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Subscribe to the River Murray Weekly Report River Data website Water in Storages River Murray Weekly Report For the week ending Wednesday, 13 March 2019 Trim Ref: D19/11472 Rainfall and inflows Conditions were dry across much of the Murray‐Darling Basin this week (Map 1). Patchy rainfall was mostly light and generally confined to the slopes and ranges (Map 1). However higher totals were recorded in the north‐east of the Basin and included 50 mm at Glen Innes airport and 36 mm at Inverell SCS in the NSW Northern Tablelands and 31 mm at Meandarra in Queensland’s Darling Downs. In the southern Basin lesser totals included 15 mm at Captains Flat in the NSW southern tablelands, 14 mm at Mount William in the Victorian Wimmera and 15 mm at Mount Wombat in the northeast of Victoria. Over the coming week, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting rainfall along the ranges but dry and very warm conditions further west. Map 1 ‐ Murray‐Darling Basin rainfall map week ending 13 March 2019 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology). Light and patchy rainfall had little impact on stream flows in the upper Murray this week. Flow in the upper Mitta Mitta River at Hinnomunjie remained low averaging around 120 ML/day. Flow in the upper Murray at Biggara averaged 160 ML/day. Downstream from Hume Reservoir inflows from the Kiewa River, measured at Bandiana, averaged 260 ML/day, while inflows from the Ovens River, measured at Wangaratta, averaged 270 ML/day.

River Murray Weekly Report€¦ · support a fishing event over the weekend. Inflow to the Murray from the Goulburn River, measured at McCoys Bridge, has increased to 1,600 ML/day

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Page 1: River Murray Weekly Report€¦ · support a fishing event over the weekend. Inflow to the Murray from the Goulburn River, measured at McCoys Bridge, has increased to 1,600 ML/day

 

 

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

River Murray Weekly Report For the week ending Wednesday, 13 March 2019 

Trim Ref: D19/11472 

Rainfall and inflows Conditions were dry across much of the Murray‐Darling Basin this week (Map 1). Patchy rainfall was mostly light and generally confined to the slopes and ranges (Map 1). However higher totals were recorded in the north‐east of the Basin and included 50 mm at Glen Innes airport and 36 mm at Inverell SCS in the NSW Northern Tablelands and 31 mm at Meandarra in Queensland’s Darling Downs. In the southern Basin lesser totals included 15 mm at Captains Flat in the NSW southern tablelands, 14 mm at Mount William in the Victorian Wimmera and 15 mm at Mount Wombat in the northeast of Victoria. Over the coming week, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting rainfall along the ranges but dry and very warm conditions further west. 

 

Map 1 ‐ Murray‐Darling Basin rainfall map week ending 13 March 2019 (Source: Bureau of Meteorology). 

Light and patchy rainfall had little impact on stream flows in the upper Murray this week. Flow in the upper Mitta Mitta River at Hinnomunjie remained low averaging around 120 ML/day. Flow in the upper Murray at Biggara averaged 160 ML/day.   Downstream from Hume Reservoir inflows from the Kiewa River, measured at Bandiana, averaged 260 ML/day, while inflows from the Ovens River, measured at Wangaratta, averaged 270 ML/day. 

Page 2: River Murray Weekly Report€¦ · support a fishing event over the weekend. Inflow to the Murray from the Goulburn River, measured at McCoys Bridge, has increased to 1,600 ML/day

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River operations

 

River operations The MDBA active storage volume decreased by 87 GL this week to 3,291 GL (39% capacity).  

Dartmouth Reservoir (Photo 1) storage volume decreased by 5 GL to 2,447 GL (63% capacity). The release from Dartmouth, measured at Colemans, is currently around 600 ML/day. This rate is above the normal minimum flow of 300 ML/day and is being delivered on behalf of Goulburn‐Murray Water to assist pumpers on the Mitta Mitta River (Photo 2). Transfers from Dartmouth to Hume have currently ceased as climatic conditions and system demands have eased. The need for any further transfers during autumn will continue to be reviewed and will depend on the storage volume in Hume which is influenced by releases from the Snowy Hydro Scheme, natural inflows as well as releases from Hume to meet system demands.  

