9
Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages River Murray Weekly Report For the week ending Wednesday, 26 June 2019 Trim Ref: D19/31135 Rainfall and inflows Conditions were dry across much of the Murray-Darling Basin this week (Figure 1). Patchy rainfall was mostly light and generally confined to the southern and eastern slopes and ranges. Figure 1 Murray-Darling Basin rainfall totals for week ending 26 June (Source: Bureau of Meteorology) Rainfall is forecast for the upper Murray catchment over the coming weekend with totals of between 25 to 50 mm expected. The BoM have also updated their climate outlook for the coming three months. Whilst there is no strong signal for wetter or drier than average conditions in July, the outlook suggests drier than average conditions and warmer days are more likely for the three month period July to September. This has been a persistent theme in the outlooks over recent months. Flow in the upper Murray tributaries receded this week. The current flow at key locations in the upper Murray catchment including Hinnomunjie Bridge on the upper Mitta Mitta River, Biggara on the upper Murray, Bandiana the Kiewa River and Peechelba on Ovens River 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 at Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) website and in the Murray River Basin daily river report at the WaterNSW website.

River Murray Weekly Report · 6/26/2019  · River Murray Weekly Report Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages Inflow to the Murray from

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    2

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

River Murray Weekly Report For the week ending Wednesday, 26 June 2019

Trim Ref: D19/31135

Rainfall and inflows Conditions were dry across much of the Murray-Darling Basin this week (Figure 1). Patchy rainfall was mostly light and generally confined to the southern and eastern slopes and ranges.

Figure 1 Murray-Darling Basin rainfall totals for week ending 26 June (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

Rainfall is forecast for the upper Murray catchment over the coming weekend with totals of between 25 to 50 mm expected. The BoM have also updated their climate outlook for the coming three months. Whilst there is no strong signal for wetter or drier than average conditions in July, the outlook suggests drier than average conditions and warmer days are more likely for the three month period July to September. This has been a persistent theme in the outlooks over recent months.

Flow in the upper Murray tributaries receded this week. The current flow at key locations in the upper Murray catchment including Hinnomunjie Bridge on the upper Mitta Mitta River, Biggara on the upper Murray, Bandiana the Kiewa River and Peechelba on Ovens River 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 at Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) website and in the Murray River Basin daily river report at the WaterNSW website.

River Murray Weekly Report

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

River operations

River operations The MDBA active storage volume increased by 52 GL this week to 3,246 GL (38% capacity).

At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage volume decreased by 20 GL to 2,469 GL (64% capacity). Bulk water transfers from Dartmouth to Hume Reservoir continued this week in preparation for meeting future system demands downstream of Hume. Based on current conditions and forecasts, MDBA aims to target a transfer volume of around 85 GL in June and around 180 GL in July. Whilst adjustments to the monthly transfer volumes may occur, overall transfers are expected to continue through winter and spring if below average inflow conditions continue. Further information can be found on the MDBA website.

The release from Dartmouth, measured at Colemans, increased over the week to 4,800 ML/day. The release is planned to gradually reduce toward 3,500 ML/day for the remainder of June, before rising again in July. These variable releases aim to transfer the target volumes to Hume, whilst minimising erosion along the Mitta Mitta River.

Photo1: Inflow to Hume Reservoir from the Mitta Mitta River. Photo courtesy of Alisha Caldwell, MDBA

At Hume Reservoir, the storage volume increased by 70 GL to 700 GL (23% capacity). The Hume release increased to 5,000 ML/day this week as transfers to Lake Victoria increased. MDBA system planning suggests that bulk water transfers from Hume Reservoir to Lake Victoria are required to improve the volume stored in Lake Victoria in readiness for higher system demands later in the season. These transfers are able to commence relatively early in the water year because the risk of them spilling from Lake Victoria is low. The risk is low due to the relatively low water level in Lake Victoria (Figure 1) and BoM’s outlook for drier conditions over winter and early spring. The volumes planned to be transferred in July are expected to occur at rates within channel capacity through the Barmah-Millewa Choke. The volume of bulk water transfers will be regularly re-assessed over the coming months in light of BoM’s rainfall outlooks, Lake Victoria water levels and updated system planning.

• Transfers from Dartmouth to Hume Reservoir to increase in July • Transfers from Hume Reservoir to Lake Victoria increase • Winter fresh in the lower Goulburn River planned for July

River Murray Weekly Report

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

Downstream of Hume Dam, combined inflows from the Kiewa and Ovens Rivers averaged around 4,000 ML/day. Rainfall forecast for the coming week is likely to result in inflows from the Kiewa and Ovens Rivers rising again and releases from Hume reducing.

