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Murray-Darling
Basin Commission e-Letter No. 79 July 2008
Welcome to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission monthly e-letter with reports of happenings across the basin. Contributions are welcome. Please send items (no more than 250 words) to the editor at sam.leone@mdbc.gov.au An online html version is
available at:
(Also see our monthly children’s e-newspaper The River, with regular features and activities, at: http://www.mdbc.gov.au/subs/The_River/index.html ) Please feel free to pass this e-letter along to anybody who might be interested. To subscribe online go to www.mdbc.gov.au/communications/s-scribe To be removed from the mailing list, please reply to this message with "unsubscribe" in the subject heading. This newsletter currently has 1650 subscribers. In this issue:
The drought in the Murray-Darling Basin is getting worse, with June inflows the lowest on record and autumn inflows only just above the record lows of 2007. That was the grim news in the Murray-Darling Basin Commission’s (MDBC’s) latest Drought Update on 10 July. Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said inflows in June were 95 GL, lower than the previous record low of 106 GL in June 2006. In June 2007 inflows were 220 GL. The long-term average is 680 GL. Inflows during autumn this year were 200 GL, just above the record low of 195 GL in autumn 2007. The long-term average is 806 GL "This is very disappointing, and the likelihood of upper Murray inflows being above average for the remainder of winter and spring is very low," Dr Craik said. "Until there is significant rain and run-off, the prospects for irrigation and the environment in 2008-09 remain grim. "2008-09 is shaping up to be a very tough year for water availability, and there is likely to be continuing pressure on the riverine environment. The new water year is also likely to pose operational challenges, with low river flows and varying weir pool levels. "The most recent seasonal climate outlook issued by the Bureau of Meteorology shows a shift in the odds towards drier than average conditions across the Murray-Darling Basin from July to September, including the high-yielding catchments of the upper Murray and its tributaries." For the year ending June 2008, total inflows to the Murray River System — excluding Darling inflows and Snowy Scheme releases — was 2,220 GL, the 6th lowest in 117 years of records and only 25 % of the long-term average of 8,900 GL. "Critical water for human needs (including stock and domestic) for 2008-09 is reasonably assured for those who draw their water from the main stem of the Murray. However, we need inflows that are higher than the minimum used for planning to ensure water is available from anabranches or major channel systems." Dr Craik said headwater storage levels were slightly higher than the record low levels of this time last year (due to higher levels of carryover) but were still well below average. "The water level in the Lower Lakes has temporarily stabilised, but unless there is a significant improvement in water availability for South Australia, the outlook for the next 12 months is extremely poor. "Pumping water from Lake Alexandrina, which began in early May, is maintaining Lake Albert at its current level and preventing further exposure of sulfidic sediments. However, we are also looking at further management options for the Lower Lakes for the 2008-09 season and beyond," Dr Craik said. Dr Craik said the MDBC’s river operations would continue to maximise water availability by reducing evaporation and transmission losses along the river system. A copy of the Drought Update is available at http://www.mdbc.gov.au/rmw/drought_updates Paringa’s Lock 5 to close for repairs, upgrade Murray River users will not be able to pass through Lock 5 at Paringa in South Australia for about three months from July 14 while vital maintenance work is undertaken by SA Water on behalf of the Murray Darling Basin Commission (MDBC). MDBC Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said the lock would be closed until the beginning of October as part of a six-year maintenance program on all of the locks along the river. "The only other lock to be closed during the next few months is Lock 10 at Wentworth, New South Wales, which closed in May and will re-open in September," Dr Craik said. "This is the first time we have planned to empty the lock chambers at Lock 5 since 1965 when the wooden gates were replaced with steel. The empty locks will allow SA Water to do a comprehensive inspection of the underwater components, Dr Craik said. "Although users will not be able to travel the full length of the river at times during this period, they will still be able to enjoy using the river either upstream or downstream of Lock 5." SA Water’s Head of Regional Operations Rob Dowling said that during the works, people would still be able to travel upstream from Renmark and downstream from