In this section:

Archived Media Releases

Projections show water allocations

Media Release | 8 July 2008

A series of projections have been produced for irrigators outlining possible monthly increases to River Murray water allocations under various inflow scenarios.

Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald says the projections, developed by the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC), show the likelihood of receiving different levels of allocations during the 2008-09 water year.

"These indicators have been calculated using a number of different possible flow scenarios depending on the volume of rainfall we receive over winter and spring," she says.

"This outlook for water availability takes into account the need to share water between irrigation, critical needs reserves for 2009-10, environmental use and flows into the Lower Lakes.

"However, if inflow conditions remain low, it will be difficult to provide water for all competing demands."

Minister Maywald says these projections are based on the best information currently available, but will be subject to change with each monthly update.
 

Scenario end Sept 08 end Nov 08 end Jan 09 end Mar 09
100% chance (minimum inflows) 2% 2% 2% 2%
95% chance 6% 6% 6% 6%
90% chance 9% 9% 9% 9%
85% chance 11% 11% 11% 11%
75% chance 12% 21% 26% 30%
50% chance 32% 56% 66% 72%

 

The latest projections can be found at 'Water availability diagrams' on the DWLBC website.

For more information about water allocations or conditions in the River Murray visit the above website, or call the Drought Link Hotline on 180 20 20.