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 Thursday 6 July 2023.

The river will rise due to the third high-flow event in a series of eight planned environmental releases from Jindabyne Dam to the Snowy River during 2023.

The highest flow rate for this event will occur at Jindabyne Dam on Thursday 6 July, with 4,099 megalitres being released over a 24-hour period.

It is expected to see the river level at Dalgety rise by approximately 0.7m. 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 1,022 megalitres per day on Friday 7 July.

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 several hours to reach Dalgety Weir at this flow rate and around three-to-four 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