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 downstream of Jindabyne Dam in southern NSW for Wednesday 21 June 2023.
The river will rise due to the second high-flow event 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 from 8am to 4pm on Wednesday 21Juneand will be equivalent to 4,507 megalitres per day for the eight-hour period.
It is expected to see the river level at Dalgety rise by approximately 0.8metres.
These levels do not include the effect of rainfall or wet conditions in the catchment, which may increase flow rates and water depths.
For the remainder of Wednesday21 June, the flow rate from Jindabyne Dam will be 2,143 megalitres per day. The flow rate from Jindabyne Dam will drop to a target of1,308megalitres per day on Thursday 22 June.
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 in Victoria.
Water released from Jindabyne Dam may take a number of hours to reach Dalgety Weir at this flow rate and around 3 to 4 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. It may be necessary to modify or cancel flows in the lead up to the event as a result of environmental, climatic or operational conditions, 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
