Menindee Lakes releases continuing as planned

[Member]

Lower Darling River flow advice
17 December 2013   - MDBA
 
Menindee Lakes releases continuing as planned

Landholders and river users, including pumpers, are being encouraged to take note of increased flow rates that are continuing in the lower Darling River, and to make necessary adjustments to their activities.
The flow rates have been increased to transfer water from the Menindee Lakes to the River Murray to meet demands for water over the coming months.
The release (measured at Weir 32) is currently about 3,400 ML/day and will be held steady at around this rate for the next week. This release rate corresponds to a river height of around 2.3 metres at Weir 32, while at the Burtundy gauge, the river is forecast to reach a peak of around 2.0 metres during the last week of December.
Beginning December 20, the release will be gradually reduced with only a very small decline in flow expected over the Christmas-New Year period. A flow of around 2,500 ML/day (2.1 metres at Weir 32) is expected by mid-January 2014.
Menindee Lakes are operated in conjunction with Lake Victoria to increase overall water security for NSW, Victoria and South Australia whilst also considering the security of water supply in the lower Darling and for Broken Hill should there be a return to extreme dry conditions.
It is anticipated that releases above seasonal minimum rates will persist throughout summer and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will provide further details on flow rates later in January 2014.
This flow forecast is dependent on weather conditions and operational requirements and assumes no significant rainfall or inflows.  A further flow advice will be issued if there are any significant variations to these planned releases.
This information follows notification provided in the flow advice issued on 26 November,
Forecast flows and Menindee storage volumes are available on the MDBA website at www.mdba.gov.au/river-data/current-information-forecasts.
ENDS   

Image- MDBA. Weir 32