The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is issuing a rising river alert for the Snowy River between Jindabyne Dam and Dalgety in southern NSW for today, August 19 2026.
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 2026.
A daily flow volume of 1986 megalitres will be released over 24 hours from Jindabyne Dam from midnight tonight.
The release will include a peak flow rate equivalent to 2600 megalitres per day for the eight-hour period between 8am to 4pm.
The flow rate will drop to a target of 640 megalitres per day on Friday, August 21.
It is expected to see the river level at Dalgety rise by approximately 0.3 m, although rainfall or wet conditions in the catchment may further increase flow rates and water depths.
While the environmental benefits from this release are expected to be greatest between the dam wall and the junction with the Delegate River, the flow pulse will be noticeable well 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 eight to 16 hours to reach Dalgety Weir at this flow rate and around three to four days for the flow to arrive at Orbost, 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 time of release.
