the southeast ranges and across northern New South Wales (Map 1). Some of the highest rainfall totals
occurred in north eastern Victoria including 84 mm at Rocky Valley, 58 mm at Mouth Buffalo and 54 mm
at Mount Buller AWS. Other notable totals include 51 mm at Cabramurra AWS and 31 mm at Hume
Reservoir in the southwest slopes of NSW and 32 mm at Tamworth Airport AWS, 27 mm at
Coonabarabran AWS and 29 mm at Wanaaring in northern NSW.
Map 1 – Murray-Darling Basin rainfall week ending 3rd June 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)
This week’s rain prompted renewed, but modest stream flow rises in the upper Murray tributaries. On
the Mitta Mitta River, the flow at Hinnomunjie Bridge reached 1,350 ML/day and averaged around
1,000 ML/day for the week. The Murray at Biggara reached a similar peak and averaged around
800 ML/day. On the Kiewa River, the flow at Mongans Bridge reached around 2,000 ML/day and
averaged around 1,400 ML/day. On the Ovens River, the flow at Rocky Point reached around
1,500 ML/day and averaged 1,200 ML/day.
May 2015 Summary
Rainfall across the southern Basin was average to below average during May 2015, while the northern
Basin experienced average to above-average rainfall (Map 2). Across the Basin as a whole, the Bureau
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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Page 1 of 9
of Meteorology (BoM) has reported the month as the 59th driest May in 116 years of records with an
area-averaged total of 31.8 mm (25% below the long-term mean).
During May, the mean daily maximum temperature across the Basin was close to the long-term May
average. The mean daily minimum temperature was average to above average with the warming trend
generally higher in northern NSW and southern Victoria.
Map 2 - Murray Darling Basin rainfall deciles for May 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
River Murray System inflows for May (excluding Snowy Scheme, Darling River, IVT and managed
environmental inflows) totalled around 240 GL. This volume was greater than May 2014 inflows
(200 GL), however remained below the long-term average for May of about 440 GL.
Estimated evaporation losses from MDBA storages for May 2015 are reported in Table 1. Evaporation
is estimated by multiplying the surface area of the storage by the net evaporation (evaporation minus
rainfall). As a result of rainfall exceeding evaporation during May, net evaporation at both Dartmouth
and Hume Reservoirs was negative (i.e. there was a gain of water on the storage, not a loss).
Table 1: Monthly evaporation figures for MDBA storages
*Approximate (net) evaporative
Storage
loss in May 2015 (GL)
Dartmouth
-3
Hume
-2
Lake Victoria
5
Menindee Lakes
4
Average storage volume
in May 2015 (GL)
2,899
656
273
67
* Evaporative loss from storage = surface area of the storage x net evaporation. Net evaporation = measured evaporation
(using a ‘pan’ instrument) - rainfall.
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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2014-15 MDBA Water Year Summary
The beginning of June marks the transition to a new ‘water year’ for the River Murray system as the
commencement of the winter-spring period is typically when tributary inflows increase and headwater
storages begin to be replenished. The water year is used by the MDBA to manage and report on system
inflows, demands and storage levels across a 12 month period in a way that best matches the system’s
hydrological and demand cycle.
River Murray System inflows during 2014-15 water year were around 4,400 GL putting 2014-15 in the
driest 15% of years on record. By comparison, inflows in 2013-14 totalled 5,700 GL with 7,400 GL in
2012-13 and the long-term average is around 9,100 GL.
The first significant rain event for 2014-15 occurred in late June, and was followed by further significant
rain in mid-July. These rainfall events generated good inflows into the River Murray System with inflows
during July increasing to around the long term average (See plot on page 9). However inflows were
mainly captured in storages and downstream flows only briefly reached a peak of around 24,000 ML/day
downstream of Yarrawonga and Euston in July and August respectively.
Inflow to the River Murray System took a sharp decline in August with rainfall across the southern Basin
very much below average. Low rainfall continued through September and October, resulting in very low
inflows during the three-month period when historically inflows would have been highest. Coupled with
the poor rainfall, temperatures throughout this period were extremely warm.
Despite a return to more average rainfall in the southern Basin during November and December and
wetter than average conditions in January, River Murray system inflows remained well below the longterm average for each of these months and for the remainder of the water year.
As was experienced in 2013-14, inflows to the Menindee Lakes system over the last 12 months have
continued to be very low and are approaching the extended dry periods experienced during the
Millennium drought.
Winter 2014 began with MDBA active storage around the long-term average. Water in storage increased
throughout the winter, however high demands during the spring, summer and into autumn have
subsequently drawn the storage volume down to around 3/4 of the long-term average (Figure 1). Due
to very low storage levels, no water was available to the MDBA in Menindee Lakes during 2014-15.
There was hot weather — similar to the previous year — during spring and early summer, contributing
to high demands and high system losses along the River Murray. Although January and April were
wetter than average, high demands and system losses continued well into autumn.
Without access to water in Menindee Lakes this year, high demands required flow through the choke to
remain close to channel capacity from late September to late April. Also, large volumes of water were
transferred around the choke via Murray Irrigation Limited and Goulburn–Murray Water supply networks
and record volumes of inter-valley trade were delivered from the Goulburn and Murrumbidgee Valleys.
