Water NSW has announced a river alert for the Lachlan River, due to an environmental release from Wyangala Dam – the first since October 2012.
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Levels in the Lachlan River are expected to remain high due to inflows from tributaries downstream of Wyangala Dam and increases in discharge from the dam.
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 as is normally the case.”
The releases are environmental flows under the water sharing plan for the Lachlan valley. The rules provide for a more natural flow regime within the river system by allowing some natural dam inflows to pass down the river for environmental benefit.
This current event commenced on August 26 is expected to last for eight days, depending on followup rainfall in the catchment.
Estimated total Wyangala dam inflow - 180,000 ML
Total dam release - 16,100 ML
Estimated total tributary inflow - 41,000 ML
Estimated peak flow @ Forbes - 14,800 ML/day
Estimated peak flow @ Brewster Weir - 5,300 ML/day
