River Murray Weekly Report
For the week ending Wednesday, 27 Movember2018
Trim Ref:D13/42877
Rainfall and Inflows
There was further rain this week over the upper catchments of the Murray-Darling Basin with the heaviest totals again focussed over the Northern Tablelands of NSW and parts of south-east Queensland. Most of the rain fell with thunderstorms and was associated with a trough system that crossed the region from the west. Most of the western half of the Basin remained dry.
The highest rainfall totals were recorded in northern NSW including 96 mm at Barraba, 74 mm at Guyra, 71 mm at Narrabri, 59 mm at Warialda, 54 mm at Inverell and 50 mm at Pallamallawa. Weekly totals in Queensland included 46 mm at Wallangara, 40 mm at Applethorpe and 34 mm at Injune. Further south in the Basin, there was 29 mm at Mt William, while severe thunderstorms brought 28mm to Canberra Airport and 25 mm to Queanbeyan with similar totals reported across the NSW Snowy Mountains.
Map 1 - Murray-Darling Basin rainfall for the week ending 27 November 2013 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
There was little change in upper Murray System stream flows this week with most tributaries either receding slightly or recording relatively modest short-term increases following rainfall. On the Mitta Mitta River, the flow at Hinnomunjie Bridge peaked at around 700 ML/day and is now flowing at 600ML/day. On the upper Murray, the flow at Jingellic averaged about 2,600 ML/day. On the Ovens River, the flow at Rocky Point has receded to around 1,000 ML/day, with several small rises mid-week partly due to variations in the release at Lake Buffalo.
River Operations
MDBA active storage decreased by 193 GL this week and is currently 7,068 GL, or 82% capacity.
At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage volume has decreased by 10 GL to 3,787 GL (98% capacity). The release (measured at Colemans) has reduced to 1,500 ML/day whilst maintenance works are carried out at Dartmouth power station. The release is expected to return to around 3,500 ML/day later in the coming week. At Hume Reservoir, the storage volume decreased by 109 GL to 2,412 GL (80% capacity). Inflows averaged around 5,000 ML/day. Releases reached around 21,000 ML/day during the week before reducing back to 17,700 ML/day.
At Yarrawonga Weir, the total daily diversion through Mulwala Canal and Yarrawonga Main Channel continued to increase this week, reaching 5,700 ML/day. Lake Mulwala has refilled and is currently at 124.85m AHD (5cm below FSL). The release remains at 15,000 ML/day and includes environmental water for the benefit of the Barmah-Millewa Forest and the river downstream all the way to the Murray Mouth. A gradual reduction in the release to around 10,500 ML/day will commence this coming weekend.
In the Barmah Forest, Moira grasshas responded well to the sustained inundation(Figure 1) and has commenced flowering at some locations. In addition, significant numbers of wetland birds have been observed nesting and raising chicks (Figure 2).
Figure 1- Spring growth of Moira grass—a distinctive and important wetland plant species (bright green on water surface)—is benefiting from the current inundation at Hut Lake in Barmah forest. Photo: Beth Ashworth, VEWH andKeithWard, Goulburn-Broken CMA.
Figure 2 -Recently hatched Little Pied Cormorant chicks at central War Plain in Barmah Forest. Photo: Beth Ashworth, VEWH and KeithWard, Goulburn-Broken CMA.
On the Edward River system, the combined inflow through the Edward and Gulpa off-takes continued at around 2,800 ML/day. Diversions into the Wakool Main Canal increased from 900 ML/day to around 1,300 ML/day. The flow downstream of Stevens Weir has averaged close to 1,200 ML/day.
On the Goulburn River, an environmental release providing a springtime pulse for the river increased the flow at McCoys Bridge to a peak of around 7,000 ML/day. Flows are now receding and are expected to fall to around 900 ML/day over the coming week. A second, longer pulse is expected during early December.
At Torrumbarry Weir, diversions through the National Channel were 2,000 ML/day. The flow downstream in the Murray reached 15,200 ML/day before receding to 14,200ML/day. Further downstream at Swan Hill, the flow increased to around 14,100 ML/day.
