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River Murray Weekly Report For the week ending Wednesday, 2 October 2019

Trim Ref: D19/44802

September 2019 summary The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reports that area averaged rainfall across the Murray-Darling Basin was 10.9 mm in September, the ninth lowest in 120 years of records. The vast majority of the Basin received below average to very much below average rainfall, with areas in Queensland and New South Wales recording their lowest September rainfall on record (Map 1). Once again upper Murray catchments recorded below average rainfall.

Given the ongoing dry conditions, River Murray system inflows for September were very low, with about 305 GL of system inflow (excludes environmental, IVT and Snowy scheme contributions) which is in the lowest 4% of September months on record.

Map 1- September rainfall deciles across the Murray-Darling Basin (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

According to the BoM 3 month rainfall outlook the dry conditions experienced over the past couple of months are likely to persist, with the latest outlook (Map 2) indicating that rainfall over most of Australia, including the Murray-Darling Basin, is unlikely to exceed median between October and December.

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The BoM reports that it has been the second-warmest January–September on record for Australia. Along the Murray, September minimum temperatures were below average while maximum temperatures were near average to above average (Map 3). Looking ahead, the temperature outlook suggests maximum temperatures are very likely to be above median over the coming three months. Coupled with the rainfall outlook, a dry and hot spring and early summer looks likely.

Map 2- The BoM 3 month rainfall outlook suggests more dry months are ahead.

Map 3 – Minimum and maximum temperature deciles for September 2019 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology).

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Weekly rainfall and inflows The only notable rainfall in the Murray-Darling Basin over the past week was in Queensland, which included 32 mm at Oakington in the upper East Darling Downs. Over the next week the dry conditions are forecast to continue, with negligible rainfall in the current BoM 8-day forecast.

Map 4 - Rainfall totals for week ending 2nd October (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

Given the lack of rainfall, upper tributaries of the River Murray System receded during this week. For specific information about flows at key locations in the upper Murray catchment including Hinnomunjie Bridge on the upper Mitta Mitta River, Biggara on the upper Murray, Bandiana on the Kiewa River as well as Peechelba on the 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.

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River operations

System operations With ongoing dry conditions, MDBA has been transferring water from Dartmouth Reservoir to Hume Reservoir and from Hume Reservoir to Lake Victoria to prepare the River Murray System to meet increasing consumptive demands over the warmer months. As conditions warm and environmental releases ease during October, the focus of operations will transition from delivering environmental water to delivering consumptive water.

River operations The MDBA total active storage reduced by 71 GL to 3,833 GL (45% capacity).

Figure 1: MDBA active storage since 2000.

At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage decreased by 19 GL to 2,230 GL (58% capacity). Dartmouth releases are continuing to transfer water to Hume to support expected system demands in the months ahead. Close to 135 GL was transferred from Dartmouth to Hume during September. A transfer volume of around 150 GL is expected for October.

Over the last week releases from Dartmouth, measured at Colemans, gradually reduced from 6,000 ML/day to 3,500 ML/day and is expected to increase to around 7,600 ML/day in the coming days. Dartmouth releases will continue to be varied in a manner that will transfer the required volume to Hume Dam, whilst seeking to minimise erosion along the lower Mitta Mitta River.

At Hume Reservoir, the storage reduced by 26 GL to 1,243 GL (41% capacity). WaterNSW is currently undertaking scheduled maintenance works at Hume Dam to refurbish the irrigation penstocks and emergency closure gates. Works are expected to be completed by the end of 2021. More information regarding these works and access

• Flows downstream of Yarrawonga maintained at 15,000 ML/day as environmental water deliveries continue before starting to wind down in mid-October.

• Environmental flow pulse from the lower Goulburn reaches the Murray. • Weir pool levels rise at Locks 15, 8 & 7.

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across the dam wall can be found on the WaterNSW website. The release from Hume Dam is currently 13,500 ML/day and is expected to be relatively steady over the coming week in order to meet downstream demands.

Photo 1: Over the last month Hume Reservoir storage levels have slowly declined as inflows reduce and downstream demands increase. (Source: Craig Hardge, MDBA)

Downstream of Hume, tributary inflows from the Kiewa River at Bandiana and the Ovens River at Wangaratta both averaged around 2,000 ML/day over the past week.

At Lake Mulwala, the pool level is expected to remain within the normal operating range of 124.6 to 124.9 m AHD over the coming week. Diversions to the Mulwala Canal and Yarrawonga Main Channel (YMC) are around 1,000 ML/day and 750 ML/day respectively.

