River Murray Weekly Report
For the week ending Wednesday, 4th March2018
Trim Ref:D15/9417
Rainfall and Inflows
Rainfall was primarily focused in the northern Basin this week, due to a low pressure trough that stretched across inland areas of the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales (NSW). The trough triggered isolated thunderstorms and showers, with moderate rainfall totals fallingacross parts of Queensland and northeast NSW (Map1).
Highest weekly rainfall totals in Queensland were recorded in the Upper Condamine catchment, including 50 mm at Leslie Dam and 46 mm at Meandarra. In NSW, 48 mm was recorded at Gravesend on the Gwydir River; 42 mm at Oberon in the upper Macquarie catchment; 39 mm at Tenterfield in the NSW Border Rivers; and 35 mm at Tamworth on the Peel River.
Map 1 - Murray Darling Basin rainfall week ending 4th March 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)
With low rainfall, stream flows in the upper Murray tributaries continued receding this week. Upstream of Dartmouth Dam, the Mitta Mitta River at Hinnomunjie Bridge decreased from 290 ML/day to 200 ML/day. On the Upper Murray, the flow at Biggara receded from 350 ML/day to 270 ML/day; whilst on the Ovens River, the flow at Wangaratta fell from 280 ML/day to 180 ML/day.
February 2015 Summary
February was a relatively hot and dry month across most of the Murray-Darling Basin. In the southern Basin,temperaturesfor the month were generally above average, with a large section of the Murray valley experiencing temperatures very much above average (Map 2). Along with the heat, rainfall forFebruary was below average throughout much of the Murray valley, as well as large sections of southern Queensland and north-east NSW (Map 3). Across the Basin as a whole, the Bureau of Meteorology has reported area-averaged rain totalling 19.9 mm, which is 51% below the long-term February mean.
Map 2–Mean temperature deciles across Australia for February 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
Map 3 - Murray Darling Basin rainfall deciles for February 2015 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).
River Murray System inflows (excluding Snowy Scheme, Darling River and managed environmental inflows) were around 92 GL for February, which is approximately half the long-term monthly average (see the graph on page 7). This inflow volume was almost identical to the inflow received in February 2014.
Estimated evaporation losses from MDBA storages for February 2015 are reported in Table 1. Lake Victoria is estimated to have lost similar volumes of water this month compared to January 2015, whilst Dartmouth and Hume are estimated to have lost slightly more compared to last month(4 GL and 3 GL respectively).Menindee Lakes is estimated to have recorded similar evaporation losses to last month. Lake Menindee, the largest of the four main lakes, is empty and recorded nil evaporation from storage. However, ongoing loss of moisture from the dry lake bed would have continued.
Table 1: Monthly evaporation figures for MDBA storages
Storage / Approximate evaporation in February 2015 (GL) / February average storage volume (GL)Dartmouth / 5 / 3076
Hume / 14 / 1266
Lake Victoria / 19 / 358
Menindee Lakes / 25 / 129
River Operations
MDBA total storage decreased by 128 GL this week, with the active storage now 4,219 GL (50% capacity).
At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage decreased by 10 GL to 3,038 GL (79% capacity). The release, measured at Colemans gauge, was reduced this week from 2,500 ML/day to 600 ML/day as bulk transfers of water downstream are no longer required (see attached flow advice). The release is expected to remain at 600 ML/day over the coming month.
At Hume Reservoir, the storage volume decreased by 77 GL to 1,110 GL (37% capacity). Releases from Humethis week were able to be scheduled to meet both downstream needs and assist the navigation of the paddle steamer ‘Cumberoona’ from a slipway in Wodonga Creek downstream to Lake Mulwala (Figure 1). The Murray-Darling Basin Authority considers community activities when undertaking river operations and aims to assist where operationally possible (see The release from Hume is now being increased to around 20,000 ML/day in response to rising downstream demand.
A combination of factors led to a drop in the Lake Mulwala pool level over the week, which fell from 124.75 m AHD to 124.63 m AHD. Diversions from the major irrigation offtakes at Lake Mulwalastarted the weeksteady at around 5,000 ML/day, then quickly increased following the weekend up to 6,000 ML/daycoinciding with reduced inflows arriving from Hume.Strongwesterly winds experienced at Yarrawonga throughout the weekpushed water from Lake Mulwala back upstream, resulting in reduced water levels at Yarrawonga Weir.Most of this water pushed upstream returns back to the weir pool once the winds either abate or change direction.Depending on prevailing winds, the pool level is expected to rise back above 124.70 m AHD by Sunday. This phenomenon of a water bodyfluctuating in height due to outside forcesis known as a ‘seiche’, and can occur at all major water storages. Primary drivers for seiches include strong winds, intense inflow events, andearthquakes. Releases from Yarrawonga Weir for the coming week are planned to be between 9,000 ML/day and 10,000 ML/day.
