Research For A Sustainable Future: Environmental monitoring of variable flow trials conducted at Dartmouth Dam, 2001/02-07/08 - Synthesis of key findings and operational guidelines

Abstract

Dartmouth and Hume Dams are operated as part of the 'River Murray System' by the River Murray Division of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). Hume Dam was built 1919-36 and is the primary regulating storage in that river system. It was enlarged 1950-61 to accommodate additional water from the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Dartmouth Dam was constructed later (between 1973 and 1979) on the Mitta Mitta River, a major tributary entering Hume Reservoir (Figure 1). Dartmouth Reservoir has a larger capacity (3908 GL) than Hume Reservoir (approx 3000 GL) and is primarily used as "drought reserve" to supplement storage in Hume. Dartmouth Reservoir can take several years to fill because of its large storage capacity relative to its catchment size. Hume typically fills and empties more frequently, sometimes annually. Although the primary purpose of Dartmouth and Hume Reservoirs is to increase the security of water supply for irrigation, stock, domestic and town use, dam operations also mitigate flooding in the valleys below them (Hume and Dartmouth Dams Operations Review Panel 1998).