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River Murray Weekly Report For the week ending Wednesday, 9 October 2019

Trim Ref: D19/45731

Rainfall and inflows The only notable rainfall in the Murray-Darling Basin was recorded along the Great Dividing Range and upper Murray catchments (Map 1). Some of the highest totals included 23 mm at Khancoban in the New South Wales southwestern slopes, 16 mm at Perisher (just outside the Basin in the Snowy Mountains) and 15 mm at Mt. William in the Grampians.

Map 1: Rainfall totals for week ending 9th October (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

Only modest responses were observed in the upper tributaries of the River Murray System following this week’s rain. 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

River operations The MDBA total active storage reduced by 76 GL to 3,756 GL (45% capacity).

At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage decreased by 29 GL to 2,200 GL (57% capacity). Releases are continuing from Dartmouth aimed at transferring water to Hume to support expected system demands in the months ahead. A target transfer volume of around 150 GL is expected for October.

Over the last week the releases from Dartmouth, measured at Colemans, peaked at 7,600 ML/day before receding to 6,100 ML/day. The release is expected to continue gradually recede over the coming week. 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.

Photo 1 – Mitta Mitta River downstream of Eskdale (Photo courtesy of Myles Hardge)

At Hume Reservoir, the storage decreased by 19 GL to 1,223 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 across the dam wall can be found on the WaterNSW website.

The release from Hume Dam is currently 11,000 ML/day. Releases are expected to gradually fall over the coming week. Downstream of Hume, tributary inflows from the Kiewa River at Bandiana and the Ovens River at Wangaratta both averaged around 1,600 ML/day over the past week.

At Lake Mulwala, the pool level is currently 124.71 m AHD and is expected to remain within the normal operating range of 124.6 to 124.9 m AHD in the coming week. Diversions to the Mulwala Canal and Yarrawonga Main Channel (YMC) are around 950 ML/day and 400 ML/day respectively.

• Flows downstream of Yarrawonga reducing by 500 ML/day as environmental water deliveries wind down.

• Environmental flow pulse in the lower Goulburn is now receding. • Weir pool levels rise at Locks 15, 8 & 7.

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Since early September, releases from Yarrawonga Weir targeted 15,000 ML/day on behalf of environmental water holders who identified inundation of the Barmah-Millewa Forest as a key watering action for this year. This week the release began falling by 500 ML/day as the spring watering action comes to an end. 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 a planned environmental pulse from the Goulburn and Campaspe 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 offtake remain around 1,550 ML/day while the Gulpa is approximately 710 ML/day and reducing over the coming week as environmental watering of Reed Beds swamp ceases. Further downstream, around 1,900 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 flowing into the Yallakool and Colligen Creeks, and downstream of Stevens Weir (3,600 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 remain steady as return flows reach the Murray.

Inflow from the Goulburn River, measured at McCoys Bridge, fell this week from 7,900 ML/day to 5,600 ML/day as the peak of the environmental spring pulse passed. The timing of these flows has been co-ordinated with the spring watering event on the River Murray. For more information see the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and their latest watering releases. Flows in the Campaspe River at Rochester have remained steady around 150 ML/day.

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.

Downstream at Torrumbarry weir pool, diversions to Koondrook-Perricoota Forest continue 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 1,400 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.

The Torrumbarry Weir pool is currently at Full Supply Level (FSL) (86.05 m AHD). Downstream of Torrumbarry Weir, the release has decreased to 14,700 ML/day after reaching a peak of 15,600 ML/day on Friday.

Inflow from the Murrumbidgee River, measured at Balranald, is currently around 900 ML/day and is expected to rise over the coming week as delivery of IVT begins. 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.

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 incorporated into this planning. Further information is available through WaterNSW operations updates and will also be provided as part of the October update to the Annual Operating Outlook, scheduled to be published on the MDBA website during November.

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Photo 2: – Junction of the Campaspe and River Murray at Echuca, looking downstream (Photo courtesy of Jacqui Hickey, MDBA)

At Euston, the weir pool level has averaged 50 cm above FSL over the past week, and will continue 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 15,800 ML/day and is expected to peak over the coming week.

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

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.

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 reached 13,000 ML/day, with the peak of the spring pulse to pass in the next fortnight.

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 targeting 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

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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.

