The Murray-Darling Basin Authority and WaterNSW will begin lowering the weir pool in the Murray River at Euston on 29 May to assist with minor repairs to the weir.
Executive Director of River Management, Andrew Reynolds said it would take 3 weeks to lower the weir pool by one metre, which would enable crews to fix a damaged pipe used to measure pressure against the weir.
“The job is expected to take no longer than a day, and we will begin to refill the weir pool as soon as the work is completed,” Mr Reynolds said.
“The process of lowering the weir pool, repairing the pipe and refilling will take about 4 weeks, so river users can expect a return to normal level by the end of June.
“River pumpers, boat operators and river users may notice the river level drop below the usual level upstream of the weir and are advised to take these changed water levels into account.
“We appreciated the patience of local community who might be impacted by the lower river level during this time.
“River users intending to pass through lock 15 may experience limited access.
“It is an ideal time to carry out this work now that irrigation demands have scaled down.”
The Euston weir was removed in mid-September 2022 to allow floodwaters in the River Murray to pass unobstructed. A routine inspection by WaterNSW identified the damage when the weir was being reinstated.
The MDBA works in cooperation with the Basin states to ensure the ongoing maintenance and improvement of weirs and locks along the River Murray.
The MDBA has collaborated with the local community in preparation for these repairs and will issue further advice if these plans change. Information on current river flows and weir pool levels can be viewed at www.mdba.gov.au.
