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River Murray Weekly Report For the week ending Wednesday, 19th June 2019

Trim Ref: D19/30160

Rainfall and inflows For the week ending 19th June, widespread rainfall was recorded over northern Victoria and southern New South Wales. Rainfall totals in excess of 50 mm were recorded over the Victorian alpine region and central highlands. The highest Victorian rainfall totals were recorded in the Ovens River valley including; 125 mm at Rocky Valley, 52 mm at Cheshunt and 45 mm at Mount Buffalo. Other notable totals were 108 mm at Mt Buller and 55 mm at Trentham. The highest New South Wales rainfall totals included 32mm at Taralga in the southern tablelands, 29 mm at Perisher Valley and 36 mm at Thredbo AWS (both just outside the Basin).

Map 1-Murray-Darling Basin rainfall totals for week ending 19 June (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

Modest streamflow responses were observed in the upper Murray catchments following widespread rainfall, most of which fell last Wednesday. The upper Murray River at Biggara increased to just over 1,500 ML/day early in the week before receding to the current flow of 740 ML/day. The upper Mitta Mitta River at Hinnomunjie increased to 8,000 ML/day before receding to the current flow of 1,550 ML/day. Downstream of Hume Reservoir, flow in the Kiewa River measured at Bandiana peaked at around 4,250 ML/day and is now 2,300 ML/day. The Ovens River measured at Wangaratta increased to just under 5,000 ML/day, the highest flow in the Ovens River since December 2018. The flow is currently 2,500 ML/day.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) are forecasting dry conditions in their 8 day outlook. Without further rainfall, streamflows in the upper Murray tributaries will continue to recede.

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River operations

River operations The MDBA active storage volume increased by 83 GL this week to 3,194 GL (38% capacity).

At Dartmouth Reservoir, the storage volume increased by 11 GL to 2,489 GL (65% capacity). Releases from Dartmouth to Hume Reservoir continued this week supporting water levels in Hume Reservoir in preparation for future downstream system demands. Based on current conditions and forecasts, MDBA aims to target a transfer volume of around 85 GL for the month of June. 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 the current flow of 4,500 ML/day. The release from Dartmouth is planned to fluctuate between 3,500 ML/day and 4,800 ML/day until the end of June. These variable releases aim to transfer the target volumes to Hume, whilst minimising erosion along the Mitta Mitta River.

At Hume Reservoir, the storage volume increased by 69 GL to 630 GL (21% capacity). The Hume release continued at a minimum of 600 ML/day throughout the week as increased inflows from the Kiewa and Ovens Rivers were sufficient to meet flow requirements in the River Murray downstream. As tributary flows continue to recede over the coming week, the release from Hume will be gradually increased.

Downstream at Lake Mulwala the level is currently 124.78 m AHD. Around 50 ML/day of environmental entitlement continues to be diverted into Yarrawonga Main Channel for release into the lower Broken Creek for the benefit of native fish. The release from Yarrawonga Weir downstream increased to the current rate of 6,500 ML/day, in response to higher inflows from the Kiewa and Ovens Rivers. Looking ahead, the release from Yarrawonga is planned to fluctuate between 6,000 ML/day and 7,000 ML/day until the end of June, with target flows regularly re-assessed in light of updated system planning and bulk water transfer requirements.

The Edward and Gulpa offtakes are currently passing 1,100 and 270 ML/day respectively. Regulator gates for the Gulpa Creek have been reinstated to regulate the flow below 350 ML/day over the coming week. Flows into the Edward River (photo 1) will continue to fluctuate in response to changes in the release downstream of Yarrawonga. The flow at Stevens Weir rose slightly to 650 ML/day.

Inflow to the Murray from the Goulburn River, measured at McCoys Bridge, averaged 1,080 ML/day. The flow at McCoys will likely continue around this rate during June. 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.

Delivery of Inter Valley Trade (IVT) from the Goulburn system ceased on 31 May 2019. The volume of IVT delivered to the Murray in 2018-19 was close to 430 GL. This volume was not just a record for the Goulburn Valley, but also for the combined volume of IVT (Goulburn and Murrumbidgee valleys) delivered in a water year. Victoria, as the manager of the Goulburn IVT rules, is conducting a review of IVT rules to better understand and help manage the impact of IVT deliveries on the river banks of the lower Goulburn River. More information can be found at http://waterregister.vic.gov.au/about/news/251-monitoring-the-victorian-water-market-in-2017-18 and https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/water-market-improvements-for-northern-irrigators/. The current Goulburn IVT balance is around 110 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.

