The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water have issued a rising river alert for the Snowy River downstream of
Jindabyne Dam in southern NSW for today.
The river will rise due to the first high-flow event in a series of three planned high-flow environmental releases from Jindabyne Dam to the Snowy River during 2025.
A daily flow volume of 2000 megalitres will be released over 24 hours from Jindabyne Dam from midnight (00:00 am) tonight.
The release will include a peak flow rate from 8am to 4pm equivalent to 3000 megalitres per day for the eight-hour period.
The flow rate will drop to a target of 1473 megalitres per day on Thursday, September 18.
It is expected that the river level at Dalgety will rise by approximately 0.5m.
Rainfall or wet conditions in the catchment may further increase flow rates and water depths.
The environmental benefits from this release are expected to be greatest between the dam wall and the junction with the Delegate River.
However, the flow pulse will be noticeable further down into Victoria. Natural tributary inflows will also contribute to water levels as the pulse moves down the Snowy River.
Water released from Jindabyne Dam may take approximately 12 to 13 hours to reach Dalgety Weir at this flow
rate and around four to five days for the flow to arrive at Orbost in Victoria, subject to catchment conditions.
Landholders downstream of the Jindabyne Dam are advised to take all necessary precautions with stock, fencing and property in proximity to the river.
As the release flows through the system people should refrain from entering or crossing swollen waterways.
Conditions will be closely monitored in the lead up to the release. Planned flows may be modified or cancelled subject to climatic, environmental or operational conditions nearer to the time of release.
