New streamflow service helps to better manage water

18/09/2015

A new service that predicts how much water is likely to flow in rivers seven days in advance is now available to water managers at more than 100 forecast locations around Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s new streamflow forecasting service combines rainfall and streamflow observations with rainfall forecasts to provide water managers with the information they need to better manage water resources in their region.

The new product provides streamflow forecasts out to seven days for more than 100 locations around Australia.

The forecast uses real time observations from a national network of rain and river gauges, rainfall forecasts, and modelled runoff and river flow.

Dasarath Jayasuriya, Assistant Director of Water Forecasting Services at the Bureau, says the service provides information to support water management and river use decisions.

"When used with other tools, the 7-day streamflow forecasts help water managers optimise the economic value of river regulation and diversions by planning water releases and water extraction opportunities around forecast natural flows.

"The forecasts also offer environmental benefits, helping water managers deliver environmental flow requirements including high and low flow needs for rivers and wetlands," Mr Jayasuriya said.

The new service's expected benefits are:

• Irrigators, urban and rural water supply authorities, and hydroelectricity generators may be able to release less water from storages when natural flows are expected;
  
  
• Environmental managers will be able to better meet high and low flow needs for rivers and wetlands;
  
  
• Dam operators can optimise water releases, taking into consideration expected streamflow to avoid unnecessary releases;
  
  
• Farmers may be able to reduce their dependency on allocated irrigation water supply from dams by using natural river flows; and
  
  
• Recreational water users will be able to check when conditions are likely to be favourable and safe for camping, boating and fishing.

The new service is being delivered through the Bureau’s Improving Water Information Programme, which is building a comprehensive and reliable picture of Australia’s water resources to support policy and planning.

It is the result of a long-term collaborative project by the Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA), a partnership between the CSIRO and the Bureau.

For more information go to: www.bom.gov.au/water/7daystreamflow