At Lake Victoria, water storage decreased by 27 GL to 527 GL (78% capacity). The flow to South Australia increased this week to 13,500 ML/day. The flow will continue to be increased over the coming weeks as the 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 has remained at 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 09 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 3 856 456.38 2 200 57% 71 2 129 -29 Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 180.77 1 223 41% 23 1 200 -19 Lake Victoria 27.00 677 25.73 527 78% 100 427 -27 Menindee Lakes 1 731* 13 1% (- -) # 0 -0 Total 9 269 3 963 43% - - 3 756 -76 Total Active MDBA Storage 45% ^ Major State Storages

Burrinjuck Reservoir 1 026 346 34% 3 343 +0 Blowering Reservoir 1 631 952 58% 24 928 +8 Eildon Reservoir 3 334 1 554 47% 100 1 454 -21

* 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 Oct 2019 Storage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2019 Lake Eucumbene - Total 954 +31 Snowy-Murray +0 230 Snowy-Murray Component 449 +53 Tooma-Tumut +2 154 Target Storage 1 400 Net Diversion -2 76 Murray 1 Release +2 360

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) 4.8 77 Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) 3.9 32 Wakool Sys Allowance 0.0 15 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) N/A 52 Western Murray Irrigation 0.2 3 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 2.1 14 Licensed Pumps 2.0 17 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) N/A 2 Lower Darling 0.0 0 Licensed pumps - LMW 4.6 44 TOTAL 7.0 112 TOTAL 11.7 144

* 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) * SA has chosen to take less than entitlement for this month. Flow to SA will be greater than the reduced entitlement flow for this month due to environmental water.

Entitlement this month 136.4 * Flow this week 93.0 (13 300 ML/day) Flow so far this month 116.2 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 60 80 80 Euston - - - Red Cliffs 50 50 60 Merbein 90 90 100 Burtundy (Darling) - - - Lock 9 90 100 100 Lake Victoria 100 100 110 Berri 130 140 160 Waikerie 220 230 250 Morgan 220 240 260 Mannum 280 270 310 Murray Bridge 290 290 360 Milang (Lake Alex.) 910 890 870 Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 780 700 820 Meningie (Lake Alb.) 1 620 1 640 1 680 Goolwa Barrages 1 210 1 260 2 530

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River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 09 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 - - - 2 060 F 2 540 2 470 Jingellic 4.0 1.67 208.19 4 210 F 4 040 4 240 Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 2.88 219.77 6 490 F 6 760 5 230 Heywoods 5.5 2.85 156.48 12 160 F 13 290 13 320 Doctors Point 5.5 2.84 151.31 13 160 F 14 600 14 970 Albury 4.3 1.85 149.29 - - - - Corowa 4.6 2.95 128.97 14 280 F 14 800 15 050 Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 2.21 117.25 14 510 F 14 980 15 110 Tocumwal 6.4 2.88 106.72 15 370 S 15 400 15 370 Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 4.30 82.84 14 750 F 15 300 13 880 Swan Hill 4.5 2.59 65.51 15 140 S 14 740 11 440 Wakool Junction 8.8 4.89 54.01 17 840 R 16 780 12 760 Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 2.71 44.55 15 850 S 14 710 11 730 Mildura Weir (d/s) - - 14 480 F 13 250 9 830 Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 3.35 28.11 13 270 R 11 500 8 570 Rufus Junction - 4.40 21.33 12 750 F 12 330 9 840 Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 1.13 - 11 870 R 11 020 8 940 Tributaries Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 1.82 155.05 1 680 F 1 630 1 970 Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 8.32 146.00 1 400 F 1 510 2 080 Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 3.82 95.24 5 610 F 6 690 7 230 Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 2.89 82.66 3 600 S 3 500 3 350 Edward at Liewah - 2.75 58.13 2 180 R 2 120 2 010 Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.80 55.29 1 570 R 1 470 1 320 Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 1.35 57.31 940 R 970 1 540 Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 2.26 - 0 F 0 0 Darling at Bourke 9.0 2.57 - 0 F 0 0 Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.50 - 0 F 0 0 Natural Inflow to Hume 8 810 7 770

(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 -0.19 - No. 7 Rufus River 22.10 +0.57 +2.08 No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 -0.00 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 +0.02 +0.55 No. 15 Euston 47.60 +0.54 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.03 +0.54 No. 11 Mildura 34.40 +0.04 +0.58 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.03 +1.35 No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 +0.12 +0.71 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.04 +0.73 No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 +0.04 +1.06 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 +0.22 +0.60 No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 +0.90 +0.89 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 +0.02 +0.38

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 0.87 3 - Open Open - Mundoo 26 openings 0.84 All closed - - - Open Hunters Creek - - - - Open - - Boundary Creek 6 openings - 1 - Open - - Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - - - Open Tauwitchere 322 gates 0.92 6 Open Open Open - AHD = Level relative to Australian Height Datum, i.e. height above sea level

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Week ending Wednesday 09 Oct 2019

State Allocations (as at 09 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 87%

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