River Murray Weekly Report

For the week ending Wednesday, 19February2018

Trim Ref:D14/6805

Rainfall and Inflows

Steady rain and scattered thunderstorms were reported across a wide area of the Murray-Darling Basin this week as a trough system originating in the tropics tracked slowly across South Australia and into the eastern States. There was particularly heavy and very welcome rainfall through southern South Australia, north-western Victoria and south-western NSW following several protracted weeks of very hot and dry weather across that part of the Basin.

Some of the highest rainfall totals across south-western areas included 141 mm at Palmer, 130 mm at Alawoona, 119 mm at Mannum, 100 mm at Loxton, 98 mm at Pooncarie, 95 mm at Renmark, 92 mm at Werrimull, 87 mm at Mt Barker, 82 mm at Burtundy, 65 mm at Mildura and 52 mm at Lake Victoria. Worthwhile totals were also recorded in other parts of the Basin including 111 mm at Mt Ginini, 109mm at Burrinjuck Dam, 91 mm at Batlow, 72 mm at Rockley, 67 mm at Tuggeranong, 65 mm at Coonabarabran, 54 mm at Oberon and 70 mm at Morven in the far north (Map 1).

Map 1 - Murray-Darling Basin rainfall for the week ending 19February 2014 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

Relatively modest rainfall totals across the upper Murray catchments meant streamflow responses in the major tributaries were only small. For example on the Mitta Mitta River, the flow at Hinnomunjie Bridge increased from around 100 to 200 ML/day. On the upper River Murray, the flow at Biggara increased from around 400 to 550 ML/day; while on the Tooma River, the flow increased from 150ML/day to a peak over 700ML/day before receding quickly. On the Ovens River, the flow at Wangaratta increased from around 220 to 400 ML/day.

River Operations

MDBA active storage fell this week by 112 GL to 5,300 GL (or 63% capacity). On Tuesday, 18February, control of Menindee Lakes reverted to NSW as the total stored volume in the lakes reduced to less than 480 GL. Hence, MDBA has no active storage in the Menindee Lakes until the storage volume next exceeds 640 GL.

Total storage in Dartmouth Reservoir decreased by 19 GL to 3,516 GL (91% capacity). The release has been reduced to 2,000 ML/day at Colemans gauge and is likely to remain steady next week.

Total storage in Hume Reservoir fell by 64 GL to 1,530 GL (51% capacity). As a result of the rain and its consequent reduction of demand, Hume release was reduced from 17,600 to 13,000 ML/day during the week. The flow at Doctors Point is likely to be steady for the next few days before rising again.

In response to runoff from local rainfall and reduced irrigation diversions, the water level in Lake Mulwala increased to 124.91 m AHD (1 cm above the Full Supply Level) for a short time, and the release was increased temporarily from 9,700 to 10,100 ML/day. The release is now back to 9,700ML/day (on 20 February) and is expected to remain about this level next week. The level of the Murray River at Picnic Point, in the Barmah-Millewa Forest, is expected to remain at about 2.5 m local gauge height.

The flow downstream of Stevens Weir on the Edward River has temporarily increased from 1,200 to 2,200 ML/day. The rainfall has also generated a small response in Billabong Creek, with the flow at Darlot expected to reach about 300 ML/day during the next week.

Gunbower Creek at Longmore Lagoon in late January 2014. Environmental water has been used to supplement the flow in Gunbower Creek, near Torrumbarry Weir, since late September 2013. (Photo courtesy Katherine Tibbitts, MDBA).

On the Goulburn River, the flow at McCoys is currently 2,300 ML/day, which has receded from 2,900ML/day a week ago. Further reductions, down to 950 ML/day, are planned for the coming week. Further downstream on the Murray, release from Torrumbarry Weir increased to 8,200 ML/day due to reduced diversions to National Channel, and is expected to fall to 6,000 ML/day by late February.

At Euston Weir, the release increased from 5,500 to 7,800 ML/day. Higher flows are possible in early March due to an expected rise in inflows from the Murrumbidgee River. At Mildura Weir, the rain contributed to an increase in flow from about 4,500 to 7,000 ML/day. The flow downstream of Mildura is expected to remain above 7,000 ML/day for at least the next week.

Total storage in Menindee Lakes fell by 22 GL to 477 GL (28% capacity). Release has been reduced from 1,000 ML/day to target 350 ML/day at Weir 32, which is the normal summer minimum. The flow at Burtundy is currently 1,200 ML/day and expected to recede towards 300 ML/day by early March.

