Releases from the Hume Dam have increased to 41,000 Ml/day to maintain airspace.
Photo by
Darren Linton
Goulburn-Murray Water increased releases from Lake Eildon last week to 13,000 Ml/day to manage airspace and slow the rate of rise in the storage.
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G-MW river operations co-ordinator Guy Ortlipp said the release was to lower the lake’s level, with more inflows forecast.
“At the start of July, Lake Eildon was at around 82.5 per cent capacity. With inflow conditions, that’s seen the storage start to rise,” Mr Ortlipp said.
“G-MW commenced releases around the end of August to slow down the rate of fill of the storage.
“Rainfall and inflows from the weekend just past has seen the storage rise and is now sitting just 99 per cent full.
“G-MW has increased releases to make room for further inflows.”
Lake Eildon spillway on September 18.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
G-MW said the release would be at a rate below minor flood levels, but it would mean higher flows downstream of Lake Eildon.
“Farmers downstream should prepare to move machinery and livestock to higher ground,” Mr Ortlipp said.
On Thursday, September 22, the Goulburn River was at 9.1m at Shepparton — below the minor flood level of 9.5m — with flows around 22,500 Ml/day. Some roads around the region were closed due to water over the road.
The flows in the Goulburn dropped on the weekend but rain is forecast for the next few days and authorities are urging people to stay up-to-date with flood warnings.
On Friday, September 23, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority increased releases of water from Hume Dam to 41,000 Ml/day to maintain airspace.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the height of the Murray River at Albury would exceed minor flood level (4.3m), but would remain below the moderate flood level during the coming days.
On Monday, September 26, the Murray River was at 6.31m at Tocumwal (minor flood level is 6.4m).
“The MDBA remains focused on keeping the [Hume] dam safe, and capturing flows where we can, to mitigate flooding,” MDBA’s Andrew Reynolds said.
“If you live or work on a floodplain, please stay up-to-date on the latest weather information including warnings, river conditions and rainfall in your area via the Bureau of Meteorology’s website.
“You are also encouraged to subscribe to WaterNSW's Early Warning Network to be notified via SMS, landline or email about dam releases during times of high releases and floods.”
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