The decision to re‐commence transfers from Dartmouth and Hume over the coming months will aim to:  

maximise water availability for the year ahead  

ensure there is sufficient water in Hume to meet early winter system demands should conditions remain dry, and 

vary flow rates below the channel capacity of the Mitta Mitta River to help protect vulnerable river banks from erosion.  

 

Photo 1 – Dartmouth Reservoir at 63% capacity (Source: Hugo Bowman, MDBA). 

Transfers from Dartmouth to Hume Reservoir cease for now 

Small volumes continue to be transferred around the Barmah choke via Murray Irrigation Limited and Goulburn‐Murray Water channel escapes    

All consumptive demands continue to be met and the risk of a delivery shortfall this season remains low 

Delivery of Goulburn Valley IVT increases to help meet autumn irrigation demand in the Murray  

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Photo 2 – Mitta Mitta River at Mitta Mitta (Source: Alisha Caldwell, MBA). 

At Hume Reservoir (Photo 3), the storage volume continued to decline, reducing by 59 GL to 746 GL (25% capacity). The release from Hume has averaged around 11,600 ML/day this week. 

 

Photo 3 – Sandy Creek arm of Lake Hume at 26% capacity (Source: Hugo Bowman, MDBA). 

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Further downstream at Yarrawonga Weir,  the diversion  to Yarrawonga Main Channel averaged near 650 ML/day, with 120 ML/day of this water returning to the Murray via Broken Creek. On the New South Wales side, Mulwala Canal diversion gradually increased from 950 ML/day to near 1,200 ML/day with 90 ML/day of this water released into the River Murray (via Perricoota escape). In addition, around 100 ML/day of this diversion is being transferred to the Billabong Creek via Finley escape on behalf of WaterNSW to help meet irrigation demands on the lower Billabong Creek and the 50 ML/day end of system target at Darlot. The release from Yarrawonga Weir increased this week to target around 8,800 ML/day. This release provides a flow of around channel capacity through the Barmah Choke. 

Flows at the Edward River and Gulpa Creek offtakes remain around their normal summer regulated flow rates near 1,600  ML/day  and  350  ML/day  respectively.  The  flow  downstream  of  Stevens Weir  averaged  850 ML/day,  but reached as  low as 600 ML/day as WaterNSW captured water to raise the water  level  in the Stevens Weir pool to support a fishing event over the weekend. 

Inflow to the Murray from the Goulburn River, measured at McCoys Bridge, has increased to 1,600 ML/day. The flow is expected to increase further over the coming week to around 2,800 ML/day. The majority of this flow is Goulburn Valley Inter Valley Trade (IVT) water that is being delivered to help meet demands on the River Murray as a result of trade from the Goulburn to the Murray Valley. A sustained call of IVT from the Goulburn Valley is likely to continue during  March  and  extend  into  April  if  conditions  remain  dry.  Information  regarding  current  opportunities  for allocation trade between the Goulburn and Murray valleys is available at the Victorian water register website. 

National Channel diversions remained around 1,650 ML/day this week, but are forecast to increase to 2,000 ML/day early  in the coming week to meet anticipated increased autumn irrigation demands. However, demands in March 2019 are expected to continue to trend lower than in previous years (Figure 1) as irrigators factor the outlook for rainfall over the coming months and water availability in 2019‐20 into forward planning.  

 

Figure 1 –Diversions to National Channel during March for the period 2014 to 2019. 

   

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The release downstream of Torrumbarry Weir averaged 5,400 ML/day. The release is expected to increase over the coming  week  as  delivery  of  IVT  from  the  Goulburn  River  increases.  Lock  26  at  Torrumbarry  remains  closed  to undertake urgent repairs. This temporary closure of the lock does not affect the normal operation of Torrumbarry Weir in terms of river flow and water supply. More information can be found on the Goulburn‐Murray Water website.  

