With some river systems already in
flood and the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting 50 to 100 mm of rain later this
week, Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) has begun preparations at some of its
storages and is advising of increased river flows and a drop in the Mildura
Weir pool.
G-MW is encouraging pump and houseboat
owners, customers and members of the community to be prepared and to monitor
the flood and river level warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology over
coming days.
G-MW acting Managing Director Shane
McGrath said it was important to recognise that the water storages are for
harvesting water resources. The water in the
storages has been allocated to and is owned by irrigators, urban water
corporations and other water users across the region.
"Where the design of the storage allows
and where we are confident the rainfall will refill the storage, G-MW
may pre-release water to provide some attenuation of flood flows," said Mr McGrath.
"However, all operations are aimed at ensuring that these facilities meet
appropriate and current safety standards."
G-MW's 16 storages range in age from 30 to more
than 130 years, with a range of design and construction styles. Some storages
have gates that allow G-MW to pre-release water; others are ‘fill and spill'
storages with free over flow spillways to manage the outflows.
"With catchments already wet and
storages at or close to full capacity we anticipate a rapid response in the
storages and downstream river levels. Water levels and the outflows from
storages will be determined by the location and intensity of rain and how
quickly it falls and how quickly it runs off into the storages or downstream
rivers," said Mr McGrath.
"Two weeks ago we recorded 120 mm in 48
hours at Cairn Curran resulting in a maximum inflow of over 50,000ML. In contrast, 20 kilometres away at Tullaroop we recorded barely 4,000 ML of inflow. It's a reminder
that our plans and the plans of our customers need to allow for the fact that
we are dealing with an unpredictable natural event," said Mr McGrath.
Key preparations
underway by G-MW include:
Cairn Curran
Reservoir G-MW this week began
releasing 5,500 ML a day and intends releasing approximately 11,000 ML or 7.5%
of the storage's capacity before predicted rain arrives.
"The releases are within the capacity of the river,
but once the rain arrives, the need for increased releases will be determined
by the volume of water flowing into the storage and in accordance with the
local operating rules," said Mr McGrath.
Mildura Weir G-MW manages the Weir on behalf of the
Murray-Darling Basin Authority and has begun removing the weir trestles in
anticipation of flows increasing over the next fortnight. Removing the trestles
may see the weir pool's water levels drop by around 800 millimetres within the
next few days.
"Riverboat owners and customers with pumps on the
upstream side of the weir should prepare for this drop in water levels," said
Mr McGrath.
Channel
operations in Irrigation Areas During floods G-MW operates the gravity irrigation channel
network to allow overland flows to continue along their natural course
where possible.
"We shut down sections of the network
that may be affected by flood waters and work with local authorities to
minimise damage to the assets including the channels," said Mr McGrath.
G-MW will again be working closely with the
Bureau of Meteorology and State
Emergency Service as water moves through the river network.
For information
about floods, river levels and weather warnings visit www.bom.gov.au and
for emergency updates visit www.ses.vic.gov.au
-ENDS-
Media Contact: Mark Kestigian
Position: Manager
Corporate Affairs
Telephone: 03
5833 5412 or 0419 495 092