River Murray Operations | Murray–Darling Basin Authority August 2020

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

River Murray Operations | Murray–Darling Basin Authority August 2020 River Murray Key facts The River Murray is Australia’s longest operations river and flows for more than 2500 kilometres through New South The River Murray flows through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Wales, Victoria and South Australia, sustaining rural towns and communities, supporting Several major rivers join the Murray, including the agricultural production and nourishing many Goulburn, Murrumbidgee unique Australian plants and animals. and Darling, and many smaller rivers and MDBA River Operations is responsible for operating the tributaries on its westward River Murray on behalf of the joint governments of New journey to the sea. South Wales (NSW), Victoria and South Australia. Key water regulation assets under control of the MDBA The Murray–Darling Basin include Dartmouth Dam, Hume Dam, Yarrawonga Weir, Agreement (the Agreement) Torrumbarry Weir, Lake Victoria and the locks and weirs sets out the water sharing from Lock 15 at Euston to Lock 7 at Rufus River. rules across the states. The MDBA determines the volume of water released to meet demands, but does not own any water and can only The main storages in the release water from storage when there are state orders or River Murray are system demands to be met. Dartmouth Dam, Hume Dam, Yarrawonga Weir The physical operation of structures is managed by water and Lake Victoria. authorities in each state. This includes Menindee Lakes on the Darling River, which contributes some water for use in the Murray system, but is managed by the NSW Other major storages Government. Additionally, the MDBA does not operate the connected to the system River Murray downstream of the South Australian border, (but not the responsibility where the South Australian Government take on this role. of the MDBA) include Lake Other key operational roles of the MDBA include: Eildon, Burrinjuck Dam, sharing water in the River Murray between the three and the Snowy Mountains states, management of salt interception schemes, storages. overseeing maintenance of existing assets and construction of new assets. There are 14 weirs, 10 locks The Murray–Darling Basin Agreement sets the MDBA’s and five barrages. Barrages responsibilities for operating the river. It also provides are built near the river’s operating rules the MDBA must follow and be audited mouth to stop sea water against each year. entering the river system. There are currently 14 salt interception schemes diverting approximately half a million tonnes of salt away from river catchments each year. MDBA1265 LEGEND River Murray system River Murray system Tributary MENINDEE Irrigation channel LAKES Water pipeline Irrigation area The Living Murray icon site DARLING RIVER State border Water storage / reservoir Weir NEW SOUTH WALES LACHLAN RIVER LAKE SOUTH VICTORIA AUSTRALIA EUSTON MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER WEIR (15) EDWARD RIVER RIVER LOCK 1 to LOCK 11 MURRAY NEW SOUTH WALES MDBA operates the YARRAWONGA River Murray upstream WEIR HUME DAM of the SA border. INTERFACE WITH SNOWY VICTORIA MOUNTAINS OVENS RIVER SCHEME AVOCA RIVER DARTMOUTH LAKE DAM ALEXANDRINA LAKE KIEWA BARRAGES ALBERT RIVER LODDON TORRUMBARRY WEIR (26) RIVER MITTA MITTA MURRAY MOUTH RIVER (ENCOUNTER BAY) CAMPASPE GOULBURN RIVER RIVER VICTORIA Examples of river Water storages (also known as dams or reservoirs) capture large volumes of water management structures to mitigate against prolonged drought. Communities Agriculture Weirs are structures built in rivers and irrigation channels to store and regulate the ow of water, and also raise the Wetlands & river level to improve navigation. oodplains Locks are chambers built adjacent to some weirs. They allow boats to pass through weirs by raising and lowering the river level. Industry Barrages are a series of weirs built at the end of the Murray to prevent sea water from entering the river system Connect with us. The MDBA has offices in Adelaide, Albury-Wodonga, Canberra, Goondiwindi, Griffith, Mildura, Murray-Bridge, Toowoomba, and The Murray–Darling Basin regional engagement officers around the Basin. 1800 230 067 [email protected] mdba.gov.au River Murray operations | Murray–Darling Basin Authority August 2020.
