Levees
Intermediate remediation of the LMRIA levees project
In February, the Federal and State Governments announced $17.1 million in funding to undertake intermediate remediation works to government-owned levees that were damaged in the 2022-23 River Murray flood event. In addition, the South Australian Government allocated $14.2 million in state funds for the intermediate remediation of privately-owned levees. The intermediate remediation works will return the significantly flood-damaged sections of the LMRIA levees to their pre-flood height.
Intermediate remediation work has begun at Pompoota and is expected to start at Mypolonga and Long Flat over the coming weeks. Full condition assessments, to determine the extent of the damage sustained by the levees during the flood event, is underway with the first stage, including on-site visual inspections, commencing in mid-June.
Where intermediate remediation works are required for government levees, they will remain closed until the works are progressively completed and subsequent safe access is determined over the next 12-18 months. Any government-owned levee not requiring intermediate remediation work will remain closed pending the outcome of a full condition assessment and a safety risk assessment to ensure they are safe for public access. The government-owned levee banks are Cowirra, Neeta, Wall Flat, Pompoota, Mypolonga, Mobilong, Burdett, Long Flat, Monteith and Jervois. Access to private levees is at the landholder’s discretion, however, access is not permitted where remediation works are being undertaken.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance and the Department for Environment and Water will keep the community informed of the progress of the project, including when levees may be accessible to the public, through its website and newsletter.
For more information, please visit Department for Environment and Water - Levees
View Intermediate Remediation of LMRIA Levees Factsheet.
If you have queries, please contact the Department for Environment and Water through the following channels:
Lisa van der Linde, Communications and Engagement Officer on 0437 313 087 or Lisa.vanderlinde@sa.gov.au or the DEW Communications and Engagement team on DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au.
River Murray flow in South Australia
The flow at the South Australian border is approximately 4 GL/day and will remain stable at around 4 GL/day over the coming week depending on river operations.
The SA River Murray Flow Report is issued weekly and provides information on flows across the SA border, water levels, river infrastructure and impacts to the river. Click here to subscribe to this report.
Upstream flows
The environmental water release that commenced from Menindee Lakes in late May peaked at around 3.8GL per day on 5 June, and releases are now receding back to minimum flows. The lower quality water reached the River Murray at Wentworth on 19 June andis expected to reach the South Australian Border on 21-22 June.
This release is part of a trial to improve environmental flow connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the Murray-Darling Basin.
A predominantly non-toxic species of blue-green algae which was present inthe lower Darling River is likely to be flushed into the River Murray as aresult of the environmental water pulse and may affect the water quality in theRiver Murray. WaterNSW has advised that the high turbidity of the environmentalwater pulse is expected to cause a reduction in algae numbers due to lowerpenetration of sunlight into the water column. Some change to odour has beenobserved at Wentworth in NSW, where the confluence of the Murray and the Darlingrivers is located.
Water authorities are continuing to undertake increased water qualitymonitoring in the lower Darling River, Lake Victoria and the RiverMurray. Initial observations and water quality sampling undertakenindicates that the poorer quality Darling River water appears to besubstantially diluted when it joins the River Murray and, to date, levels oftoxin producing Blue Green Algae remain well below alert thresholds. River users may notice a change in appearance and increase in odour of theRiver Murray in SA. A separate public advice will be issued by authorities ifany health risks are detected. The effects on water quality in SA couldcontinue until mid-July.
River operators are undertaking several mitigating actions for managing possible impacts. Diversion of additional water into Lake Victoria commenced this week to provide additional dilution of poorer quality water. Flow to SA is expected to remain above 4 GL/day.
The water level in some weir pools is also being lowered slightly, within normal operating range, to encourage the movement and mixing of the poorer quality water as it moves down the river. An exception is the water level in the Lower Lakes which is being raised (also within the normal operating range) to minimise the likelihood of poor-quality water moving into Lake Albert, and to provide river managers with additional flexibility in barrage operations.
A separate environmental water release from the Goulburn River system inVictoria is expected to commence in late June. Flows of good quality water fromthis event are expected to start reaching South Australia in mid-July and willassist in freshening the quality of flow to South Australia.
