RIVER MURRAY WEEKLY REPORT
FOR THE WEEK ENDING WEDNESDAY, 4TH NOVEMBER 2016
Trim Ref: D15/83541
Rainfall and inflows
A broad trough system developed across the Murray–Darling Basin this week bringing thunderstorms
and areas of heavy rainfall to the region. There was rain in the northern Basin in the early part of the
week; with the south-east ranges, NSW Riverina and central western plains receiving rain over the
weekend (Map 1). Late in the week, a second system brought rain and intense storms into South
Australia. This system is expected to move across the Basin during the coming days.
Notable rainfall totals in Victoria during the past 7 days included 95 mm at Myrtleford, 83 mm at Rocky
Point and 70 mm in Wodonga. Highest totals in NSW included 75 mm at Stockinbingal, 64 mm at Wagga
Wagga and 65 mm at Trangie. Rain in Queensland was patchier but totals included 89 mm at The Deep,
79 mm at Mungallala and 72 mm at Chinchilla.
Map 1 - Murray-Darling Basin rainfall week ending 4th November 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)
Stream flow responses along the upper Murray tributaries were only modest considering the rainfall
totals recorded. This is most likely a reflection of the dry state of the catchments and the fact that upper
catchment areas did not receive as much rain. On the upper Murray, the flow at Biggara increased from
500 to 900 ML/day. On the upper Mitta Mitta River, the flow at Hinnomunjie Bridge increased from 500
to 1,200 ML/day. On the Ovens River, there were several flow peaks related to storm events. Flows
above 1,700 ML/day observed at Rocky Point on 31 October have since receded to 750 ML/day.
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Page 1 of 11
October 2015 summary
Weather conditions across the Murray–Darling Basin during October were dominated by recordbreaking warmth coupled with low rainfall at most locations. Mean monthly minimum temperatures were
very high with many new records set across the region. Mean monthly maximum temperatures were the
highest on record for almost all of southern Australia including most of the Basin (Map 2).
Map 2 - Maximum temperature deciles across Australia for October 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
Monthly rainfall totals were generally below to very much below average. Conditions were particularly
dry in the south, with small areas of ‘lowest on record’ rain in south-western Victoria exacerbating the
impacts of an already protracted period of very low rainfall for that part of the Basin. Rainfall in the northeastern Basin was patchy. Some locations received near-average to above average rain, while others
missed out (Map 3). Across the Basin as a whole, the Bureau of Meteorology has reported areaaveraged rain for October totalling just 17.7 mm. The total was 56% below the long-term monthly mean
and it was the 16th driest October observed during the past 116 years of record.
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Page 2 of 11
Map 3 - Murray Darling Basin rainfall deciles for October 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
River Murray System inflows for October (excluding Snowy Scheme, Darling River and managed
environmental inflows) continued to decrease, as the dry conditions of spring 2015 persisted. The
monthly total of around 250 GL was the lowest for October since 2008 and well below October’s longterm monthly average of about 1,400 GL. In comparison with the historical record since 1891, only about
5% of previous Octobers have recorded lower inflows than October 2015.
Estimated evaporation losses from MDBA storages for October 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.
With the much warmer temperatures and continued dry weather during October, the net volume of water
evaporated at Hume Reservoir, Lake Victoria and the Menindee Lakes increased considerably. The net
evaporation at Dartmouth Reservoir also increased, but to a lesser extent.
Table 1: Monthly evaporation figures for MDBA storages
*Approximate (net) evaporative
Storage
loss in October 2015 (GL)
Dartmouth
3
Hume
13
Lake Victoria
16
Menindee Lakes
13
Average storage volume
in October 2015 (GL)
2,450
1,380
570
94
* Evaporative loss from storage = surface area of the storage x net evaporation. Net evaporation = measured evaporation
(using a ‘pan’ instrument) - rainfall.
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Page 3 of 11
River Operations



Environmental releases from Hume cease
Weir 32 releases continue until the end of November
Lower Lakes rise with heavy rainfall
Total MDBA storage fell 27 GL this week with the active storage now 4,042 GL or 48% capacity. The
vast majority of active storage remains in Hume and Dartmouth reservoirs (89%).