On the lower Murrumbidgee River, flow at Balranald averaged 1,150 ML/day and downstream at Euston Weir, the flow in the Murray slowly rose to 13,400 ML/day.
On the Darling River, total storage in Menindee Lakes decreased by 47 GL to the current volume of 948 GL (55% capacity). The release (measured at Weir 32) is currently 300ML/day but will increase to around 3,400 ML/day early in December as detailed in the attached flow advice. The release of environmental water from Lake Cawndilla into the Great Darling Anabranch continued, with a flow of around 500 ML/day currently at Packers Crossing.
At Lock 9, the pool level has returned to 15 cm above the full supply level in accordance with the schedule for the variable pool level trial currently underway. This followed a brief drawdown last week to test how far the water levels can be lowered in summer to minimise impacts on local water users, and pumps supplying water to Lake Cullulleraine.The pool levels at Lock 8 and 9 will return to full supply level in December.
At Lake Victoria, the storage volume decreased by 26 GL to 595 GL (88% capacity) with flow to South Australia averaging 12,100 ML/day during the week. The flow is expected to remain steady over the coming week and remains above the normal South Australian entitlement due to the delivery of additional traded environmental water.
At the Lower Lakes, the 5-day average level for Lake Alexandrina reduced to 0.73 m AHD. Flow into the Coorong through the Barrages is currently around 4,800 ML/day and these releases are being managed to gradually decrease the Lower Lakes level to a target of around 0.70 m AHD.
For media inquiries contact the Media Officeron 02 6279 0141
DAVID DREVERMAN
Executive Director, River Management
Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 27 Nov 2013
MDBA Storages / Full Supply Level / Full Supply Volume / Current Storage Level / Current / Storage / Dead Storage / Active Storage / Change in Total Storage for the Week(m AHD) / (GL) / (m AHD) / (GL) / % / (GL) / (GL) / (GL)
Dartmouth Reservoir / 486.00 / 3 856 / 484.95 / 3 787 / 98% / 71 / 3 716 / -10
Hume Reservoir / 192.00 / 3 005 / 188.86 / 2 412 / 80% / 23 / 2 389 / -109
Lake Victoria / 27.00 / 677 / 26.32 / 595 / 88% / 100 / 495 / -26
Menindee Lakes / 1 731* / 948 / 55% / (480 #) / 468 / -47
Total / 9 269 / 7 742 / 84% / - - / 7 068 / -193
Total Active MDBA Storage / 82% ^
Major State Storages
Burrinjuck Reservoir / 1 026 / 668 / 65% / 3 / 665 / -23
Blowering Reservoir / 1 631 / 1 435 / 88% / 24 / 1 411 / -11
Eildon Reservoir / 3 334 / 3 061 / 92% / 100 / 2 961 / -20
*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 Snowy diversions for week ending 26 Nov 2013
Storage / Active Storage (GL) / Weekly Change (GL) / Diversion (GL) / This Week / From 1 May 2013Lake Eucumbene - Total / 1 820 / n/a / Snowy-Murray / +8 / 512
Snowy-Murray Component / 810 / n/a / Tooma-Tumut / +3 / 213
Target Storage / 1 450 / Net Diversion / 5 / 299
Murray 1 Release / +12 / 775
Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) *
New South Wales / This Week / From 1 July 2013 / Victoria / This Week / From 1 July 2013Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) / 31.0 / 432 / Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) / 10.7 / 130
Wakool Sys Allowance / 0.6 / 4 / Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) / 11.4 / 189
Western Murray Irrigation / 1.0 / 8 / Sunraysia Pumped Districts / 4.9 / 40
Licensed Pumps / 5.3 / 86 / Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) / 1 / 9
Lower Darling / 7.3 / 120 / Licensed pumps - LMW / 10.5 / 92
TOTAL / 45.2 / 650 / TOTAL / 38.5 / 460
