This week landholders and river users on the River Murray are advised to take note of changing weir pool heights at lock 15 at Robinvale and at locks 7, 8 and 9 between Wentworth, NSW, and the SA border.
Historically weir pool levels have been kept at a reasonably constant height, but as part of a trial to restore a more natural wetting and drying cycle, the MDBA will raise and lower these pool levels between August 2015 and June 2016.
The Lock 15 weir pool level is expected to increase by up to 60cm above the full supply level (FSL) over late-winter and spring, returning to FSL over summer and be lowered by up to 30cm below FSL by mid-autumn.
The weir pool levels at Lock 7, 8 and 9 are expected to increase by up to 50cm, 80cm and 20cm respectively above the FSL over late-winter and early spring, and be lowered by up to 50cm, 80cm and 10cm respectively below FSL over late-spring and summer.
The trial is being conducted by the MDBA in co-operation with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Water NSW, SA Water and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority.
The MDBA will issue a revised flow advice if there are any significant changes to the plan, which will also be available on the MDBA website at www.mdba.gov.au