We have released the draft Upper Murrumbidgee Drought Operating Framework and are seeking your feedback on it.
Over the last three decades, water flows in the Upper Murrumbidgee have decreased. This is because of diversion of water by the Snowy Scheme, drier conditions, and development in the catchment. This has changed ecosystems, water quality, cultural values, and critical human water needs.
In 2019, drought conditions led to low-flows and a cease-to-flow event in the upper Murrumbidgee River. We want to make sure the river has enough water in times of drought to ensure the health of river and the people who depend on it.
We created this framework to guide how water will be released over the next two years if drought occurs to keep the river flowing. This is important because we need to have enough water set aside in the dam to release, and to make sure it is released in the best way possible.
The framework is a technical operational document that focuses on:
- determining what river conditions will trigger water releases
- deciding how much water will be released and when
- how the water will be stored, used, and accounted for
- how we will value the water and compensate Snowy Hydro for forgone energy generation resulting from releasing additional water into the Upper Murrumbidgee from Tantangara Dam
- the impacts of storing and delivering the water on Snowy Hydro, the National Electricity Market, and other water users.
How you can contribute
You can provide feedback by visiting our Have Your Say website.
We will be accepting submissions until 5:00 pm AEST on Thursday, 11 September 2025.
