RIVER MURRAY WEEKLY REPORTFOR THE WEEK ENDING WEDNESDAY, 28 JUNE 2023Trim Ref: D17/24378

Rainfall and inflows

Very little rainfall was recorded across the Murray-Darling Basin this week as high pressure systems persisted over southeast Australia, see map 1.

Dry conditions meant stream flows along upper Murray tributaries remained low this week. The flow in the Mitta Mitta River at Hinnomunjie bridge averaged around 275 ML/day while the flow at Biggara upstream of Hume averaged around 360 ML/day. The Kiewa River at Bandiana averaged 460 ML/day. The Ovens River, measured at Rocky Point, averaged around 450 ML/day this week.

Map 1 - Murray-Darling Basin rainfall map week ending 28 June 2017. Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Subscribe to the River Murray weekly report

Page 1 of 9

River operations

MDBA total storage rose by 21 GL this week, with the active storage now 5,637 GL or 68%.

At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage volume increased by 2 GL to 3,016 GL (78% capacity). The release, measured at Colemans gauge, continued at the minimum flow rate of 200 ML/day.

At Hume Reservoir, the storage increased by 23 GL to 2,100 GL (70% capacity). The increases to Hume storage have been driven by the consistent high releases from the Snowy Hydro Scheme. These releases have averaged around 6,000 ML/day since the beginning of May. The average release from Hume increased this week from 2,120 ML/day to 2,900 ML/day.

At Yarrawonga Weir, the pool level has remained steady and is currently 124.72 mAHD. Releases from the weir averaged around 4,180 ML/day this week to meet winter environmental flow targets in the Murray. Flows will continue to vary between 3,800 ML/day and 4,200 Ml/day over the coming week.

On the 27 June 2017, the MDBA advised trading of water from above the Barmah Choke to below the choke will be restricted in the 2017–18 water year as per normal operations. This restriction also applied in 2016-17. More information can be found in the attached media release and the MDBA website.

On the Edward River system, the gates at Edward and Gulpa Offtakes remain open. Flows through the Edward and Gulpa offtakes have stayed low, at around 600 ML/day and 190 ML/day respectively in response to the low releases downstream of Yarrawonga. Flow downstream of Stevens Weir has remained around 340 ML/day for most of the week. The weir pool is around 4.0 m (local gauge) and will vary between 3.8 m and 4.0 m over winter to provide connectivity for fish in the Colligen and Yallakool Creeks and downstream in the Wakool River. Visit the WaterNSW website for more information.

On the Goulburn River, the flow at McCoys Bridge is currently 5,410 ML/day, flows will continue to increase steadily as the planned environmental flow pulse is released from Goulburn Weir. The flow at McCoys bridge is expected to peak at just over 9,000 ML/day in early July. Releases in the Goulburn River have been planned by the Goulburn Broken CMA. More information can be found on the GMW factsheet and the Goulburn Broken CMA website.

On the Campaspe River, there is a small environmental flow passing Rochester at a rate of around 200 ML/day.

At Torrumbarry, the weir pool level has remained at 85.7 m AHD, or 35 cm below the full supply level (FSL) this week as part of the weir pool variability program. Torrumbarry Weir will begin to be raised in mid-July in order to reach full supply level prior to the beginning of the irrigation season. Visit the MDBA website for more information. Diversions into National Channel continued at around 420 ML/day to provide flows along Gunbower Creek for the benefit of native fish. Release downstream of Torrumbarry Weir will increase over the coming week as the environmental flow pulse from the Goulburn River moves through the system. As a result a peak flow of around 10,000 ML/day is expected to pass through Torrumbarry Weir in early July. Flow downstream of Torrumbarry is currently 4,120 ML/day.