The release downstream of Yarrawonga Weir continues to target 15,000 ML/day on behalf of environmental water holders who have identified inundation of the Barmah-Millewa Forest as a key watering action for this year. Water consumed in the Barmah-Millewa Forest is debited from entitlements held by environmental water holders. Water flowing back into the river from the forest, known as ‘return flows’, has been coordinated with the recent environmental pulses from the Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers, providing ecological benefits along the length of the River Murray to the Coorong in South Australia.

Updates on environmental watering actions and monitoring during spring 2019 are available from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office website. For more information on how environmental water is helping to improve the health of rivers in the Basin see the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website and the latest fact sheet and update from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.

Flows through the Edward and Gulpa offtakes are remain near 1,550 and 720 ML/day respectively, with the diversion to Gulpa Creek at this higher rate delivering environmental water to the Gulpa wetlands. Further downstream, around 1,800 ML/day of environmental water is returning from the Millewa Forest into the Edward River. This return flow is boosting the flow at Toonalook to around 4,100 ML/day. Environmental water is then

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flowing into the Yallakool and Colligen Creeks, and downstream of Stevens Weir (3,400 ML/day) including through anabranch channels in Werai forest and into the Niemur River.

On the Murray, return flows from Barmah forest continue to gradually increase and have boosted the flow rate at Barmah to 9,400 ML/day. Over the coming week this rate is expected to slowly increase as more return flows reach the Murray.

On the Goulburn River, the current Goulburn IVT balance is over 240 GL. More information regarding current opportunities for allocation trade between the Goulburn and Murray valleys is available at the Victorian water register website.

Inflow from the Goulburn River, measured at McCoys Bridge, increased this week from 5,500 ML/day to 7,900 ML/day as the peak of the environmental spring pulse enters the Murray. The timing of these flows has been co-ordinated with the spring watering event on the River Murray. The recent environmental watering action in the Campaspe River is near an end, with the flow at Rochester having receded from a peak of 1,500 ML/day to the current 150 ML/day. For more information see the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and their latest watering releases.

The Goulburn spring pulse is combining with upstream Murray flows to provide a short-lived higher flow downstream of the confluence of the Goulburn with the Murray. Over the last fortnight this has increased the Echuca river level from around 87.4 m AHD to the current level near 88.4 m AHD (Photo 2). This is well below the river level observed during high inflow events in recent years and is approximately 5 m below the Echuca Minor Flood Level (Figure 1). In the coming days the Echuca river level will decrease as the peak of the pulse travels downstream, delivering water to low-lying wetlands and improving ecosystem productivity along the Murray channel. Any water consumed by the environment from this action is debited from environmental water holder retail accounts.

Photo 2: The River Murray at the Echuca boat ramp near the peak of the current environmental pulse. (Source: Scott Thompson, Goulburn-Murray Water)

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Figure 1: River Murray heights at Echuca since June 2016.

Downstream at Torrumbarry weir pool, diversions to Koondrook-Perricoota Forest are continuing at around 500 ML/day. This is providing low-level inundation of parts of the forest that haven’t received water since extensive natural flooding during 2016. The MDBA ‘Basin Environmental Watering Priorities 2019-20’ identify Koondrook-Perricoota Forest as a priority site to receive water this year. In total around 30 GL is expected to be delivered by mid-October. This is expected to inundate approximately 4,500 ha, or just over 10% of the forest.

The diversion to National Channel has remained steady near 1,300 ML/day this week. Aside from meeting irrigation demand, a portion of this flow is being used to maintain base flows through Gunbower Creek to benefit native fish. Much of this flow is returning to the River Murray at Barham via Koondrook spillway. As with other environmental actions, the additional loss attributed to maintaining this action is debited from held environmental entitlements.

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Photo 3: Top – Carbon-rich water returning from Gunbower Forest to the Murray, via Shillinglaw Regulator. Clockwise from middle left – Long-necked turtle, Red-Bellied Black Snake, Whistling Kite and a yellow variant of Crimson Rosella, all photos taken in and around Gunbower Forest. Source: Patrick Ross-Magee, MDBA.

The Torrumbarry Weir pool is currently at Full Supply Level (FSL) (86.05 m AHD). Downstream of Torrumbarry Weir, the release has increased to 15,300 ML/day and is expected to peak in the next few days.

