Regional

water availability

report

Weekly edition

7 December 2020

1

Contents

1. Overview ...... 3

2. System risks ...... 3

3. Climatic Conditions ...... 4

4. Southern valley based operational activities ...... 6

4.1 Murray valley ...... 6

4.2 Lower Darling valley ...... 8

4.3 Murrumbidgee valley ...... 9

5. Central valley based operational activities ...... 12

5.1 Lachlan valley ...... 12

5.2 Macquarie valley ...... 14

6. Northern valley based operational activities ...... 16

6.1 Namoi valley ...... 16

6.2 Gwydir valley ...... 18

6.3 ...... 19

6.4 Barwon-Darling River system ...... 20

7. Coastal valley based operational activities ...... 22

7.1 Bega river22

7.2 Hunter valley ...... 23

7.3 Toonumbar ...... 25

8. Rural Dam Levels ...... 26

9. More Information…………………………………………………………………………………………… ... 27

Water availability weekly report 2

1. Overview

WaterNSW manages and operates 42 and storages to deliver water for environmental, domestic, town water, stock, industrial and irrigation purposes across the state. WaterNSW storages provide supplies to all the major river systems in Western NSW, Greater , the Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven Bay as well as the Hunter, Bega, and Iron Pot valleys in coastal NSW.

The total active storage percentage of rural water supplies on 7 December 2020 was 53.3 percent of the total active storage capacity. This was a decrease of 0.9 percent since last week.

The total storage level of urban water supplies on 7 December 2020 was 93.2 percent of the total storage capacity. This was a decrease of 0.3 percent since last week.

2. System risks

Drought risks to water supply, water quality and fish deaths are increasing in the Darling River and tributaries. Cease to flow in parts of the Border, Gwydir and Namoi systems. Cease to flow along the Barwon-Darling system from Mungindi to Menindee except for small flows from the near Brewarrina. WaterNSW is working with BOM in assessing the likelihood of filling storages, with the positive seasonal rainfall forecasts, particularly for , and preparing for pre-releases and flood operations. All floodplain landholders are recommended to review their flood operations plans and be aware of any notifications from BoM and SES. Any floods and floodplain flows that occur in the coming months may also trigger poor water quality, particularly low dissolved oxygen for fish, as floodwaters may pick up significant amounts of accumulated leaf litter. Rainfall along the southern and central west slopes and ranges over recent months continues to maintain stream flows and inflows to the dams in the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan, Macquarie and Peel valleys. Operational plans are being reviewed as these inflows accumulate.

Water availability weekly report 3

3. Climatic Conditions

Figure 1 - Weekly rainfall totals A low-pressure trough lingering over northeast before moving northeast and out of the state later today. A high-pressure system will then move east across the state during the remainder of Tuesday into Wednesday. A second front is expected to affect eastern parts of the state Thursday, mainly the coast and adjacent ranges, before an upper trough and associated moist and unsettled conditions move over the state later in the week. For the first part of the week, the north eastern and coastal regions of the state are predicted to receive up to 25mm of rainfall. The rest of the state is predicted to remain dry. As the week progresses, most of the state is predicted to receive some rainfall with up to 100mm being forecast in the north eastern and coastal regions. The western reaches of the state are forecast to remain dry.

Figure 2a – First 4-day forecast (8 – 11 Dec 20) Figure 2b – Following 4-day forecast (12 - 15 Dec 20)

Water availability weekly report 4

Climate outlook overview

Issued 3 December 2020

Wetter than average December to February for much of NSW

• The outlook for December 2020 to February 2021 indicates a wetter than average three-month period for most of NSW (a greater than 60 percent chance), with coastal regions forecast for greater than 75% chance

Figure 3 – 3-month rainfall outlook LA NINA likely to peak during summer 2020-21

• The ENSO Outlook remains at LA NIÑA, with all ENSO indices currently reflecting a mature La Niña event. • Recent updates to climate model outlooks indicate the La Niña is likely to be approaching its peak strength, with a gradual easing towards neutral values likely during the first quarter of 2021. While La Niña is likely to influence Australian climate during December, secondary drivers, such as the Southern Annular Mode, Madden-Julian Oscillation and other tropical influences are likely to have an increasing influence as the event weakens. •

Water availability weekly report 5

4. 4Southern valley based operational activities

4.1 Murray Valley

Storage and release status

• is currently at 72 percent of active capacity and releasing about 11,000 ML/d. The release will gradually reduce to meet the irrigation demands.

• Release downstream of Yarrawonga Weir is at approximately 11,500 ML/d and is likely to gradually recede at a rate of about 250 ML/day as part of an order for environmental flows. The operational deliveries at channel capacity below Yarrawonga will commence by third week of December.

• The Edward River offtake flow (about 1,600 ML/d) will remain within channel capacity of 1,600 ML/d.

• The Gulpa Creek offtake flow (500 ML/d) will remain steady to deliver environmental flow to Gulpa Creek wetlands. From early next week the target will be reduced to 350 ML/day for the environmental purposes.

