River Murray Weekly Report · 2020. 12. 10. · River Murray Weekly Report Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages Photo 1 – View from Mt

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River Murray Weekly Report For the week ending Wednesday, 9 December 2020

Trim Ref: D20/49590

Rainfall and inflows This week most of the Murray-Darling Basin received rain, although falls were generally heavier along the ranges (Map 1). Isolated thunderstorms provided the highest rainfall totals. In Victoria’s Alpine area, Falls Creek (Rocky Valley) recorded a total of 90 mm, while Harrietville on the Ovens River received 43 mm. In New South Wales, Cabramurra in the Snowy Mountains recorded 52 mm while in the Riverina Wagga Wagga received 24 mm.

Map 1 - Murray-Darling Basin rainfall totals for week ending 9 December 2020 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

This week’s rainfall provided small, short-lived streamflow increases over upper Murray catchments. Downstream of Hume, the Kiewa River at Bandiana averaged around 770 ML/day this week while the Ovens River at Rocky Point increased from around 1,000 ML/day to 2,100 ML/day before receding. Further specific information about flows at key locations can be found at the MDBA’s River Murray data webpage. Up-to-date river data for sites in the upper Murray can also be found on BoM’s website and in the Murray River Basin Daily River Report at the WaterNSW website. BoM produce 7-day stream flow forecasts for a number of tributaries including the Ovens and Kiewa Rivers and these are available on their website.

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reportshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-storagehttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/system-viewhttp://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDV60151.htmlhttps://realtimedata.waternsw.com.au/water.stmhttp://www.bom.gov.au/water/7daystreamflow/

River Murray Weekly Report


Photo 1 – View from Mt Buffalo looking out across the Ovens valley towards Mt Bogong in the distance. Credit: Erin Morgan.

River operations

Water quality impacts The red alert for blue-green algae at Mildura has now been lifted. A number of amber alerts for blue-green algae still remain and include the River Murray downstream of Yarrawonga Weir, Cobram, Picnic Point, Tooleybuc, upstream of Euston Weir, Mt Dispersion, Buronga, Curlwaa, Fort Courage and Lock 8, plus the Edward River at Old Morago and the Wakool River at Stoney Crossing. It is important that water users regularly keep up to date with algal alerts, notices and health warnings. This information is available through Goulburn-Murray Water and WaterNSW.

Following the Bureau of Metrology’s declaration of La Niña and continued wet rainfall outlook across south eastern Australia, Murray Darling Basin communities should be aware there is a significant risk of hypoxic blackwater events occurring particularly in New South Wales. After three hot and dry years, floodplains have a high load of leaf litter and other organic material. La Niña conditions in summer can increase the risk of heavy rain and flooding, which can wash organic matter into waterways and lead to hypoxic blackwater events. For more information, including the Basin water quality risk map, please see the MDBA website.

Monthly snapshot of water in the system

River Murray communities can now access a monthly point-in-time snapshot that shows what proportion of water in the river has been provided for the environment compared with water for towns, industries and irrigators.

Every day, water enters the river at different points and for different purposes, including irrigation, town water supply, industries and specific environmental benefits. The monthly snapshot shows in simple terms the volume of flow and the extent to which it comprises water for the environment at five locations—in the River Murray at Yarrawonga and the South Australian border, and in the Murrumbidgee, Goulburn and Darling rivers just upstream of their junction with the Murray. Find out more on Flows in the River Murray system.

• Water for the environment flows gradually recede

• System transfers continue

• The delivery of IVT from the Goulburn and Murrumbidgee valleys to the Murray continue

• Lake Victoria continues to fall as it supports the delivery of system demands

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reportshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-storagehttps://www.g-mwater.com.au/news/bgahttps://www.waternsw.com.au/water-quality/algaehttp://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/rainfall/summaryhttps://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/mdbas-river-operations/water-qualityhttps://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/regular-reports-murray-data-storages/flows-river-murray-system



River operations Over the past week, MDBA total active storage decreased by 115 GL to 4,845 GL (57% capacity).

At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage level increased by 9 GL to 2,384 GL (62% capacity). The release, measured at Colemans, continued to target the minimum flow rate of 200 ML/day.