Upper Murray tributaries receding from recent flow peaks

Lock 8 targeting 40 cm below FSL

Transfers from Dartmouth to Hume Reservoir continuing

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Photo 1: An early morning on the Edward River (photo courtesy: MDBA)

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 river levels at Echuca. The weir pool will be returned to 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.

The release downstream of Torrumbarry Weir remained fairly steady around 4,000 ML/day and is expected to gradually increase to around 5,000 ML/day over the coming week. Lock 26 at Torrumbarry remains closed while repairs are made to damaged inlet valves.

Inflows from the Murrumbidgee River, measured at Balranald, increased to just over 1,000 ML/day. The current Murrumbidgee IVT balance is 23 GL, enabling trade into the Murrumbidgee Valley. The WaterNSW website contains information on the current Murrumbidgee IVT account status.

At Euston, the weir pool level is currently targeting 30 cm below FSL. The downstream release is 6,000 ML/day.

In the northern Basin, flows resulting from a significant rainfall event in late March have continued to move steadily downstream along the Warrego and Paroo systems. Follow-up rainfall helped the Warrego flow reach the Darling River. The flow front reached Wilcannia this week averaging 420 ML/day. The upstream flow at Tilpa continues to recede and is now 110 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

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Barwon River. These flows continue to provide environmental benefit, recharging parched waterholes, wetlands and landscapes. Flows on the Barwon River at Tara have started receding, with the current rate just above 500 ML/day. Downstream at Walgett, the flow has continued to rise and is currently 570 ML/day. 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 Wilcannia on the Darling River and Pooncarie on the lower Darling. 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.

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 for now. 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 FSL to facilitate a routine weir inspection. The pool level is planned to return to around 10 cm above FSL in the following week 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 averaged near 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 weir pool is currently varying between FSL and 10 cm below FSL. At Lock 8, the weir pool is targeting 40cm below FSL. The Lock 7 weir pool continues to target around 10 cm below FSL.

At Lake Victoria the storage increased by 3 GL to 269 GL (40% capacity) and is expected to continue to gradually increase over coming weeks. The flow to South Australia is targeting an average of 4,500 ML/day. The current flow is being boosted by environmental water, originally released from Hume to maintain winter flows downstream of Yarrawonga weir. In the coming week, the flow to South Australia is planned to decrease to around 4,000 ML/day.

The Lower Lakes 5-day average water level increased to 0.65 m AHD this week. Barrage releases are continuing when wind and swell conditions allow. 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

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Water in Storage Week ending Wednesday 19 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 3 856 462.34 2 489 65% 71 2 418 +11

Hume Reservoir 192.00 3 005 175.04 630 21% 23 607 +69

Lake Victoria 27.00 677 23.24 269 40% 100 169 +3

Menindee Lakes 1 731* 16 1% (- -) # 0 -0

Total 9 269 3 404 37% - - 3 194 +83

Total Active MDBA Storage 38% ^

Major State Storages

Burrinjuck Reservoir 1 026 315 31% 3 312 +1

Blowering Reservoir 1 631 678 42% 24 654 +31

Eildon Reservoir 3 334 1 241 37% 100 1 141 +28

* 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 18 Jun 2019

Storage Active Storage (GL) Weekly Change (GL) Diversion (GL) This Week From 1 May 2019

Lake Eucumbene - Total 719 n/a Snowy-Murray +9 100

Snowy-Murray Component 373 n/a Tooma-Tumut +12 36

Target Storage 1 240 Net Diversion -4 64

Murray 1 Release +25 135

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) 0.5 214

Wakool Sys Allowance 0.8 62 Torrumbarry System + Nyah (net) 0 560

Western Murray Irrigation 0.0 26 Sunraysia Pumped Districts 0.3 121

Licensed Pumps n/a 193 Licensed pumps - GMW (Nyah+u/s) 1 45

Lower Darling n/a 7 Licensed pumps - LMW 4.6 410

TOTAL 0.8 653 TOTAL 6.4 1350

* 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 30.2 (4 300 ML/day)

Flow so far this month 73.4 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 80 80 90

