WaterNSW

07/28/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/27/2021 17:57

Stock alert as Murrumbidgee dam releases continue

28 July 2021

WaterNSW is reminding landholders to relocate livestock from low-lying areas in the Tumut and Murrumbidgee valleys, as pre-flood releases from Murrumbidgee dams and downstream tributary flows lift river heights to near minor flood level.

Burrinjuck Dam continues to spill, and Blowering Dam is nearing capacity with ongoing tributary flows continuing downstream and the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a higher likelihood of rain into Spring.

WaterNSW will increase dam releases as downstream tributary flows decline to maintain a river height just below minor flood level, to reduce dam storage capacity in anticipation of further inflows from rain forecast for the weekend.

Landholders who have not already acted are being reminded to move stock and infrastructure from areas prone to inundation in the vicinity of Gundagai, Tumut and Wagga. Landholders further down the Murrumbidgee valley should also take similar precautions.

WaterNSW is working with the Bureau of Meteorology and local communities, as well monitoring downstream tributary flow, to calculate ongoing release patterns.

Airspace releases have been underway at Burrinjuck dam since early July, with the dam having received 530 GL of inflows since 1 June, of which 330 GL has been released.

To access WaterNSW information on river heights and flow data visit: WaterInsights

Agency Information Website

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) - Weather forecasts and warnings BOM

NSW State Emergency Service (SES) - Flooding and severe weather warnings and advice NSW SES

Media contact - Tony Webber 0428 613 478.