Environmental watering in the Gwydir River Valley 2022-23
Natural high flows are continuing in the Gwydir. Whilst these flows are important for ecosystem recovery following prolonged drought they can lead to negative impacts for local communities. The CEWO works with local communities to understand current conditions on the ground and adds flexibility to deliveries under such wet conditions.
2022-23 Gwydir event updates
Gwydir – Update #2 – March 2023
Waterbird colony monitoring found 16 species across 8 large colonies of several thousand nests in the Gwydir Wetlands. Water for the environment has been maintaining steady low flows under nests to help waterbirds to complete their breeding. Flows are now reducing and will likely cease by the end of March now the breeding event is winding up.
Gwydir – Update #1 – November 2022
A wet spring has triggered large-scale colonial waterbird breeding in the Gwydir Wetlands for the second year in a row. Whilst water for the environment cannot create these large-scale breeding events, it plays an important role in supporting nesting after it has naturally started. For this reason, water for the environment may be required at low rates over summer to support the breeding waterbirds and their young.
