Snowy River flushed with 84,000 megalitres
OVER 80,000ML OF WATER will flush out the upper reaches of the Snowy River in a rehabilitation effort following years of drought.
The release began last week and water flowed over the spillway at Jindabyne Dam on Monday for the first time in almost 40 years.
Victorian Water Minister Peter Walsh said the flush of 84,000 megalitres will occur over 19 days with peak flows expected over the last three days.
“You’re seeing a return of flows down the river to try to mimic the snowmelt to disturb the gravel, move a few rocks and try to actually get some life back into the upper reaches of the Snowy,” he said. “Through the drought the upper reaches of the Snowy have suffered significantly and this will put some environmental flows back there.”
Rainfall sends Lake Jindabyne into over
Strong tributaries below the Victorian border and rainfall in Gippsland have ensured a healthy flow through the lower reaches of the river.
“It’s principally for the upper reaches but it obviously has a flow-on affect further down the river,” the minister said.
The allocation is a result of an agreement between Victoria, New South Wales and the Commonwealth and was made possible after a year of solid rain.
“After years of drought, good rainfall this year has enabled us to deliver water against the Snowy’s entitlement,” the minister said.
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