Operations update

Windamere Release

Environmental Flow Releases from Windamere Dam commences 25 March 2021

WaterNSW advises that releases from Windamere Dam will commence today Thursday 25 March 2021 to deliver translucent environmental flows in the .

The environmental flow rules for the Cudgegong River established by the 2016 Water Sharing Plan require that when rainfall in the catchment produces inflows to Windamere Dam, then a proportion of the water flowing into the dam is released to the river as environmental flow.

This is the first time since the recent drought that the release thresholds have been reached. The total volume of water to be released from the dam, and the number of days over which the release will occur, will depend on the inflows to the dam.

The purpose of the environmental flow release is to introduce small flushing flows to the regulated Cudgegong river. These small flows help to flush fine sediments and provide improved habitat for native fish, waterbirds, and platypus.

Residents of and surrounding rural areas along the Cudgegong River between Windamere and Burrendong will see the river rise over the next few days.

WaterNSW warns landholders along the river to take extra care when they are in or around the river during the next few days.

The maximum flow at Rocky Waterhole is expected to remain below 1,100ML per day which should keep all public river crossings downstream of the dam open.

Residents along the river need to be aware and stay alert to the changing river levels, especially during school holidays.

WaterNSW advises that this is an environmental flow release and is not a bulk water transfer between the two dams.

Authorised by Sri Sritharan Water System Operations Manager (Central)

More information Please visit our website for more information at .com.au/supply/regional-nsw/customer- notices. For more information on this event, phone us on 1300 662 077 or email us at [email protected].

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