Water

Risk of spill declining

By Geoff Adams

Oct 11, 2024

The risk of spill had continued to decline in the Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe systems, but remained above the 10 per cent threshold needed to make a low risk of spill declaration, according to Northern Resource manager Mark Bailey.

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“Dry conditions during September meant the flows into the major storages were well below average,” he said.

“These low inflows, together with the water released to meet downstream demand, caused the risk of spill at Lake Hume, Lake Eildon and Lake Eppalock to reduce.

“The risk of spill from Victoria’s share of Lake Hume in the Murray system is 45 per cent.

“At Lake Eildon in the Goulburn system, the risk of spill is 30 per cent.

“The risk of spill at Lake Eppalock in the Campaspe system is 25 per cent.”

Dr Bailey said the risk of spill was a water accounting assessment and did not describe flood risks or the chances of flooding this season.

Allocation trade from NSW to Victoria is limited to the lesser of a net annual volume of 200 gigalitres or a volume that keeps the risk of spill in Victoria’s share of both Hume and Dartmouth reservoirs below 50 per cent.

The risk of spill is now below 50 per cent, allowing 50 Gl of net trade from NSW to Victoria.

The volume available for trade is updated monthly with each risk of spill announcement.

The risk of spill in the Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe systems in 2024-25 will be updated on Monday, November 11.