Figure1–The PS Cumberoona being carefully navigated out of Wodonga creek (Source: Fraser Knolls).
On the Edward River system, the combined flow through the Edward River and Gulpa Creek offtakes is steady at around 1,900 ML/day. Diversions to Wakool Main Canal averaged 600 ML/day for the week and the flow downstream of Stevens Weir is around 2,300 ML/day.
On the Goulburn River, the flow at McCoys Bridge has receded from 1,900 ML/day to 1,170 ML/day as the last of a pulse of water released from Lake Eildon enters the Murray. The flow at McCoys Bridge is planned to remain at around 1,000 ML/day over the coming week. At Torrumbarry Weir, diversions from National Channel are around 2,400 ML/day and the downstream release is around 6,600 ML/day and gradually falling.
Further downstream, inflows into the Murray from the lower Murrumbidgee River are around 750 ML/day at Balranald. This flow is expected to recede to a base flow of around 180 ML/day over the coming week.
Following consultation with the local community, a start date of 20th May has been selected for commencement of the major works at Mildura Weir this winter (see attached media release). The works will require closure of the lock for three to four months, as well as removal of the weir for up to ten weeks. Further advice and updates on the works will be provided in coming months.
At Menindee Lakes (currently managed by NSW), the storage volume decreased by 10 GL to 108 GL (6% capacity). Releases into the lower Darling are around 150 ML/day at Weir 32. Upstream ofthe storage, the slow moving flow event making its way down the upper Darling is still yet to reach Wilcannia.
At the confluence of the Darling and Murray Rivers at Wentworth, the flow is around 8,200 ML/day and rising as the pulse of water released from the Goulburn River last month passes downstream.
At Lake Victoria, the storage volume has decreased by 31 GL to 265 GL (39% capacity). The daily flow to South Australia is targeting around 9,800 ML/day for the first half of March as increased environmental water is passed downstream for barrage outflows into the Coorong. The flow to South Australia is planned to reduce back to around 6,500 ML/day in the second half of March, due toworks on the Lake Victoria outlet which will limit the volume of water that can be delivered across the border. The planned flow for the second half of March is still greater than the normal March entitlement flow of 6,000 ML/day.
At the Lower Lakes, the 5-day average water level in Lake Alexandrina decreased 2 cm this week to 0.55 m AHD. Releases from the barrages are targeting flows into the Coorong of 2,000 ML/day or greater when conditions permit.
For media inquiries contact the Media Officeron 02 6279 0141
DAVID DREVERMAN
Executive Director, River Management
Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 04 Mar 2015
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 / 472.60 / 3 038 / 79% / 71 / 2 967 / -10
Hume Reservoir / 192.00 / 3 005 / 179.81 / 1 110 / 37% / 23 / 1 087 / -77
Lake Victoria / 27.00 / 677 / 23.19 / 265 / 39% / 100 / 165 / -31
Menindee Lakes / 1 731* / 108 / 6% / (- -) # / 0 / -10
Total / 9 269 / 4 521 / 49% / - - / 4 219 / -128
Total Active MDBA Storage / 50% ^
Major State Storages
Burrinjuck Reservoir / 1 026 / 367 / 36% / 3 / 364 / -29
Blowering Reservoir / 1 631 / 533 / 33% / 24 / 509 / +2
Eildon Reservoir / 3 334 / 2 191 / 66% / 100 / 2 091 / -30
*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 03 Mar 2015
Storage / Active Storage (GL) / Weekly Change (GL) / Diversion (GL) / This Week / From 1 May 2014Lake Eucumbene - Total / 2 234 / n/a / Snowy-Murray / +20 / 291
Snowy-Murray Component / 1 085 / n/a / Tooma-Tumut / +2 / 207
Target Storage / 1 410 / Net Diversion / 18 / 84
Murray 1 Release / +23 / 562
Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) *
New South Wales / This Week / From 1 July 2014 / Victoria / This Week / From 1 July 2014Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) / 19.6 / 686 / Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) / 7.8 / 222