Conditions are being actively monitored for water quality concerns, and further updates will be provided in the Flow Report each week.
More information on upstream conditions and forecasts can be found in the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Weekly Flow Report.
River Murray Flood Mapping
The changes in the SA River Murray Chanel and floodplains since the 1956 flood and subsequent events have led to a shifting relationship between flow and water level, making accurate forecasting challenging. These changes include new infrastructure and development, shifts in floodplain vegetation and land use, movement of the river channel and changes in river bathymetry.
The effects of these changes were observed during the 2022-23 River Murray flood event. Following the event, the State Government committed funding for the purpose of updating DEW’s River Murray flood models, tools and datasets with current conditions, and the latest observations of water levels and flood behavior during the 2022-23 flood.
DEW is currently working to ensure that the River Murray hydrodynamic models, tools and data sets are updated with best available data so that river managers, emergency services and the community can be provided with up-to-date information for assessing potential flood impacts to inform their preparations prior to future events. The bathymetric surveys outlined below are an example of the new data being captured that will be used to inform these updates.
For more information contact Casey Henderson, Senior Project Officer on casey.henderson@sa.gov.au.
Water quality
Algal blooms within SA
A Water Quality Alert for Lake Alexandrina issued by SA Health remains current due to elevated levels of potentially harmful blue green algae present in the lake. This alert and other information can be found on the SA Health website – Water Quality Alerts page. Water samples taken at several locations in Lake Alexandrina have detected high levels of Cylindrospermopsis, a type of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) which is potentially harmful to humans and animals. The Water Quality Alert for Lake Alexandrina advises the public to avoid ingestion or contact with water in the lake, including the avoidance of recreational activities. The Water Quality Alert advises that water sampled from Lake Albert indicates some algae are present, however this does not currently pose a health risk. DEW and SA Water will continue to monitor the location and movement of the algae. Barrage operations are being modified to encourage the discharge of algae through the mouth and away from populated areas. Some level of blue-green algae on a large open water body like the River Murray is normal for this time of year when weather conditions are favourable for growth. Blooms can be transient, and their location and severity can be affected by a range of factors including wind direction, air and water temperatures and degree of water movement. SA Health encourages people to avoid contact with obvious green discoloured water as it may have health impacts. SA Health and DEW will continue to monitor the situation and provide further advice and information to the public as conditions evolve. |
Algal blooms upstream of SA |
A number of current alerts for blue-green algae have been issued by upstream authorities for the River Murray upstream of the SA border and the Lower Darling River. Details of the current alert locations can be found on the WaterNSW website - Algae Alerts page. |
River Vessel Waste Disposal Stations
The Lock 3 River Vessel Waste Disposal Station (RVWDS) has been out of commission since January 2020 due to a significant infrastructure failure. The nearest alternative waste facility is located at Waikerie. Normal boat waste (domestic or galley waste) can still be deposited at the Lock 3 facility.
Goolwa RVWDS Portaloo unit has been removed and is undergoing refurbishment. To prevent future issues and ensure correct operation, please refrain from flushing foreign objects as flushing these items can cause serious damage to the equipment, including blockages and pump failures.
The closest portaloo disposal facilities are available at no charge at Coorong Quays, Hindmarsh Island by contacting them on 8555 7300. The remainder of the station is operating as normal. Updates will be provided as further information becomes available.
Any issues with river vessel waste disposal stations can be reported on 1800 799 065.
If you have any questions, please contact the DEW Engagement Team on DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au.
Water levels
Current water levels are updated daily and can be found here: https://www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/River-Murray/SitePages/Daily.aspx
View gate openings at the barrages on Water Data SA at https://water.data.sa.gov.au/Data/Dashboard/75
Total daily flow releases from the barrages can also be found on Water Data SA at https://water.data.sa.gov.au/Data/Dashboard/1
The latest flow information is available on the Flows and daily water levels webpage or view the weekly River Murray Flow Report.
If you have any questions, please contact the DEW Engagement Team on DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au
More information about levee banks
Read about the statewide Improving Levee Bank Management project.
Visit the PIRSA LMRIA flood recovery web page.
