RIVER MURRAY WEEKLY REPORT
FOR THE WEEKS ENDING WEDNESDAY, 30TH DECEMBER 2015 AND 6TH JANUARY 2016
Trim Ref: D16/208
Rainfall and inflows
Rainfall 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).
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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Page 1 of 14
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.
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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Telephone: 02 6279 0100
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Page 2 of 14
December 2015 summary
Average 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 47th 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.
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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Page 3 of 14
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
Average storage volume in
Approximate (net) evaporative loss
December 2015 (GL)
Storage
in December 2015 (GL)**
Dartmouth
6
2,087
Hume
18
1,274
Lake Victoria
23
556
Menindee Lakes
8
75
**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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Page 4 of 14
2015 annual summary
Rainfall 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.
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
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Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
ABN 13679821382
Page 5 of 14
Map 6 – Murray–Darling Basin mean temperature deciles for 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
River Operations


Bureau of Meteorology advises El Niño likely past its peak
Lock 8 pool level reducing to 80 cm below full supply level
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 wrapup 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
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Page 6 of 14
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.
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
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Page 7 of 14
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 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 8 of 14
Water in Storage
Week ending Wednesday 30 Dec 2015
Full
Supply
Level
MDBA Storages
Dartmouth Reservoir
Hume Reservoir
Lake Victoria
Menindee Lakes
Total
Total Active MDBA Storage
Burrinjuck Reservoir
Blowering Reservoir
Eildon Reservoir
Current
Storage
Level
Full Supply
Volume
(m AHD)
486.00
192.00
27.00
(GL)
3 856
3 005
677
1 731*
9 269
Current
Storage
(GL)
1 994
1 210
514
71
3 789
%
52%
40%
76%
4%
41%
607
499
1 580
59%
31%
47%
(m AHD)
451.83
180.65
25.60
1 026
1 631
3 334
Dead
Storage
Active
Storage
(GL)
(GL)
1 923
1 187
414
0
3 524
42% ^
604
475
1 480
71
23
100
(- -) #
-3
24
100
Change in
Total
Storage
for the
Week
(GL)
-47
-31
-20
-2
-100
-22
-30
-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
Storage
Lake Eucumbene - Total
Snowy-Murray Component
Target Storage
Snowy diversions for week ending 29 Dec 2015
Active Storage
(GL)
2 246
1 095
1 510
Weekly Change
(GL)
-15
-11
Diversion (GL)
From 1 May
2015
311
138
173
485
This Week
Snowy-Murray
Tooma-Tumut
Net Diversion
Murray 1 Release
+14
+0
14
+7
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
6.8
0.0
1.2
5.4
0.4
13.8
From 1 July
2015
234
34
8
97
6
379
Victoria
This Week
Yarrawonga Main Channel (net)
Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net)
Sunraysia Pumped Districts
Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s)
Licensed pumps - LMW
TOTAL
4.7
0.3
5
0.7
6
16.7
From 1
July 2015
135
263
58
20
126
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.
Salinity (EC)
Entitlement this month
Flow this week
217.0 *
46.0
Flow so far this month
195.9
Flow last month
210.5
(6 600 ML/day)
o
(microSiemens/cm at 25 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
100
120
120
1 340
130
170
200
250
280
340
310
800
710
2 030
1 430
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Average since 1 August 2015
90
100
130
120
1 320
130
170
210
260
290
340
310
790
700
2 000
1 300
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
80
130
130
1 030
140
210
220
280
280
310
330
750
590
2 030
1 060
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Page 9 of 14
River Levels and Flows
Week ending Wednesday 30 Dec 2015
7.3
-
1.25
3.01
3.09
2.89
1.92
2.72
1.66
2.28
2.00
1.18
3.08
1.56
2.77
3.46
0.64
207.77
219.90
156.72
151.36
149.36
128.74
116.70
106.12
80.55
64.10
52.20
43.40
27.53
20.39
-
(ML/day)
1 270
1 480
7 190
12 850
13 500
12 320
10 250
10 360
5 950
5 910
8 250
7 720
6 750
5 030
6 280
3 560
R
F
F
R
R
F
R
S
R
S
R
F
F
F
F
R
(ML/day)
1 190
2 110
7 570
13 480
13 860
14 400
10 020
10 140
5 940
5 880
8 140
7 940
6 770
5 080
6 320
3 040
Average
Flow last
Week
(ML/day)
3 000
3 380
7 380
14 630
15 870
14 090
10 150
10 370
5 910
5 850
8 140
8 090
6 650
5 050
6 330
3 420
2.8
11.9
9.0
5.5
5.0
6.1
9.0
-
0.92
7.91
1.30
2.39
2.89
1.52
1.63
3.17
3.83
0.60
154.15
145.59