At Dartmouth Reservoir, the total volume decreased 37 GL to 2,343 GL (61% capacity). Releases
measured at Colemans are currently 6,500 ML/day. Releases will be increased over the coming week
to around 8,000 ML/day, as bulk transfers continue to Hume Reservoir. Over 920 GL has been
transferred to Hume since the beginning of May this year. To meet system demands, this large draw on
the upper storages will continue whilst there is no water available to be accessed from Menindee Lakes
and tributary flows remain low.
At Hume reservoir, total storage volume rose by 2 GL to 1,324 GL (45% capacity) this week with
releases averaging only 9,500 ML/day at Doctors Point.
Yarrawonga releases are above channel capacity due to a rain rejection (sudden reduction in irrigation
orders due to rainfall). Diversions through the Mulwala Canal reduced from 1,800 ML/day to 350 ML/day
this week and at Yarrawonga Main Channel diversions reduced from 1,300 ML/day to 200 ML/day.
Yarrawonga releases are likely to be reduced towards channel capacity over the coming week to meet
downstream demands and transfer water to Lake Victoria. Additional releases for the Barmah-Millewa
environmental watering event have ceased. Environmental watering has provided low level inundation
of wetlands within Barmah-Millewa forest with good vegetation responses as seen in the below photos.
Straw-necked and white ibis, royal spoonbill and cormorants have also responded with signs of nesting
within the wetlands.
Photo 1 – Water-milfoil has responded well to shallow inundation of wetlands in Millewa forest (source: Paul Childs).
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Photo 2 – Moira grass, the semi-aquatic grass laying over centre foreground, has been found growing in many isolated patches
throughout the Barmah-Millewa forest due to this year’s environmental watering event (source: Paul Childs).
In the Edward-Wakool system, flows through the Edward and Gulpa offtakes remained steady at
1,550 ML/day and 850 ML/day respectively. On the Edward River, the release from Stevens Weir has
been close to channel capacity of 2,700 ML/day and local rainfall has resulted in the Billabong Creek at
Conargo rising to 650 ML/day.
On the Goulburn, flow at McCoys has receded to around 650 ML/day. Inter-Valley transfer (IVT) water
has begun to be delivered and will target a flow of 550 ML/day at McCoys, 200 ML/day above the normal
monthly entitlement for November.
On the Campaspe a small environmental pulse passed Rochester this week with the flow now 480
ML/day.
The flow at Torrumbarry increased late in the week to 9,200 ML/day with the addition of the Campaspe
pulse and a reduction in National Channel diversions from 1,960 ML/day to 1,600 ML/day. Part of the
National Channel diversion is environmental water for Gunbower forest and Gunbower Creek. Releases
into Gunbower forest have now been reduced to target 100 ML/day through Hipwell offtake regulator
while the target flow for Gunbower creek is 700 ML/day at Cohuna during the Murray Cod spawning
season. Much of the environmental water in Gunbower creek will return to the Murray via Koondrook
spillway which is currently flowing around 500 ML/day.
On the Murrumbidgee at Balranald the delivery of IVT water continues above the November end of
system target minimum of 568 ML/day. With rain forecast over the lower Murrumbidgee in the next
couple of days the flow at Balranald is expected to rise to around 2,000 ML/day next week.
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At Euston, the flow is 12,500 ML/day and receding. The pool level is expected to begin lowering over
the coming week to 40 cm above full supply level (47.6m AHD) as part of a trial to reinstate a more
natural wetting and drying cycle.
At Hattah Lakes a flow of 100-150 ML/day will return to the Murray via Messengers regulator over the
next week. This flow is aimed at allowing fish passage between the lakes and the Murray.
At Menindee Lakes the storage volume has decreased 3 GL this week to 85 GL (5% capacity). The
release at Weir is expected to continue until the end of November at low rates, see NSW media release.
NSW has also announced an increase in high security Lower Darling allocation to 50%, see NSW media
release.
Storage at Lake Victoria increased 11 GL to 546 GL (81%) capacity this week. The storage volume is
expected to increase in November with large transfers in transit and the low diversions from the Murray
brought on by this week’s rainfall.