Inflow from the Murrumbidgee River averaged 710 ML/day this week. Environmental agencies are planning to deliver a ‘river fresh’ along the Murrumbidgee River and Yanco Creek systems starting in

Subscribe to the River Murray weekly report

Trade restriction from above the Barmah Choke to below the choke to continue for the 2017-18 water year

Pumping of environmental water into Hattah lakes will begin on the 3rd of July

Page 2 of 9

late July. The fresh includes targeting a flow rate of around 20,000 ML/day at Wagga Wagga which aims to improve the health of wetlands along the mid-Murrumbidgee River as well as deliver instream benefits throughout the mid and lower Murrumbidgee River system. This event is expected to deliver significant inflows, at within-channel rates, to the Murray later in July and into August. Further environmental benefits will accrue as the flows are passed down the Murray to South Australia.

At Euston Weir, the pool level is currently 47.6 m AHD, 20 cm below FSL. The pool level is expected to be varied over the coming weeks, also as part of the weir pool variability program, with the level planned to decrease as much as 40 cm below FSL. The release downstream of the weir has been steady this week and is currently around 5,110 ML/day. An increase in flow as a result of the Goulburn pulse is expected in the coming days. Flows will likely peak at Euston around mid-July.

Photo 1 – A crane manoeuvring stop logs at Euston Weir (Photo courtesy William Lugg MDBA)

Downstream of Euston at Hattah Lakes, pumping of environmental water into the lakes will begin on the 3rd of July. Environmental water will build upon the ecological outcomes resulting from the natural flooding that occurred in 2016, and continue to improve the ecological health of this wetland system.

On the Darling River, the total storage volume in the Menindee Lakes decreased by 2 GL this week and is currently 769 GL (44% capacity). Releases from Menindee Lakes to the lower Darling River at Weir 32 have continued at 400 ML/day. This is above the normal minimum of 200 ML/day at this time of year. The additional water is being released on behalf of environmental water holders to benefit native fish in the lower Darling River. Releases from Cawndilla outlet to the Great Darling Anabranch have continued at 100 ML/day this week also for the benefit of native fish. The delivery of water to the Great Darling Anabranch will likely cease in the coming days.

At the junction of the Darling and Murray rivers at Wentworth, flow has remained steady at 5,550 ML/day. Downstream of the weir, inflows from the Great Darling Anabranch continue at around 200 ML/day.

Subscribe to the River Murray weekly report

Page 3 of 9

At Locks 9, 8 and 7, the pool levels are currently 5, 64 and 52 cm below FSL respectively. Pool levels are expected to be varied over the coming weeks. Weir pool variability helps to restore a more natural wetting and drying cycle to riverbanks and adjacent wetlands within the influence of the weir pool.

At Lake Victoria, the storage volume has decreased this week and is currently 426 GL (63% capacity). Over the coming months MDBA will manage the filling of Lake Victoria in line with the Lake Victoria Operating Strategy. The strategy aims to maximise water security whilst minimising the impact on vegetation and aboriginal cultural heritage sites around the lake.

Flow to South Australia is currently 6,700 ML/day. This will reduce to 5,600 ML/day at the start of July.

At the Lower Lakes, the 5-day average water level in Lake Alexandrina remained steady at 0.70 m AHD. Releases through the barrages averaged around 1,300 ML/day this week.

For media inquiries contact the Media Officer on 02 6279 0141

DAVID DREVERMANExecutive Director, River Management

Subscribe to the River Murray weekly report

Page 4 of 9

Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 28 Jun 2017

MDBA StoragesFull

Supply Level

Full Supply Volume

Current Storage

LevelCurrent Storage Dead

StorageActive

Storage

Change in Total

Storage for the Week

  (m AHD) (GL) (m AHD) (GL) % (GL) (GL) (GL)Dartmouth Reservoir 486.00 3 856 472.21 3 016 78% 71 2 945 +2Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 187.02 2 100 70% 23 2 077 +24Lake Victoria 27.00 677 24.79 426 63% 100 326 -3Menindee Lakes   1 731*   769 44% (480 #) 289 -2Total   9 269   6 311 68% - - 5 637 +21Total Active MDBA Storage             66% ^                   