Wakool Sys Allowance / 3.1 / 56 / Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) / 16 / 483
Western Murray Irrigation / 0.9 / 21 / Sunraysia Pumped Districts / 2.8 / 91
Licensed Pumps / 6.4 / 205 / Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) / 2.7 / 52
Lower Darling / 0.8 / 59 / Licensed pumps - LMW / 4.3 / 249
TOTAL / 30.8 / 1027 / TOTAL / 33.6 / 1097
* 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 / 186.0 *
Flow this week / 67.2 / (9 600 ML/day)
Flow so far this month / 38.9
Flow last month / 267.6
Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C)
Current / Average over the last week / Average since 1 August 2014Swan Hill / 70 / 60 / 90
Euston / 80 / 80 / 100
Red Cliffs / 120 / 120 / 120
Merbein / 110 / 120 / 130
Burtundy (Darling) / 830 / 820 / 750
Lock 9 / 140 / 140 / 140
Lake Victoria / 220 / 230 / 210
Berri / 220 / 220 / 220
Waikerie / 240 / 240 / 290
Morgan / 250 / 250 / 280
Mannum / 320 / 320 / 330
Murray Bridge / 330 / 320 / 360
Milang (Lake Alex.) / 840 / 840 / 760
Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) / 730 / 700 / 610
Meningie (Lake Alb.) / 2 470 / 2 500 / 2 410
Goolwa Barrages / 1 150 / 1 160 / 1 150
River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 04 Mar 2015
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 / - / - / - / 4 060 / F / 3 220 / 3 400
Jingellic / 4.0 / 1.70 / 208.22 / 4 280 / R / 3 620 / 4 240
Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) / 4.2 / 1.52 / 218.41 / 800 / F / 1 850 / 2 930
Heywoods / 5.5 / 3.48 / 157.11 / 17 970 / R / 15 670 / 13 650
Doctors Point / 5.5 / 3.29 / 151.76 / 18 330 / R / 16 010 / 14 710
Albury / 4.3 / 2.37 / 149.81 / - / - / - / -
Corowa / 3.8 / 3.32 / 129.34 / 16 390 / R / 15 210 / 14 370
Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) / 6.4 / 1.64 / 116.68 / 9 960 / R / 9 930 / 9 970
Tocumwal / 6.4 / 2.23 / 106.07 / 9 890 / S / 10 040 / 10 170
Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) / 7.3 / 2.27 / 80.82 / 6 590 / F / 7 040 / 8 610
Swan Hill / 4.5 / 1.29 / 64.21 / 6 680 / F / 7 420 / 8 140
Wakool Junction / 8.8 / 3.30 / 52.42 / 9 170 / F / 9 700 / 9 460
Euston Weir (d/s) / 8.8 / 1.81 / 43.65 / 9 640 / F / 9 460 / 8 140
Mildura Weir (d/s) / - / - / 8 690 / F / 7 880 / 6 500
Wentworth Weir (d/s) / 7.3 / 2.86 / 27.62 / 8 180 / R / 7 250 / 5 930
Rufus Junction / - / 3.92 / 20.85 / 9 260 / S / 8 750 / 8 430
Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) / - / 0.71 / - / 7 130 / R / 6 420 / 6 300
Tributaries
Kiewa at Bandiana / 2.7 / 0.75 / 153.98 / 220 / F / 300 / 900
Ovens at Wangaratta / 11.9 / 7.74 / 145.42 / 180 / F / 260 / 280
Goulburn at McCoys Bridge / 9.0 / 1.62 / 93.04 / 1 170 / F / 1 460 / 2 430
Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) / - / 2.23 / 82.00 / 2 350 / F / 2 330 / 2 590
Edward at Liewah / - / 2.83 / 58.21 / 2 340 / R / 2 340 / 2 340
Wakool at Stoney Crossing / - / 1.39 / 54.88 / 370 / S / 390 / 370
Murrumbidgee at Balranald / 5.0 / 1.14 / 57.10 / 750 / F / 1 200 / 580
Barwon at Mungindi / - / 3.21 / - / 120 / S / 120 / 160
Darling at Bourke / - / 4.21 / - / 910 / F / 1 270 / 2 420
Darling at Burtundy Rocks / - / 0.64 / - / 20 / F / 10 / 0
Natural Inflow to Hume / 410 / 1 220
(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 / -0.27 / - / No. 7 Rufus River / 22.10 / +0.03 / +1.60
No. 26 Torrumbarry / 86.05 / +0.00 / - / No. 6 Murtho / 19.25 / +0.04 / +0.23
No. 15 Euston / 47.60 / +0.07 / - / No. 5 Renmark / 16.30 / +0.03 / +0.37
No. 11 Mildura / 34.40 / +0.07 / +0.27 / No. 4 Bookpurnong / 13.20 / +0.08 / +1.07
No. 10 Wentworth / 30.80 / +0.10 / +0.22 / No. 3 Overland Corner / 9.80 / +0.04 / +0.34
No. 9 Kulnine / 27.40 / -0.07 / -0.47 / No. 2 Waikerie / 6.10 / +0.04 / +0.26
No. 8 Wangumma / 24.60 / -0.58 / +0.17 / No. 1 Blanchetown / 3.20 / -0.08 / -0.04
Lower LakesFSL = 0.75 m AHD
Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) / 0.55Barrages Fishways at Barrages
Openings / Level (m AHD) / No. Open / Rock Ramp / Vertical SlotGoolwa / 128 openings / 0.53 / 6 / - / Open
