Department of Environment and Water (DEW) advises the Lower Murray barrages will close for most of next week  - 1-8 September - to reduce the risk of saltwater incursion in the Lower Lakes, caused by projected storm conditions.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, with strong north-westerly winds expected ahead of a strong cold front.

It is likely barrages will remain closed during periods of forecasted high (up to five metre) swells and while strong winds persist, to reduce the risk of saltwater entering the lakes and increasing salinity levels.

SA Water operates the network of barrages on behalf of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, along with Locks One to Nine spread across South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

Adrienne Rumbelow is DEW Program Leader, Coorong Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth. She says high winds may result in short term fluctuations in water levels, particularly in the Coorong, Lake Albert and the River Murray Channel above Wellington.

“It’s severe weather events like this that highlight the importance of the barrage system,” Ms Rumbelow says.

“They were constructed principally to maintain salinity levels in the lower reaches of the River Murray, Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert, but also to stabilise the river level, for both upstream irrigation and pumping.

“Maintaining appropriate salinity and water levels in the Lower Lakes is vitally important to the health of native plants and animals that call the lakes home.

“Once conditions allow, freshwater flows to the Coorong will be reinstated through Tauwitchere, Goolwa and Boundary Creek barrages.”

According to DEW this event coincides with lower flows in the River Murray, which will reduce the risk of water levels exceeding the Lower Lakes normal operating range.

Daily salinity and water levels in the River Murray, Lower Lakes and Coorong are available on the SA Water website or the DEW Water Data SA website.