Inflow from the Murrumbidgee River, measured at Balranald, is currently around the September end of system target of 1,300 ML/day and is expected to ease over the coming days. The Murrumbidgee IVT balance is currently above 100 GL, and trade from the Murrumbidgee to the Murray is closed. Trade will remain closed until the account reduces below 85 GL. This could occur from trade from the Murray back to the Murrumbidgee, and/or from IVT deliveries from the Murrumbidgee to the Murray which are expected to commence in the coming month.

MDBA regularly reviews its operations planning to account for changes in catchment and climatic conditions as well as water availability. The increased water available to be delivered from the Murrumbidgee IVT account has been

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incorporated into this planning. Further information will be provided as part of the October update to the Annual Operating Outlook, scheduled to be published on the MDBA website during November.

At Euston, the weir pool level is currently 45 cm above FSL and is being slowly raised to target around 50 to 60 cm above FSL as part of the weir pool variability program. Varying pool levels helps restore a more natural wetting and drying cycle to riverbanks and adjacent wetlands within the influence of the weir pool. The downstream release has increased to 13,000 ML/day and expected to slowly increase over the coming fortnight as upstream environmental releases arrive.

Downstream of Euston Weir, around 140 ML/day of environmental water is being pumped into Lake Kramen within the Hattah Lakes system.

Photo 4: Sunrise at Lake Cullulleraine near Lock 9 and grapevines bursting into bloom at Euston. Source: Adam McLean, MDBA

The Menindee Lakes storage is approximately 13 GL (less than 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. In anticipation of hot and dry conditions over the coming summer, fish scientists will relocate fish contained within drying pools (that are not expected to last through summer) downstream to the lower Darling arm of the Wentworth Weir pool (within the influence of the River Murray). More information is available at the NSW government website.

As a result of the widespread drought conditions in NSW, extensive water restrictions are likely to remain in place. More information on drought management activities in NSW can be found on the NSW Government website - Drought Hub.

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 remained near 8,200 ML/day for most of the week but will increase over the next few weeks.

At Locks 8 and 7, the pool levels are being varied as part of the weir pool variability program. At Lock 8 the pool is rising to target between 75 cm and 85 cm above FSL and at Lock 7 the pool is targeting 55 cm above FSL. Whilst the pool levels are surcharged above FSL, regulators have been opened to allow water to flow through the upper reaches of Potterwalkagee Creek (around Lock 8) and Lindsay River (around Lock 7) and reconnect with the River Murray for the benefit of native fish. The additional use attributed to surcharging these weir pools and maintaining flows in these creeks is debited from entitlements held by environmental water holders.

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At Lake Victoria, water storage decreased by 25 GL to 554 GL (82% capacity). The level peaked last week at 585 GL (85% capacity).

The flow to South Australia increased this week from 9,500 ML/day to the current rate near 11,500 ML/day. The flow will continue to be increased over the coming weeks as more environmental water released from Hume Dam and the Goulburn arrives during October. Due to low water resource availability in the Murray-Darling Basin, South Australia is currently receiving a reduced monthly base Entitlement flow. During October, the monthly volume has been reduced from the normal 170.5 GL to 136.4 GL. For more information see the South Australian Department for Environment and Water’s latest River Murray flow report.

The Lower Lakes 5-day average water level improved by 6 cm to 0.82 m AHD. Barrage releases during the week have provided environmental cues and connection to support the movement of several migratory fish species, including the short-headed lamprey which can travel large distances from the Southern Ocean to spawning grounds in upstream reaches of the River Murray System.

For media inquiries contact the Media Officer on 02 6279 0141

ANDREW REYNOLDS Executive Director, River Management

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Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 02 Oct 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 3 856 457.00 2 230 58% 71 2 159 -19 Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 180.93 1 243 41% 23 1 220 -26 Lake Victoria 27.00 677 25.96 554 82% 100 454 -25 Menindee Lakes 1 731* 13 1% (- -) # 0 -0 Total 9 269 4 040 44% - - 3 833 -71 Total Active MDBA Storage 45% ^ Major State Storages

Burrinjuck Reservoir 1 026 346 34% 3 343 +1 Blowering Reservoir 1 631 944 58% 24 920 +4 Eildon Reservoir 3 334 1 575 47% 100 1 475 -27

* 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 01 Oct 2019 Storage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2019 Lake Eucumbene - Total 923 +19 Snowy-Murray +0 230 Snowy-Murray Component 397 +30 Tooma-Tumut +10 152 Target Storage 1 400 Net Diversion -10 78 Murray 1 Release +9 358

