The NSW Department of 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, September 19, 2024.
The river will rise due to the fourth high-flow event in a series of eight planned high-flow environmental releases from Jindabyne Dam to the Snowy River during 2024.
A daily flow volume of 3135 megalitres will be released over 24 hours from midnight on Thursday, September 19.
It is expected to see the river level at Dalgety rise by approximately 0.5 m. These levels do not include the effect of rainfall or wet conditions in the catchment, which may increase flow rates and water depths.
The flow rate will drop to a target of 1720 megalitres per day on Friday, September 20.
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 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 six to 10 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.
