Increase in Murray Seasonal Allocations

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

Further Information

The Resource Manager for northern Victorian regulated water systems today updated the seasonal allocations for 2011/12.

The Murray system seasonal allocation is 86% of high-reliability water shares (HRWS), an improvement of 15% HRWS. Seasonal allocations in all other systems are unchanged.

Resource Manager Dr Mark Bailey said “There has been very little rain since the last assessment a fortnight ago and inflows over this period have been close to our estimates. The change in the Murray system has been possible because irrigation deliveries and operational commitments have been met from tributary flows. Using tributary flows to meet commitments enables the water in storage to provide more allocation.”

“Since 1 October, approximately 4,800 megalitres above the minimum operating requirements has been released from Goulburn-Murray Water’s share of Lake Eppalock. Volumes in Campaspe spillable water accounts, the Campaspe inter-valley trade account, and Living Murray environmental entitlements will be adjusted for this additional release,” said Dr Bailey.

Allocations in the Murray system are expected to reach 100% HRWS by early December even under dry conditions. Low-reliability water share allocations in the Broken system are also expected to reach 100% by early December.

Customers participating in the water trading market are reminded that the Murray-Darling Basin Authority has relaxed the rule controlling allocation trade from upstream of the Barmah Choke to downstream users. The ability to trade across the Barmah Choke will be regularly reviewed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and the relaxation may be lifted at any time during the season.

The next allocation announcement will be issued on Wednesday 2 November 2011.

A risk of spill assessment for the Goulburn and Campaspe systems will be issued on Thursday 10 November 2011.