River users are advised to adjust their activities, pumps and moorings accordingly and boat owners should note they are responsible for the safety of their vessel.
The pulse of environmental water is expected to raise river levels noticeably in the Echuca district for about two weeks, from mid to late March, while the water leaves the Goulburn River and enters the Murray.
When the pulse reaches Torrumbarry, releases from the weir are likely to increase from about 5000 megalitres per day (1.7 metres gauge height) up to around 9000 ML/day (2.9 metres) for the latter half of March.
The flows at Torrumbarry are expected to be in the range 4000 to 6000 ML/day by mid-April, assuming dry conditions.
At Swan Hill, the pulse could increase the river level from about 1.0 to 1.6 metres (local gauge height) in late March.
The higher flow is expected to reach Euston by the end of March, and take another three to four days to reach Mildura.
This autumn pulse will use water from the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, and deliver benefits through the Goulburn River and along the River Murray, all the way to the Coorong and Lower Lakes. It will also include water traded from the Goulburn Valley to the River Murray.
The MDBA will issue a revised media release if there are any significant changes to this forecast.
River users wanting more information on river heights can contact the MDBA on (02) 6279 0100 or receive updates at the River Murray weekly report
Live river data for the River Murray system can be seen at: http://livedata.mdba.gov.au
ENDS
For more information, contact the MDBA Media Office at media@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0141.
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