This week the Hume Reservoir storage level decreased by 66 GL to 2,163 GL (72% capacity). The current Hume release is near 9,500 ML/day and is expected to increase in coming days. The release continues to supply consumptive demands, water for the environment and conveyance along the river, as well as slowing the rate of decline of Lake Victoria’s storage volume as we head into summer.

Photo 2 – Water being released through the spillway at Hume Dam while a diving inspection is carried out on the inlets to the power station and irrigation valves. Credit: Tim Tanner, WaterNSW.

At Lake Mulwala, the pool level slowly increased during the week to the full supply level of 124.9 m AHD. Diversions to Mulwala Canal reduced over the week from a peak of 3,100 ML/d to 2,300 ML/day. On the Victorian side, diversion into Yarrawonga Main Channel has reduced to 600 ML/day. Diversions are anticipated to increase over the coming week, in-line with warming temperatures.

The release from Yarrawonga Weir was gradually reduced from 12,750 to 11,500 ML/day during the week. The flow is forecast to gradually reduce as the water for the environment event continues its recession. These flows continue to support the Murray Cod nesting season, while also increasing lateral connectivity between the River Murray and the Barmah—Millewa Forest. This greater connectivity has been enabled by the opening of selected regulators in the forest. Together, these actions promote increased productivity in the river and support plants and animals in the forest. All actions associated with water for the environment are tracked and water usage debited from environmental water holder (EWH) accounts.

Flow through the Edward River Offtake remains steady near 1,580 ML/day, while flow through the Gulpa Creek Offtake has averaged around 620 ML/day to help fill wetlands adjacent to the creek. Downstream, return flows from Millewa Forest to the Edward River are gradually easing as flows downstream of Yarrawonga reduce. Flow through the Wakool River, Yallakool Creek and Colligen Creek offtakes is currently around 60, 370 and 280 ML/day, respectively. This week the flow downstream of Stevens Weir averaged around 2,500 ML/day and is anticipated to remain near this rate over the coming week.

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reportshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-storagehttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/dartmouth-damhttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/hume-damhttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/yarrawonga-weir-upstream



On the Goulburn River, the flow measured at McCoys Bridge averaged 1,110 ML/day over the week and forecast to fluctuate around 1,350 ML/day throughout the remainder of December as Goulburn Inter Valley Trade (IVT) is delivered to the Murray.

In addition to the Goulburn River, the delivery of water from the Goulburn IVT account to the Murray is continuing to take place via the Campaspe River and Broken Creek. A total of around 27 GL was delivered during November and a further 40 GL is to be delivered in December. For more information see the Goulburn-Murray Water website. Information regarding opportunities for allocation trade between the Goulburn and Murray Valleys is available at the Victorian water register website.

Diversions to National Channel have increased slightly over the week from around 1,200 ML/day to near 1,500 ML/day. Diversions are expected to remain around this rate for the coming week.

Photo 3 – Murray River at Corowa Common reserve. Credit: Tegan Abbott, MDBA.

Elevated baseflows continue to be supplied to Gunbower Creek to provide increased habitat for native fish and other aquatic animals over the spring period. Flow in Gunbower Creek returns to the River Murray via Koondrook Spillway, downstream of Torrumbarry Weir near Barham. This week the release downstream of Torrumbarry Weir averaged around 8,800 ML/day and is expected to fluctuate around this rate over the next fortnight.

This week inflow from the Murrumbidgee River, measured at Balranald, averaged around 1,300 ML/day. The Murrumbidgee IVT balance is open for trade from the Murray to the Murrumbidgee (103 GL) but remains closed for trade from the Murrumbidgee to the Murray. MDBA has called 40 GL of Murrumbidgee IVT for the month of December.

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reportshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-storagehttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/mccoy-bridgehttps://www.g-mwater.com.au/water-resources/managing-water-storageshttp://waterregister.vic.gov.au/water-trading/allocation-trading#AllocationTradeOpportunitieshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/national-channel-ds-torrumbarry-headworkshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/torrumbarry-weir-downstreamhttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/balranald-weir-downstreamhttps://www.waternsw.com.au/customer-service/ordering-trading-and-pricing/trading/murrumbidgee



At Euston Weir, the weir pool level remains at FSL. The downstream release averaged around 12,700 ML/day this week and flows are expected to gradually reduce over the coming week.

