THE HIGH country is preparing for two floods next week - the inundation of the Snowy River and the influx of tourists to view the event.
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The release is the biggest discharge of water into the Snowy River since it was dammed for the Snowy Mountains Scheme
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More than 88,000 megalitres will be released over 19 days from Lake Jindabyne into the waterway.
The inundation will begin slowly before building to a peak release of about 12,000 megalitres per day for three days, before tapering off.
The torrent will recreate spring snow melt, when the Snowy would naturally flood, and promotes the waterways' health by scouring the river bed of sediment.
NSW Water hopes to commence the environmental ''flushing'' flow on October 6, but said the start could be delayed depending on lake inflows.
Tourism Snowy Mountains acting executive director Gary Grant expects scores of school holiday-makers to visit the high country for the spectacle.
''Water hasn't gone down in such a long-time, it's going to be spectacular,'' Mr Grant said.
''Operators have said during the snow season there's been some interest, people saying they'll come back in October.''
But the flow isn't great news for everyone.
The release is expected to produce a 3m drop in water levels at Lake Jindabyne.
The dip could push the lake's shoreline back by up to 250m in shallow sections, which will cause access issues for fisherman and other water users, according to Lake Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce executive Marty Whittington.
''It's obviously going to have an affect on our summer trade ... if they did it in early September it wouldn't [be so bad],'' Mr Whittington said.
Snowy Hydro is currently busy establishing a temporary viewing area for the public at Jindabyne Dam.
The temporary viewing area will open from 8am to 6pm daily October 6-24.