The amount of water in Hume Reservoir is currently higher than expected due to recent rain in the upper catchments and reduced demand for water downstream. This means less water needs to be released from Dartmouth Reservoir via the Mitta Mitta to top-up Hume Reservoir.
Flows will continue to be variable over the coming weeks, however, and people along the Mitta Mitta River are advised to adjust their river activities as necessary.
The flow at Colemans gauge will be around 3000 megalitres per day (ML/day) during 23 to 26 January, which is 1.9 metres local gauge height. On Tuesday 27 January the flow will begin to increase and will reach 4500 ML/day on Friday 30 January (down from the 7000 ML/day previously advised).
The flow of 4500 ML/day will be maintained until Thursday 5 February, and will be gradually reduced over the following weeks until flows reach 2500 ML/day at the end of February.
Throughout the remainder of February, if conditions remain dry, the flow in the Mitta Mitta River at Tallandoon is expected to be slightly greater than at Colemans gauge. However, this could change if flows from Snowy Creek increase due to rain.
Water is continuing to be transferred from Dartmouth to Hume Reservoir to help meet water demands downstream of Hume. On 20 January, the volume stored in Dartmouth Reservoir was 3163 GL (82 per cent capacity) compared with 1545 GL (51 per cent capacity) in Hume Reservoir.
ENDS
For more information, contact the MDBA Media Office at media@mdba.gov.au or 02 6279 0141.
Follow the MDBA on Twitter: @MD_Basin_Auth