Recommended publications
  • Namoi River Salinity
    Instream salinity models of NSW tributaries in the Murray-Darling Basin Volume 3 – Namoi River Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model Publisher NSW Department of Water and Energy Level 17, 227 Elizabeth Street GPO Box 3889 Sydney NSW 2001 T 02 8281 7777 F 02 8281 7799 [email protected] www.dwe.nsw.gov.au Instream salinity models of NSW tributaries in the Murray-Darling Basin Volume 3 – Namoi River Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model April 2008 ISBN (volume 2) 978 0 7347 5990 0 ISBN (set) 978 0 7347 5991 7 Volumes in this set: In-stream Salinity Models of NSW Tributaries in the Murray Darling Basin Volume 1 – Border Rivers Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model Volume 2 – Gwydir River Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model Volume 3 – Namoi River Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model Volume 4 – Macquarie River Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model Volume 5 – Lachlan River Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model Volume 6 – Murrumbidgee River Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model Volume 7 – Barwon-Darling River System Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model Acknowledgements Technical work and reporting by Perlita Arranz, Richard Beecham, and Chris Ribbons. This publication may be cited as: Department of Water and Energy, 2008. Instream salinity models of NSW tributaries in the Murray-Darling Basin: Volume 3 – Namoi River Salinity Integrated Quantity and Quality Model, NSW Government. © State of New South Wales through the Department of Water and Energy, 2008 This work may be freely reproduced and distributed for most purposes, however some restrictions apply. Contact the Department of Water and Energy for copyright information.
    [Show full text]
  • Murrumbidgee Regional Fact Sheet
    Murrumbidgee region Overview The Murrumbidgee region is home The river and national parks provide to about 550,000 people and covers ideal spots for swimming, fishing, 84,000 km2 – 8% of the Murray– bushwalking, camping and bird Darling Basin. watching. Dryland cropping, grazing and The Murrumbidgee River provides irrigated agriculture are important a critical water supply to several industries, with 42% of NSW grapes regional centres and towns including and 50% of Australia’s rice grown in Canberra, Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, the region. Narrandera, Leeton, Griffith, Hay and Balranald. The region’s villages Chicken production employs such as Goolgowi, Merriwagga and 350 people in the area, aquaculture Carrathool use aquifers and deep allows the production of Murray bores as their potable supply. cod and cotton has also been grown since 2010. Image: Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga, NSW Carnarvon N.P. r e v i r e R iv e R v i o g N re r r e a v i W R o l g n Augathella a L r e v i R d r a W Chesterton Range N.P. Charleville Mitchell Morven Roma Cheepie Miles River Chinchilla amine Cond Condamine k e e r r ve C i R l M e a nn a h lo Dalby c r a Surat a B e n e o B a Wyandra R Tara i v e r QUEENSLAND Brisbane Toowoomba Moonie Thrushton er National e Riv ooni Park M k Beardmore Reservoir Millmerran e r e ve r i R C ir e e St George W n i Allora b e Bollon N r e Jack Taylor Weir iv R Cunnamulla e n n N lo k a e B Warwick e r C Inglewood a l a l l a g n u Coolmunda Reservoir M N acintyre River Goondiwindi 25 Dirranbandi M Stanthorpe 0 50 Currawinya N.P.
    [Show full text]
  • Lachlan Water Resource Plan
    Lachlan Water Resource Plan Surface water resource description Published by the Department of Primary Industries, a Division of NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development. Lachlan Water Resource Plan: Surface water resource description First published April 2018 More information www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Acknowledgments This document was prepared by Dayle Green. It expands upon a previous description of the Lachlan Valley published by the NSW Office of Water in 2011 (Green, Burrell, Petrovic and Moss 2011, Water resources and management overview – Lachlan catchment ) Cover images: Lachlan River at Euabalong; Lake Cargelligo, Macquarie Perch, Carcoar Dam Photos courtesy Dayle Green and Department of Primary Industries. The maps in this report contain data sourced from: Murray-Darling Basin Authority © Commonwealth of Australia (Murray–Darling Basin Authority) 2012. (Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License) NSW DPI Water © Spatial Services - NSW Department of Finance, Services and Innovation [2016], Panorama Avenue, Bathurst 2795 http://spatialservices.finance.nsw.gov.au NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Atlas of NSW Wildlife data © State of New South Wales through Department of Environment and Heritage (2016) 59-61 Goulburn Street Sydney 2000 http://www.biotnet.nsw.gov.au NSW DPI Fisheries Fish Community Status and Threatened Species data © State of New South Wales through Department of Industry (2016) 161 Kite Street Orange 2800 http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/species-protection/threatened-species-distributions-in-nsw © State of New South Wales through the Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development, 2018. You may copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW Department of Primary Industries as the owner.