This week inflows from the Murrumbidgee River, measured at Balranald, averaged 470 ML/day. This  is above the normal end of system target flow and includes the delivery of environmental water to help improve water quality in the lower reaches of the Murrumbidgee River. Delivery of water on behalf of environmental water holders is expected to continue into early April. More information regarding this water for the environment can be found on the MDBA website.  The Murrumbidgee IVT balance is currently only 2.6 GL, preventing the MDBA from calling water from the Murrumbidgee to help meet Murray system demands.  

At Euston,  the weir pool  is  targeting around FSL. The downstream release has decreased  to 7,400 ML/day and  is expected to continue to recede over the coming week.  

A red level warning (high alert) for blue‐green algae is current at a number of sites along the Darling River including Menindee Lakes. A  summary of alert  levels  in New South Wales  is available on  the WaterNSW website.   Current environmental conditions are well suited to algal growth due to prevailing fine and warm weather and warm water temperatures and low or no flow conditions. The poor water quality conditions in the river has led to fish deaths in the lower Darling River. More information regarding the water quality conditions of the lakes and the lower Darling is available at the WaterNSW website. Information on factors that affect fish is available from NSW Department of Primary Industries website.  Information on drought impacts across the Murray‐Darling Basin including on fish and operations is available on the MDBA website.  

The Menindee Lakes storage volume decreased by 2 GL to 25 GL (1% capacity). WaterNSW continues to manage the Menindee  Lakes  in  accordance  with  the  Lower  Darling  Annual  Operations  Plan.  As  part  of  drought  contingency measures  within  this  plan, WaterNSW  has  installed  four  temporary  block  banks  across  the  lower  Darling  below Pooncarie near Jamesville, below Burtundy near Ashvale, and upstream of Pooncarie at Court Nareen and Karoola. Water held in these pools will assist in maintaining supply to domestic, stock and permanent plantings along the lower Darling.  

The  release  from Weir 32  ceased  on  12th  of  February. 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).  Water restrictions remain in place across much of New South Wales as a result of the extensive and on‐going drought conditions.  

At Wentworth Weir, operations continue to target a pool level of around 10 cm above the full supply level 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 is near 7,400 ML/day and is expected to continue to ease over the coming week.  

The Lock 9 weir pool is currently 4 cm below FSL. At Lock 8, the weir pool is 61 cm below FSL and the Lock 7 weir pool is 51 cm below FSL. The Lock 7 and 8 weir pools may be gradually lowered a further 40 cm from mid‐March.  

At Lake Victoria the storage decreased by 21 GL to 292 GL (43% capacity). The flow to South Australia reduced late in the week to target around 7,800 ML/day and is likely to remain around this rate over the coming week. The current flow consists of entitlement flow, traded water and environmental water. Deliveries of environmental water to the Lower Lakes and Coorong are expected to continue through the remainder of March. 

   

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The  5‐day  average  water  level  in  the  Lower Lakes  remained  relatively  stable,  easing  just  1  cm  to  0.53 m  AHD.  Environmental water delivered to South Australia is helping to slow the rate of fall at the Lower Lakes and prolong small barrage releases to support mudflat habitat for migratory birds in the Coorong.  Barrage releases totalled around 2.7 GL this week and have been prioritised for Tauwitchere and Goolwa when weather conditions allow. All fishways 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 

 

   

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Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 13 Mar 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 3 856 461.48 2 447 63% 71 2 376 -5

Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 176.32 746 25% 23 723 -59

Lake Victoria 27.00 677 23.47 292 43% 100 192 -21

Menindee Lakes 1 731* 25 1% (- -) # 0 -2

Total 9 269 3 510 38% - - 3 291 -87

Total Active MDBA Storage 39% ^

Major State Storages            

Burrinjuck Reservoir 1 026 320 31% 3 317 -9

Blowering Reservoir 1 631 446 27% 24 422 -11

Eildon Reservoir 3 334 1 411 42% 100 1 311 -42

* 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 12 Mar 2019  

Storage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2018

Lake Eucumbene - Total 791 +2 Snowy-Murray +6 661 Snowy-Murray Component 375 -5 Tooma-Tumut +2 189 Target Storage 1 410 Net Diversion 4 472 Murray 1 Release +3 816