Mundoo / 26 openings / 0.53 / All closed / - / -
Boundary Creek / 6 openings / - / 0.1 / - / -
Ewe Island / 111 gates / - / All closed / - / -
Tauwitchere / 322 gates / 0.53 / 13 / 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 04 Mar 2015
State Allocations (as at 04 Mar 2015)
NSW - Murray Valley / Victorian - Murray ValleyHigh security / 97%
General security / 59%
/ High reliability / 100%
Low reliability / 0%
NSW – MurrumbidgeeValley / Victorian- GoulburnValley
High security / 95%
General security / 51%
/ High reliability / 100%
Low reliability / 0%
NSW - Lower Darling / South Australia – MurrayValley
High security / 100%
General security / 100%
/ High security / 100%
NSW : /
VIC : /
SA : /
Flow advice
27 February 2015
Lower Mitta Mitta flows in March
Landholders and river users on the Mitta Mitta are advised that releases to the river will be reduced during March.
Starting on 28 February, releases from Dartmouth Reservoir into the Mitta Mitta River will gradually be reduced to a flow of 600 megalitres per day, which is 1.23 metres local gauge height at Colemans gauge.
Releases are being reduced because the storage at Hume Reservoir no longer needs to be supplemented by water held at Dartmouth. The current volume at Hume Reservoir, together with expected inflows, should be sufficient to meet demand for water downstream until the end of the irrigation season in mid-May.
Downstream demand has been lower than previously forecast due to milder weather conditions over summer than anticipated. Water released from Lake Mulwala when maintenance works start in late April will also help to meet downstream requirements.
The current storage volume in Dartmouth Reservoir is 3,044 GL (79% capacity) while Hume Reservoir’s storage is 1,168 GL (39% capacity).
Occasional higher releases of water from Dartmouth Reservoir are possible in the coming months for water quality and electricity generation purposes. A flow advice will be issued prior to any significantly higher releases.
The MDBA routinely updatesthe flow forecasts on the MDBA website each Wednesday.
ENDS
For more information, contact the MDBA Media office at or 02 6279 0141
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MEDIA RELEASE
4 March 2015
Mildura works scheduled to start 20 May 2015
River users in Sunraysia are advised that the Mildura weir pool level is expected to start dropping on Wednesday, 20 May 2015 to allow for essential maintenance at the weir.
The weir pool will be lowered for up to 10 weeks while repairs are made to the concrete structure on the riverbed and six new mechanised trestles are installed.
The weir pool will be gradually lowered over seven to nine days to about 3.6 metres below full supply level, depending on river flows, and is expected to return to full supply level by late July.
Works on the lock chamber are also planned to start on 20 May 2015. The lock will be closed to boat traffic from 4.30pm that day, and will remain closed for three to four months while the lock is refurbished. The extent of work to be completed on the lock can only be determined once it is empty and can be inspected.
MDBA head of River Management David Dreverman said the timing of the works was made after speaking with local community and industry groups.
"We're very aware of the needs of the many river users so we've taken the advice of local tourism, industry, irrigation and other groups to identify the preferred timing to do these necessary works," Mr Dreverman said.
Boat operators, stock owners, river pumpers and other river users are advised to take these changed water levels and the lock closure into account and make any necessary adjustments to their activities.
River salinity might increase during the drawdown, depending on flow rates at the time. Salinity levels will be continually monitored and available each Wednesday morning on the MDBA website at
Updates prior to and during the works will also be available in the Weekly Report at
ENDS
Contact the MDBA Media office at or 02 6279 0141
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