Menindee Lakes storage eased this week to 385 GL (22% capacity). Weir 32 release averaged near 700 ML/day this week, following a short-lived water for the environment pulse last week of up to 1,600 ML/day to benefit Golden Perch. These small releases of water for the environment continue to help boost the rate above the normal minimum target and aim to improve the condition of the lower Darling and help Murray Cod breed. For more information refer to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Some water restrictions remain current in NSW. Links to drought services and assistance can be accessed via the MDBA drought webpage.

At Wentworth Weir, the weir pool level is being managed at around FSL. The downstream flow has been steadily increasing this week, averaging around 10,300 ML/day. Flows are expected to fall as the recent Goulburn pulse continues travelling through the system.

Downstream at Lock 9, Lock 8 and Lock 7 weir pools continue to vary near FSL, within their normal operating range. The storage level at Lake Victoria reduced this week by 59 GL to 492 GL (73% capacity) as water is released to meet demands. Heading into summer, the storage is anticipated to continue decreasing, as is typical during the higher demand summer period.

The flow to South Australia reduced from around 17,000 ML/day to around 15,000 ML/day as a pulse of water for the environment crossed the border. Over the coming fortnight flows are forecast to gradually reduce towards 10,000 ML/day. The flow includes South Australia’s normal December Entitlement flow, small volumes of consumptive trade and water for the environment. In December, environmental water holders have extended the spring pulse into SA by trading 40 GL to South Australia.

The Lower Lakes 5-day average water level is 0.81 m AHD. Increased barrage releases will continue to be made when conditions allow to push fresh water into the Coorong and to support Black Bream spawning over the coming months. For information on barrage releases and South Australia’s Entitlement flow, see the South Australian Department for Environment and Water Weekly River Murray Flow Report.

For media inquiries contact the Media Officer on 02 6279 0141

ANDREW REYNOLDS Executive Director, River Management

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reportshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-storagehttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/euston-weir-upstreamhttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/euston-weir-downstreamhttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/menindee-lakes-combined-storagehttps://www.environment.gov.au/cewo/media-release/lower-darling-baaka-flows-boostedhttps://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/spring-flow-for-fish-in-the-lower-darling-baaka-riverhttps://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/spring-flow-for-fish-in-the-lower-darling-baaka-riverhttps://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/allocations-availability/temporary-water-restrictionshttps://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/drought-murray-darling-basinhttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/lake-victoriahttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/flow-south-australia-calculatedhttps://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/river-murray/flow-reports



Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 09 Dec 2020

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 3 856 460.21 2 384 62% 71 2 313 +9

Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 187.40 2 163 72% 23 2 140 -66

Lake Victoria 27.00 677 25.41 492 73% 100 392 -59

Menindee Lakes 1 731* 385 22% (- -) # 0 -11

Total 9 269 5 424 59% - - 4 845 -126

Total Active MDBA Storage 57% ^

Major State Storages

Burrinjuck Reservoir 1 026 882 86% 3 879 -18

Blowering Reservoir 1 631 1 442 88% 24 1 418 -35

Eildon Reservoir 3 334 2 270 68% 100 2 170 -8

* 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 08 Dec 2020 Storage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2020

Lake Eucumbene - Total 1 383 -9 Snowy-Murray +8 499

Snowy-Murray Component 667 -8 Tooma-Tumut +1 195

Target Storage 1 510 Net Diversion 7 304

Murray 1 Release +8 743

Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) * New South Wales This Week From 1 July 2020 Victoria This Week From 1 July 2020

Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) 15.5 267 Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) 4.9 72

Wakool Sys Allowance 2.6 44 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) 5.4 124

Western Murray Irrigation 0.7 7 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 4 38

Licensed Pumps 7.0 88 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) n/a 6

Lower Darling 0.0 1 Licensed pumps - LMW 15.2 149

TOTAL 25.8 407 TOTAL 29.5 389

* 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 environmental flows.

