RIVER MURRAY WEEKLY REPORT
FOR THE WEEK ENDING WEDNESDAY, 2ND DECEMBER 2016
Trim Ref: D15/87089
Rainfall and Inflows
Most of the Basin was dry this week, with the only significant rainfall occurring in the north-east (Map
1). Some smaller falls were recorded on the upper Murray, but these were generally less than 10 mm
over the week.
In northern NSW, 54 mm was recorded at Emmaville and Tenterfield. In the eastern Darling Downs, a
number of stations received over 30 mm, with Stanthorpe and Ballandean recording the highest falls
of 83 mm and 62 mm, respectively. In the western Darling Downs, Possum Park (Kowguran) saw 69
mm in the past week.
With the continued dry weather across the majority of the Basin, system inflows have continued to
remain low this week.
Map 1- Murray-Darling Basin rainfall week ending 2nd December 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)
The week saw milder temperatures across most of the Basin. A number of locations in the southern
Basin saw the lowest maximum and minimum temperatures for November on Thursday and Friday
morning, respectively. At Dartmouth, the temperature dropped to 1.5 oC on Friday morning which was
in the lowest 10% of records (-0.2oC being the lowest recorded).
The southern Basin is forecast to see warmer temperatures over the coming week, with the Bureau of
Meteorology (BoM) forecasting that the areas from the Lower Lakes to Balranald and the Lower
Darling will reach the low-40s over the weekend. Further upstream, in the areas from Swan Hill to
Albury, temperatures are forecast to reach into the high-30s.
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 1 of 8
November and Spring 2015 Summary
November 2015 saw wetter conditions than the long-term average across the majority of the Basin
(Map 2). BoM has reported that overall rainfall for the Basin was 21% above the long-term mean, with
an area-averaged total of 48.4 mm—the 49th lowest (of 116) November rainfall on record. In contrast,
BoM also reports that spring area-average rainfall for the Murray-Darling Basin was 30% below the
mean, and was 35th lowest on record due to the very dry conditions seen in September and October.
Map 2 - Murray Darling Basin rainfall deciles for November 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
Temperatures for November were above average across almost all of Australia, including the Murray–
Darling Basin (Map 3). In particular, minimum temperatures were the equal highest on record across
Australia. Queensland recorded their 2nd highest mean and minimum temperature anomaly (+1.96 oC
and 1.87 oC, respectively), and 3rd highest maximum temperature anomaly (+2.06 oC). NSW, Victoria
and South Australia had maximum temperatures anomalies greater than 2 oC above the long-term
average, which ranked in the top 20 warmest on record.
Spring 2015 was the 2nd warmest spring on record for Australia with a maximum temperature anomaly
of +2.08 oC (compared with the record in 2014 of +2.32 oC). All Basin states recorded temperature
anomalies in the top 10 highest on record. Victoria recorded their second highest maximum
temperature anomaly in spring (+2.99 oC) while NSW and South Australia recorded their 4th highest
(+2.86 oC and +2.71 oC, respectively).
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 2 of 8
Map 3 - Murray Darling Basin mean temperature anomaly for November 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
Despite the higher rainfall throughout November, the warm temperatures and dry catchments resulted
in inflows staying relatively stable. Monthly inflows (excluding Snowy, Darling, IVT and environmental
inflows) increased slightly from around 245 GL in October to around 250 GL during November (see
the graph on page 8). Based on historic data, this volume would be exceeded in November in 85 out
of 100 years.
Estimated evaporation losses from MDBA storages for November 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. Compared to last year, evaporation for November 2015 was significantly lower at both
Dartmouth and Hume. This can be attributed to the lower temperatures and higher rainfall in the
south-eastern regions of the Basin, as well as the lower volumes of water in storage (hence smaller
wetted surface areas). At Menindee Lakes and Lake Victoria, evaporative losses were more
consistent with those from last year.
Table 1: Monthly evaporation figures for MDBA storages
Approximate (net)
Average storage
Percentage
Percentage
evaporative loss in
volume in November
Evaporative Loss
Evaporative Loss
Storage
November 2015 (GL)**
2015 (GL)
Nov 15
Nov 14
Dartmouth
0.5
2,280
0.02%
0.2%
Hume
8.7
1,373
0.6%
1.2%
Lake Victoria
19
577
3.3%
3.9%
Menindee Lakes
12
83.4
14.4%
16%
**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
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
ABN 13679821382
Page 3 of 8
River Operations
This week, an update of the River Murray system annual operating plan (AOP) was uploaded to the
MDBA website. This provides an update on how the River Murray system operations are currently
tracking, and how the system may be operated under a range of different scenarios for the remainder
of the water year.