• Stevens Weir level is at approximately 4.6 m and will vary marginally to supply environmental water to Wakool-Yallakool system. Currently, the water level upstream of Wakool District Main Canal Regulator is approximately 1.75 m.

• Flow downstream of Stevens Weir is approximately 2,600 ML/d to meet MDBA flow requirements to address the Barmah choke capacity constraints. The flow in the Edward River system will be augmented by delivery via Edward River Escape of the Mulwala Canal to maintain the higher delivery targets below Stevens Weir.

• Water is also delivered via Perricoota Escape (about 100ML/day) and up to 250ML/day via Billabong Escape (Murrumbidgee system) to meet the operational demands of the MDBA.

• Flows into Colligen Creek (250 ML/d), Wakool River (70 ML/d) and Yallakool Creek (380 ML/d) of environmental water are continuing.

• Flow in the Niemur River at Mallan School is currently at approximately 160 ML/d and will remain relatively steady over the week.

• Merran Creek flow upstream of its confluence with Wakool is approximately 160 ML/d with the flow remaining relatively steady over the week.

• Flow in Wakool River at Stoney Crossing is currently at approximately 790 ML/d and will remain steady.

• Flow at Balranald is approximately 1,350ML/d and will gradually increase to about 2,300 ML/day by next week rising to meet the end of system targets for December (254 ML/day) and the IVT volumes ordered by MDBA.

Water availability weekly report 6

• Lake Victoria is currently holding approximately 496 GL or 73 percent of active capacity. The flow to South is at approximately 15,750 ML/d.

Environmental water operations

• The e-Water spring flow delivery into Wakool-Yallakool system and into the Colligen-Niemur system is continuing, as per the hydrograph provided by the water holder.

• The e-Water delivery to Gulpa Creek wetlands is in progress. The event is targeting water birds, specifically Australasian Bittern.

Water availability

• The Water Allocation Statement (WAS) by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) (dated 1 December 2020) confirmed that in the NSW Murray Valley Local Water Utility (LWU) and Domestic and Stock (D&S) allocation are at 100 percent. High Security (HS) allocation is at 97 percent. There is a one percent increase to all General Security (GS) entitlements with a commensurate increase in the Conveyance entitlement in the NSW Murray Regulated River water source. As such, the total allocation for 2020-21 is brought to 40 percent, with an average GS carryover of approximately 22 percent, this means the NSW Murray total GS water availability has reached approximately 62 percent of entitlement.

Drought operation measures

• The NSW Murray Regulated River water source remains at Drought Stage 1, meaning all allocated water can now be delivered under normal regulated river operations. Despite the small improvements, drought conditions persist.

Water quality

• Potential Blue Green Algae issues:

o Recent Blue Green Algae (BGA) sampling at Lake Hume shows Lake Hume is on a Green Alert Level. The sites at Heywoods and Ebden indicate an Amber Alert Level.

o For more information, please visit the Water Quality Algae section of the WaterNSW website.

Planned supply interruptions:

• Maintenance activities are underway in the Stevens Weir gates and super structure under the Coatings Program. However, the maintenance activities are not expected to impact normal river operations or weir levels.

Water availability weekly report 7

4.2 Lower Darling valley

Storage and release status

• The system collectively holds approximately 385 GL of total volume of water (or 21 percent of active capacity), is releasing approximately 720 ML/d, and is in recession as per the hydrograph requested by the eWater managers.

• Lake Wetherell releases are about 120 ML/day and Lake Pamamaroo releases are about 600 ML/day.

• The status of individual lakes are as follows: Lake Wetherell –34 percent, Tandure – 58 percent and Lake Pamamaroo – 108 percent, Copi Hollow – 114 percent, while Lakes Menindee and Cawndilla remain dry.

Environmental water operations

• The Water Sharing Plan minimum flows for the month of December 2020 is 300 ML/d measured at Weir-32. Additional flows are being delivered at Weir-32 as ordered by the environmental water holder are now in recession, the flow peaked at 1,500ML/d on the 29th November 2020 and will slowly recede to the minimum flow targets for the month of January I.e. 350ML/d by mid-January 2021.

Water availability

• To date the current inflows have not resulted in the total storage volume reaching 640 GL and are currently not forecast to reach this trigger in the next few months. As such, the storage remains in NSW control and the resources shall be managed for Lower Darling operations.

• The WAS by DPIE (dated 1 December 2020) confirmed that all high priority entitlements have received a full allocation including all LWU, D&S and HS licences, in accordance with the Water Sharing Plan. GS allocation remains at 30 percent. Carryover of approximately 48 percent is fully available.

Drought operation measures

• The Lower Darling Regulated River water source is assessed to be in Drought Stage 2.

Water quality

• A Green Alert Level has been assessed for Lake Wetherell (Site 1, 2, 3 and 4), Copi Hollow (Site N1094), Wilcannia (N1042), Darling River at Weir 32 (N1086), Darling River u/s of Weir 32 (Site N1171 and Daring River Pumping Station at Menindee (N1095).