Major Diversions from Murray and Lower Darling (GL) * New South Wales This Week From 1 July 2019 Victoria This Week From 1 July 2019 Murray Irrig. Ltd (Net) 4.9 72 Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) 4.1 28 Wakool Sys Allowance 0.0 15 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) 0.1 46 Western Murray Irrigation 0.2 3 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 2.1 11 Licensed Pumps 2.4 15 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) 1 2 Lower Darling 0.0 0 Licensed pumps - LMW 4.6 35 TOTAL 7.5 105 TOTAL 11.9 122

* 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 170.0 * Flow this week 75.4 (10 800 ML/day) Flow so far this month 23.3 Flow last month 205.8

Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C) Current Average over the last week Average since 1 August 2019 Swan Hill 100 90 80 Euston - - - Red Cliffs 40 40 60 Merbein 90 90 100 Burtundy (Darling) - - 1 220 Lock 9 100 110 100 Lake Victoria 100 100 110 Berri 150 160 160 Waikerie 250 300 250 Morgan 300 300 260 Mannum 270 280 320 Murray Bridge 300 320 360 Milang (Lake Alex.) 900 880 870 Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 820 800 830 Meningie (Lake Alb.) 1 660 1 660 1 680 Goolwa Barrages 1 290 1 360 2 670

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River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 02 Oct 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 - - - 2 240 F 2 470 2 900 Jingellic 4.0 1.90 208.42 6 060 R 4 240 5 490 Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 2.44 219.33 4 060 F 5 230 5 630 Heywoods 5.5 3.04 156.67 13 700 R 13 320 11 220 Doctors Point 5.5 3.00 151.47 15 190 R 14 970 13 990 Albury 4.3 2.01 149.45 - - - - Corowa 4.6 3.05 129.07 14 960 F 15 050 13 110 Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 2.28 117.32 15 130 S 15 110 15 070 Tocumwal 6.4 2.89 106.73 15 420 S 15 370 15 380 Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 4.42 82.96 15 290 R 13 880 9 160 Swan Hill 4.5 2.34 65.26 13 530 R 11 440 7 870 Wakool Junction 8.8 4.33 53.45 14 670 R 12 760 9 580 Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 2.26 44.10 12 960 R 11 730 10 000 Mildura Weir (d/s) - - 11 290 F 9 850 9 070 Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 3.12 27.88 9 890 R 8 570 8 200 Rufus Junction - 4.14 21.07 10 850 R 9 840 6 670 Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 0.89 - 9 680 R 8 940 5 650 Tributaries Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 1.82 155.05 1 680 F 1 970 3 080 Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 8.48 146.16 1 770 F 2 080 2 980 Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 4.66 96.08 7 860 F 7 230 2 700 Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 2.81 82.58 3 430 F 3 350 3 170 Edward at Liewah - 2.65 58.03 2 050 R 2 010 1 870 Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.74 55.23 1 350 R 1 320 930 Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 1.73 57.69 1 310 F 1 540 1 210 Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 2.34 - 0 F 0 0 Darling at Bourke 9.0 2.64 - 0 F 0 0 Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.49 - 0 F 0 0 Natural Inflow to Hume 7 780 11 690

(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 -0.15 - No. 7 Rufus River 22.10 +0.57 +1.82 No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 +0.00 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 +0.04 +0.36 No. 15 Euston 47.60 +0.45 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.00 +0.40 No. 11 Mildura 34.40 +0.00 +0.36 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.02 +1.19 No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 +0.07 +0.48 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.06 +0.66 No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 -0.01 +0.93 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 +0.27 +0.45 No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 +0.83 +0.79 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 -0.01 +0.14

Lower Lakes FSL = 0.75 m AHD Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) 0.82

Barrages Fishways at Barrages Openings Level (m AHD) No. Open Rock Ramp Vertical Slot 1 Vertical Slot 2 Dual Vertical Slots Goolwa 128 openings 0.91 3 - Open Open - Mundoo 26 openings 0.87 All closed - - - Open Hunters Creek - - - - Open - - Boundary Creek 6 openings - 1 - Open - - Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - - - Open Tauwitchere 322 gates 1.00 6 Open Open Open - AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level

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Week ending Wednesday 02 Oct 2019

State Allocations (as at 02 Oct 2019)

NSW - Murray Valley Victorian - Murray Valley High security 97% General security 0%

High reliability 38% Low reliability 0%

NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley

Victorian - Goulburn Valley High security 95% General security 6%

High reliability 48% Low reliability 0%

NSW - Lower Darling

South Australia – Murray Valley High security 30% General security 0%

High security 81%

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