PREMIUM
News

Updated spill risk in Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe systems

The Resource Manager for northern Victoria today updated the 2020/21 risk of spill for each of the Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe systems.

Resource Manager Dr Mark Bailey said storage levels were rising after recent rainfall and the conclusion of the 2019/20 irrigation season.

"Rainfall over the last two months has increased the flows into the Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe storages," Dr Bailey said.

"The improved storage volumes warranted an update on the risk of spill in each system to help entitlement holders plan their portfolios for 2020/21.

"Victoria's share of the volume in Lake Hume gives the Murray system about a 60 per cent risk of spill.

"The risk of spill from Lake Eildon in the Goulburn system is about 20 per cent. The risk of spill from Lake Eppalock in the Campaspe system is about 50 per cent."

Dr Bailey said the risk of spill assessment did not describe the chances of flooding in the Murray, Goulburn or Campaspe systems this season.

"The risk of spill is a water accounting assessment. It does not refer to flood risks downstream of the storages," Dr Bailey said.