• For more information visit the Water Quality Algae section of the WaterNSW website.

Planned supply interruptions:

• Nil.

Water availability weekly report 8

4.3 Murrumbidgee valley

Storage and release status

• Burrinjuck Dam is currently at 86 percent of active capacity, releasing approximately 3,000 ML/d and expected to stay relatively steady over the next week.

• is currently at 89 percent of active capacity releasing approximately 8,300 ML/d to satisfy the environmental, irrigation and IVT demands. However, the release will vary to manage the flows within the channel capacity of 9,300 ML/d at Tumut.

• The Beavers Creek offtake flow is 170 ML/d and the flows will marginally decrease to meet the daily flow target of 60 ML/d at Kywong during the period from December 2020 through to April 2021.

• Berembed Weir is at full supply level (4.96 m) and will remain relatively steady.

• Bundidgerry storage is currently at approximately 4.03m and will vary over the week depending on the diversions by Murrumbidgee Irrigation.

• Gogeldrie Weir is at approximately 6.0 m and will remain relatively steady.

• The Tombullen storage (1.98 m) will be used to meet downstream irrigation and environmental demands as required. It will be actively used to re-regulate any excess flow in the system.

• Hay Weir is at approximately 7.66M. The water level is likely to vary within 300 mm/d over the next couple of weeks as the weir is used for active re-regulation. The water stored in the Weir will be used to meet downstream demands until the Weir level reaches 7.5 m, which is the operational target for the Christmas season for recreational benefits.

• The water level at Maude Weir is at near full supply level of 5.9M to deliver environmental water into the Nimmie Creek (500 ML/d) and North Caira (1,000 ML/d).

• Currently, the Redbank Weir water level is at approximately 5.66M. The Weir will be brought down to about 5.56m to manage the diversions into Yanga and Waugorah

• Flow at Balranald is approximately 1,350ML/d and will gradually increase to about 2,300 ML/day by next week rising to meet the end of system targets for December (254 ML/day) and the IVT volumes ordered by MDBA.

• The current diversion into Yanco Creek is about 500 ML/d and will gradually reduce to about 400 ML/day. The flow into the Yanco arm below Tarabah Weir will stay steady at about 60 ML/d while the split into the Colombo arm will be approximately 330 ML/d to supply water to increasing irrigation orders and to Forest Creek for environmental flows. The Yanco Offtake diversions are augmented by a delivery of 150 ML/d from CCD, 150 ML/d from DC800 escape of CICL and up to 250 ML/d from Finley Escape of MIL.

Water availability weekly report 9

• The end of system target at Darlot is currently 300 ML/day, which includes about 50ML/day of planned eWater and up to 250 ML/day of operational demands by MDBA to supply the Murray system via Finely Escape.

Environmental water operations

• Planned Environmental Water Flow Rules are fully complied with at both Balranald and Darlot.

• Total combined environmental water orders for the current events stand at approximately 357 GL including planned eWater (discretionary component), held eWater and supplementary (Lowbidgee category). Of this about 111 GL is planned eWater.

• A significant eWater delivery of approximately 100 GL from early July 2020, via Yanga 1AS into Lowbidgee. The event is expected to finish by early February 2021.

• A second event to deliver approximately 13 GL through Waugorah 1ES, commenced in the last week of July 2020 and will continue to first week of February 2021.

• A third event to deliver approximately 51 GL commenced end of July 2020 at the Nimmie Creek offtake. The event will continue until early February 2021. The event will support rookery maintenance in the Telephone Bank / Nap Nap.

• A fourth event to deliver approximately 43 GL commenced by mid-August 2020 to Lowbidgee assets via North Redbank Channel. The event finished by second week of November. A top-up flow is planned to commence by mid-December 2020.

• A fifth event to deliver approximately 9 GL commenced by late August 2020 at the Warriston Weir in the Forest Creek. The event is likely to finish by end of December 2020. The event supports the rookery in the Wanganella Swamp.

• A sixth event to deliver 106 GL is being delivered to North Caira channel since the end of August 2020. The delivery is planned to continue to early March 2021. The event will fill Loorica, Kieta, Kia lakes and to maintain bittern / rookery in the Eulimbah-Suicide-Websters swamp.

• A seventh event to deliver 30 GL of held eWater under The Living Murray (TLM) was delivered at Balranald Weir to enable fish connectivity with Murray River starting 9 November 2020. The event concluded on 19 November 2020.

Water availability

• For the Inter Valley Transfer (IVT) account from Murray to Murrumbidgee, please refer to the Murrumbidgee IV Account Status section of WaterNSW website.

• The WAS by DPIE (dated 1 December 2020) confirmed that all high priority entitlements have received full opening allocations as per the Valley’s Water Sharing Plan. This includes all LWU, D & S and HS licences. GS licence holders have received an increase in allocation of two percent taking the total allocation to-date to 76 percent. Carryover is fully available and estimated to be approximately 348 GL or about 18 percent of GS entitlement on

Water availability weekly report 10

average. Conveyance entitlements have received commensurate increase in allocations as per the Water Sharing Plan.