Downstream at Lake Mulwala the level is currently 124.72 m AHD. The water level is expected to vary over the coming weeks within the normal operating range of 124.6 and 124.9 m AHD. The release from Yarrawonga Weir is 6,500 ML/day and is expected to increase to around 8,800 ML/day in the coming week.

Regulators in the Barmah-Millewa forest will be opened next week on behalf of environmental water entitlement holders to provide connectivity between the river and the floodplain in winter and into spring when river flows are below channel capacity. This action will increase habitat for native fish and improve the transfer of valuable nutrients from the floodplain to the river. These nutrients are the base of a food web that supports the entire river ecosystem including algae, aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates, turtles, fish, platypus and birds. The small additional water loss associated with this action will be debited from environmental water accounts. More information about this environmental watering action can be found in the Goulburn-Broken CMA media release.

The Edward and Gulpa offtakes are currently passing 1,450 and 240 ML/day respectively. Due to increased flows in the River Murray at Picnic Point, WaterNSW have reinstated the gates at Gulpa Creek regulator to manage the flow below the normal maximum regulated rate of 350 ML/day. In early July, the gates at Edward Creek regulator will also need to be reinstated to regulate the flow below 1,600 ML/day. Downstream on the Edward River at Stevens Weir pool, flows of around 170 ML/day are being delivered into Yallakool and Colligen Creeks (Photo 2) on behalf of environmental water holders to provide winter base flows for the benefit of native fish.

Photo 2: Winter flows for the environment currently moving through Colligen Creek, part of the Edward-Wakool River system, NSW. Photo courtesy of CEWO & Charles Sturt University

River Murray Weekly Report

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

Inflow to the Murray from the Goulburn River, measured at McCoys Bridge, averaged 1,000 ML/day. This flow is above the normal minimum flow rate of 350 ML/day due to the delivery of environmental water to benefit native fish in the lower Goulburn River and downstream along the River Murray. The flow at McCoys will likely continue around this rate until the second week of July.

In early July, delivery of an environmental flow pulse at Goulburn Weir is expected to commence. The flow is planned to gradually rise to approximately 9,500 ML/day before slowly receding back to around 1,000 ML/day by the end of July. This winter fresh aims to improve the health of the lower Goulburn River and further downstream along the River Murray all the way to the Murray Mouth and has been planned by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in consultation with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder. For more information visit the Goulburn Broken CMA website.

The flows from the Goulburn environmental watering event is expected to arrive at the Murray in the second week of July. River users in the Echuca district and downstream should be aware that water levels will rise and then fall noticeably as this pulse from the Goulburn River travels downstream.

The current Goulburn IVT balance is around 100 GL. More information regarding current opportunities for allocation trade between the Goulburn and Murray valleys is available at the Victorian water register website.

The diversion at National Channel remained steady near 470 ML/day and is being undertaken (using Victorian held environmental entitlements) to maintain flow in Gunbower Creek for the benefit of native fish.

The Torrumbarry Weir pool remains at the current level of 30 cm below Full Supply Level (FSL). Further lowering of the weir pool by up to 20 cm may be undertaken depending on the flows and ability to maintain suitable river levels at Echuca. The weir pool will be returned to around FSL by early August in time for the commencement of the irrigation season. This action is part of the weir pool variability program and aims to help improve the stability of the river banks and other environmental outcomes within the influence of the weir pool. River users and landholders in the weir pool should remain aware of the changing water level in case adjustments need to be made to pumps, moorings and recreational activities. Further information is available in the Torrumbarry Media Release.

Repairs to the damaged inlet valves at Lock 26 (Torrumbarry) have been completed and passage through the Lock is now open to boat traffic. The release downstream of Torrumbarry Weir is expected to remain steady at around 5,000 ML/day for most of the coming week.

Inflows from the Murrumbidgee River, measured at Balranald, averaged around 1,200 ML/day. This flow is higher than the normal June end of system target of 430 ML/day due to releases from a number of weir pools upstream on the Murrumbidgee River, which are being lowered by WaterNSW to undertake essential maintenance works over winter. The current Murrumbidgee IVT balance is 23 GL. More information regarding current opportunities for allocation trade between the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys is available at the WaterNSW website.

At Euston, the weir pool level is currently targeting 30 cm below FSL. The pool level is likely to vary between 20 cm and 30 cm below FSL in the coming week. The downstream release is around 7,000 ML/day.

