Current Risk of Spill

Wednesday 10 April, 2024

10 April - Risk of spill update for Goulburn and Campaspe systems

The Resource Manager for northern Victoria today updated the 2023/24 risk of spill information for the Goulburn and Campaspe systems.

Resource Manager Mark Bailey said the risk of spill at Lake Eildon and at Lake Eppalock remained above the 10 per cent threshold needed for a declaration.

“The levels in Lake Eildon and Lake Eppalock are falling but both remain above 90 per cent capacity,” he said.

“Rain in early April has slowed the rate of fall at each storage.

“The risk of spill at Lake Eildon this season has increased to 70 per cent.

“The risk at Lake Eppalock is 45 per cent.”

Dr Bailey said low risk of spill declarations are unlikely before June 2024.

“Operations to manage water levels and resulting deductions from spillable water account balances are still possible in the Goulburn and Campaspe systems before June 2024,” he said.

“Any deductions needed before the end of the water year will be finalised on 10 June.

“The allocation still in spillable water accounts on that date will return to allocation accounts.

“Entitlement holders should factor returning spillable water allocation into their carryover planning for 2024/25.”

Dr Bailey repeated the risk of spill assessment referred to water accounting only and did not describe the chances of flooding.

Trading Opportunities

Allocation trade from New South Wales to Victoria is limited to the lesser of a net annual volume of 200 GL or a volume that keeps the risk of spill in Victoria’s share of both Hume and Dartmouth reservoirs below 50 per cent. The 200 GL of net trade from New South Wales to Victoria remains available. The volume available for trade is updated with each risk of spill announcement. 

Next announcement on risk of spill

The risk of spill in the Goulburn and Campaspe systems in 2023/24 will be updated on Friday, 10 May 2024.

For information about the Resource Manager for northern Victorian regulated water systems, including seasonal determinations and resource availability, please visit the NVRM website.

Visit the Murray Darling Basin Authority website for Victorian shares of Murray storages.