    [Show full text]
  • Dubbo Zirconia Project
    Dubbo Zirconia Project Aquatic Ecology Assessment Prepared by Alison Hunt & Associates September 2013 Specialist Consultant Studies Compendium Volume 2, Part 7 This page has intentionally been left blank Aquatic Ecology Assessment Prepared for: R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited 62 Hill Street ORANGE NSW 2800 Tel: (02) 6362 5411 Fax: (02) 6361 3622 Email: [email protected] On behalf of: Australian Zirconia Ltd 65 Burswood Road BURSWOOD WA 6100 Tel: (08) 9227 5677 Fax: (08) 9227 8178 Email: [email protected] Prepared by: Alison Hunt & Associates 8 Duncan Street ARNCLIFFE NSW 2205 Tel: (02) 9599 0402 Email: [email protected] September 2013 Alison Hunt & Associates SPECIALIST CONSULTANT STUDIES AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Part 7: Aquatic Ecology Assessment Dubbo Zirconia Project Report No. 545/05 This Copyright is included for the protection of this document COPYRIGHT © Alison Hunt & Associates, 2013 and © Australian Zirconia Ltd, 2013 All intellectual property and copyright reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, 1968, no part of this report may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system or adapted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to Alison Hunt & Associates. Alison Hunt & Associates RW CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Dubbo Zirconia Project Aquatic Ecology Final September 2013 SPECIALIST CONSULTANT STUDIES AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Part 7: Aquatic Ecology Assessment Dubbo Zirconia Project Report No. 545/05 SUMMARY Alison Hunt & Associates Pty Ltd was commissioned by RW Corkery & Co Pty Limited, on behalf of Australian Zirconia Limited (AZL), to undertake an assessment of aquatic ecology for the proposed development of the Dubbo Zirconia Project (DZP), which would be located at Toongi, approximately 25 km south of Dubbo in Central West NSW.
    [Show full text]
  • DUCK HUNTING in VICTORIA 2020 Background
    DUCK HUNTING IN VICTORIA 2020 Background The Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2012 provide for an annual duck season running from 3rd Saturday in March until the 2nd Monday in June in each year (80 days in 2020) and a 10 bird bag limit. Section 86 of the Wildlife Act 1975 enables the responsible Ministers to vary these arrangements. The Game Management Authority (GMA) is an independent statutory authority responsible for the regulation of game hunting in Victoria. Part of their statutory function is to make recommendations to the relevant Ministers (Agriculture and Environment) in relation to open and closed seasons, bag limits and declaring public and private land open or closed for hunting. A number of factors are reviewed each year to ensure duck hunting remains sustainable, including current and predicted environmental conditions such as habitat extent and duck population distribution, abundance and breeding. This review however, overlooks several reports and assessments which are intended for use in managing game and hunting which would offer a more complete picture of habitat, population, abundance and breeding, we will attempt to summarise some of these in this submission, these include: • 2019-20 Annual Waterfowl Quota Report to the Game Licensing Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries • Assessment of Waterfowl Abundance and Wetland Condition in South- Eastern Australia, South Australian Department for Environment and Water • Victorian Summer waterbird Count, 2019, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research As a key stakeholder representing 17,8011 members, Field & Game Australia Inc. (FGA) has been invited by GMA to participate in the Stakeholder Meeting and provide information to assist GMA brief the relevant Ministers, FGA thanks GMA for this opportunity.
    [Show full text]
  • World's Major Rivers
    WWWWWWoorrlldd’’ss mmaajjoorr rriivveerrss AAnn IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn ttoo iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall wwwwwwaatteerr llaawwwwww wwwwwwiitthh ccaassee ssttuuddiieess THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK WWWWWWoorrlldd’’ss mmaajjoorr rriivveerrss An introduction to international water law with case studies Colorado River Commission of Nevada 555 E. Washington Avenue, Suite 3100 Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Phone: (702) 486-2670 Website: http://crc.nv.gov November 2008 Jacob (Jay) D. Bingham, Chairman Ace I. Robinson, Vice Chairman Andrea Anderson, Commissioner Marybel Batjer, Commissioner Chip Maxfield, Commissioner George F. Ogilvie III, Commissioner Lois Tarkanian, Commissioner George M. Caan, Executive Director Primary Author: Daniel Seligman, Attorney at Law Columbia Research Corp. P.O. Box 99249 Seattle, Washington 98139 (206) 285-1185 Project Editors: McClain Peterson, Project Manager Manager, Natural Resource Division Colorado River Commission of Nevada Sara Price Special Counsel-Consultant Colorado River Commission of Nevada Esther Valle Natural Resource Analyst Colorado River Commission of Nevada Nicole Everett Natural Resource Analyst Colorado River Commission of Nevada THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK World’s Major Rivers ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Daniel Seligman at the Columbia Research Corp. wishes to thank Jacqueline Pruner, attorney at law in Seattle, for her contribution to the section on water law in Canada and her valuable editing assistance throughout the entire document. The staff at the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and Goulburn-Murray Water in Australia provided important information about the Murray-Darling River system, patiently answered the author’s questions, and reviewed the draft text on water trading. Staff at the International Joint Commission in Washington, D.C., and the Prairie Provinces Water Board in Regina, Canada, also offered helpful comments on an earlier draft.
