The Murray–Darling Basin Authority has increased the release of water from Hume Dam in response to rainfall overnight.
Releases from Hume Dam have today increased to 75 gigalitres (GL) per day, up from 50 GL per day yesterday in response to overnight inflows that peaked at 100 GL a day. Further increases are likely with a renewed inflow peak expected later today.
Combined with inflows from the Kiewa River – downstream of Hume Dam – the Murray River is expected to approach or possibly exceed the major flood level at Albury in coming days.
For the latest river height information and forecasts please visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting further rainfall over North Eastern Victoria today before conditions begin to ease.
As of 9am today Hume Dam is 96% full, with 124 GL of airspace.
River operators continue to work around the clock to assess new inflow and weather information and manage releases accordingly. This includes close collaboration with WaterNSW and the Bureau of Meteorology to get the most up-to-date rainfall and inflow forecasts.
The MDBA's priority is keeping the dam safe, capturing and storing water, and where we can, mitigating floods.
If you live, work or holiday on a floodplain, you need to be prepared for floods.
- Develop your own flood emergency plan www.ses.nsw.gov.au www.ses.vic.gov.au/get-ready
- Sign up for WaterNSW’s Early Warning Network to get alerts of Hume Dam releases www.waternsw.com.au/supply/ewn
- Check the Bureau of Meteorology website to receive latest information including warnings, river conditions and rainfall in your area www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood
- Stay informed: check weather warnings, listen to emergency broadcasters, talk with your neighbours.
- Have an emergency kit – a ‘survival’ kit with 3 days’ supply.
- The SES looks after the impact of flooding on you.
- In New South Wales sign up to the SES distribution list for flood bulletins: shz1publicinformation@ses.nsw.gov.au
- In Victoria, download the Vic Emergency App, and set your flood watch zone: emergency.vic.gov.au/prepare
Listen to an interview with Andrew Reynolds on SoundCloud.
Background
Hume Dam's primary purpose is water security – it plays a crucial role in managing flows and securing water along the Murray River, including to Adelaide.
The MDBA needs to fill Hume Dam before irrigation demands start to exceed inflows, and the level starts to drop. This ensures water allocations are maximised.
The MDBA operates the Hume Dam in accordance with the rules set by state governments.
When the dam fills, all flood waters will pass through the dam and head downstream along with the water entering from the tributaries such as the Kiewa River.
For more information about how dams are managed to reduce the impact of flooding visit: How are dams being managed to reduce the impact of flooding?
ENDS