The NSW Department Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has issued a rising river alert for the Snowy River between Jindabyne Dam and Dalgety in southern NSW for Thursday, October 2 2025.
The river will rise due to the second 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 3500 megalitres will be released over 24 hours from midnight (00:00am) tonight.
The release will include a peak flow rate from 8am to 4pm equivalent to 4500 megalitres per day for the eight-hour period.
The flow rate will drop to a target of 1800 megalitres per day on Friday, October 3.
It is expected that the river level at Dalgety will rise
by approximately 0.5 m. 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 10 to 19 hours to reach Dalgety Weir at this flow rate and around four 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 weather, environmental or operational conditions nearer to the release.
