The Snowy Scheme is currently operating around the clock at optimum levels to capture very large inflows and help minimise flood risks and impacts, while still performing its critical role of supporting energy supply to the grid.
Snowy Hydro has been managing significant inflows throughout 2022 and the assets of the Snowy Scheme are performing exceptionally well. Following repeated rainfall events in October and seasonal snowmelt, most of our reservoirs are full, and as more rain falls, we need to release or “spill” the excess water.
In the past week, spills have occured at locations including Guthega, Island Bend, Tooma and Jindabyne dams, where inflows are greater than the available airspace and diversion capacity. Dam safety is paramount and spillways will automatically release water when a storage reaches 100%. Controlled releases have been made from most other storages, including Tumut Pond, Khancoban and Jounama to pass the high inflows.
Total Snowy Scheme storage has increased by over 1,100 gigalitres (GL) in the three months from August to October – this equates to more than twice the volume of Sydney Harbour. Lake Eucumbene, the Scheme’s central storage, has risen by 20%, with flows from all parts of the Scheme being diverted into this long-term storage where possible.
Inflows to Lake Jindabyne cannot be moved into Eucumbene or into the already saturated Snowy-Murray development, so excess inflows can only be released into the Snowy River.
More than 300GL has also been moved away from the Tumut River into Lake Eucumbene over the last three months. Inflows in the Tumut River below Tumut Ponds Dam must also be passed through the system.
Snowy Hydro continues to work closely with WaterNSW and utilise Scheme storage where possible to mitigate flows while flood risks are highest.
For the community the most important message is to stay safe and well informed. The public can stay updated about flood alerts here:
For more information about releases into the Snowy River visit
https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/generation/live-data/lake-levels/ and https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/water/home
Snowy Hydro will continue to keep the community informed about management of water in Lake Jindabyne through its website and social media channels.