Bulk transfers from Dartmouth to Hume reach 1,000 GL
North Central CMA working with Yorta Yorta and Barapa Barapa traditional owners to monitor
culturally significant sites on Gunbower Island
After another week with no significant rainfall in the southern Basin, MDBA total storage decreased by
88 GL, with the active storage now 3,925 GL (47% capacity).
At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage volume fell by 48 GL to 2,177 GL (56% capacity). The release,
measured at Colemans, has decreased from around 8,000 ML/day to just below 7,400 ML/day and will
continue reducing to target approximately 6,500 ML/day as forecast in last week’s flow advice.
Storage at Hume Reservoir decreased by 31 GL to 1,345 GL (45% capacity) this week. Releases
increased to approximately 14,000 ML/day over the weekend before being reduced to target 13,200
ML/day at Doctors Point. The total volume of bulk transfers from Dartmouth reached 1,000 GL for the
current water year. Without these transfers, Hume storage would otherwise be around 11% capacity.
At Yarrawonga Weir, diversions through the major offtakes, Mulwala Canal and Yarrawonga Main
Channel, remained steady at around 2,600 ML/day and 1,200 ML/day, respectively. The pool level
bounced back from a large loss at the beginning of the week (due to strong westerly winds) to remain
relatively constant at around 124.78 m AHD. The release from Yarrawonga was varied slightly to
encourage fish spawning. This variation saw the release reduce to around 9,500 ML/day, before
increasing to target 10,000 ML/day at the end of the week. These releases, at close to channel
capacity, are to help meet current and future downstream requirements.
On the Edward River system, the inflow through the Edward offtake has continued at around
1,600 ML/day whilst inflows through the Gulpa offtake has decreased from around 720 ML/day to
620 ML/day. Flow through the Gulpa offtake, which is above the normal summer maximum of
350 ML/day, is being used to maintain water levels in parts of Millewa Forest to support bird breeding.
The latest survey by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service estimated that over 1,000 pairs of birds
are nesting in the forest, including Royal Spoonbills, Eastern Great Egrets, Little Pied Cormorants and
Nankeen Night Herons. Higher flows through Gulpa offtake, supplied by environmental water holders,
are expected to continue into the New Year. Diversions into the Wakool Main Canal have averaged
approximately 200 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, the flow at McCoys Bridge averaged around 450 ML/day, down from an
average of 500 ML/day last week. On the Campaspe River, the flow at Rochester has averaged
around 40 ML/day this week. These flows include Inter-Valley Trade (IVT) water.
At Torrumbarry Weir, the flow downstream has remained steady, averaging around 5,500 ML/day.
Diversions through the National Channel are just below 2,500 ML/day. This includes around
650 ML/day to maintain higher flows in Gunbower Creek to support Murray Cod spawning and larval
cod development. The majority of these higher flows return to the River Murray upstream of Barham
and are used to help meet downstream demands.
Delivery of environmental water to Gunbower forest has now finished. In all, around 28 GL of water
was delivered to the forest during spring 2015, filling permanent and semi-permanent wetlands. North
Central CMA Living Murray staff have been working with both Yorta Yorta and Barapa Barapa
traditional owners to establish a cultural values monitoring program on Gunbower Island. As part of
the program, during the recent watering event, exclusion cages (primarily targeting carp) were
installed to examine ecological differences compared to surrounding areas. The cages have shown
growth of threatened River Swamp Wallaby Grass which has not been seen in large quantities outside
of the cages (Figure 1).
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 4 of 8
Figure 1 - Barapa Barapa traditional owners monitor the composition of wetland vegetation inside the exclusion cages at Black
Swamp in Gunbower Forest (photo courtesy of North Central CMA)
On the lower Murrumbidgee River, flow at Balranald increased to around 1,100 ML/day, before
decreasing to just below 650 ML/day. Flows are expected to begin increasing in the next week as IVT
water is delivered. These IVT deliveries are planned to continue into the New Year.
On the River Murray at Euston Weir, the flow receded slowly to around 7,600 ML/day. The flow is
expected to remain between 6,800 ML/day and 8,000 ML/day for the next few weeks. The weir pool
level will be held around 30 cm above full supply level (FSL) (47.60 m AHD) for the next week or so
before gradually lowering to FSL.
On the Darling River, total storage in Menindee Lakes decreased by 2 GL to the current volume of
79 GL (5% capacity). Releases at Weir 32 averaged around 150 ML/day and are now likely to
continue until around 20 December 2015. For more information regarding the management of
Menindee Lakes in 2015-16 see the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ latest community
information communique.
The weir pools at Locks 8 and 9 will be held at 50 cm below and 10 cm below FSL, respectively,
throughout December. During the coming week, Lock 7 will begin gradually lowering to target 50 cm
below FSL (22.1 m AHD).
At Lake Victoria, the storage volume started this week at a peak of 603 GL before falling to 597 GL
(88%), a decrease of 6 GL. The flow to South Australia averaged just over 6,100 ML/day this week
and will target 6,500 ML/day in early December, which is the net flow resulting from the monthly
entitlement, trade and the monthly deferred storage volume.