* 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. / Entitlement this month / 180.0 *
Flow this week / 84.8 / (12 100 ML/day)
Flow so far this month / 353.3
Flow last month / 622.8
Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C)
Current / Average over the last week / Average since 1 August 2013Swan Hill / 90 / 90 / 90
Euston / 80 / 80 / 100
Red Cliffs / 110 / 110 / 110
Merbein / 110 / 110 / 120
Burtundy (Darling) / - / - / -
Lock 9 / 160 / 140 / 140
Lake Victoria / 210 / 230 / 280
Berri / 220 / 210 / 270
Waikerie / 270 / 270 / 330
Morgan / 210 / 210 / 320
Mannum / 260 / 270 / 380
Murray Bridge / 290 / 280 / 400
Milang (Lake Alex.) / 610 / 650 / 650
Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) / 520 / 520 / 560
Meningie (Lake Alb.) / 2 620 / 2 570 / 2 570
Goolwa Barrages / 780 / 810 / 1 640
River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 27 Nov 2013
Minor Flood Stage / Gauge / Height / Flow / Trend / Average Flow this Week / Average Flow last WeekRiver Murray / (m) / local (m) / (m AHD) / (ML/day) / (ML/day) / (ML/day)
Khancoban / - / - / - / 4 070 / F / 1 290 / 2 730
Jingellic / 4.0 / 1.64 / 208.16 / 3 800 / R / 2 650 / 4 600
Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) / 4.2 / 1.89 / 218.78 / 1 800 / R / 2 810 / 3 050
Heywoods / 5.5 / 3.23 / 156.86 / 17 650 / F / 19 960 / 15 050
Doctors Point / 5.5 / 3.27 / 151.74 / 18 080 / F / 20 720 / 15 990
Albury / 4.3 / 2.30 / 149.74 / - / - / - / -
Corowa / 3.8 / 3.94 / 129.96 / 20 850 / F / 20 480 / 14 770
Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) / 6.4 / 2.29 / 117.33 / 15 050 / S / 15 040 / 14 830
Tocumwal / 6.4 / 2.96 / 106.80 / 14 780 / S / 14 740 / 14 590
Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) / 7.3 / 4.26 / 82.81 / 14 220 / F / 14 410 / 11 880
Swan Hill / 4.5 / 2.52 / 65.44 / 14 100 / R / 12 250 / 10 610
Wakool Junction / 8.8 / 4.44 / 53.56 / 14 320 / R / 13 360 / 12 490
Euston Weir (d/s) / 8.8 / 2.41 / 44.25 / 13 380 / R / 12 790 / 12 570
Mildura Weir (d/s) / - / - / - / - / - / -
Wentworth Weir (d/s) / 7.3 / 3.26 / 28.02 / 10 370 / R / 9 940 / 11 170
Rufus Junction / - / 4.23 / 21.16 / 11 450 / R / 11 440 / 12 480
Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) / - / 0.86 / - / 9 240 / F / 9 780 / 10 780
Tributaries
Kiewa at Bandiana / 2.7 / 1.07 / 154.30 / 610 / R / 710 / 930
Ovens at Wangaratta / 11.9 / 8.29 / 145.97 / 1 330 / R / 1 380 / 1 820
Goulburn at McCoys Bridge / 9.0 / 2.41 / 93.83 / 2 690 / F / 5 410 / 2 450
Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) / - / 1.54 / 81.31 / 1 370 / F / 1 230 / 1 260
Edward at Liewah / - / 2.02 / 57.40 / 1 350 / F / 1 360 / 1 380
Wakool at Stoney Crossing / - / 1.72 / 55.21 / 1 260 / R / 1 230 / 1 140
Murrumbidgee at Balranald / 5.0 / 1.44 / 57.40 / 1 040 / F / 1 150 / 1 360
Barwon at Mungindi / - / 2.86 / - / 0 / F / 0 / 0
Darling at Bourke / - / 4.04 / - / 160 / R / 60 / 30
Darling at Burtundy Rocks / - / 0.77 / - / 200 / F / 180 / 110
Natural Inflow to Hume / 3 430 / 6 090
(i.e. Pre Dartmouth & Snowy Mountains scheme)
Weirs and LocksPool levels above or below Full Supply Level (FSL)
Murray / FSL (m AHD) / u/s / d/s / FSL (m AHD) / u/s / d/sYarrawonga / 124.90 / -0.05 / - / No. 7 Rufus River / 22.10 / +0.05 / +1.89
No. 26 Torrumbarry / 86.05 / +0.01 / - / No. 6 Murtho / 19.25 / -0.01 / +0.48
No. 15 Euston / 47.60 / +0.00 / - / No. 5 Renmark / 16.30 / -0.00 / +0.45
No. 11 Mildura / 34.40 / +0.05 / +0.37 / No. 4 Bookpurnong / 13.20 / +0.05 / +1.24
No. 10 Wentworth / 30.80 / +0.04 / +0.62 / No. 3 Overland Corner / 9.80 / +0.02 / +0.55
