Operations update
Low River Levels Forecast in Murrumbidgee River
27 February 2020
We are advising customers and community that river levels in the Murrumbidgee are forecast to remain low for the rest of the season. Due to low water demand and IVT call by MDBA from Murrumbidgee Valley is ending the water level below Gogeldrie Weir is likely to remain very low.
The release from Blowering Dam is likely to remain about 2,000 to 3,000ML/day, which is subject to change due to rainfall in the irrigation area. The release from Burrinjuck Dam is likely to remain between 300 and 615 ML/day to manage the riverine environment below the dam as per the Water Sharing Plan rules.
The low river levels at Wagga Wagga and Darlington Point would result in very low stream levels in the Beavers-Old Man Creek system and Uri Creek, respectively.
The aim is to conserve water and minimise operational losses while maximising the use of water stored in the Hay, Maude and Redbank weirs to meet the existing system demand including end of system flows at Balranald.
Under dry conditions as part of the drought measures, Berembed and Bundidgerry weir would be maintained at about 3.8m with a marginal airspace with the irrigation demand by Murrumbidgee Irrigation being relatively steady.
Tombullen Weir has been fully drained and would only be utilised to capture any system surplus.
The flow below Gogeldrie Weir is likely to remain between 500 and 1,500 ML/day. Gogeldrie Weir would be managed at about 5.9m for recreation usage during second week of March and then drawn down to about 5.5m or less.
Hay weir levels are forecast to gradually reduce to the targeted level of around 6.5m to support the town water supply. However, the levels in the Hay Weir may vary due to varying system demands both upstream and downstream of the weir.
Maude and Redbank Weirs would be gradually lowered to about 2.5m to provide airspace in the lower end of the system.
The minimum levels in the weirs are being targeted to avoid system spills during autumn / early winter and to facilitate annual maintenance activities of all re-regulation weirs. However, WaterNSW operations would try and provide enough river height upstream of Gogeldrie and Hay
WaterNSW ABN 21 147 934 787 169 Macquarie Street Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 398, Parramatta NSW 2124 T 1300 662 077 E [email protected] waternsw.com.au
Weirs for recreational activities during Easter holiday season, without compromising the water security in the valley.
We further advise customers and landholders to monitor river levels closely and to make necessary arrangements to ensure infrastructure and livestock are not impacted by the low river levels.
Authorised by
Vincent Kelly, Water Systems Operation Manager South
WaterNSW ABN 21 147 934 787 169 Macquarie Street Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 398, Parramatta NSW 2124 T 1300 662 077 E [email protected] waternsw.com.au