    [Show full text]
  • Fisheries Management (Authority to Fish Silver Perch) Order 2007
    Fisheries Management (Authority to Fish Silver Perch) Order 2007 As at 18 January 2008 I, the Minister for Primary Industries, make the following Order under section 221IA of the Fisheries Management Act 1994. Dated, this 17th day of December 2007. Minister for Primary Industries Explanatory note The silver perch is listed as a vulnerable species (which is a category of threatened species) under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. The Act enables the Minister for Primary Industries to make an order authorising a class of persons to carry out an activity that may result in harm to a threatened species, population or ecological community or damage to its habitat, subject to the Minister's compliance with the requirements of Subdivision 1A of Division 6 of Part 7A of the Act. The object of this Order is to authorise recreational fishers to fish for silver perch in specified waters, subject to compliance with any applicable fishing regulatory controls. This Order is made under section 221IA of the Fisheries Management Act 1994. 1 Name of Order This Order is the Fisheries Management (Authority to Fish Silver Perch) Order 2007. 2 Commencement This Order takes effect on the day that it is published in the Gazette. 3 Activities authorised by this Order (1) Recreational fishers may take silver perch, or possess silver perch taken, from the following bodies of water, or carry out any routine activity in that connection, subject to compliance with any applicable fishing regulatory controls: Ben Chifley Dam Jounama Pondage Blowering Dam Keepit Dam Burrendong Dam Lake Albert Burrinjuck Dam Lake Wyangan Chaffey Dam Pindari Dam Copeton Dam Split Rock Dam Glenbawn Dam Windamere Dam Glennies Creek Wyangla Dam Dam Googong Dam Yass Weir (2) In this clause, "fishing regulatory controls" has the same meaning as in Division 5 of Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix F. Statement of Heritage Impacts
    Hume Battery Energy Storage System Environmental Impact Statement Appendix F. Statement of Heritage Impacts Hume Battery Energy Storage System Statement of Heritage Impact IA213400_Hume BESS SOHI | Final 28 July 2020 Meridian Energy Australia Statement of Heritage Impact Meridian Energy Australia Statement of Heritage Impact Hume Battery Energy Storage System Project No: IA213400 Document Title: Statement of Heritage Impact Document No.: IA213400_Hume BESS SOHI Revision: Final Date: 28 July 2020 Client Name: Meridian Energy Australia Project Manager: Thomas Muddle Author: Deborah Farina File Name: IA213400 Hume BESS SOHI_Final Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Limited ABN 37 001 024 095 Level 7, 177 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia PO Box 632 North Sydney NSW 2059 Australia T +61 2 9928 2100 F +61 2 9928 2444 www.jacobs.com © Copyright 2019 Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Limited. The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Jacobs. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Jacobs constitutes an infringement of copyright. Limitation: This document has been prepared on behalf of, and for the exclusive use of Jacobs’ client, and is subject to, and issued in accordance with, the provisions of the contract between Jacobs and the client. Jacobs accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for, or in respect of, any use of, or reliance upon, this document by any third party. IA213400_Hume BESS SOHI i Statement of Heritage Impact Contents Executive Summary
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Water Availability Report
    Regional water availability report Weekly edition 7 January 2019 waternsw.com.au 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 ........................................................................................................................................ 9 4.3 Murrumbidgee valley ...................................................................................................................................... 9 5. Central valley based operational activities ..................................................................................... 14 5.1 Lachlan valley ................................................................................................................................................ 14 5.2 Macquarie valley ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Menindee Lakes, the Lower Darling River and Darling Anabranch)