At Lock 8, the pool level reduced to 33 cm above FSL. The pool level is expected to gradually fall during
the coming weeks to around 50 cm below FSL. Changes to the weir pool heights for 2015/16 can be
found in the attached media release.
At Lock 7, the weir pool level will be held at 50 cm above FSL into early December to allow water to be
pumped into Lake Wallawalla.
This week, flow to South Australia decreased from a target of 9,800 ML/day to 8,600 ML/day. The flow
rate to South Australia is expected to reduce towards entitlement levels during the month as the
proportion of environmental flow, particularly from the Goulburn pulse, reduces at the South Australia
border.
At Chowilla, flow is passing through the anabranch via Pipeclay and Slaney Creek weirs to reinstate
flow variability. The water level behind the Chowilla Creek regulator is currently 17.8m AHD as part of
this event which increases the water levels within the anabranch channels and assists in the connection
of low level wetland areas.
At the Lower Lakes, the five-day average water level in Lake Alexandrina is 0.82 m AHD, which is 7 cm
above FSL. The one day average at Lake Alexandrina has risen to 0.85m AHD with very heavy rain
falling over South Australia. Barrage releases have averaged 1,400 ML/day this week.
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 11
Water in Storage
Week ending Wednesday 04 Nov 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)
2 343
1 347
546
85
4 321
%
61%
45%
81%
5%
47%
731
693
1 780
71%
42%
53%
(m AHD)
459.37
181.77
25.90
1 026
1 631
3 334
Dead
Storage
Active
Storage
(GL)
71
23
100
(- -) #
--
(GL)
2 272
1 324
446
0
4 042
48% ^
3
24
100
728
669
1 680
Change in
Total
Storage
for the
Week
(GL)
-37
+2
+11
-3
-27
+7
-7
-19
* 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 03 Nov 2015
Active Storage
(GL)
2 335
1 120
1 450
Weekly Change
(GL)
n/a
n/a
Diversion (GL)
From 1 May
2015
248
129
118
400
This Week
Snowy-Murray
Tooma-Tumut
Net Diversion
Murray 1 Release
+4
+5
-1
+3
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
4.4
0.0
0.5
3.8
0.3
9.0
From 1 July
2015
180
21
-1
52
3
255
Victoria
This Week
Yarrawonga Main Channel (net)
Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net)
Sunraysia Pumped Districts
Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s)
Licensed pumps - LMW
TOTAL
2.5
11.6
2.7
1.1
10.5
28.4
From 1
July 2015
90
184
24
11
64
373
* 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
180.0 *
69.4
38.2
329.7
(9 900 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
100
100
1 090
130
260
230
230
240
260
300
780
580
1 940
960
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Average since 1 August 2015
60
100
110
1 080
130
260
230
230
240
270
300
780
610
1 860
1 020
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
80
140
140
940
150
220
230
270
280
320
350
750
570
2 040
1 010
Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
ABN 13679821382
Page 7 of 11
River Levels and Flows
Week ending Wednesday 04 Nov 2015
7.3
-
1.68
2.92
2.34
2.36
1.41
2.21
1.81
2.44
2.93
1.54
3.76
2.26
3.24
3.86
0.86
208.20
219.81
155.97
150.83
148.85
128.23
116.85
106.28
81.48
64.46
52.88
44.10
28.00
20.79
-
(ML/day)
1 750
4 050
6 700
6 400
7 450
9 030
11 380
11 510
9 240
8 270
11 300
12 520
12 850
10 740
8 850
8 460
F
F
F
F
S
F
F
F
S
S
F
F
F
S
F
R
(ML/day)
1 350
2 860
6 490
9 420
10 010
12 110
11 660
12 020
8 600
8 670
12 130
13 330
13 160
10 700
9 600
7 790
Average
Flow last
Week
(ML/day)
2 680
4 080
7 770
12 960
13 650
14 550
12 810
13 410
10 140
11 180
13 880
14 000
12 190
9 840
10 630
8 220
2.8
11.9
9.0
5.5
5.0
6.1
9.0
-
1.53
8.22
1.32
2.41
3.05
1.62
1.79
3.13
4.02
0.66
154.76
145.90
92.74
82.19
58.43
55.11
-
1 300
1 170
670
2 650
2 650
900
1 400
10
110
0
R
F
R
S
R
F
S
S
S
F
830
970
790
2 640
2 580
910
1 540
20
110
0
980
1 000
2 070
2 670
2 390
860
1 590
30
130
0
4 320
3 960
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