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) 6.9 309 Yarrawonga Main Channel (net) 4.4 172 Wakool Sys Allowance 2.7 34 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) 0.2 412 Western Murray Irrigation 0.6 22 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 2.3 105 Licensed Pumps 3.1 156 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) 1 28 Lower Darling 0.1 6 Licensed pumps - LMW 4.6 344

TOTAL 13.4 527 TOTAL 12.5 1061

* 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 186.0 * Flow this week 57.6 (8 200 ML/day) Flow so far this month 111.2 Flow last month 226.9

Salinity (EC) (microSiemens/cm at 25o C)

Current Average over the last week Average since 1 August 2018

Swan Hill 110 110 70 Euston 70 70 - Red Cliffs 90 90 110 Merbein 90 90 100 Burtundy (Darling) 1 050 1 050 850 Lock 9 100 90 110 Lake Victoria 180 180 160 Berri 140 150 190 Waikerie 200 200 250 Morgan 210 210 260 Mannum 250 250 310 Murray Bridge 260 260 350 Milang (Lake Alex.) 1 010 1 010 900 Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 800 820 780 Meningie (Lake Alb.) 1 840 1 820 1 510 Goolwa Barrages 3 540 3 150 2 680

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River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 13 Mar 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 - - - 510 F 890 4 950 Jingellic 4.0 1.08 207.60 930 F 1 930 4 970 Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 1.52 218.41 800 F 1 180 2 590 Heywoods 5.5 2.92 156.55 11 500 F 11 630 10 350 Doctors Point 5.5 2.71 151.18 11 820 F 12 370 11 010 Albury 4.3 1.72 149.16 - - - - Corowa 4.6 2.69 128.71 12 120 R 11 000 10 620 Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 1.50 116.54 8 810 S 8 680 7 930 Tocumwal 6.4 2.07 105.91 8 490 R 8 390 7 950 Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.02 80.57 5 630 R 5 360 6 240 Swan Hill 4.5 1.12 64.04 5 400 F 5 880 7 110 Wakool Junction 8.8 2.97 52.09 7 580 F 8 230 9 570 Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 1.47 43.31 7 390 F 7 660 9 350 Mildura Weir (d/s) - - 6 880 F 7 360 8 850 Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.83 27.59 5 960 F 6 610 7 580 Rufus Junction - 3.64 20.57 7 400 F 7 810 8 600 Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 0.63 - 5 750 R 5 600 6 080

Tributaries Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 0.76 153.99 210 F 260 210 Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 7.82 145.50 270 F 270 210 Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 1.88 93.30 1 630 R 1 090 1 340 Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 1.12 80.89 840 F 840 1 740 Edward at Liewah - 2.42 57.80 1 770 F 2 030 2 440 Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.50 54.99 650 F 710 790 Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 0.95 56.91 580 F 470 370 Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 2.99 - 0 F 0 10 Darling at Bourke 9.0 2.12 - 0 F 0 0 Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.61 - 0 F 0 0

Natural Inflow to Hume 810 460  (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 -0.51 +1.32 No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 -0.00 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 -0.01 +0.16 No. 15 Euston 47.60 +0.00 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.02 +0.26 No. 11 Mildura 34.40 +0.02 +0.15 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.05 +0.87 No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 +0.08 +0.19 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.05 +0.27 No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 -0.04 -0.55 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 +0.04 +0.24 No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 -0.61 -0.30 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 +0.05 -0.12

Lower Lakes FSL = 0.75 m AHD

Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) 0.53

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

Goolwa 128 openings 0.59 1 - Open Open - Mundoo 26 openings 0.52 All closed - - - - Hunters Creek - - - - Open - - Boundary Creek 6 openings - 1 - Open - - Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - - - Open Tauwitchere 322 gates 0.56 All closed Open Open Open -

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

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Week ending Wednesday 13 Mar 2019 

State Allocations (as at 15 Mar 2019)

NSW ‐ Murray Valley Victorian ‐ Murray Valley

High security 97% General security 0%

High reliability 100% Low reliability 0%

NSW – Murrumbidgee Valley 

Victorian ‐ Goulburn Valley 

High security 95% General security 7%

High reliability 100% Low reliability 0%

NSW ‐ Lower Darling 

South Australia – Murray Valley 

High security 100% General security 0%

High security 100%

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