Gwydir booms during summer and autumn 2020-21
Gwydir booms during summer and autumn 2020-21
The flows of December 2020, January 2021 and the flooding of March 2021 finally broke the driest four years on record in the Gwydir. This flyer provides details of how environmental water has contributed to flows in the Gwydir during the first half of 2021 as well as preliminary monitoring results from the 2020-21 water year.
Gwydir wetland recovery flows
Gwydir wetland recovery flow update
Over the summer of 2020-21, around 23 GL of water for the environment was delivered across the Lower Gwydir, Gingham and Mallowa Creek systems.
In combination with natural flows, water for the environment helped improve the condition of the Gwydir Wetlands Ramsar sites located on ‘Old Dromana’ and ‘Goddard’s Lease’. Flows also provided habitat for a range of waterbirds, fish, frogs, and turtles after an extended dry period.
Gwydir refuge pool flows
Gwydir refuge pool flow update
This update provides information on current conditions, how native fish are faring in the Gwydir along with the objectives this environmental water delivery aims to achieve.
Mehi River upstream from Albert Street Bridge (October 2020). Photo: Jane Humphries, CEWO.
Further context and information
2019 was extremely dry for the Gwydir catchment, with the 2019 calendar year being the driest recorded since 1965.
Refuge pools, which native fish rely on, were found to be low in both water quality and depth during spring and summer of 2019-20. Similarly, wetlands within the Gwydir were starting to dry out due to prolonged drought.
Watering actions in the Gwydir are managed in collaboration with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Releases from Copeton Dam are coordinated by WaterNSW (and where possible, timed with other releases) to minimise losses.
Planning of releases also incorporates advice from the NSW Gwydir Environmental Water Advisory Group.
For more information, please contact CEWO’s Local Engagement Officers:
For further information on the Gwydir: