Goulburn-Murray Water Releases 2009/10 Seasonal Allocation Outlook

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW), Resource Manager for northern Victorian water systems, today released the first outlook for 2009/10 seasonal allocations.

The extremely dry conditions experienced since 2006/07 have continued this season. Inflows have remained well below average in all water systems. The Murray and Goulburn systems have received allocations, but these are very low for mid-February. The four other northern Victorian systems - the Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook - are likely to remain without allocations for the entire 2008/09 season.

At present, all storages are expected to fall to very low levels by the end of this season. It is likely that the remaining volumes will be entirely comprised of privately held carryover. Resource improvements after March this year will be reserved for use during 2009/10. The availability of water next season will rely on the inflows received during winter and spring.

Outlook for the Start of the 2009/10 Season

All systems are expected to have zero seasonal allocation on Wednesday 1 July 2009. Average inflow conditions, based on the full inflow record available to the Resource Manager, will be insufficient to provide enough water for new irrigation allocations by this time.

Average inflow conditions would allow allocations to be announced in all systems on Monday 17 August 2009. A continuation of the severe drought conditions, such as those experienced this season, will prevent any allocation in any system on 17 August 2009.

The 17 August 2009 seasonal outlook is summarised in the table below.

Outlook for Monday 17 August 2009 Seasonal Allocations (% of high-reliability water share)

The terms in this and following tables mean:

            Wet                 Inflow volumes that have 1 chance in 10 of being exceeded

            Average           Inflow volumes that have 5 chances in 10 of being exceeded

            Dry                  Inflow volumes that have 9 chances in 10 of being exceeded

Spring 2009/10

The inflow period between July and November 2009 will be critical to supporting irrigation allocations in the 2009/10 season. Continued poor inflows during this period would prevent improvement in seasonal allocations across most of the northern Victorian water systems, demonstrated in the table below.

Outlook for Thursday 15 October 2009 Seasonal Allocations (% of high-reliability water share)

The February 2010 Allocation Outlook

The outlook for the Monday 15 February 2010 seasonal allocations are summarised in the table below.

Outlook for Monday 15 February 2010 Seasonal Allocations (% of high-reliability water share)

Goulburn-Murray Water will update the allocation outlook for 2009/10 on Friday 15 May 2009. The first seasonal allocations for 2008/09 will be announced on Wednesday 1 July 2009.

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Media Contact:       Mark Bailey

Position:                   Manager Regulated Systems

Telephone:               (03) 5833 5516