Euston - - -

Red Cliffs 110 120 110

Merbein 110 100 100

Burtundy (Darling) - - 870

Lock 9 100 100 110

Lake Victoria 150 150 160

Berri 240 230 190

Waikerie 320 310 240

Morgan 310 300 250

Mannum 250 250 290

Murray Bridge 260 260 320

Milang (Lake Alex.) 950 950 940

Poltalloch (Lake Alex.) 810 620 740

Meningie (Lake Alb.) 1 720 1 700 1 640

Goolwa Barrages 5 960 6 860 3 730

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River Levels and Flows Week ending Wednesday 19 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 - - - 3 970 F 4 600 4 310

Jingellic 4.0 1.71 208.23 4 570 F 6 620 5 670

Tallandoon ( Mitta Mitta River ) 4.2 2.61 219.50 4 830 S 3 410 2 290

Heywoods 5.5 1.46 155.09 600 S 610 1 490

Doctors Point 5.5 1.81 150.28 2 890 F 3 440 3 000

Albury 4.3 0.95 148.39 - - - -

Corowa 4.6 1.08 127.10 3 320 F 3 330 3 020

Yarrawonga Weir (d/s) 6.4 1.17 116.21 6 560 S 5 610 4 530

Tocumwal 6.4 1.66 105.50 6 080 R 4 910 4 270

Torrumbarry Weir (d/s) 7.3 1.57 80.12 4 040 R 3 970 3 720

Swan Hill 4.5 0.96 63.88 4 310 F 4 260 4 040

Wakool Junction 8.8 2.36 51.48 5 330 R 5 220 5 190

Euston Weir (d/s) 9.1 1.18 43.02 6 010 R 5 820 6 090

Mildura Weir (d/s) - - 5 580 F 5 720 6 210

Wentworth Weir (d/s) 7.3 2.76 27.52 4 860 R 5 040 5 600

Rufus Junction - 3.05 19.98 3 900 R 3 720 3 240

Blanchetown (Lock 1 d/s) - 0.65 - 4 490 S 4 400 3 420

Tributaries

Kiewa at Bandiana 2.8 2.16 155.39 2 300 F 3 020 1 570

Ovens at Wangaratta 11.9 8.78 146.46 2 530 F 3 160 900

Goulburn at McCoys Bridge 9.0 1.54 92.96 1 080 R 1 060 1 030

Edward at Stevens Weir (d/s) 5.5 0.94 80.71 650 F 630 550

Edward at Liewah - 1.21 56.59 640 R 590 620

Wakool at Stoney Crossing - 1.38 54.87 400 F 410 430

Murrumbidgee at Balranald 5.0 1.56 57.52 1 140 R 840 580

Barwon at Mungindi 6.1 3.13 - 20 F 20 30

Darling at Bourke 9.0 3.10 - 0 F 0 0

Darling at Burtundy Rocks - 0.50 - 0 F 0 0

Natural Inflow to Hume 11 260 5 900

(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 -0.12 - No. 7 Rufus River 22.10 -0.08 +0.72

No. 26 Torrumbarry 86.05 -0.30 - No. 6 Murtho 19.25 -0.02 +0.04

No. 15 Euston 47.60 -0.27 - No. 5 Renmark 16.30 +0.03 +0.11

No. 11 Mildura 34.40 +0.01 +0.08 No. 4 Bookpurnong 13.20 +0.02 +0.56

No. 10 Wentworth 30.80 -0.02 +0.12 No. 3 Overland Corner 9.80 +0.09 +0.22

No. 9 Kulnine 27.40 -0.10 -0.38 No. 2 Waikerie 6.10 +0.07 +0.16

No. 8 Wangumma 24.60 -0.39 -0.03 No. 1 Blanchetown 3.20 +0.04 -0.10

Lower Lakes FSL = 0.75 m AHD

Lake Alexandrina average level for the past 5 days (m AHD) 0.65

Barrages Fishways at Barrages

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

Goolwa 128 openings 0.68 1 - Open Open -

Mundoo 26 openings 0.66 All closed - - - Open

Hunters Creek - - - - Open - -

Boundary Creek 6 openings - 1 - Open - -

Ewe Island 111 gates - All closed - - - Open

Tauwitchere 322 gates 0.66 2 Open Open Open -

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

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Week ending Wednesday 19 Jun 2019

State Allocations (as at 19 Jun 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