Berri, but will not be able to travel between the two towns. "The grounds and facilities around the lock will also be closed to the general public and will reopen once work is finished," Mr Dowling said. Works to be carried out on Lock 5 include: "We will notify the community when the work at each lock is complete and the lock chamber is back in operation. The lock and weirs have been in service for over 80 years now and this work will ensure that they continue to operate for a long time to come." The next lock scheduled for maintenance is Lock 1 at Blanchetown. It is expected that work will begin at the end of January 2009. The public will be notified before closure of the lock. For more information on the locks, weirs and dams of the Murray system go to www.mdbc.gov.au/rmw/dam_and_weirs_menu Low
flow along Edward River during July
Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said "The release from Yarrawonga Weir has been reduced to the minimum of 1,800 ML/day to increase the level of Lake Mulwala and allow for diversions into the Mulwala Canal and Yarrawonga Main Channel offtakes in late July and early August," Dr Craik said. Lake Mulwala is currently about 3 m below full supply level due to water being released from the lake in June to minimise the river salinity when Mildura Weir was fully drawn down for maintenance. "The 1,800 ML/day downstream of Yarrawonga Weir is currently providing only about 60 ML/day into the Edward River offtake and 30 ML/day into Gulpa Creek," Dr Craik said. NSW State Water has been gradually lowering the level in Stevens Weir over the past month to sustain a minimum flow in the Edward River. However, the weir gates are now completely removed and the pool can no longer be drawn upon to maintain the flow in the river. The flow at Moulamein is currently about 320 ML/day and is expected to reduce to less than 150 ML/day over the coming weeks if there is no significant rainfall and upstream river levels remain low. The level in Lake Mulwala will be increased over the coming weeks to enable Murray Irrigation to divert water into the Mulwala Canal in late July or early August. Some of the water diverted into the Mulwala Canal will be released into the Edward River via the Edward Escape to help refill Stevens Weir and to increase the flow in the Edward River downstream of Stevens Weir in late July or early August. Flow rates downstream of Yarrawonga Weir will be continually reviewed, and updates on changes to river flows along the Edward River will be announced over the coming weeks in the RMW Weekly Report (available on the MDBC web page). Boat operators, stock owners, river pumpers and other river users are advised to take these very low river levels along the Edward River and Gulpa Creek into account and make any necessary adjustments to their activities. Report
card on health of basin valleys now online
The full report is available for downloading, along with a comprehensive summary report, a fact sheet and a media release. The health check found evidence of long-term environmental and ecological degradation. Spanning four states and 96,000 km of rivers and streams, it ranks the valleys’ river health from best to worst. The report was released on 19 June by Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM and one of the authors, Dr John Harris. This is the first in a triennial series of reports analysing trends in the rivers of the basin, in an on-going collaboration between MDBC and governments of the six basin jurisdictions. The health check used data gathered by the State agencies in 2004–07 on hydrology, fish and macroinvertebrates as indicators of river health. Dr Craik said data experts, ecologists, and fish and macroinvertebrate specialists from MDBC and the State agencies selected the sites, and determined protocols and the data to be collected. "They collated the data, generated the databases and then handed them over to the Independent Sustainable Rivers Audit Group (ISRAG) — a panel of four independent ecologists who interpreted the data and wrote the report." The panel comprised: Dr Peter Davies (Chairman), Dr John Harris, Dr Terry Hillman, and Associate Professor Keith Walker. The report is the culmination of a three-year systematic assessment of the ecological health of the river ecosystems. The Sustainable Rivers Audit is an ongoing program costing $2.5 million a year and reporting every three years. Dr Craik said the study found that valleys in the northern part of the basin were generally in better health than those in the southern part. "Of the 23 river valley ecosystems studied, only the Paroo Valley was in good health. "The Border River and Condamine Valleys were judged to be in moderate health. Seven other valleys were in poor health and 13 in very poor health." When all valleys were ranked by ecosystem health rating, the Murray Lower and Darling valleys were towards the middle. This indicates that impacts are not simplistically cumulative from headwaters down to the mouth of the Murray. For more information go to www.mdbc.gov.au/SRA/river_health_check_-_sra_reprt_one Extended