At Lock 8, the weir pool has been raised back to the Full Supply Level of 24.6 m AHD to assist with managing the flow to South Australia while essential remedial works on the Lake Victoria outlet regulator are undertaken. It is expected that the weir pool level will be reduced to 0.5 m below FSL in early March. Further temporary variations in weir pool levels may be required in the next few months, as works at Lake Victoria proceed, and MDBA will provide updates as appropriate.

Storage in Lake Victoria decreased by 7 GL to 448 GL (66% capacity) and is expected to remain steady for the next week or so. Flow to South Australia averaged 6,700 ML/day this week. The recent rain will allow the delivery of about 10 GL of environmental water to South Australia during February. The flow during the remainder of February is expected to average about 5,500 ML/day.

The water level in Lake Alexandrina is currently 0.63 m AHD, which is 3 cm higher than last week due to the local rainfall. One gate at Tauwitchere barrage and the fishways remain open. The salinity in Lake Albert, recorded near Meningie, is currently 2,740 EC units while in Lake Alexandrina, the salinity near Milang is 680EC units.

For media inquiries contact the Media Officeron 02 6279 0141

DAVID DREVERMAN

Executive Director, River Management

Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 19 Feb 2014

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 / 480.67 / 3 516 / 91% / 71 / 3 445 / -19
Hume Reservoir / 192.00 / 3 005 / 183.18 / 1 530 / 51% / 23 / 1 507 / -64
Lake Victoria / 27.00 / 677 / 25.00 / 448 / 66% / 100 / 348 / -7
Menindee Lakes / 1 731* / 477 / 28% / (- -) # / 0 / -22
Total / 9 269 / 5 971 / 64% / - - / 5 300 / -112
Total Active MDBA Storage / 63% ^
Major State Storages
Burrinjuck Reservoir / 1 026 / 452 / 44% / 3 / 449 / -2
Blowering Reservoir / 1 631 / 969 / 59% / 24 / 945 / -50
Eildon Reservoir / 3 334 / 2 567 / 77% / 100 / 2 467 / -45

*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 18 Feb 2014

Storage / Active Storage (GL) / Weekly Change (GL) / Diversion (GL) / This Week / From 1 May 2013
Lake Eucumbene - Total / 1 499 / n/a / Snowy-Murray / +7 / 650
Snowy-Murray Component / 699 / n/a / Tooma-Tumut / +0 / 234
Target Storage / 1 460 / Net Diversion / 7 / 416
Murray 1 Release / +7 / 935

Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) *

New South Wales / This Week / From 1 July 2013 / Victoria / This Week / From 1 July 2013
Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) / 25.4 / 891 / Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) / 5.3 / 243
Wakool Sys Allowance / 2.1 / 26 / Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) / 0.1 / 374
Western Murray Irrigation / 0.3 / 22 / Sunraysia Pumped Districts / 0.9 / 96
Licensed Pumps / 5.2 / 174 / Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) / 1.8 / 147
Lower Darling / 2.7 / 182 / Licensed pumps - LMW / 11.2 / 235
TOTAL / 35.7 / 1295 / TOTAL / 19.3 / 1095

* 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 / 194.0 *
Flow this week / 47.2 / (6 700 ML/day)
Flow so far this month / 152.1
Flow last month / 240.0

Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C)

Current / Average over the last week / Average since 1 August 2013
Swan Hill / 130 / 110 / 80
Euston / 90 / 90 / 100
Red Cliffs / 110 / 120 / 110
Merbein / 150 / 150 / 120
Burtundy (Darling) / 490 / 480 / 510
Lock 9 / 240 / 250 / 180
Lake Victoria / 230 / 230 / 250
Berri / 350 / 320 / 260
Waikerie / 340 / 340 / 310
Morgan / 380 / 370 / 300
Mannum / 320 / 310 / 330
Murray Bridge / 340 / 320 / 340
Milang (Lake Alex.) / 680 / 670 / 670
Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) / 520 / 550 / 540
Meningie (Lake Alb.) / 2 740 / 2 780 / 2 620
Goolwa Barrages / 1 000 / 1 000 / 1 330