• Drought operation measures

• The Murrumbidgee Regulated River Water Source is at Drought Stage 1, meaning all allocated water can now be delivered under normal regulated river operations. Despite the small improvements, drought conditions persist.

Water quality

• Potential Blue Green Algae issues:

o Burrinjuck Dam at Station One (Dam Wall), Downstream, Burrinjuck Water State Park Green Alert Level, Woogarlo is at Amber alert level and Goodhope are at Green Alert Level. Blowering Dam is at Green Alert Level.

o Lake Wyangan south and North in Griffith has a Red status for blue green algae

o Murrumbidgee River D/S Wagga Wagga (Roaches Road) Green Alert level.

o For more information, please visit the Water Quality Algae section of the WaterNSW website.

Unplanned supply interruptions:

• Nil

Planned supply interruptions:

• Painting of the Maude Weir Super Structure has started and will be completed by end of December 2020. The Painting program for Gogeldrie started on 30 June 2020 and will continue until mid-January 2021. However, the maintenance activity under the coating program is not expected to impact normal River Operations and Weir levels.

• High Level Offtake at the Burrinjuck Dam is unavailable due to potential trash rack failure with flow-induced vibrations. The repair works will be undertaken only when the Burrinjuck Water levels are low enough. The maximum release capacity through fixed outlet from the dam is partially reduced until the remedial works are completed. However, with the availability of other low-level valves, power stations and Stoney sluice, the system supply is expected to be fully met under normal river operations.

Water availability weekly report 11

5. Central valley based operational activities

5.1 Lachlan valley

Storage and release status

• is currently at 31.9 percent of capacity and is releasing approximately 2 ML/d.

• is currently at 64.5 percent of capacity and is releasing approximately 1,000 ML/d to meet system demand.

• The rainfall and inflows into Wyangala Dam this year had triggered translucent flow conditions. The translucent flow release from Wyangala dam recommenced on 28 October 2020 and finished on 5 November 2020.

• Lake Cargelligo is currently at approximately 58.5 percent of capacity and will remain steady for the rest of the week.

• Releases downstream of the Brewster Weir are around 1,800 ML/d. Releases are forecast to reduce to around 300 – 900 ML/d during the week.

• Good tributary inflows this year has allowed the S&D replenishment flows to be delivered into Willandra Ck (stopped on 24 September 2020), Merrowie Ck (stopped on 26 September 2020), Merrimajeel and Muggabah ceased on 6 October 2020.

• Lake Brewster storage volume as of 1st December 2020 is 25.9 percent of capacity with a volume of approximately 37,700 ML.

Environmental water operations

• Tributary flows in Belubula are receding. End of system flow condition is met by flow provided by tributaries.

• The Lachlan water sharing plan rules for translucent delivery requirements had been met and the government environmental agencies had requested that the water be delivered from Wyangala as per the rules starting from 28 October 2020. When the rules were last triggered in early August 2020 there was an agreement with the environmental agencies and approval from DPIE Water that the translucent flows could be delivered from Lake Brewster storage as Wyangala dam was only around 24 percent, to retain water within Wyangala and utilise the stored volume in Lake Brewster. For more information see below link https://www.waternsw.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/161417/Operations-Update- Translucent-Release_Lachlan-27-October-20.pdf

• Translucent period in Lachlan ended on 15 November 2020. Environmental orders continue downstream of Brewster to manage a gradual recession.

Water availability weekly report 12

• Approximately 5.5GL of the Lachlan Water Quality Allowance will be utilised to provide a flow of 100 megalitres (ML)/day at Booligal Weir during January 2021 to March 2021 to reduce the risk of low dissolved oxygen for fish.

Water Availability

• WAS published by DPIE on 9 November 2020 for Lachlan, confirmed that an additional allocation of 6 percent has been made to GS licence holders, bringing the total allocation this year to 38 percent.

• There has also been commensurate increase in Conveyance allocation, in accordance with the Water Sharing Plan.

• The WAS published by DPIE on 21 October 2020 for Belubula confirmed that there is no change to allocations in the Belubula regulated river water source.

• In Belubula, GS water access licence holders have zero percent allocation but will have access to account water that has been carried over from the previous Water Year (2019- 20).

• Water operations update for Belubula can be found at the Belubula operations section of the WaterNSW website.

• Access to Uncontrolled flows in Belubula ceased on 30 November 2020, Notice 27-Nov-2020.

• Water Quality

• The Wyangala Storage results (3 November 2020) show continuing low productivity at all sites. Detections of Dolichospermum circinale were observed at Station 1 and the Lachlan/Abercrombie junction. The rest of the assemblage was dominated by flood alga. Downstream showed few cyanobacteria were detected. The storage is now on Amber Alert Level.