relaxation of water trading rule through Barmah Choke
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission Acting Chief Executive Mr David Dreverman said on 26 June that a review of water allocation transfers through the Barmah Choke over the past seven months showed there was virtually no risk of exceeding the channel capacity of the river. The choke runs for about 50 kilometres between Tocumwal and Barmah where the narrowing of the river channel was formed through geological movements and river deviation over thousands of years. "Allocation transfers downstream through the Barmah Choke are not normally allowed because the choke constrains the volume of water that can pass and we cannot guarantee delivery every season," Mr Dreverman said. "However, because of the extended drought conditions and the lower than normal flows in the river, we will now be able to guarantee any transferred allocations. "The outlook for the 2008-09 water year indicates another dry season with low allocations being predicted. "It is therefore unlikely that channel capacity constraints would be experienced next season as a result of extending the relaxation of the Barmah Choke rule," he said. Extending the relaxation of the rule would enable entitlement holders above the Choke to sell their water allocations to downstream users, which will assist them in managing their irrigation businesses. "If weather conditions change and we have more water within the river, we may need to cease this trading arrangement. However, any allocation transfers approved up until that time would be honoured," Mr Dreverman said. Trade in entitlements from above to below the choke will continue to be prohibited. Bureau
announces more ways to look at rainfall
The products are: "People who depend on seasonal forecasts can struggle to interpret forecasts for their industry and their region", says Colin Creighton of Managing Climate Variability. "We are contributing to the bureau's development of these new products because, for us, the bottom line is about helping Australians to better manage climate risk." Managing Climate Variability and the bureau is keen to receive feedback about the new products. "We've had very positive feedback on the Water and the Land website so far and we're keen to make it even better. Getting direct feedback from across Australia helps us to develop the right products," says Neil Plummer, acting Head of the bureau's National Climate Centre. "We listened to what people told us at field days and through our survey, which makes us confident the new products will better suit their needs", says Dr Andrew Watkins of the Bureau's National Climate Centre. The 260 towns with detailed outlook information were chosen, as far as possible, to give an even geographic spread across and between rainfall districts. Each town also has at least 30 years of data. More products will be launched on the WATL website later in the year. The products are available on the bureau's rurally-focused Water and the Land (WATL) at www.bom.gov.au/watl For the latest outlook in the Murray-Darling Basin, check out the weekly report of river operations at www.mdbc.gov.au/rmw/river_information_centre MDBC
Victorian Youth Environment Conference a sellout
The conference, of which the MDBC is a major sponsor, started in 1999 as a small tri-state event and grew to a national event in 2001. Organiser Arron Wood says the 2007 event was the biggest ever, involving 500 students, 170 teachers, and celebrities. "It’s three days of excitement and effective environmental education in which kids teach other kids from around Australia and the world. "The Mildura event will be no exception." Teachers and school children will prepare workshops with mentors in the months before to the conference. Other than some invited speakers for official ceremonies, all presentations are conducted by students for students – the ‘kids teaching kids’ concept. Presentations are at a middle school standard so that primary and secondary students can engage with each other at an appropriate learning level. Presentations should be given by all attending students and be interactive with the audience using a range of presentation techniques — not just Power Point — but also singing, acting, quizzes, drawing, art etc. "The conference will provide students with skills in environmental education, but more importantly, it will develop students’ optimism, sense of future, public speaking skills, and ability to communicate ideas in many different forms," Arron said. To be placed on the waiting list call 03 9329 3736. For more information on the conference go to www.onelifeoneworldourfuture.com/index.php?pageid=217 Major
review for engineers’ rainfall, flood and storm handbook