River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 19 Feb 2014

Minor Flood Stage / Gauge / Height / Flow / Trend / Average Flow this Week / Average Flow last Week
River Murray / (m) / local (m) / (m AHD) / (ML/day) / (ML/day) / (ML/day)
Khancoban / - / - / - / 570 / F / 1 020 / 1 830
Jingellic / 4.0 / 1.21 / 207.73 / 980 / F / 1 920 / 1 180
Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) / 4.2 / 2.20 / 219.09 / 2 980 / F / 3 130 / 3 470
Heywoods / 5.5 / 3.10 / 156.73 / 13 090 / S / 14 820 / 17 610
Doctors Point / 5.5 / 2.95 / 151.42 / 14 060 / F / 15 600 / 17 790
Albury / 4.3 / 1.96 / 149.40 / - / - / - / -
Corowa / 3.8 / 3.04 / 129.06 / 14 330 / F / 16 270 / 17 640
Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) / 6.4 / 1.66 / 116.70 / 10 100 / S / 9 920 / 10 030
Tocumwal / 6.4 / 2.30 / 106.14 / 9 750 / R / 9 610 / 9 640
Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) / 7.3 / 2.72 / 81.26 / 8 180 / S / 7 750 / 6 350
Swan Hill / 4.5 / 1.54 / 64.46 / 7 770 / R / 6 800 / 5 400
Wakool Junction / 8.8 / 3.23 / 52.35 / 8 500 / R / 7 750 / 6 250
Euston Weir (d/s) / 8.8 / 1.62 / 43.46 / 7 800 / R / 7 120 / 5 290
Mildura Weir (d/s) / - / - / - / F / - / -
Wentworth Weir (d/s) / 7.3 / 3.13 / 27.89 / 9 140 / R / 6 750 / 3 780
Rufus Junction / - / 3.13 / 20.06 / 4 400 / F / 5 820 / 7 490
Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) / - / 0.70 / - / 5 600 / R / 4 030 / 5 390
Tributaries
Kiewa at Bandiana / 2.7 / 0.73 / 153.96 / 220 / F / 280 / 300
Ovens at Wangaratta / 11.9 / 7.88 / 145.56 / 350 / F / 300 / 230
Goulburn at McCoys Bridge / 9.0 / 2.20 / 93.62 / 2 250 / F / 2 670 / 2 820
Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) / - / 2.14 / 81.91 / 2 210 / F / 1 650 / 1 230
Edward at Liewah / - / 1.98 / 57.36 / 1 300 / F / 1 290 / 1 200
Wakool at Stoney Crossing / - / 1.53 / 55.02 / 660 / F / 660 / 610
Murrumbidgee at Balranald / 5.0 / 0.73 / 56.69 / 370 / F / 380 / 810
Barwon at Mungindi / - / 3.19 / - / 110 / R / 60 / 50
Darling at Bourke / - / 4.00 / - / 70 / S / 40 / 20
Darling at Burtundy Rocks / - / 1.08 / - / 1 200 / S / 1 180 / 1 150
Natural Inflow to Hume / 1 750 / 780

(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/s
Yarrawonga / 124.90 / -0.00 / - / No. 7 Rufus River / 22.10 / +0.24 / +0.79
No. 26 Torrumbarry / 86.05 / +0.00 / - / No. 6 Murtho / 19.25 / +0.13 / +0.13
No. 15 Euston / 47.60 / +0.03 / - / No. 5 Renmark / 16.30 / +0.11 / +0.30
No. 11 Mildura / 34.40 / +0.05 / +0.22 / No. 4 Bookpurnong / 13.20 / +0.16 / +0.79
No. 10 Wentworth / 30.80 / +0.06 / +0.49 / No. 3 Overland Corner / 9.80 / +0.13 / +0.47
No. 9 Kulnine / 27.40 / +0.10 / -0.03 / No. 2 Waikerie / 6.10 / +0.26 / +0.38
No. 8 Wangumma / 24.60 / -0.01 / +0.34 / No. 1 Blanchetown / 3.20 / +0.18 / -0.05

Lower LakesFSL = 0.75 m AHD

Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) / 0.63

Barrages Fishways at Barrages

Openings / Level (m AHD) / No. Open / Rock Ramp / Vertical Slot
Goolwa / 128 openings / 0.43 / All closed / - / Open
Mundoo / 26 openings / 0.50 / All closed / - / -
Boundary Creek / 6 openings / - / 0.1 / - / -
Ewe Island / 111 gates / - / All closed / - / -
Tauwitchere / 322 gates / 0.50 / 1 / 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 19 Feb 2014

State Allocations (as at 19 Feb 2014)

NSW - Murray Valley / Victorian - Murray Valley
High security / 100%
General security / 100%
/ High reliability / 100%
Low reliability / 0%
NSW – MurrumbidgeeValley / Victorian - GoulburnValley
High security / 95%
General security / 59%
/ High reliability / 100%
Low reliability / 0%
NSW - Lower Darling / South Australia – MurrayValley
High security / 100%
General security / 100%
/ High security / 100%
NSW : /
VIC : /
SA : /

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