• The Carcoar Storage latest samples (9 November 2020) continue to show low productivity with no cyanobacteria detected in the upstream sample. Downstream also showed no cyanobacteria detected. Storage remains at Green Alert Level.

• The Lake Brewster Sample results from the 11th November showed high productivity across the system. A diverse assemblage is noted with Dolichospermum circinalis present in small numbers on the inflow and outflow. A species shift across the system may be occurring. Results for the inflow wetland are still pending. Lake Brewster is now on green alert.

• Results from Lake Cargelligo on 10 November 2020 show slightly increasing productivity across the storage. Green and flood alga dominate the assemblage at all sites however Dolichospermum sp. is now present at the Curlew waters and downstream in the Lachlan. Few other cyanobacteria were detected. System is now on amber alert.

Planned supply interruptions:

• Nil

Water availability weekly report 13

5.2 Macquarie valley

Storage and release status

• is at 42.5 percent of active capacity and currently releasing approximately 1,000 ML/d. Releases are expected to be in between 1,000 – 1,400ML/d during the week as the environmental water orders recede and irrigation demand increases.

• is currently at 29.4 percent of active capacity (110 GL) and releasing 60ML/d. Releases are forecast to drop to 50 ML/d during this week.

• Rainfall and inflows this year have delayed indefinitely the second phase of the transfer from Windamere to Burrendong. The transfer will leave a minimum of 70 GL in Windamere Dam, which provides a very secure supply for local demand for the next five to seven years.

Environmental Water operations

• The translucent flow period in Macquarie ended on 30 November 2020.

• Releases have commenced for additional environmental water of over 100 GL in October to early Feb 2021 for native fish breeding and continued inundation of the Macquarie Marshes. Current environmental releases are to target around 400ML/d at Marebone Weir throughout December.

• Translucent environmental water from Windamere Dam is deliverable all through the year when inflows to the Dam meet the relevant triggers, subject to storage volume being more than 110 GL. Windamere storage volume reached 110GL on 13 Nov 2020 but has now fallen below that trigger level.

Water availability

• The WAS published by DPIE on 11 November 2020 confirmed that an additional allocation of 5 percent AWD has been made to GS licence holders, bringing the total allocation this year to 23 percent.

• LWU, S&D licences and HS allocations have 100 percent entitlement.

• All HS licence categories received 100 percent allocation on 1July 2020.

• Trade from the Cudgegong Valley down to the Macquarie water source can resume in accordance with the Water Sharing Plan.

• Given that GS water users have been prevented from accessing their water during the drought, protection from account reductions due to evaporation or spills from Burrendong Dam will be provided until the end of February 2021.

• Burrendong Dam has gained approximately 930 ML so far in the month of December 2020.

• Carryover evaporation reduction in Macquarie and Cudgegong has been applied on carryover balances of General Security, High Security and EWA accounts at the end of the first quarter of the 2020-21 Water Year.

Water availability weekly report 14

• A 0.7 percent carryover evaporation reduction was applied to Macquarie River and 0.6 percent to .

Drought operation measures

• Due to recent rainfall and inflows into the dam and downstream of the dam, the Macquarie Regulated River Water Source has improved to Drought Stage 1.

• All S&D replenishments were completed from the recent rainfall events and contributions from downstream tributaries.

Water quality

• Burrendong Dam: Results for the 11th November show low productivity near the Dam Wall but productivity increases up into the arms. Few cyanobacteria were noted at most sites however Dolichospermum sp. is prevalent in the Mookerawa arm. The Cudgegong arm shows elevated productivity but few cyanobacteria. Few cyanobacteria were detected downstream. Storage is now at amber alert.

• Windamere dam: Results for 24 November show that productivity has remained high across the storage. The assemblage has shifted to Microcystis sp. Downstream results showed no cyanobacteria present. Windamere Dam is now on amber alert.

• The cold-water pollution curtain at Burrendong is damaged and the curtain is not in operation. WaterNSW is assessing the damage.

Planned supply interruptions: N/A

Water availability weekly report 15

6. Northern valley based operational activities

6.1 Namoi valley

Storage, release and inflow status

• is at 4.37 percent of active capacity (down from 4.48 percent a week ago) and is currently releasing around 76ML/d.

• is at 26.39 percent of active capacity, down from 26.42 percent a week ago and releases have ceased.

• is at 33.47 percent of active capacity, up from 33.37 percent a week ago, and is currently releasing 3 ML/d.

• The Pian Creek replenishment flow has been completed from flows below Keepit Dam.

• For regular updates, refer to the Operations Update section of WaterNSW website.

Environmental water operations

• There are no current orders for the release of environmental water in the Namoi Valley.

• Planned environmental releases of 3 ML/d from Chaffey Dam continue as the dam has risen above the 20 percent trigger in the Chaffey pipeline authorisation.

Water availability

• The Water Allocation Statement, published by DPIE (dated 4 November 2020) confirmed that in the Peel Valley both Local water utility (LWU) and Domestic and Stock (D&S) allocations have received increase by 10 percent of entitlement resulting in a total 80 percent; HS and its sub-categories remain at 50 percent, as well as GS - zero percent.

