Murray Darling Basin Authority on high alert with Hume Dam as heavy rain is forecast

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted between 50mm and 100m of rain to fall, mostly on Wednesday and Thursday, which has the MDBA on high alert to create more air space.

Releases were ramped up from Friday, but the potential of flood activity remains with the dam just below 98 per cent capacity.

"Above average rainfall is expected in the Upper Murray catchment in late September and October and there is an increased chance of flooding, particularly on the floodplains between Hume Dam and Yarrawonga Weir," MDBA acting chief Andrew Reynolds said.

"The MDBA is working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology, Water NSW and the NSW and Victorian state emergency services to provide flood preparedness safety messages."

Murray River Action Group chairman Richard Sargood acknowledges the basin authority is doing a better job than its management of Hume Dam in 2016, which resulted in widespread flooding.

The MDBA faced a potential class action for not releasing water from Lake Hume before the 2016 floods.

"If this rain eventuates and they get a general 75-millimetre rainfall over the catchment towards the end of next week, Hume will start filling at up to two per cent a day," Mr Sargood said.

"It can actually fill it up to three per cent per day if they get a really big rain.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"If they don't have a realistic expectation of what is coming in, I think it would be incredibly difficult to manage what is going out.

"They operate it as if they have to fill it regardless and we have to work around that.

"At the end of the day, they can't sell air space. They can only sell what water they can send down to deliver to customers out of Mildura and Swan Hill and this environment up here has to suffer because of it.

"They're certainly having more of a go than they have in the past. They are pre-releasing and anticipating this rain coming, but whether they've got it anywhere near right, time will tell."

Anyone that lives or works on a floodplain is urged to develop a personalised flood emergency plan for their home and property by going to the State Emergency Service website for their state.

Water NSW's early warning network will be notified by SMS, email or landline about dam and supply activities during periods of flooding or high releases.

The Bureau of Meteorology will provide the latest weather information including warnings, river conditions and rainfall across the region.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: