Since prior to Christmas 2021 the water level in Lake Jindabyne has constantly been in the high 90 percent level and on occasions reached 100%. This has been an issue for the Jindabyne community as the high water level has seen the Banjo Paterson Park flooded for most of the summer and autumn and sections of the lake foreshore path constantly under water.
The lake currently sits at 98% with Snowy Hydro announcing this week they will again release more water into the Snowy River from Tuesday 12 April. There will be a rising river alert for areas below the Jindabyne Dam including Dalgety.
In a statement released by Snowy Hydro they said high inflows to the Snowy Scheme, including Jindabyne catchment, have been ongoing since November.
"Based on operational forecasts, if left unmitigated, Lake Jindabyne would reach full supply level (100%) and commence spilling within a week. To avoid uncontrolled spill, Snowy Hydro will again make pre-releases into the Snowy River below Jindabyne Dam from Tuesday 12 April 2022," said Snowy Hydro.
"Pre-releases will be greater than the environmental releases notified on Snowy Hydro’s website and may change at short notice in response to the weather conditions. Releases could reach flow rates up to 3,000 megalitres per day, similar to the rates that have been released at other times in the past five months.
"The outlook as we head towards winter is for wet conditions to continue. Snowy Hydro will continue to pump water from Jindabyne to Geehi Reservoir to be released through Murray 1 and 2 Power stations into the upper Murray River at every opportunity. Further releases to the Snowy River may still be required to avoid uncontrolled releases.
"If Lake Jindabyne reaches 100%, it will trigger operation of the spillway gates. Dam safety is paramount at this time and the spillway gates will automatically release water at any time the
storage reaches or exceeds 100%."
Prior to this summer, the last time the lake level reached 100% was in March 2012.
This summer the high water level has impacted on tourism for the town with much of the lake foreshore, including the Hatchery Bay bike track, Banjo Paterson Park and the pathway and playgrounds at the Claypits being submerged and unusable. Jindabyne's flagship event the Lake Light Sculpture at Easter has also been cancelled.
The lake foreshore is the prime tourist attraction during the warmer months. Considering the impact this summer which has seen businesses affected and visitors unable to make full use of the foreshore, a plan of action should be addressed so as this does not become an ongoing factor in future years.
Whether that is realigning existing infrastructure that now sits below the high water line, or having discussions with Snowy Hydro as to what could be a new high water mark. The 90% level does not affect the pathway or park areas.
When Jindabyne Dam was flooded in the later 60's as part of the Snowy Scheme, summer tourism was not even on the radar. This is now a different era and with the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct and the 40 year vision for summer tourism, is it time to discuss a new strategy.
After the lake reached 100% in 2012 the rock armour wall was then constructed in front of Banjo Paterson Park to assist with erosion. When the water level finally recedes to a more normal level this time there will be a big clean up required and repairs to the affected areas.
Banjo Paterson Park will be hugely affected and the area will smell of stagnant water for months. Plus who pays for the clean up and repairs?
Community members have already raised issues about the water and would like to know how this can be avoided in future. Council are aware of the concerns this high water has caused this summer and let's hope that a good solution or compromise can be found for the future.
The Snowy Scheme does not allow for pumping water from Jindabyne to Lake Eucumbene. Water from Lake Jindabyne can be pumped to Island Bend and then onto Geehi Dam for the Murray power stations. Could this be a consideration in the future for Snowy Hydro to look at building a pumping solution from Island Bend to Lake Eucumbene.
We all understand water is an important commodity. Plus there are many aspects of water management at a high government level that need to be considered. But the conversation could be started to see what can be resolved should we have a wet summer again.
