Seasonal Allocations Increase in Murray and Broken Systems

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 95% of high-reliability water shares (HRWS), an improvement of 9% HRWS. The seasonal allocation in the Broken system is 100% HRWS and 20% of low-reliability water shares (LRWS), an increase of 10% LRWS. Seasonal allocations in all other systems are unchanged.

Resource Manager Dr Mark Bailey said “Continuing inflows from the northern Victorian catchments have made the allocation increases announced today possible. The inflows in the Murray and Broken systems have been slightly higher than predicted during the past two weeks, despite limited rainfall.”

“Since 15 October, approximately 2,600 megalitres above the minimum operating requirements have been released from Lake Eildon to ensure the storage remains close to full supply. About 1,100 megalitres above minimum operation requirements have been released from Goulburn-Murray Water’s share of Lake Eppalock. Volumes in spillable water accounts, inter-valley trade accounts, and Living Murray environmental entitlements in the Goulburn and Campaspe systems will be adjusted for these additional releases,” said Dr Bailey.

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 Tuesday 15 November 2011.

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