The Murray River parkland is likely to be flood effected and even closed off to the public for much of Spring if above average rainfall continues.
Park access to the Murray River below the Yarrawonga Weir has closed and not likely to open for weeks or even months.
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Parks Victoria updated their visitor access information last week for the Murray River Reserves stretching from the Yarrawonga Regional Park through to the Tocumwal Regional Park closing access due to the onset of flooding.
With Dartmouth and Hume Dams near capacity and the likelihood of ongoing rain well into spring, parks along the Murray River are likely to be closed for some time allowing authorities to send large volumes of water strategically down the river.
The Murray River below the Yarrawonga Weir continues to rise as more water is sent down from a near capacity Hume Dam.
Road conditions have also deteriorated in the river parks due to the impacts of flooding and even if they were to be open to the public many roads will be gazzeted as 4WD access only.
Parks have also stated that all river beaches have been impacted by high river flows and conditions may have changed since last visiting these sites. Authorities are also concerned about the high numbers of mosquitos due to recent wet conditions experienced recently.
Murray–Darling Basin Authority has urged people downstream of the Hume Dam to be flood ready as the wettest period for southern Basin catchments commences.
Full water storages coupled with a 50 per cent chance of another La Nina in 2022-23 are driving management strategies in the River Murray System for the year ahead, according to the MDBA’s 2022-23 Annual Operating Outlook released on Monday.
Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Executive Director of River Management Andrew Reynolds said the Annual Operating Outlook explains how the river would be run based on a range of potential climatic and rainfall scenarios.
“Heading into the irrigation season, southern Basin storages are at an unusually high level for this time of year, and it’s likely that wet conditions and high flows will persist for at least the next few months,” Mr Reynolds said.
As of August 15, Hume Dam was at 96 per cent and Dartmouth Dam at 98 per cent. Healthy flows continue to enter the Murray from the Murrumbidgee River, the Goulburn River and the other Victorian tributaries.
“We’re approaching what is typically the season of highest inflows, and the Bureau of Meteorology is also forecasting a 50 per cent chance of another La Nina developing later this year,” Mr Reynolds said.
“At Hume Dam we have been in and out of flood operations for the past 12 months and this is likely to continue into spring. As always, we’ll work closely with Bureau of Meteorology and WaterNSW, and will communicate any significant changes to communities downstream of the dam.”
For more information about park closures go to www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or call 13 19 63. For flooding and alerts check www.ses.nsw.gov.au in NSW and www.emergency.vic.gov.au in Victoria. For up-to-date flood warnings in your area visit bom.gov.au, in an emergency contact the SES on 132 500.
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