• Current resource deficit for current commitments in the Peel Valley is 5 GL. It’s been steady in recent months but is likely to reduce in the future.

• The latest Water Allocation Statement, published by DPIE (dated 7 December 2020) confirmed resource improvements high enough to warrant increase in allocations in the Lower Namoi Valley: the GS allocation to increase by 1.0% of entitlement, for a cumulative allocation of 8.0 per cent for the current water year. All other categories of licence in the Upper and Lower Namoi Regulated River Water Source remain unchanged.

• Upper Namoi local water utility and D&S have 100 percent as well as HS (100 percent). The GS is at 50 percent.

Drought operation measures

• The Peel Valley is in Drought Stage 2. Commissioning of the Chaffey to Dungowan pipeline is complete and operation of the pipeline commenced on 17 June 2020 and have now

Water availability weekly report 16

ceased as the dam is above 20 percent. Operational flow targets below Chaffey will be for very low environmental flows of 3 ML/d.

• The Upper Namoi Valley is at Drought Stage 2. Releases recommenced on 30 March 2020 and will be used to supply water orders in the Manilla River from Split Rock Dam to the

junction with the Namoi River. For customers located on the Namoi River (below Manilla), water orders will be supplied (where possible) using the inflows from the Namoi Unregulated River. Customers wishing to take water from their HS, GS or S&D licences are reminded to place an order for their water.

• The Lower Namoi is at Drought Stage 2 under the Incident Response Guide.

• After consultation with Namoi water users and other stakeholders the release that was planned to commence 12 November 2020 has been postponed and will now commence on 21 December 2020. Releases will be made from Keepit Dam for approximately 18 days, details on block releases can be found here.

Water quality

• Split Rock Dam is on a Green Alert Level in the storage.

• Keepit Dam is on a Green Alert Level in the storage; and

• Chaffey Dam is on an Amber Alert Level in the storage.

Planned supply interruptions:

• Mollee Fishway is currently unavailable due to infrastructure failure.

Water availability weekly report 17

6.2 Gwydir valley

Storage, release and inflow status

• is at 14.66 percent of active capacity (down from 15.54 percent a week ago) and is currently releasing about 750 ML/d - block releases started on 26 November 2020. Block release is planned to finish before Christmas - please see the Gwydir valley block release update

Environmental water operations

• No environmental flow orders are currently in place.

Water availability

• The latest Water Allocation Statement published by DPIE -Water (dated 7 December 2020) confirmed that general security allocation in the Gwydir remains unchanged at 5.07 percent of entitlement.

• Approximately 5 percent of the GS has been carried over the 2020-21 Water Year.

• LWU licence holders and D&S access licence holders have 100 percent entitlement and HS licence holders have 100 percent.

Water quality

• Recent Blue Green Algae (BGA) sampling at Copeton shows Copeton on a Red Alert Level in the storage.

Drought operation measures

• The Gwydir Valley is in Drought Stage 2. Management action will focus on ensuring water is available for critical needs for as long as possible.

• Planned supply interruptions

• No supply interruptions are expected.

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6.3 Border Rivers

Storage, release and inflow status

• is at 16.4 percent of capacity. Currently releasing about 50 ML/d.

• is at 14.1 percent of capacity and releases have ceased.

• Boggabilla Weir volume is currently reducing from evaporation and around 200ML is release is planned this week to fill Goondiwindi Weir.

• For regular updates, please refer to the Operations Update section of WaterNSW website.

Environmental Water operations

• Stimulus flow release from Pindari Dam has started from 1 October 2020 and around 4,500 ML was released throughout October 2020. Please visit the Operational Update section of the WaterNSW website for more details.

• Translucent flow release of about 50 ML/d from Pindari Dam has commenced after the completion of stimulus flow.

Water availability

• The latest WAS, published by DPIE -Water (dated 18 November 2020) confirmed 41.3 percent allocation for General Security A in the NSW Border Rivers regulated water source that totals 64.6 percent. No allocation to General Security B is possible until A receives a full (100 percent) allocation, in accordance with the Water Sharing Plan.

• There are no temporary water restrictions, but low storage levels mean deliverability of account water is challenging and depends on drought operational measures and tributary inflows.

• All licence categories, except GS, have received full allocations.

• After consultation with Border Rivers water users and other stakeholders the block release is planned to commence 21 December 2020. Releases will be made from Pindari dam for approximately seven days. For details refer to the Operations update section of the WaterNSW website.

Drought operation measures

• The Border Rivers are in Drought Stage 2.

Water quality

• Recent Blue Green Algae (BGA) sampling at Pindari shows a Red Alert Level.

Planned supply interruptions:

• Pindari dam low level valve maintenance work has been completed.

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6.4 Barwon-Darling River system

River flow status

• The 2020 Northern Basin inflow events provided significant inflow to the Barwon Darling system. Inflows arrived from the Border, Moonie, Gwydir, Namoi, Culgoa, Bokhara, Castlereagh, Bogan and Warrego systems.