Major State StoragesBurrinjuck Reservoir   1 026   642 63% 3 639 +1Blowering Reservoir   1 631   1 258 77% 24 1 234 +25Eildon Reservoir   3 334   2 139 64% 100 2 039 -48

* Menindee surcharge capacity – 2050 GL ** All Data is rounded to nearest GL ** # NSW has sole access to water when the storage falls below 480 GL. MDBA regains access to water when the storage next reaches 640 GL.^ % of total active MDBA storage

Snowy Mountains Scheme Snowy diversions for week ending 27 Jun 2017 Storage Active Storage

(GL)Weekly Change

(GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2017

Lake Eucumbene - Total 1 396 n/a Snowy-Murray +34 301Snowy-Murray Component 681 n/a Tooma-Tumut +3 17Target Storage 1 240   Net Diversion 31 285      Murray 1 Release +37 325

Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) *New South Wales This Week From 1 July

2016 Victoria This Week From 1 July 2016

Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) -0.1 900 Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) 0.4 240Wakool Sys Allowance 0.8 36 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) 0.7 425Western Murray Irrigation 0.3 25 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 0.4 98Licensed Pumps 1.0 255 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) 2.5 47Lower Darling 0.9 119 Licensed pumps - LMW 1.5 308TOTAL 2.9 1335 TOTAL 5.5 1118

* Figures are derived from actual and estimates where data is unavailable. 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 unregulated flows.

Entitlement this month 90.0 *  Flow this week 46.5 (6 600 ML/day)Flow so far this month 146.2Flow last month 221.2

Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C)  Current Average over the last week Average since 1 August 2016Swan Hill 120 120 120Euston - - -Red Cliffs 200 220 170Merbein 230 230 170Burtundy (Darling) 610 620 590Lock 9 220 230 220Lake Victoria 250 250 200Berri 410 410 300Waikerie 420 410 360Morgan 420 430 360Mannum 520 530 380

Subscribe to the River Murray weekly report

Page 5 of 9

Murray Bridge 580 560 340Milang (Lake Alex.) 570 560 510Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 530 530 400Meningie (Lake Alb.) 1 670 1 690 1 770Goolwa Barrages 660 620 1 090

River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 28 Jun 2017

 

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 - - - 6 240 F 5 780 5 430Jingellic 4.0 1.94 208.46 6 520 R 5 900 6 490Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 1.33 218.22 480 F 480 490Heywoods 5.5 1.85 155.48 2 700 S 2 790 2 120Doctors Point 5.5 1.91 150.38 3 190 S 3 070 2 390Albury 4.3 0.99 148.43 - - - -Corowa 4.6 1.09 127.11 3 330 S 3 470 2 670Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 0.77 115.81 4 180 S 4 180 3 570Tocumwal 6.4 1.38 105.22 3 790 S 3 690 3 300Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 1.60 80.15 4 120 R 3 330 3 240Swan Hill 4.5 0.83 63.75 3 310 S 3 340 3 590Wakool Junction 8.8 2.23 51.35 4 220 F 4 390 4 520Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 1.19 43.03 5 110 F 5 320 5 390Mildura Weir (d/s)   - - 6 040 F 6 140 5 900Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.83 27.59 5 550 S 5 800 5 550Rufus Junction - 3.50 20.43 6 520 R 6 480 5 590Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 0.72 - 6 140 F 6 210 4 350               Tributaries              Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 0.92 154.15 420 F 460 470Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 7.99 145.67 540 F 590 630Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 3.74 95.16 5 410 R 2 160 930Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 0.66 80.43 320 S 340 340Edward at Liewah - 1.15 56.53 590 F 730 640Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.45 54.94 480 R 490 560Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 1.46 57.42 970 R 710 580Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 3.41 - 560 R 310 380Darling at Bourke 9.0 4.14 - 540 S 620 880Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.80 - 330 R 310 300               Natural Inflow to Hume           1 860 2 790

