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Home Media centre Hume Dam water releases recommence to create airspace and
reduce flood peak


HUME DAM WATER RELEASES RECOMMENCE TO CREATE AIRSPACE AND REDUCE FLOOD PEAK



Published: 05 September 2021   •   Media statements
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Contact MDBA media
Email the MDBA media team
Phone MDBA media — (02) 6279 0141

The following can be attributed to Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) acting
Chief Executive Andrew Reynolds:

In response to the updated Bureau of Meteorology forecast for more rain than
expected this weekend, the MDBA began increasing releases from Hume Dam on
Friday 3 September 2021.

The MDBA increased releases to 10 GL per day on Friday to manage airspace within
Hume Dam in response to forecast rainfall. Releases increased to 22 GL per day
on Saturday 4 September 2021 as significant stream flow responses were observed.

By releasing water, the MDBA reduced the flood peak from close to 70 GL per day
to 22 GL downstream of Hume Dam.

Releases from Hume Dam are likely to stay close to 22 GL per day for several
days, subject to inflows generated in the upper catchments. We expect the levels
at Hume Dam to continue to increase over the next few days.

These releases mean that flows at Albury and downstream will remain slightly
above the river channel in some locations due to high flows also in the Kiewa
River – which joins the Murray River downstream of Hume Dam.

Active management of releases has been occurring over the last week and our
river operators continue to work around the clock to assess weather data and
inflows, and manage releases with WaterNSW.

Our priority is keeping the dam safe, capturing and storing water, and where we
can, mitigating floods.

We strongly encourage those living and working on the floodplain to sign up for
WaterNSW's Early Warning Network to be notified about dam and supply activities
during periods of flooding or high releases, including when flows at Doctor's
Point exceed 25,000 MG a day.

Background

The MDBA operates the Hume Dam in accordance with the rules set by state
governments.

Hume Dam's primary purpose is water security – it plays a crucial role in
managing flows and securing water along the Murray River, including to Adelaide.

The MDBA needs to fill Hume Dam before irrigation demands start to exceed
inflows, and the level starts to drop. This ensures water allocations are
maximised.

When the dam fills, all flood waters will pass through the dam and head
downstream along with the water entering from unregulated tributaries such as
the Kiewa River.

The Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for issuing flood warnings to the
public. Check www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings for up-to-date flood warnings in
your area.

if you live or work on the floodplain, you need to be prepared for potential
floods by:

 * Developing a personalised flood plan
 * Signing up to WaterNSW's Early Warning Network, and
 * Checking for up-to-date flood warnings on the Bureau of Meteorology website.

To sign up for WaterNSW's Early Warning Network visit www.waternsw.com.au/ewn
For more information about how dams are managed to reduce the impact of flooding
visit: How are dams being managed to reduce the impact of flooding? |
Murray-Darling Basin Authority (mdba.gov.au)

ENDS

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