The major storages are now in a better position to support water delivery to the Murray River, according to the latest annual operating outlook released by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
MDBA River Operations general manager Tom Zouch said while system inflows were near average in June, a significant rainfall event across the Murray River and Goulburn catchments in July elevated flows to align current conditions closer to the ‘wet’ scenario.
“We are confident this outlook considers multiple options for water to be delivered where and when it’s needed, even if system inflows return to drier than average later in the season,” Mr Zouch said.
“After a wetter than average June and July, storage levels at Dartmouth, Hume and Lake Victoria are in a good position to support water delivery to the Murray River without the need to call water from the Menindee Lakes System, where inflows and storage volumes remain low.
“We can also rely on the Goulburn inter-valley trade account to support demands throughout the water year.”
MDBA will continue to monitor conditions and will review the outlook in October to provide an updated understanding of storage position and any possible shortfall risks leading into the peak irrigation season.
The Annual Operating Outlook outlines how the Murray River System might be managed under different water availability scenarios for the year, covering six possible scenarios, ranging from extreme dry to wet conditions.
For more information and to read the full outlook visit the MDBA website.
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