Wyangala Dam received rainfall of 19.4mm over the last three days, which ranged between 10mm and 26mm in the catchment.
An environmental release of 2300ML per day from Wyangala Dam commenced yesterday (Sunday, 19 August), and is likely to continue for the next few days with rain forecast later in the week.
Environmental releases from Wyangala Dam are triggered by rainfall, as well as inflows into the dam and tributaries below the dam wall.
The translucent environmental flow period which commenced on 15 May 2012, will close on 15 November 2012.
The rules in the water sharing plan for the Lachlan River provide for a more natural flow regime within the river system by allowing a portion of dam inflows to pass into the river system for environmental benefit.
Water Delivery Manager, Central valleys, Sri Sritharan urged water users in the area to monitor their stock and equipment.
“The river sections which are likely to be affected will be downstream of Wyangala Dam, downstream of Gooloogong and downstream of Jemalong,” Mr Sritharan said.
“We are advising water users in these areas to remain vigilant and monitor their pump installations and any other equipment,” he said.
Estimated total inflows into Wyangala Dam since
1 June 2012 are 200,000ML and a total of 130,000ML (65% of inflows) have been released to date as environmental water.
Wyangala Dam is currently at 98.4% and is projected to reach 100% by mid September, which is the beginning of the irrigation season.
Lake Cargelligo is at 112% and Lake Brewster is projected to reach 100% by mid September.
For more information regarding river heights, please refer to the NSW Water Information website,
http://waterinfo.nsw.gov.au
.