No. 9 Kulnine / 27.40 / +0.15 / +0.48 / No. 2 Waikerie / 6.10 / +0.02 / +0.50
No. 8 Wangumma / 24.60 / +0.36 / +0.23 / No. 1 Blanchetown / 3.20 / -0.05 / +0.11
Lower LakesFSL = 0.75 m AHD
Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) / 0.73Barrages Fishways at Barrages
Openings / Level (m AHD) / No. Open / Rock Ramp / Vertical SlotGoolwa / 128 openings / 0.75 / 6 / - / Open
Mundoo / 26 openings / 0.75 / All closed / - / -
Boundary Creek / 6 openings / - / 0.1 / - / -
Ewe Island / 111 gates / - / All closed / - / -
Tauwitchere / 322 gates / 0.75 / 17 / Open / Open
AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level
GPO Box 1801 Canberra ACT 2601Telephone: 02 6279 0100Facsimile: 02 6248 8053
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Email: Web: ABN 13679821382
Week ending Wednesday 27 Nov 2013
State Allocations (as at 27 Nov 2013)
NSW - Murray Valley / Victorian - Murray ValleyHigh security / 100%
General security / 100%
/ High reliability / 100%
Low reliability / 0%
NSW – MurrumbidgeeValley / Victorian - GoulburnValley
High security / 95%
General security / 47%
/ High reliability / 100%
Low reliability / 0%
NSW - Lower Darling / South Australia – MurrayValley
High security / 100%
General security / 100%
/ High security / 100%
NSW : /
VIC : /
SA : /
Lower Darling River
Flow advice
26 November 2013 /
Menindee Lakes release to increase
Increased releases of water from the Menindee Lakes to the lower Darling River are expected to start on Monday December 2.
Landholders and river users, including pumpers, should take into account the changing flow rates along the lower Darling River and make necessary adjustments to their activities.
Over a period of around five days, the release will be increased to a target flow downstream of Weir 32 of about 2,400 ML/day. There will be some minor variability in this release during the second week of December, before the release is further increased to a peak of about 3,400 ML/day in mid-December.
It is expected that the peak river heights from these releases will be around 2.3 metres at Weir 32, while the Burtundy gauge is forecast to reach around 2.0 metres during the last week of December.
From mid-December, the release will be held steady at around 3,400 ML/day for about a week and then, from around December 20 the release will be very gradually decreased to around 2,500 ML/day (2.1 metres at Weir 32) by mid-January. It is expected that releases above seasonal minimum rates will persist throughout summer and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will provide further details on flow rates in the New Year.
Releases from the Menindee Lakes over recent months have been managed to meet minimum flow targets in the lower Darling River. The increased releases will transfer water from the Menindee Lakes to the River Murray to meet demands over the coming months. The pattern of flow is aimed at minimising inconvenience for downstream landholders while providing benefits to the riverine environment, including flow conditions favourable for the spawning of native fish.
Water from Lake Menindee will be used as much as possible to preserve water in Lakes Wetherell and Pamamaroo in order to meet long standing obligations to provide for the security of Broken Hill’s water supply.
This flow forecast is dependent on weather conditions and operational requirements and assumes no significant rainfall or inflows. A further flow advice will be issued if there are any significant variations to these planned releases.
Forecast flows and Menindee storage volumes are available on the MDBA website at
ENDS
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