Levees

Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA) levee banks

Levee recovery update - 2 June 2023

PIRSA and DEW are continuing the process of assessments, short-term stabilisation and dewatering of levees in the LMRIA.

LiDAR flights and data have now been completed for all levees, with stability assessments and reports completed for government owned levees. Where required, short-term stability works to enable dewatering have either commenced or are complete.

Early planning and revisiting of sites has started for the intermediate stabilisation of levees. Intermediate stabilisation works will support levee function and help protect levees from wind seiche and fluctuating river levels during normal river operations.

Once intermediate works are complete and the areas have dried out, a full condition assessment is planned to determine longer term requirements.

Levee dewatering summary tables

The tables below provide information on the status of both government and privately owned levees in the LMRIA.

The levee summary table reflects short-term stability assessments and works required to enable dewatering to occur. It does not include assessments or works for intermediate stabilisation.

Click on each table to enlarge.

River vessel waste disposal stations

As of 2 June 2023 all river vessel waste disposal stations (excluding Lock 3) are online and operational. Additional minor repair works will be required across the stations over the next couple of months. This is expected to have a minimal impact on the operational status of the stations.

Murray Bridge may experience a short period of time where it is offline to facilitate a permanent repair to the power supply. Once the dates are confirmed DEW will ensure that the public is notified prior to the works commencing.

The Lock 3 river vessel waste disposal station has been out of commission since January 2020 due to a significant infrastructure failure. The nearest alternative waste facility is located at Waikerie. Normal boat waste (domestic or galley waste) can still be deposited at the Lock 3 facility.

If you have any questions, please contact the DEW Engagement Team on DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au

Now that the flood event has passed, is it safe to access government owned levees?

Please be aware that all government-owned levee banks along the Lower Murray from Mannum to Wellington remain closed until further notice. Recreational activities along the levee banks, such as walking and fishing, will not be allowed during this time.

While stability assessments and works are being undertaken, safety on and around the levees, is the primary focus. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, you should not:

enter or remain on an engaged levee except as provided for an emergency response or inspection, maintenance, and repair (including inspection, maintenance and repair of the levee, power lines or other infrastructure).
moor, anchor, attach, or secure any vessel to an engaged levee.
operate a vessel on the River Murray exceeding a speed of 4 knots within 250 metres of an engaged levee.

Local Irrigation Trust members and contractors will have continued access for inspections, maintenance, and emergency repairs. Members are encouraged to take all necessary precautions when working on the levees.

As privately owned levees along the Lower Murray are managed and maintained by private landholders, access to their levee banks may be closed at the discretion of the landholder.

Predicted water levels

Current water levels are updated daily and can be found here: https://www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/River-Murray/SitePages/Daily.aspx

Water levels around the Lower Lakes are typical for this time of year, with Lake Alexandrina at approximately 0.65 m AHD and Lake Albert at approximately 0.68 m AHD. While there is not a specific water level target for the LMRIA, both areas are connected and what occurs in the Lower Lakes will impact the LMRIA.

DEW and SA Water are currently working to maintain an average water level of 0.7 m AHD across Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert until the end of June 2023.

Although this is the target, there will be times when the water levels can be higher or lower than the target. At these times the barrages will be operated to either raise or lower water levels as required. Water levels and barrage operations are monitored closely by the South Australian Government, Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.

View gate openings at the barrages on Water Data SA at https://water.data.sa.gov.au/Data/Dashboard/75

Total daily flow releases from the barrages can also be found on Water Data SA at https://water.data.sa.gov.au/Data/Dashboard/1

The latest flow information is available on the Flows and daily water levels webpage or view the weekly River Murray Flow Report.

If you have any questions, please contact the DEW Engagement Team on DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au

Mental health assistance

The short and long-term recovery of an event such as the River Murray 2022-23 flood event, can have a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of affected communities and individuals.

The impact may also be felt by people who are not directly affected by the floods but may have experienced previous trauma related to a natural disaster, have loved ones in affected areas or are witnessing traumatic events through media coverage and social media.

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope, reach out to local services that can provide mental health and wellbeing support. The SA Health Recovery page provides a range of practical and emotional resources available for people who wish to seek support due to the impact of the River Murray flood disasters.