Update on Hume and Dartmouth storages

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Update on Hume and Dartmouth storages

16 August 2013 - Murray Darling Basin Authority

River Murray operators have increased the releases of water from the Hume and Dartmouth dams this week to manage airspace and reduce the effects of potential spill.

MDBA River Management executive director, David Dreverman, said continuing rain across the upper Murray catchments had led to rising levels in the Dartmouth and Hume reservoirs, and further rain was forecast.

"River operators have been gradually releasing water from the dams over recent weeks due to the forecast wet conditions but the inflows are now exceeding the current controlled releases," Mr Dreverman said.

"Essentially, we're now moving from filling to spilling, which means we're allowing most of the water to pass through the dams rather than go into storage.

"With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting further rain for this weekend, it's expected the storage levels will continue to rise over the coming week.

"The catchments are now very wet and, with the Bureau's longer term outlook for increasingly wetter conditions, it's highly likely that spills will occur."

Mr Dreverman said the timing of any spill was uncertain and downstream communities should keep an eye out for any flood watches or flood warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.

"We're liaising very closely with the Bureau so they can issue timely and accurate warnings," he said.

MDBA river operators have been meeting with landholders downstream of the storages to discuss the current status of the levels, explain how airspace is being managed and to ensure landholders are well prepared and know where to go for further information.

Information about the management of Hume Dam can be found at www.mdba.gov.au/what-we-do/managing-rivers/river-murray-system/dams-weirs/hume-dam/flood-management-at-hume-dam