The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has issued a rising river alert for the Snowy River between Jindabyne Dam and Dalgety in southern NSW for today.
The river will rise due to the seventh high-flow event in a series of eight planned high-flow environmental releases from Jindabyne Dam via the spillway to the Snowy River during 2024.
A daily flow volume of 4200 megalitres will be released over 24 hours from Jindabyne Dam from midnight tonight. The release will include a peak flow rate from 8am to 4pm equivalent to 5000 megalitres per day for the eight-hour period.
The flow rate will reduce to 3525 megalitres per day on Thursday, October 24, and will drop to a target of 1954 megalitres per day on Friday, October 25.
The river level at Dalgety is expected to rise by approximately 0.6 m.
These levels do not include the effect of rainfall or wet conditions in the catchment, which may increase flow rates and water depths.
Natural tributary inflows will also contribute to water levels as the release 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 to arrive at Orbost, subject to catchment conditions.
Landholders downstream of Jindabyne Dam are advised to take all necessary precautions with stock, fencing and property in proximity to the river.