92.72
82.17
58.27
55.02
57.59
-
430
420
630
2 620
2 420
660
1 230
50
0
0
F
F
R
S
S
F
F
F
F
F
400
390
570
2 580
2 400
680
1 430
60
0
0
560
280
540
2 550
2 390
710
1 630
80
10
0
2 080
1 630
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
-0.04
+0.00
+0.01
+0.07
+0.11
-0.08
-0.48
d/s
+0.17
+0.13
-0.46
-0.32
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
-0.43
+0.04
+0.03
+0.03
+0.03
+0.03
-0.05
d/s
+1.14
+0.09
+0.18
+0.61
+0.15
+0.05
-0.12
FSL = 0.75 m AHD
Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD)
Barrages
0.68
Fishways at Barrages
Openings
Level (m AHD)
No. Open
Goolwa
128 openings
0.69
All closed
Mundoo
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
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
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Open
Vertical Slot
Open
Open
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Page 10 of 14
Water in Storage
Week ending Wednesday 06 Jan 2016
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)
1 951
1 181
495
69
3 696
%
51%
39%
73%
4%
40%
581
482
1 555
57%
30%
47%
(m AHD)
450.85
180.42
25.44
1 026
1 631
3 334
Dead
Storage
Active
Storage
(GL)
71
23
100
(- -) #
--
(GL)
1 880
1 158
395
0
3 433
41% ^
3
24
100
578
458
1 455
Change in
Total
Storage
for the
Week
(GL)
-43
-28
-19
-2
-92
-26
-18
-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
Storage
Lake Eucumbene - Total
Snowy-Murray Component
Target Storage
Snowy diversions for week ending 05 Jan 2016
Active Storage
(GL)
2 249
1 112
1 520
Weekly Change
(GL)
+3
+17
Diversion (GL)
From 1 May
2015
312
138
174
494
This Week
Snowy-Murray
Tooma-Tumut
Net Diversion
Murray 1 Release
+1
+0
1
+9
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
8.4
1.3
1.0
4.1
0.3
15.1
From 1 July
2015
242
36
9
102
6
395
Victoria
This Week
Yarrawonga Main Channel (net)
Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net)
Sunraysia Pumped Districts
Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s)
Licensed pumps - LMW
TOTAL
4.6
13.4
3.5
0.4
20
41.9
From 1
July 2015
140
274
61
20
146
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.
Salinity (EC)
Entitlement this month
Flow this week
Flow so far this month
Flow last month
217.0 *
47.4
40.8
202.5
(6 800 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
90
130
130
1 340
130
170
210
250
280
370
320
830
710
2 170
1 400
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Average since 1 August 2015
90
100
130
120
1 340
130
170
210
250
280
360
320
820
720
2 100
1 390
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
80
130
130
1 050
140
210
220
280
280
310
330
760
600
2 030
1 070
Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
ABN 13679821382
Page 11 of 14
River Levels and Flows
Week ending Wednesday 06 Jan 2016
7.3
-
1.67
2.95
3.14
2.92
1.95
2.93
1.64
2.25
2.07
1.21
3.13
1.71
2.81
3.54
0.72
208.19
219.84
156.77
151.39
149.39
128.95
116.68
106.09
80.61
64.13
52.25
43.55
27.57
20.47
-
(ML/day)
2 380
3 970
6 820
13 600
13 980
13 730
10 010
10 210
6 160
6 040
8 420
8 730
7 160
5 780
6 770
3 620
F
R
R
S
S
F
S
S
R
R
R
R
F
R
R
R
(ML/day)
2 380
2 660
6 900
13 410
13 770
13 290
9 990
10 200
6 070
5 900
8 200
7 780
6 620
5 240
6 450
3 180
Average
Flow last
Week
(ML/day)
1 190
2 110
7 570
13 480
13 860
14 400
10 020
10 140
5 940
5 880
8 140
7 940
6 630
5 080
6 320
3 040
2.8
11.9
9.0
5.5
5.0
6.1
9.0
-
0.84
7.88
1.30
2.29
2.91
1.53
1.89
3.17
3.76
0.61
154.07
145.56
92.72
82.07
58.29
55.02
57.85
-
310
370
620
2 450
2 440
660
1 510
40
0
0
R
S
S
F
F
F
R
F
F
F
280
300
610
2 550
2 430
660
1 300
80
0
0
400
390
570
2 580
2 400
680
1 430
60
0
0
2 060
2 170
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
-0.14
+0.00
+0.36
+0.06
+0.14
-0.08
-0.54
d/s
+0.24
+0.17
-0.49
-0.32
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
-0.49
+0.03
+0.02
+0.03
+0.05
+0.03
-0.08
d/s
+1.20
+0.08
+0.21
+0.70
+0.19
+0.09
-0.03
FSL = 0.75 m AHD
Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD)
Barrages
0.65
Fishways at Barrages
Openings
Level (m AHD)
No. Open
Goolwa
128 openings
0.65
All closed
Mundoo
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
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 12 of 14
Week ending Wednesday 06 Jan 2016
State Allocations (as at 06 Jan 2016)
NSW - Murray Valley
High security
General security
Victorian - Murray Valley
97%
19%
NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley
High security
General security
95%
32%
95%
0%
Victorian - Goulburn Valley
High reliability
Low reliability
84%
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
Email: engagement@mdba.gov.au
Telephone: 02 6279 0100
Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
ABN 13679821382
Page 13 of 14
Flow advice
7 January 2016
Mitta Mitta flow update
Landholders 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/storagevolumes-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
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 or Facebook @Murray-DarlingBasinAuthority
Page 14 of 14