    THE LIVING MURRAY Information Paper No. 10 IPTLM0010 Health of the River Murray Menindee Lakes, the Lower Darling River and Darling Anabranch) Contents Environmental assets within the river zone Current condition of environmental assets Reasons why some environmental assets have declined in value What can be done to restore environmental values? Existing environmental flows initiatives The system-wide perspective References Introductory Note Please note: The contents of this publication do not purport to represent the position of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. The intention of this paper is to inform discussion for the improvement of the management of the Basin’s natural resources. 2 Environmental assets within the river zone The lower Darling River system is located at the downstream end of the River Murray system in NSW and is marked by Wentworth to the south and Menindee to the north. It encompasses the Menindee Lakes system, the Darling River below Menindee and the Great Anabranch of the Darling River (referred to hereafter as the Darling Anabranch) and associated lakes. These are iconic riverine and lake systems within the Murray-Darling Basin. In addition, a vital tributary and operating system feeds the lower River Murray. The climate of the area is semi-arid with an annual average rainfall of 200 mm at Menindee (Auld and Denham 2001) and a high potential annual evaporation of 2,335 mm (Westbrooke et al. 2001). It is hot in summer (5–46oC) and mild to cold in winter (-5–26oC). In particular, the lower Darling River system is characterised by clusters of large floodplain lakes, 103 to 15,900 ha in size, located at Menindee and along the Darling Anabranch.
    [Show full text]
  • Lake Eildon Land and On-Water Management Plan 2012 Table of Contents
    Lake Eildon Land and On-Water Management Plan 2012 Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................3 3.5 Healthy Ecosystems ...........................................24 1. Objectives of the Plan ..........................................4 3.5.1 Native Flora and Fauna ............................24 2. Context .......................................................................4 3.5.2 Foreshore Vegetation Management .........25 3.5.3 Pest and Nuisance Plants ........................26 2.1 Lake Eildon Development ....................................4 3.5.4 Pest Animals .............................................27 2.2 Lake Eildon as a Water Supply ............................4 3.5.5 References ...............................................27 2.3 Storage Operations ..............................................5 2.4 Land Status ...........................................................5 3.6 Land Management ..............................................28 2.5 Legal Status ..........................................................5 3.6.1 Permits, Licences and Lease Arrangements ................................28 2.6 Study Area .............................................................5 3.6.2 Fire ............................................................29 3. A Plan for the Management 3.6.3 Foreshore Erosion ....................................30 of Lake Eildon ..........................................................5 3.6.4 Stream Bank Erosion ................................31 3.1 Plan
    [Show full text]
  • Government Gazette of the STATE of NEW SOUTH WALES Number 112 Monday, 3 September 2007 Published Under Authority by Government Advertising
    6835 Government Gazette OF THE STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES Number 112 Monday, 3 September 2007 Published under authority by Government Advertising SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT EXOTIC DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT 1991 ORDER - Section 15 Declaration of Restricted Areas – Hunter Valley and Tamworth I, IAN JAMES ROTH, Deputy Chief Veterinary Offi cer, with the powers the Minister has delegated to me under section 67 of the Exotic Diseases of Animals Act 1991 (“the Act”) and pursuant to section 15 of the Act: 1. revoke each of the orders declared under section 15 of the Act that are listed in Schedule 1 below (“the Orders”); 2. declare the area specifi ed in Schedule 2 to be a restricted area; and 3. declare that the classes of animals, animal products, fodder, fi ttings or vehicles to which this order applies are those described in Schedule 3. SCHEDULE 1 Title of Order Date of Order Declaration of Restricted Area – Moonbi 27 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – Woonooka Road Moonbi 29 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – Anambah 29 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – Muswellbrook 29 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – Aberdeen 29 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – East Maitland 29 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – Timbumburi 29 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – McCullys Gap 30 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – Bunnan 31 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area - Gloucester 31 August 2007 Declaration of Restricted Area – Eagleton 29 August 2007 SCHEDULE 2 The area shown in the map below and within the local government areas administered by the following councils: Cessnock City Council Dungog Shire Council Gloucester Shire Council Great Lakes Council Liverpool Plains Shire Council 6836 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT 3 September 2007 Maitland City Council Muswellbrook Shire Council Newcastle City Council Port Stephens Council Singleton Shire Council Tamworth City Council Upper Hunter Shire Council NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT GAZETTE No.
    [Show full text]