At the Lower Lakes, the 5-day average level for Lake Alexandrina reduced this week by 4 cm to
0.78 m AHD due to falling inflows and increasing evaporation. In response, releases through the
barrages were ceased, with only an estimated 200 ML/day continuing to be released via the fishways.
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 5 of 8
Water in Storage
Week ending Wednesday 02 Dec 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
(m AHD)
455.86
181.75
26.33
Current
Storage
(GL)
2 177
1 345
597
79
4 198
%
56%
45%
88%
5%
45%
699
653
1 713
68%
40%
51%
1 026
1 631
3 334
Dead
Storage
Active
Storage
(GL)
71
23
100
(- -) #
--
(GL)
2 106
1 322
497
0
3 925
47% ^
3
24
100
696
629
1 613
Change in
Total
Storage
for the
Week
(GL)
-48
-31
-6
-2
-88
-6
-37
-35
* 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 01 Dec 2015
Active Storage
(GL)
2 328
1 141
1 510
Weekly Change
(GL)
-23
-6
Diversion (GL)
From 1 May
2015
266
138
128
440
This Week
Snowy-Murray
Tooma-Tumut
Net Diversion
Murray 1 Release
+9
+3
6
+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
7.1
2.4
1.0
4.2
0.3
15.0
From 1 July
2015
203
28
3
71
4
309
Victoria
This Week
Yarrawonga Main Channel (net)
Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net)
Sunraysia Pumped Districts
Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s)
Licensed pumps - LMW
TOTAL
6.6
12.1
3.3
0.5
6
28.5
From 1
July 2015
110
219
38
16
102
485
* 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
217.0 *
42.8
13.2
210.5
(6 100 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
90
130
120
1 200
110
170
200
340
300
270
290
720
640
2 000
1 300
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Average since 1 August 2015
90
130
120
1 180
100
230
200
340
290
270
280
710
630
1 980
1 200
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
80
130
130
980
140
230
220
280
290
310
330
750
570
2 030
1 020
Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
ABN 13679821382
Page 6 of 8
River Levels and Flows
Week ending Wednesday 02 Dec 2015
7.3
-
1.46
3.06
3.00
2.85
1.87
2.92
1.62
2.22
1.88
1.15
3.07
1.54
2.83
3.43
0.87
207.98
219.95
156.63
151.32
149.31
128.94
116.66
106.06
80.42
64.07
52.19
43.38
27.59
20.36
-
(ML/day)
1 500
2 510
7 560
12 760
13 150
13 660
9 940
9 980
5 490
5 710
8 160
7 650
7 620
6 260
6 100
2 890
F
R
S
F
F
F
S
R
S
S
F
R
F
R
F
F
(ML/day)
1 470
2 420
7 810
13 300
13 690
13 600
9 710
9 810
5 530
5 720
8 290
7 910
7 970
6 520
5 800
3 080
Average
Flow last
Week
(ML/day)
1 310
2 790
7 730
13 200
13 790
13 590
9 950
10 040
5 530
6 450
9 940
11 110
11 260
9 380
5 700
4 190
2.8
11.9
9.0
5.5
5.0
6.1
9.0
-
0.92
7.90
1.19
2.42
2.96
1.55
1.00
3.21
4.00
0.65
154.15
145.58
92.61
82.19
58.34
55.05
56.96
-
420
400
460
2 650
2 520
740
620
80
70
0
F
F
S
S
R
S
F
F
F
F
520
460
450
2 540
2 430
770
870
130
80
0
880
810
500
2 340
2 580
870
1 040
90
260
0
1 890
3 870
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
-0.11
+0.01
+0.30
-0.02
+0.10
-0.09
-0.53
d/s
+0.22
+0.19
-0.49
+0.56
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
+0.51
+0.01
+0.10
+0.00
+0.00
-0.01
-0.08
d/s
+1.11
+0.15
+0.17
+0.56
+0.13
+0.04
+0.12
FSL = 0.75 m AHD
Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD)
Barrages
0.78
Fishways at Barrages
Openings
Level (m AHD)
No. Open
Goolwa
128 openings
0.76
All closed
Mundoo
26 openings
0.78
All closed
Boundary Creek
6 openings
All closed
Ewe Island
111 gates
All closed
Tauwitchere
322 gates
0.74
All closed
AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Rock Ramp
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
Open
Vertical Slot
Open
Open
Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
ABN 13679821382
Page 7 of 8
Week ending Wednesday 02 Dec 2015
State Allocations (as at 02 Dec 2015)
NSW - Murray Valley
High security
General security
Victorian - Murray Valley
97%
15%
High reliability
Low reliability
NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley
High security
General security
Victorian - Goulburn Valley
95%
31%
High reliability
Low reliability
80%
0%
South Australia – Murray Valley
NSW - Lower Darling
High security
General security
92%
0%
50%
0%
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
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
ABN 13679821382
Page 8 of 8