Steady flow lifts irrigators’ 2020-21 allocations: Vic Murray on 15 per cent
The outlook is for an average to wet season, which could lift Victorian Murray irrigators’ allocations to at least 84 per cent by mid-December.
VICTORIAN Murray irrigation allocations have almost doubled to 15 per cent of high reliability water shares, as steady rainfall across the north-east ranges spilt into the river’s major storages.
The Goulburn and Loddon systems increase from 35 per cent HRWS to 37 per cent HRWS.
The Campaspe system moves from 32 per cent HRWS to 40 per cent HRWS. The Broken system increases from 17 per cent HRWS to 30 per cent HRWS.
Allocations on the Bullarook system remain at zero.
Victoria’s Northern Resource Manager Mark Bailey said storage level increases were the main contributor to today’s announcement.
“Flows into the major storages increased the volume of water available for allocation,” he said.
“Improved catchment flows downstream of the major storages have effectively filled mid-river storages such as Waranga Basin in the Goulburn system and Lake Victoria in the Murray system.
“Future flows into Lake Eildon and Lake Hume will define seasonal determination improvements in the Goulburn and Murray systems until the mid‑river storages and catchment flows begin supplying water in August.
“The latest Bureau of Meteorology seasonal outlook slightly favours above-average rainfall across the catchment areas during the August to October period. The rainfall outlook for August and September does not favour wetter or drier conditions over the catchment areas.
“The Bureau has issued a La Niña watch meaning the chance of a La Niña forming is around 50 per cent in late winter or early spring. La Niña events may support rainfall across southeast Australia.”
Dr Bailey advised entitlement holders to use the seasonal determination outlooks and weather information when planning their water needs in 2020-21.
AT A GLANCE
MURRAY
High-reliability water share: 15 per cent
BROKEN
High-reliability water share: 30 per cent
GOULBURN
High-reliability water share: 37 per cent
CAMPASPE
High-reliability water share: 40 per cent
LODDON
High-reliability water share: 37 per cent
BULLAROOK
High-reliability water share: zero
THE 2020-21 SEASONAL OUTLOOK
Dr Bailey said flows into the Murray, Goulburn and Broken storages in June were close to the average.
The current outlook estimates that a continuation of average flows would lead to Murray irrigators’ allocations reaching 49 per cent by October 15, 84 per cent by December 15 and 100 per cent by February 17.
On the Goulburn system allocations would reach 83 per cent by October 15 and 100 per cent by mid-December.
Flows into Lake Eppalock in the Campaspe system during June were below average.” Dr Bailey added.
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