• Approximately 716 GL of flow has been recorded at Wilcannia since the first flow arrived on 5 March 2020.

• Minor flow exists at Geera and Brewarrina due to small inflow from Macquarie River system. Cease to flow at all other locations.

Environmental water operations

• Planned Environmental Water (PEW) is water in the system that is below the Commence to Pump conditions for access licences.

• Barwon Darling full Active management has commenced. First announcement for 1 December 2020 has been published on WaterInsights Portal on 30 November 2020.

Water Availability

• The latest WAS, published by DPIE -Water (dated 1 July 2020) confirmed 100 percent allocation for all licence classes in the Barwon Darling Unregulated River water source.

• According to the amended WAS, published 1 July 2020, flow class announcements will be made every day when the flow class availability is A class or above. Please refer to the WaterInsights Portal for recent flow class announcements.

Drought operation measures

• The Barwon Darling unregulated river water source is assessed to be in Drought Stage 2.

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WaterNSW HYPLOT V134 Output 08/12/2020 Period 6 Month 01/07/2020 to 01/01/2021 2020 416001 BARWON R @ MUNGINDI 141.006 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500 1000 500 0 416050 BARWON U/S PRESBURY 141.006 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500 1000 500 0 422004 BARWON @ MOGIL MOGIL 141.006 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500 1000 500 0 422003 BARWON @COLLARENEBRI 141.006 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500 1000 500 0 422025 BARWON @ TARA 141.006 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500 1000 500 0 422001 BARWON @ DANGAR BDGE 141.006 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500 1000 500 0 422026 BARWON @ BOOROOMA 141.006 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500 1000 500 0 422027 BARWON @ GEERA 141.006 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500 1000 500 0 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

WaterNSW HYPLOT V134 Output 08/12/2020 Period 6 Month 01/07/2020 to 01/01/2021 2020 422002 BARWON @ BREWARRINA 141.00 6 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500

1000

500

0 422028 BARWON @ BEEMERY 141.00 6 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500

1000

500

0 425039 DARLING@WARRAWEENA 141.00 6 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500

1000

500

0 425003 DARLING@BOURKE TOWN 141.00 6 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500

1000

500

0 425004 DARLING@LOUTH 141.00 6 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500

1000

500

0 425900 DARLING@TILPA 141.00 6 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500

1000

500

0 425008 DARLING@WILC. MAIN C 141.00 6 Hour Mean Discharge (ML/d) CP 1500

1000

500

0 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Water availability weekly report 21

7. Coastal valley based operational activities

7.1 Bega river

Storage and release status

• is at 101 percent of capacity and spilling.

Environmental water operations

• There are no current additional operations.

Water availability

• An AWD of 40 percent for GS, and 100 percent for all other licence categories was announced on 1 July 2020.

• Access to Supplementary and Uncontrolled flows in in all river sections has been made available until further notice.

Drought operation measures

• The Bega/Brogo Regulated River water source is assessed to be in normal conditions now, improved from Drought Stage 4 to Drought Stage 1.

• WaterNSW held an online River Operations Stakeholder Consultation Committee (ROSCCo) meeting on 9 September 2020 and provided the operational updates to the group.

Water quality

• Recent sampling (3 November 2020) continue to show very low productivity across the storage. No cyanobacteria were observed upstream. The assemblage is dominated by small counts of diatoms. Downstream showed a minor cyanobacterial detection. Storage remains on green alert.

Planned supply interruptions

• Nil.

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7.2 Hunter valley

Storage and release status

• is currently at 47.0 percent of capacity. Releases from the dam were increased to around 160 ML/d to meet increase in demand due to hot weather. The flows from receding tributary streams are satisfying demand d/s of Denman.

• is at 40.0 percent of capacity and releases are currently at 20 ML/d due to hot weather and reduced tributary flows

• is at 98 percent of capacity and releasing 40 ML/d.

Environmental Water operations

• Currently, all environmental flow targets are being met by the tributary flows.

Water availability

• Supplementary and uncontrolled flow access in all sections of Hunter river have ceased.

• The recent WAS published by DPIE on 16 November 2020 confirms that 5 percent increase in allocation has been made to GS licences.

• The new allocation has increased total GS AWD to 58 percent in this year. Carryover is equivalent to approximately 23 percent of the total share component. HS and all other categories received 100 percent allocation.

• The EWA has been credited with 20 GL in accordance with the Water Sharing Plan.

• Paterson Valley allocations are at 100 percent for all licence categories.

Drought operation measures

• The Hunter Regulated River water source is assessed to be at Drought Stage 1 normal operations.

Water quality

Recent samples (17 November 2020) at Glenbawn shows that Microcystis sp. is still present at all upstream sites however overall productivity has declined. Downstream results showed no cyanobacteria present. Storage is now at Green Alert Level.

