Rising river alert – Snowy River below Jindabyne Dam

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment today issued a ‘rising river alert’ for the Snowy River between Jindabyne Dam and Dalgety in southern NSW for Wednesday 18 October 2023.

The river will rise due to the seventh and one of the largest high-flow events in a series of eight planned environmental releases from Jindabyne Dam to the Snowy River during 2023.

The highest flow release rate for this event will occur at Jindabyne Dam with 5,000 megalitres being released over a 24-hour period, commencing from 12 midnight Tuesday 17 October to 12 midnight Wednesday 18 October.

It is expected to see the river level at Dalgety rises by approximately 0.5m. 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 release rate will reduce to 2,218 and 2,117 megalitres per day on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 October respectively and will drop to a target of about 1,094 megalitres per day on Saturday 21 October.

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.

Water released from Jindabyne Dam may take a number of hours to reach Dalgety Weir at this flow rate and around 2 to 3 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. If heavy rainfall appears likely the release may be cancelled or modified to avoid adverse effects on river levels and an announcement will be made accordingly.

The department will work with the NSW State Emergency Service and the Bureau of Meteorology to provide information to the community regarding the management of this release should weather conditions warrant.

More information can be found at Snowy River increased flows.