Water storage in Hume Reservoir was drawn down to meet demand with the volume dropping to 20%
capacity by mid-April. This is despite transferring around 1,000 GL from Dartmouth Reservoir.
Barrage releases continued throughout the year when weather conditions permitted, however continued
sand accumulation at the Murray Mouth did require the re-commencement of dredging operations at the
beginning of January 2015.
In late May the Bureau of Meteorology announced that El Niño thresholds had been exceeded and El
Niño was likely to continue into spring. Whilst this does not automatically mean dry conditions, the
likelihood of suppressed rainfall in South East Australia and particularly for the upper Darling catchments
in the coming winter-spring is increased.
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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MDBA Active Storage : June 2000 to present
Long-term Average Active Storage
10000
Active Storage
Maximum Active Storage (at full supply level)
9000
End of Month Storage (GL)
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
Jun 2015
Jun 2014
Jun 2013
Jun 2012
Jun 2011
Jun 2010
Jun 2009
Jun 2008
Jun 2007
Jun 2006
Jun 2005
Jun 2004
Jun 2003
Jun 2002
Jun 2001
Jun 2000
0
Figure 1 – MDBA active storage, June 2000 to June 2015.
River Operations


Lake Mulwala level continues to fall
Mildura weir removed and maintenance works are underway
Over the past week MDBA storage has increased by 73 GL, with the active storage currently 3,799 GL
or 45% capacity.
At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage volume reduced by 20 GL to 2,868 GL (74% capacity). Releases
increased during the week to 6,000 ML/day (measured at Colemans gauge) as bulk transfers to Hume
Reservoir continued, in preparation for supplying system demands next season. The flow at Colemans
is currently 5,500 ML/day and will be gradually reduced toward 1,700 ML/day by the last week in June.
Hume Reservoir’s storage volume increased by 60 GL this week to 785 GL (26% capacity). The current
release from Hume remains at the minimum of 600 ML/day.
At Yarrawonga Weir, the pool level continues to be reduced and is currently 121.39 m AHD, which is
3.31 m below the normal operating level. The pool level is expected to reach the target of around 121.2
m AHD early in the coming week. Depending on the volume of water flowing in from the Ovens and
Kiewa rivers, it is expected that the pool level will be refilled to the normal operating level in the second
half of July. The downstream release at Yarrawonga Weir has been decreased this week and is currently
5,100 ML/day. Further reductions will be made in the coming days.
On the Edward River System, inflows via the Edward River and Gulpa Creek offtakes have reduced in
response to falling River Murray levels at Picnic Point. The current total inflow has reduced to
1,200 ML/day and is expected to continue decreasing slowly during the coming week.
On the Goulburn River, the flow at McCoys Bridge has been steady at around 940 ML/day. This flow is
expected to continue until mid-June, after which higher flows are possible. More information will be
provided in future Weekly Reports.
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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At Torrumbarry Weir, around 250 ML/day is being diverted at National Channel in order to maintain a
winter base flow in Gunbower Creek for the benefit of native fish. The flow downstream of Torrumbarry
Weir receded this week (currently 6,500 ML/day) and will continue to fall away over the coming week.
At Euston Weir, the pool was re-filled to the Full Supply Level (FSL) of 47.60 m AHD. The pool will be
raised by a further 20cm to 47.80 m AHD next week whilst inflows are relatively high. The flow
downstream of Euston peaked at 11,300 ML/day and is expected to remain above 9,000 ML/day for the
coming week.
At Mildura, removal of the weir structure is complete and works are underway. The pool level is now
more than 3 metres below FSL. Whilst the pool level is low, the Mallee CMA in association with other
agencies has taken the opportunity to flush salt from Psyche Lagoon (Photo 1). The salt has
accumulated from saline groundwater intrusion into the lagoon and from the reduction in natural flood
events. Changed management practices including improved irrigation practices provide the opportunity
to return the lagoon to good health by removing some of the stored salt. Commonwealth and Victorian
environmental water holders have provided environmental water for the discharge of water from the
Lagoon. The discharged water is being managed to ensure that salinity levels in the River Murray remain
low and do not impact on downstream water users. Current river flows of around 11,000 ML/day have
allowed higher releases while keeping in-river salinity concentrations below 250 EC downstream of
Mildura. The release of saline water is expected to cease in the coming week.
Photo 1 – Releases have lowered the water level in Psyche Lagoon by about 50cm (Source: Jane White, Mallee CMA)
The volume stored in the Menindee Lakes increased by another 2 GL due to the continued arrival of a
small pulse of inflows originating from upstream tributaries in early April. The Menindee Lakes currently
store 74 GL (4% capacity) and there remains no release from Weir 32.
The flow at Wentworth is currently 10,600 ML/day and the salinity is around 180 EC. The flow is
expected to remain in excess of 10,000 ML/day over the coming week.
