Puggles protected: Now planning for first large water transfer

Water delivery experts from WaterNSW will host the public meeting at Manilla Golf Club at 6pm Wednesday 16 October to gather feedback from water users and the local community on the planned water releases before finalising details of the first large water transfer on 1 November.

WaterNSW plans to release 23 gigalitres of water from Split Rock Dam, starting on 1 November. Further releases of between 40-70 GL each month may be needed between December and February, depending on rainfall in the catchments.

“Downstream landholders between Split Rock and Keepit dams will notice a rise in river levels by about one metre during the transfers, depending on their location,” WaterNSW General Manager Water Planning and Delivery, Ashley Webb, said.

“People should take care when using or crossing the river and move any equipment or stock to higher ground before the first large water release on 1 November.

“Landholders had an indication of the likely river levels when we made an early spring release of water from Split Rock, just before the platypus nesting season.

“That early release was to encourage platypus to build their nests higher up the banks, since they select nest sites based on river heights.

“As the river operator, WaterNSW has an important role to play in helping protect platypus by making that early water release ahead of the upcoming irrigation season.

“We must also operate the system as efficiently as possible to fulfill customer orders and support the downstream communities who rely on irrigation.

“We’re now meeting with landholders on the Manilla River and other interested parties to gather feedback on the first of several water transfers we anticipate will be needed over spring and summer.

“The added bonus this year will be that the water we release for irrigation between November and February will now slide past below the level of the platypus nests, protecting the newborn puggles,” Mr Webb said.

Split Rock Dam is currently at 97% capacity, while Keepit Dam is at 61% capacity.

“WaterNSW will continue to monitor dam levels and review the need for bulk water transfers should any significant rain fall in the catchments.”

Keepit Dam was completed in 1960, increasing agricultural production of cotton, lucerne, cereals, oilseed, wheat and vegetables and leading to the growth of downstream towns including Gunnedah, Narrabri, Wee Waa and Walgett. Split Rock Dam was built in the 1980s to supplement supplies from Keepit Dam and meet increased agricultural demand for water in the Namoi Valley.