Hume Dam

MDBC Asset, Managed by NSW State Water

Water Storage Levels

Last Updated: 04/12/2008
26.72%
 34.30%
 33.42%
 29.67%
 28.84%
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Current Volume 876026
% of Capacity 28.84
Capacity (ML) 3038000
Graph: Historical water levels...

Recreational Facilities

Large Grassed Area Car Parking Boat Ramp Tables & Chairs BBQ Toilets

Facts & Figures

Name Hume Dam
Stream Murray River
Year of Completion 1934
Construction Concrete and Earthfill
Full Supply Level 192.0 m AHD
Capacity 3,036,500 ML
Area Submerged 20,019 ha
Main Embankment Length 1,616 m
Main Embankment Height 51 m
Hydro-electric Generation 60 MW

About Hume Dam

Hume Dam is jointly managed by Victorian and New South Wales authorities on behalf of the MDBC. Goulburn-Murray Water manages water and land located in Victoria, and State Water is responsible for day-to-day operation and maintenance and the management of major remedial works.

Hume DamLocation

Hume Dam is located immediately downstream of the Murray River and Mitta Mitta River confluence, 16 kilometres east of Albury-Wodonga. The dam is 305 km from the mountain source and 2,225 km from the Murray mouth at Goolwa.

History

The construction of the Hume Dam commenced on 28 November 1919 and was completed in 1936. The construction site was initially referred to as ‘the Mitta Mitta Dam site', but in February 1920 the River Murray Commission adopted the name ‘Hume Reservoir' to honour Hamilton Hume, who was one of the first Europeans to see and cross the River Murray.

Operations

Hume Dam is the major operating storage of the River Murray system. The storage regulates the River Murray, and re-regulates water discharged from the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme.

Releases from Hume Dam and downstream tributary streams supply irrigation, domestic and stock and urban demands to Victoria and New South Wales, and provide about one-third of South Australia's entitlement. In very dry years, releases are made specifically for South Australian requirements and are supplemented by transfers from Dartmouth Dam.

Hume Dam follows an annual cycle of filling and drawdown. The storage usually receives inflows during winter and fills by the end of spring each year. Releases generally occur between December and May, with Hume Dam regularly drawn down to less than half of capacity by the end of autumn.

On behalf of the Murray Darling Basin Commission, a Land and On-water Management Plan is being developed for Lake Hume.  The aim is to consolidate the consultative approach to the foreshore, in-lake and viewscape planning programs that have been underway for a number of years and develop a long term vision for these programs at Lake Hume.  Further information on the plan can be found at http://www.mdbc.gov.au/rmw/lakehumeplan

Recreation and Tourism at Hume Dam

Facilities Available

Large Grassed Area Large Grassed Area
Car Parking Car Parking
Boat Ramp Boat Ramp
Tables & Chairs Tables & Chairs
BBQ BBQ
Toilets Toilets

Further Information

In November 2007, new boating zones were implemented for the Victorian waters of Lake Hume.  These changes simplify the zoning rules for the lake and improve public safety and access to the lake at low levels.   The changes have been introduced following extensive consultation with affected stakeholders over a periof of many months.  More information can be obtained using the following links:

Lake Hume Boat Ramp Operational Levels

Frequently Asked Questions - Lake Hume Boating Zones

http://www.marinesafety.vic.gov.au/

For more information on boating on Lake Hume, refer to the Recreational Boating Guide Lake Hume - which is available at the Gateway Tourist Information Centre, Marine stores, Municipal Offices in Albury, Wodonga and Tallangatta and the State Water/ Goulburn-Murray Water Office at Lake Hume.

Visitors are reminded that with the drought, there are significant areas of water storages with low water levels.  As such, some of these areas can be dangerous as there is a risk of vessels colliding with submerged objects or running aground.  All boat operators are therefore asked to exercise great caution and to be aware of and adhere to all safety restrictions.

No boating restrictions apply at Lake Hume while water levels are at or above 169.499 mAHD.  Below this level, 5 knot restrictions in the waters south of Bethanga Bridge and north of an east-west line extending from the southern end of the Hume Dam embankment apply.  Normal boating operations apply in other areas.

Caravan Parks

Lakelands Caravan Park

Contact - Managers (02) 6071 2457

Email - not available

Located - Queen Elizabeth Drive, Tallangatta