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• Recent sampling results (26 November 2020) at Glennies Creek Dam show that productivity in increasing again across the storage. Assemblage is mixed with small counts of cyanobacteria, flood and green alga present. No cyanobacteria were detected downstream. Storage is now at Green Alert Level.

• Recent BGA results for Lostock dam shows the upstream assemblage is dominated by flood alga. No cyanobacteria were observed. Downstream results showed a minor Microcystis sp. detection. Storage remains at Green Alert Level.

• Planned supply interruptions:

• Nil

Water availability weekly report 24

7.3

Storage and release status

• Toonumbar Dam is at 53.6 percent of capacity and releasing approximately 35 ML/d. The release is expected remain at 35ML/d during the week.

Environmental water operations

• No current additional operations.

Water availability

• All licence categories have 100 percent availability.

• WaterNSW held an online ROSCCo meeting on 14 October 2020 and advised the stakeholders present of the current situation and future operations plan.

• Full allocations already announced for all entitlement holders in the 2020-21 Water Year.

Drought operation measures

• The Drought Stage level has eased from Drought Stage 2 to Drought Stage 1 with normal operations resuming.

Water quality

• Recent results for Toonumbar shows that productivity is moderate across the storage. Minor counts of Microcystis sp. were noted however the assemblage is dominated by flood alga. A similar assemblage of cyanobacteria was observed downstream. The storage remains at Green Alert Level.

Planned supply interruptions:

• Diving work to inspect the intake tower is scheduled for 8 Dec 2020 and no releases will be made during that period. Scheduled outage is for a maximum of approximately 6 – 8 hours.

• Scheduled works for replacement of the 610” valve have been cancelled, until further notice.

Water availability weekly report 25

8. Rural Dam Levels

The following table shows the status of water supplies at 7 December 2020.

Weekly Likeliho Active River Valley Current Status change Comments od of fill Allocations for 2020/21 Capacity (GL) and spill

percent of Weekly C’over Active High Gen. Storage Dam, Nearest Town (GL) active Change Supply Issues avail @ (GL) Security Security capacity (GL) 1/7/20

Border Rivers

Glenlyon Dam, Stanthorpe 253 14% 36 0 Release ceased <20% 100% 5.4% 2% (Qld)

312 16% 51 4 Translucent releases <20% 100% 5.4% 2% Pindari Dam, Inverell

Gwydir Valley

Copeton Dam, 1346 15% 197 -14 Block release 26 Nov <5% 100% 5.07% 5%

Namoi Valley Release ceased Keepit Dam, Gunnedah 419 26% 111 -0 <20% 100% 8% 6%

Split Rock Dam, Manilla 394 4% 17 -1 Regulated releases <5% 100% 50% 39%

Chaffey Dam, Tamworth 101 33% 34 0 Min release & d/s tribs <50% 50% 0% N/A

Macquarie Valley

Irrigation and Env water 1154 43% 493 -8 <10% 100% 23% 16% release. Burrendong Dam, Wellington

Windamere Dam, 367 29% 108 -1 Regulated releases <5% 100% 23% 58%

Lachlan Valley

Wyangala Dam, Cowra 1217 65% 786 -8 Regulated releases <10% 100% 38% 6% D/s trib flows receding, Supp 36 32% 11 -0 <10% 100% 0% 28% Carcoar Dam, Carcoar and UCF ceased

Murrumbidgee Valley Regulated releases 1025 86% 882 -17 <25% 95% 76% 18% Burrinjuck Dam, Yass including eWater and IVT Regulated releases 1604 89% 1430 -21 <10% 95% 76% 18% Blowering Dam, Tumut including eWater and IVT

Murray

Dartmouth, Mitta Mitta (Vic) 3837 60% 2310 8 Minimum releases N/A N/A N/A N/A Regulated releases 2982 72% 2149 -80 <25% 97% 40% 22% Hume Dam, Albury including eWater

Lower Darling Regulated releases 1633 22% 349 -14 <30% 100% 30% 48% Menindee Lakes, Broken Hill including eWater

Hunter Valley Regulated release Glenbawn Dam, Scone 750 47% 352 -1 <10% 100% 58% 23% Regulated release Glennies Ck Dam, Singleton 282 40% 113 -0 <20% 100% 58% 23% Regulated releases Lostock Dam, Gresford 20 98% 19 -0 100% 100% 100% N/A

Coastal Area

Toonumbar Dam, Kyogle 11 53% 6 -0 Regulated releases 100% 100% 100% N/A

Spilling, access to Supp and 9 101% 9 0 100% 100% 40% N/A UCF continues in all sections Brogo Dam, Bega

Total 17749 53.3% 9461 -153 WaterNSW has water resources in Dartmouth, Hume and Glenlyon Dams. TWS = Town Water Supplies

Water availability weekly report 26

9. More Information

1 Gigalitre (GL) = 1,000 Megalitres (ML) 1 ML = 1,000,000 litres

More information Subscribe to our customer information (weekly water availability reports, e-newsletters, etc.) at .com.au/subscribe.

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