Entitlement this month 217.0 *

Flow this week 113.8 (16 300 ML/day)

Flow so far this month 145.0 Flow last month 370.8

Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C) Current Average over the last week Average since 1 August 2020

Swan Hill 70 80 110

Euston - - -

Red Cliffs 110 120 140

Merbein 100 110 150

Burtundy (Darling) 400 390 330

Lock 9 140 140 130

Lake Victoria 120 120 120

Berri 150 150 160

Waikerie 190 210 210

Morgan 190 220 210

Mannum 240 250 230

Murray Bridge 260 260 240

Milang (Lake Alex.) 690 720 800

Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 590 550 490

Meningie (Lake Alb.) 1 510 1 550 1 660

Goolwa Barrages 6 360 3 120 1 330

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reportshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-storage



River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 09 Dec 2020

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 - - - 3 360 R 1 780 2 130

Jingellic 4.0 1.74 208.26 4 910 R 4 330 4 910

Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 1.49 218.38 740 F 760 770

Heywoods 5.5 2.64 156.27 9 580 F 13 250 15 070

Doctors Point 5.5 2.63 151.10 10 780 F 14 450 16 180

Albury 4.3 1.68 149.12 - - - -

Corowa 4.6 2.75 128.77 13 090 F 15 070 14 900

Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 1.83 116.87 11 510 S 12 050 13 180

Tocumwal 6.4 2.44 106.28 11 840 F 12 550 13 280

Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.83 81.38 8 600 S 8 840 10 810

Swan Hill 4.5 1.71 64.63 9 440 F 9 960 12 140

Wakool Junction 8.8 3.76 52.88 11 670 F 12 560 13 660

Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 2.06 43.90 11 890 F 12 710 11 830

Mildura Weir (d/s) - - 11 030 F 11 010 9 270

Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 3.22 27.98 11 070 S 10 330 8 090

Rufus Junction - 4.64 21.57 14 590 F 15 550 15 010

Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 1.16 - 13 710 R 13 310 14 580

Tributaries

Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 1.36 154.59 970 F 780 840

Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 8.48 146.16 1 780 F 1 560 1 630

Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 1.71 93.13 1 350 R 1 110 1 980

Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 2.40 82.17 2 640 F 2 500 2 100

Edward at Liewah - 2.54 57.92 1 920 S 2 020 2 360

Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.54 55.03 760 F 800 950

Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 1.75 57.71 1 320 R 1 270 800

Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 2.47 - 0 F 0 0

Darling at Bourke 9.0 3.55 - 0 F 0 0

Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.95 - 810 R 520 290

Natural Inflow to Hume 5 750 5 060

(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/s

Yarrawonga 124.90 +0.00 - No. 7 Rufus River 22.10 +0.09 +2.32

No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 +0.00 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 +0.04 +0.91

No. 15 Euston 47.60 +0.01 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.40 +0.68

No. 11 Mildura 34.40 +0.04 +0.41 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.06 +1.51

No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 +0.07 +0.58 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.04 +0.76

No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 +0.07 +0.29 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 -0.04 +0.68

No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 +0.09 +0.46 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 -0.08 +0.41

Lower Lakes FSL = 0.75 m AHD

Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) 0.81

Barrages Fishways at Barrages

Openings Level (m AHD) No. Open Rock Ramp Vertical Slot 1 Vertical Slot 2 Dual Vertical Slots

Goolwa 128 openings 0.85 3 - Open Open -

Mundoo 26 openings 0.82 All closed - - - Open

Hunters Creek - - - - Open - -

Boundary Creek 6 openings - 1 - Open - -

Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - - - Open

Tauwitchere 322 gates 0.85 8 Open Open Open -

AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level

http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reportshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-storage



Week ending Wednesday 09 Dec 2020

State Allocations (as at 09 Dec 2020)

NSW - Murray Valley Victorian - Murray Valley

High security 97%

General security 40%

High reliability 83% Low reliability 0%

NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley

Victorian - Goulburn Valley

High security 95%


High reliability 100% Low reliability 0%

NSW - Lower Darling

South Australia – Murray Valley

High security 100%


High security 100%

NSW : https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/allocations-availability/allocations/summary VIC : http://nvrm.net.au/seasonal-determinations/current SA : https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/river-murray/water-allocations-and-announcements
http://www.mdba.gov.au/river-information/weekly-reportshttps://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/https://www.mdba.gov.au/managing-water/water-storagehttps://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/allocations-availability/allocations/summaryhttp://nvrm.net.au/seasonal-determinations/currenthttps://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/river-murray/water-allocations-and-announcements

Documents

River Murray Weekly Report · 2020. 12. 10. · River Murray Weekly Report Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages Photo 1 – View from Mt