The Australian Rainfall and Runoff Handbook produced by Engineers Austraqlia is the key source of technical information in Australia for designing infrastructure to withstand the impact of extreme rainfall, flooding and storm surge. Floods and storms are responsible for up to 70% of annual natural disaster losses across the country. Senator Penny Wong, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water and Chair of rhe Murray- Darling Basin Ministerial Council, recently announced government funding of $2 million for the first stage of the review. Senator Wong said the government would work with Engineers Australia to complete the handbook in three stages over four years. The first stage will involve 10 projects with a focus on rainfall intensity, frequency and duration. "The potential impact of climate change on the design of our dams, drainage systems, roads and bridges will be a major new focus of the handbook, which contains Australia’s most influential and widely-used design guidelines for engineers," Senator Wong said. "This handbook will help us adapt to the climate change we can’t avoid by assisting engineers to design infrastructure that can better withstand the effects of climate change." The revised handbook will incorporate new data and technical and scientific advances in hydrology engineering to account for the potential effects of climate change on water resources, infrastructure planning, flood prediction and emergency management. For more information
go to www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2008/index.html
160,000
trees for Murrumbidgee catchment
Planting has begun and is expected to run until August. Plantings will be undertaken on more than 55 properties in the region. These revegetation activities are targeted to improve water quality in the catchment, combat dryland salinity and soil erosion, and enhance biodiversity. Murrumbidgee CMA Chair Mr Lee O’Brien said the plantings are part of the 1.1 million native trees and shrubs that are being planted across the Murrumbidgee catchment this year. "The benefits of the CMA plantings offer practical solutions in adapting to the challenges of climate change. "With impending climate change impacts predicted to result in extreme weather events, revegetated areas will offer landholders stock shelter options in cases of extreme low temperatures or heat." Mr O’Brien said. Murrumbidgee CMA Catchment Officer Matt Walker said the location of the plantings have been targeted to gain the best environmental outcomes for the catchment. "We are really looking forward to a good planting season following these recent rains. Conditions should be ideal for these native trees and shrubs to get a good start," Mr Walker said. "Landholders are aware of getting on top of the weeds and other competition. All we need is some followup rain," Mr Walker said. For more information on Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority activities call (02) 6118 6010 or visit the website www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au Beyond
reasonable drought
The exhibition has been organised in association with the MAP Group —- the "Many Australian Photographers Group" — a non-profit association of around 40 photographers who share a passion and commitment to high-quality, independent documentary image making. The images were selected from the 1,500 photographed submitted by some of Australia’s most notable photographers. They show the impact the drought has had on people in rural and urban communities around the country. Featured photographers include Rodney Dekker, who won the Roving Eye "Expose Your World" competition 2007 with his drought series, and Ian Kenins, who was awarded "Best Reporting of an Issue" by the Australian Sports Commission media awards for his reporting of the effect of the drought on sport. The exhibition runs until October and will then tour other parts of Australia. For more information go to the exhibition website at www.oph.gov.au/brd "CO2
– Kick the Habit!" photography competition about to close
This year’s competition encourages current and budding photography enthusiasts to illustrate the theme "CO2 – Kick the Habit! Towards a low carbon economy". G-MW Executive Manager Planning and Environment Graeme Hannan said the competition aimed to focus the region’s attention on the importance of the environment. "The competition is an opportunity for everyone, from school children to professionals, to capture images that illustrate what the environment, whether it is local, regional even global, means to them," said Mr Hannan. "There are prizes for all categories and the winning entries are displayed in our offices and publications." The competition is open to electronic photographs, and the entries will be assessed on artistic quality, originality and relevance to the theme by a panel of industry representatives. Entries can be submitted to ems@g-mwater.com.au. Winners will be announced on 27 July 2008 — National Tree day! For more information call 03 5833 5776 or go to www.g-mwater.com.au ends |
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