(i.e. Pre Dartmouth & Snowy Mountains scheme)

Weirs and Locks Pool 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 -0.18 - No. 7 Rufus River 22.10 -0.52 +1.19No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 -0.35 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 +0.02 +0.09No. 15 Euston 47.60 -0.20 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.00 +0.19No. 11 Mildura 34.40 -0.02 +0.08 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.03 +0.81No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 +0.00 +0.19 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.02 +0.26No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 -0.05 -0.57 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 +0.00 +0.18No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 -0.64 -0.27 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 -0.07 -0.03

Lower Lakes FSL = 0.75 m AHDLake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) 0.70

Barrages Fishways at Barrages

  OpeningsLevel (m AHD) No. Open Rock Ramp

Vertical Slot 1 Vertical Slot 2

Dual Vertical Slots

Goolwa 128 openings 0.72 2 - Open Open -Mundoo 26 openings 0.69 All closed - - - OpenHunters Creek - - - - Open - -Boundary Creek 6 openings - 1 - Open - -Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - - - Open

Subscribe to the River Murray weekly report

Page 6 of 9

Tauwitchere 322 gates 0.71 3 Open Open Open -AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level

Subscribe to the River Murray weekly report

Page 7 of 9

Week ending Wednesday 28 Jun 2017

State Allocations (as at 28 Jun 2017)NSW - Murray Valley Victorian - Murray Valley

High security 100%General security 100%

High reliability 100%Low reliability 5%

NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley Victorian - Goulburn ValleyHigh security 100%General security 100%

High reliability 100%Low reliability 0%

NSW - Lower Darling South Australia – Murray ValleyHigh security 100%General security 100%

High security 100%

NSW : http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/water-management/water-availabilityVIC : http://nvrm.net.au/seasonal-determinations/currentSA : http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/river-murray

Subscribe to the River Murray weekly report Page 8 of 9

MEDIA RELEASE

27 June 2017

Barmah Choke trade restriction to continue

Trading of water from above the Barmah Choke to below the choke will continue to be restricted in the 2017–18 water year.

This means water users upstream of the Choke can sell water allocations to buyers downstream of the choke, but only if water has been traded from downstream to upstream of the choke first.

MDBA River Management Executive Director, David Dreverman, said the continued restriction is necessary to ensure effective operation of the river and delivery of water to entitlement holders through the choke. “We need to prevent water trades from placing excessive demands on the channel capacity at the Choke in the coming year, given primary storages that supply water to the system, Hume and Dartmouth, are upstream of the Choke,” Mr Dreverman said.

Under the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement, agreed to by Basin governments, the MDBA may, in exceptional circumstances, relax the default Barmah Choke trade restriction.

Exceptional circumstances that might allow the lifting of the restriction can include drought conditions when total flows are unlikely to impact channel capacity limitations, such as occurred during the Millennium Drought.

“With large volumes of water currently in storage, system demands in 2017-18 are unlikely to be low enough even under very dry conditions to permit the lifting of the restriction,” Mr Dreverman said.

“Water users are reminded that the volume that can be traded through the choke will be reset on 1 July 2017.”

An annual adjustment will be made to take account of water savings transferred to the Snowy scheme, resulting in an opening balance close to 37,000 megalitres.

More information on the Barmah Choke and the balance available to be traded at any time can be found here https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-markets-trade/interstate-water-trade/barmah-choke-trade-balance

Water market participants should contact their state trading authority for more information. Trade from downstream of the Choke to upstream is not restricted.

ENDS

For more information, contact the MDBA Media office at media@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0141 Follow @MD_Basin_Auth on Twitter: twitter.com/MD_Basin_AuthFind us on Facebook: facebook.com/MDBAuth

Page 9 of 9