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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Telephone: 02 6279 0100
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On Mullaroo Creek, adjacent to Lock 7 Weir pool, construction of a new regulator and a fishway is
progressing well. Flow to Mullaroo Creek is now being managed using the new regulator (Photo 1) and
is currently targeting around 600 ML/day. Prior to construction of the new regulator, flow into Mullaroo
Creek was dependent on the level of Lock 7 weir pool. Construction of the new regulator will allow the
weir pool level to be raised to deliver environmental water to the upper Lindsay River system or lowered
to provide drying of fringing wetlands while maintaining appropriate flows in the Mullaroo creek and
lower Lindsay River.
Photo 2 – The newly constructed Mullaroo regulator and fishway entrance (Source: Peter Vardy, IPMG)
The storage in Lake Victoria increased by 30 GL to 340 GL (50% capacity). The flow to South Australia
averaged 4,000 ML/day this week and is expected to be around 3,700 ML/day over the coming week.
At the Lower Lakes, the 5 day average water level in Lake Alexandrina was steady at 0.64 m AHD.
Release through the barrages have continued when conditions have allowed.
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 6 of 9
Water in Storage
Week ending Wednesday 03 Jun 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)
2 868
785
340
74
4 067
%
74%
26%
50%
4%
44%
434
426
1 910
42%
26%
57%
(m AHD)
469.55
176.73
23.96
1 026
1 631
3 334
Dead
Storage
Active
Storage
(GL)
71
23
100
(- -) #
--
(GL)
2 797
762
240
0
3 799
45% ^
3
24
100
431
402
1 810
Change in
Total
Storage
for the
Week
(GL)
-20
+60
+30
+2
+73
+4
+2
+8
* 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 02 Jun 2015
Active Storage
(GL)
2 160
1 072
1 240
Weekly Change
(GL)
n/a
n/a
Diversion (GL)
From 1 May
2015
39
21
18
63
This Week
Snowy-Murray
Tooma-Tumut
Net Diversion
Murray 1 Release
+13
+6
7
+15
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
-0.3
2.1
0.1
0.8
0.1
2.8
From 1 July
2014
842
87
24
281
61
1295
Victoria
This Week
Yarrawonga Main Channel (net)
Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net)
Sunraysia Pumped Districts
Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s)
Licensed pumps - LMW
TOTAL
0
0.2
0.5
0.8
1.5
3
From 1
July 2014
301
613
105
75
296
1390
* 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
90.0 *
27.7
11.5
138.1
(4 000 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
70
190
180
930
140
170
260
300
290
310
360
720
670
2 240
2 650
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Average since 1 August 2014
70
70
180
170
920
110
150
260
290
290
310
340
710
570
2 230
2 690
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
80
100
120
120
820
130
210
220
290
280
320
350
750
640
2 420
1 550
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River Levels and Flows
Week ending Wednesday 03 Jun 2015
7.3
-
1.92
2.78
1.42
1.70
0.85
0.72
0.98
1.66
2.16
1.46
3.62
2.04
3.09
2.95
0.59
208.44
219.67
155.05
150.17
148.29
126.74
116.02
105.50
80.71
64.38
52.74
43.88
31.16
27.85
19.88
-
(ML/day)
4 800
5 920
5 890
600
2 300
1 950
5 090
6 020
6 510
7 820
10 600
11 330
10 700
10 570
3 360
3 530
F
R
F
S
R
F
F
F
F
F
F
R
F
R
F
F
(ML/day)
2 970
4 490
4 990
600
2 180
2 270
5 720
6 550
7 650
8 420
10 760
10 840
10 000
9 810
3 530
3 650
Average
Flow last
Week
(ML/day)
3 810
5 400
3 670
600
2 190
2 410
9 040
9 360
8 810
8 260
9 330
9 090
11 150
11 290
3 540
4 000
2.8
11.9
9.0
5.5
5.0
6.1
9.0
-
1.84
8.30
1.49
1.68
2.62
1.53
0.76
3.38
4.09
1.08
155.07
145.98
92.91
81.45
58.00
55.02
56.72
-
1 780
1 330
950
1 550
2 060
680
410
480
330
0
R
S
R
F
F
F
R
S
F
F
1 600
1 240
930
1 780
2 160
670
350
520
470
0
1 590
1 230
980
1 850
1 820
490
350
750
480
0
5 540
5 000
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
-3.51
+0.00
+0.00
-3.24
+0.08
+0.01
-0.19
d/s
+0.36
+0.45
-0.19
+0.09
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
+0.05
-0.00
-0.01
+0.02
+0.19
+0.01
-0.09
d/s
+0.64
-0.06
+0.11
+0.44
+0.12
+0.04
-0.16
FSL = 0.75 m AHD
Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD)
Barrages
0.64
Fishways at Barrages
Openings
Level (m AHD)
No. Open
Goolwa
128 openings
0.67
1
Mundoo
26 openings
0.66
All closed
Boundary Creek
6 openings
0.1
Ewe Island
111 gates
All closed
Tauwitchere
322 gates
0.68
3
AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level
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Week ending Wednesday 03 Jun 2015
State Allocations (as at 03 Jun 2015)
NSW - Murray Valley
High security
General security
Victorian - Murray Valley
97%
61%
NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley
High security
General security
95%
53%
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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Telephone: 02 6279 0100
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Page 9 of 9