Dartmouth Dam is spilling for the first time in 26 years, which may place more pressure on Hume Dam and the Murray River system.
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Renewed flooding warnings were already being issued for the system at the start of the week because of rainfall in the upper catchments.
Deniliquin-Conargo SES Unit Commander Jodie Graham said the direct impacts from the latest developments for Deniliquin and district were still being plotted and monitored.
But she said the authorities will be prepared to act, regardless of what happens.
“With the current weather systems in New South Wales we are seeing renewed flooding in the area.
“This is due to the full dams and already saturated catchment areas and river systems,” she said.
“The Deniliquin-Conargo Unit has been monitoring the flow into the Edward River from the Murray River system and has been planning, and is ready, to assist the community if the need arises.
“Minor flood level is still current for the Edward River at Deniliquin and river levels are rising at Stevens Weir where moderate flooding will continue.
“As of (Thursday) morning, the Hume dam is releasing 38,000 megalitres per day.
“The New South Wales SES is working very closely with the Bureau of Meteorology and other specialists to gauge any impacts this may have on the Edward River system.
“The Deniliquin-Conargo Unit will be providing regular updates as they come to hand on our Facebook page.”
Dartmouth Dam, September 2022. Flows over the spillway at Dartmouth Dam are imminent.
The initial flood peak of 5.64m passed through Deniliquin Monday last week.
The river had been slowly receding since then, until it started to rise again at the weekend.
By Monday this week the river had risen again to 5.58m yesterday, and has increased slightly every day this week to be 5.7m yesterday.
Jointly managed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Goulburn-Murray Water, Dartmouth Dam is the most upstream storage in the Murray River system and collects almost 10 per cent of the system’s inflow.
The Mitta Mitta River flows from Dartmouth Dam into the Hume storage, which is currently at almost 97 per cent capacity.
Like Hume Dam, the MDBA said the primary purpose of Dartmouth Dam is to conserve water during wetter periods as insurance against future drier times.
Its management is governed by the rules of Basin governments under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement.
MDBA senior director of river management Joe Davis said water would begin flowing over the Dartmouth Dam spillway at low rates and contribute minor flows to the Mitta Mitta River downstream.
Water will also be released through the valves at the base of the dam.
“To begin with, water is expected to trickle over the spillway before the flows build up,” he said.
“Given it’s been such a long time since the last spill, we expect locals and tourists will be keen to visit Dartmouth, particularly over the school holidays.
“Please be courteous of others and take great care on the road up to the site and in the limited parking area.”
Since Dartmouth Dam was completed in 1979 it has physically spilled four times - each in the 1990s. The last was in 1996.
“Dartmouth Dam has been considered effectively full since early August when we started pre-releasing water from the dam to manage airspace,” Mr Davis said.
“The flow of water over the spillway at this stage is not expected to impact on the height of the Mitta Mitta River downstream, with flows expected to remain within the river channel at Tallandoon.”
Comm Graham said while above normal levels, people should take extra care around all water courses.
The SES suggests the following:
Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.
~ In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring the NSW SES on 132 500.
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