-0.06
+0.00
+0.58
+0.04
+0.10
-0.09
+0.33
d/s
+0.50
+0.60
+0.42
+0.68
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
+0.46
+0.04
+0.45
+0.04
+0.05
+0.52
-0.04
d/s
+1.54
+0.56
+0.33
+0.94
+0.71
+0.25
+0.11
FSL = 0.75 m AHD
Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD)
Barrages
0.82
Fishways at Barrages
Openings
Level (m AHD)
No. Open
Goolwa
128 openings
0.96
1
Mundoo
26 openings
1.03
All closed
Boundary Creek
6 openings
0.1
Ewe Island
111 gates
All closed
Tauwitchere
322 gates
1.01
4
AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level
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Vertical Slot
Open
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Page 8 of 11
Week ending Wednesday 04 Nov 2015
State Allocations (as at 04 Nov 2015)
NSW - Murray Valley
High security
General security
Victorian - Murray Valley
97%
13%
NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley
High security
General security
95%
29%
85%
0%
Victorian - Goulburn Valley
High reliability
Low reliability
75%
0%
South Australia – Murray Valley
NSW - Lower Darling
High security
General security
High reliability
Low reliability
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
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Page 9 of 11
Flow advice
4 November 2015
Changes in mid-Murray weir pool levels – UPDATE
Landholders and river users on the River Murray are reminded to take into account the
ongoing changes to weir pool heights at lock 15 (Robinvale) and at locks 7, 8 and 9 between
Wentworth and the South Australian Border.
Historically, weir pool levels have been kept at a reasonably constant height, but as part of a
trial to restore a more natural wetting and drying cycle, the MDBA has been varying these
pool levels since August 2015.
The Lock 15 weir pool level was held at around 60cm above the full supply level (FSL)
during October. The level is being gradually lowered to 40cm above FSL in November and
will return to the FSL over summer.
The Lock 9 weir pool level is currently 10 cm below FSL and will remain at this level over
summer and into autumn.
The Lock 8 weir pool level is being gradually lowered to 50 cm below FSL in November and
is expected to be lowered by up to 80 cm below FSL over summer.
The Lock 7 weir pool level will be held at 50 cm above the FSL into early December in order
to allow water to be pumped into Lake Wallawalla. Once pumping is completed, the level will
be gradually lowered by up to 50cm below FSL over summer and into autumn.
The table below outlines the plan on a month-by-month basis. These are indicative water
levels only; actual river operations may differ.
Adjustment in pool height relative to full supply level (metres)
Month
Lock 7
Lock 8
Lock 9
Lock 15
November
+0.50
-0.50
-0.10
+0.40
December
-0.50
-0.50
-0.10
+0
January 2015
-0.25
-0.80
-0.10
+0
February
-0.25
-0.80
-0.10
+0
March
-0.25
-0.60
-0.10
+0
April
-0.25
-0.25
-0.10
-0.20
May
+0
+0
+0
-0.30
June
+0
+0.40
+0
-0.30
Page 10 of 11
The trial is being conducted by the MDBA in cooperation with the NSW Department of
Primary Industries, Water NSW, SA Water and the Mallee Catchment Management
Authority.
The MDBA will issue a revised flow advice if there are any significant changes to the plan,
which will also be available on the MDBA website www.mdba.gov.au .
River users wanting more information on river heights can contact the MDBA on
(02) 6279 0100 or receive updates at the River Murray weekly report
http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-data/current-information-forecasts/weekly-report .
Live river data for the River Murray system can be seen at: http://livedata.mdba.gov.au
ENDS
For more information, contact the MDBA Media office at media@mdba.gov.au or
02 6279 0141.
Follow us on Twitter: @MD_Basin_Auth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDBAuth/?fref=ts
Page 11 of 11