In the northern Basin, flows resulting from rainfall in autumn have continued to move steadily downstream. The flow at Wilcannia peaked at 440 ML/day on 17 June and has now receded to 180 ML/day. Upstream at Tilpa, the flow continues to recede and is now 40 ML/day. If any volume reaches the Menindee Lakes it is likely to be small and while positive, will have little impact on the conditions of the lakes and the lower Darling.

Upstream on the Border Rivers and Gwydir River, releases on behalf of environmental water holders are continuing to move downstream and along the Barwon River. These flows continue to provide environmental benefit, recharging parched waterholes, wetlands and landscapes. Flow on the Barwon River reached Boorooma (just upstream of the junction with the Macquarie River) on Wednesday 26 June and is rising (280 ML/day as at 27 June). More information on the fish flow event in the Border River and Gwydir River can be found on the MDBA website and Commonwealth Environmental Water Holders website.

A red level warning (high alert) for blue-green algae remains at Pooncarie on the lower Darling. At Wilcannia on the Darling River, flow and cooler temperatures over recent weeks has helped reduce the alert level from red to amber. A summary of alert levels in New South Wales is available on the WaterNSW website. More information regarding the water quality conditions of the lakes and the lower Darling is available at the WaterNSW website.

River Murray Weekly Report

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

The Menindee Lakes storage volume is 16 GL (1% capacity). WaterNSW continues to manage the Menindee Lakes in accordance with the Lower Darling Annual Operations Plan. WaterNSW has advised that releases at Weir 32 are only planned to recommence when significant inflows are received into the Menindee Lakes. Inflows are currently zero and no significant inflows are expected in the near future. Water restrictions remain in place across much of New South Wales as a result of the widespread drought conditions.

On the Murray at Wentworth Weir, the pool level is currently targeting 10 cm above FSL to assist pumpers in the upper reaches of the Darling River arm of the weir pool whilst there is no inflow from the Darling River. The downstream release was steady, averaging around 5,000 ML/day this week and is expected to gradually rise to around 6,000 ML/day by the end of June.

The Lock 9 pool level is currently varying between FSL and 10 cm below FSL. At Lock 8, the pool level is targeting 40 cm below FSL. The Lock 7 pool level continues to target around 10 cm below FSL.

At Lake Victoria the level was relatively steady, with around 271 GL (40% capacity) of water currently in storage. The level is expected to gradually increase over coming weeks. The water level is low for this time of year with around 90 GL less in storage than for the same time last year. Operating the lake in this way was deliberate, aimed at reducing evaporative loss from the lake through late autumn and winter. This drought management action was approved by Ministerial Council in late 2018. As discussed earlier, bulk transfers from Hume Reservoir are currently underway to boost the volume stored in Lake Victoria, noting that under ongoing dry conditions, the lake is not expected to be filled.

Figure 1 Lake Victoria storage volume for period 2012 to current

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Stor

age

volu

me

(ML)

2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 LV FSL (677 GL)

River Murray Weekly Report

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

The flow to South Australia is targeting around 3,800 ML/day. This flow is being boosted by small volumes of environmental water, originally released from Broken Creek and the Goulburn and Campaspe Rivers.

The Lower Lakes 5-day average water level increased to 0.66 m AHD this week. Around 8 GL was released through the barrages to help improve salinity in the northern Coorong. All fish ways remain open. For more information see the South Australian Department for Environment and Water’s latest River Murray flow report.

For media inquiries contact the Media Officer on 02 6279 0141

ANDREW REYNOLDS Executive Director, River Management

River Murray Weekly Report

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 26 Jun 2019

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 3 856 461.94 2 469 64% 71 2 398 -20 Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 175.83 700 23% 23 677 +70 Lake Victoria 27.00 677 23.26 271 40% 100 171 +2 Menindee Lakes 1 731* 16 1% (- -) # 0 -0 Total 9 269 3 456 37% - - 3 246 +52 Total Active MDBA Storage 38% ^ Major State Storages

Burrinjuck Reservoir 1 026 314 31% 3 311 -1 Blowering Reservoir 1 631 725 44% 24 701 +47 Eildon Reservoir 3 334 1 248 37% 100 1 148 +7

* 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 25 Jun 2019 Storage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2019 Lake Eucumbene - Total 692 -25 Snowy-Murray +39 141 Snowy-Murray Component 338 -30 Tooma-Tumut +7 45 Target Storage 1 240 Net Diversion 32 96 Murray 1 Release +51 186

Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) * New South Wales This Week From 1 July 2018 Victoria This Week From 1 July 2018 Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) 0.0 365 Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) 0.2 215 Wakool Sys Allowance 0.9 64 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) 0 527 Western Murray Irrigation 0.2 26 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 0.6 121 Licensed Pumps n/a 196 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) 1 53 Lower Darling 0.0 7 Licensed pumps - LMW 4.6 402 TOTAL 1.1 658 TOTAL 6.4 1318

* 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 90.0 * Flow this week 29.3 (4 200 ML/day) Flow so far this month 102.7 Flow last month 110.7

Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C) Current Average over the last week Average since 1 August 2018 Swan Hill 70 70 90 Euston - - - Red Cliffs 110 110 110 Merbein 120 110 100 Burtundy (Darling) - - 870 Lock 9 100 100 110 Lake Victoria 130 150 160 Berri 220 220 190 Waikerie 330 320 240 Morgan 330 320 250 Mannum 260 250 290 Murray Bridge 260 260 320 Milang (Lake Alex.) 960 960 940 Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 730 670 740 Meningie (Lake Alb.) 1 810 1 800 1 650 Goolwa Barrages 3 710 4 540 3 750

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 26 Jun 2019

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 - - - 4 600 F 7 180 4 970 Jingellic 4.0 2.00 208.52 7 010 F 8 420 6 620 Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 2.64 219.53 4 990 R 4 300 3 410 Heywoods 5.5 2.10 155.73 3 530 R 2 620 610 Doctors Point 5.5 2.18 150.65 5 990 R 4 810 3 440 Albury 4.3 1.23 148.67 - - - - Corowa 4.6 1.34 127.36 4 570 F 3 990 3 330 Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 1.16 116.20 6 540 S 6 740 5 610 Tocumwal 6.4 1.72 105.56 6 460 F 6 370 4 910 Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 1.93 80.47 5 290 R 4 910 3 970 Swan Hill 4.5 1.09 64.01 5 150 R 4 590 4 260 Wakool Junction 8.8 2.48 51.60 5 840 R 5 550 5 220 Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 1.35 43.19 7 080 S 6 660 5 820 Mildura Weir (d/s) - - 6 230 F 5 930 5 730 Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.77 27.53 5 560 R 5 090 5 040 Rufus Junction - 2.92 19.85 3 490 R 3 660 3 720 Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 0.61 - 3 770 F 4 020 4 400 Tributaries Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 1.99 155.22 2 000 R 2 100 3 020 Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 8.38 146.06 1 460 F 1 990 3 160 Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 1.47 92.89 950 F 990 1 060 Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 1.44 81.21 1 200 F 1 080 630 Edward at Liewah - 1.42 56.80 790 R 750 590 Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.39 54.88 410 F 400 410 Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 1.50 57.46 1 080 F 1 190 840 Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 3.12 - 10 F 10 20 Darling at Bourke 9.0 3.15 - 0 F 0 0 Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.50 - 0 F 0 0 Natural Inflow to Hume 4 670 11 890

(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 -0.18 - No. 7 Rufus River 22.10 -0.10 +0.60 No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 -0.30 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 -0.03 +0.00 No. 15 Euston 47.60 -0.27 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.01 +0.10 No. 11 Mildura 34.40 -3.40 +0.20 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.03 +0.45 No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 +0.10 +0.13 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.06 +0.18 No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 -0.11 -0.39 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 +0.04 +0.12 No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 -0.39 -0.06 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 +0.03 -0.14

Lower Lakes FSL = 0.75 m AHD Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) 0.66

Barrages Fishways at Barrages Openings Level (m AHD) No. Open Rock Ramp Vertical Slot 1 Vertical Slot 2 Dual Vertical Slots Goolwa 128 openings 0.72 1 - Open Open - Mundoo 26 openings 0.70 All closed - - - Open Hunters Creek - - - - Open - - Boundary Creek 6 openings - 1 - Open - - Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - - - Open Tauwitchere 322 gates 0.71 2 Open Open Open - AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level

Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages

Week ending Wednesday 26 Jun 2019

State Allocations for 2019-20 (as at 26 Jun 2019)

NSW - Murray Valley Victorian - Murray Valley High security TBA% General security TBA%

High reliability TBA% Low reliability TBA%

NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley

Victorian - Goulburn Valley High security TBA% General security TBA%

High reliability TBA% Low reliability TBA%

NSW - Lower Darling

South Australia – Murray Valley High security TBA% General security TBA%

High security 26%

NSW : https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/allocations-availability/allocations/summary

VIC : http://nvrm.net.au/seasonal-determinations/current

SA : http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/river-murray