Wentworth weir being temporarily lowered

The Lock 10 weir pool is expected to begin being lowered later next week, as the Darling River flow pulse reaches the Darling arm of the Wentworth Weir pool. The exact timing will depend on how quickly the water from Menindee moves along the Darling. This action aims to minimise the period of impact on water users.

Boat operators, recreational users, river pumpers, stock owners and others along the River Murray and Darling River upstream of Wentworth are advised to take changing water levels into account and adjust their activities as necessary.

Protected environmental water arriving from the northern Basin that has reached the Menindee Lakes is being delivered to the southern Basin, as part of a trial connecting north to south. This protected flow will be pulsed from Weir 32 as better-quality water arrives from the north. The pulse started 29 May 2024, increasing up to 4,000 ML/day for around 3 days before stepping down to lower rates of around 400 ML/day.

The combined influence of lowering Wentworth Weir coinciding with the arrival of the flow pulse released from Weir 32 aims to help hasten the movement of any lower quality water from the Darling arm of the Wentworth weir pool for subsequent dilution with flows in the River Murray.

The Wentworth weir pool will be gradually lowered from its current level over a number of days to target between 30.6 and 30.5 m AHD. This level will be maintained for three to four weeks before being raised again back to FSL.

Whilst flows in the lower Murray during June are expected to be lower than those experienced over the recent summer period, the River Murray will remain at a level sufficient to allow navigation through Locks 11 (Mildura) and 10 (Wentworth). 

This action is being done to support communities and industries in the Lower Darling area and we appreciate the broader community's understanding while the river level in the local area is reduced.

The MDBA will continue to closely monitor river and salinity levels. Forecasts of River Murray flows, and salinity will be provided on the MDBA's website.

ENDS