Environmental watering in the Mid-Murray Catchment in previous years
Please note the summaries for pre 2014-15 are totals for the whole Murray Catchment, with the environmental watering that has occurred in the Mid-Murray linked to an explanation below.
2021-22
| Watering action | Status of Commonwealth action |
|---|---|
| River Murray flows | Completed |
| Edward Kolety-Wakool System | Completed |
| Providing refuge against declines in water quality in the Edward/Kolety–Wakool rivers | Completed |
| Koondrook-Perricoota Forest | Completed |
| Gunbower Creek | Completed |
River Murray flows
Status: Completed
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to provide benefits along the length of the River Murray in 2021-22, contributing to flows and targeting outcomes from Hume Dam through to the Coorong. This event will built on the outcomes and learnings from The Southern Spring Flow 2020.
Commonwealth environmental water deliveries were pooled with water available to other environmental water holders. The key objectives were to:
- Connect the River Murray with its anabranches, creeks and low-lying areas through Barmah, Millewa and Gunbower Forests, to support aquatic plants, enable fish movement and provide food resources for aquatic animals.
- Support native fish and provide the conditions they depend on every year to feed and breed.
- Maintain wetlands that are important for waterbirds.
- Coordinate with tributaries to support large scale connectivity and support carbon and nutrient transport throughout the southern connected Basin.
Water deliveries were responsive to conditions, being sensitive to increased rainfall.
Environmental water from this action was re-used downstream for several important wetland sites and ultimately benefitted the Lower Murray River and the Coorong and Lower Lakes.
This water delivery complements use of the Commonwealth’s held South Australian allocation within the state, along with flows moving downstream from upstream watering actions in tributaries such as the Goulburn and Murrumbidgee rivers.
For more information visit: Murray Wetland Flow 2021.
Edward Kolety-Wakool System
Status: Completed
About the watering
During 2021-22 Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to the Edward Kolety-Wakool system, which is still recovering after the 2016 flood.
Watering actions included the Yallakool Creek to Wakool River junction, Upper Wakool River, Colligen Creek/Niemur River, Whymoul Creek, Yarrein Creek, Buccaneit-Cunninyeuk Creek. Cockran-Jimaringle Creek, Murrain Yarrien Crrek and Tuppal Creek
Providing refuge against declines in water quality in the Edward/Kolety–Wakool rivers
Status: Completed
About the watering
In 2021-2022, the wet conditions in the Murray valley resulted in higher river flows for the first time in several years. While these flows provided benefits to many wetlands, they also increase the risk of a low oxygen (hypoxic) blackwater event, which can have devastating impacts on fish.
We worked in partnership with Murray Irrigation Limited (MIL) to use their network of channels and escapes to deliver small volumes of oxygenated water into the rivers, to improve the chances of native fish and crays surviving a possible low-oxygen blackwater event.
The approach was designed with the Edward Kolety-Wakool Environmental Water Reference Group in 2021and drew on lessons learnt from previous low-oxygen blackwater events in 2016, 2012 and 2010.
Koondrook-Perricoota Forest
Status: Completed
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to Pollack Swamp, Little Forest and Thule Creek within Koondrook-Perricoota Forest. The objectives of these watering actions were to:
- Build on the results of previous actions to maintain ecosystem resilience
- Provide feeding habitat for local waterbird populations to maintain their condition and ability to respond when wetter conditions return and
- Assist to maintain the condition of the vegetation in the swamp which colonial waterbirds including egrets use for nesting during floods.
- Maintain habitat and water quality for native fish in Thule Creek.
Gunbower Creek
Status: Completed
About the watering
As part of the five-year agreement between the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and the Commonwealth, 2,069.7 ML of Commonwealth Environmental Water was delivered to Gunbower Creek during 2021-22.
The objectives of this watering action were:
- Maintaining food and habitat resources (and access to these resources) for native fish including the recently recruited young-of-year Murray cod in Gunbower Creek,
- Maintaining flows for spawning and larval development and,
- When flow rates allow, creating connectivity between Gunbower Creek, Gunbower Forest, and the Murray River for the movement of fish, aquatic invertebrates, and carbon.
Delivery of water for the environment in Gunbower Creek was reduced this watering year to allow for the construction of the Cohuna and Koondrook fishways. The now operational fishways will significantly improve connectivity and habitat access for native fish populations in the long term.
2020-21
| Watering action | Status of Commonwealth action |
|---|---|
| River Murray flows | Completed |
| Gunbower Creek | Completed |
| Edward/Kolety-Wakool (Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River) | Completed |
| Tuppal Creek | Completed |
| Pollack Swamp | Completed |
| Jimaringle-Cockrans Creeks | Completed |
River Murray flows
Status: Completed
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to provide benefits along the length of the River Murray in 2020-21, contributing to flows and targeting outcomes from Hume Dam through to the Coorong.
Commonwealth environmental water deliveries were pooled with water available to other environmental water holders for use in winter and spring. With winter baseflow requirements met by operational flows nearly 325,000 ML of water for the environment (including Commonwealth and state-held water) was delivered to provide a spring flow. At its peak the spring flow reached 15,000 ML/day (megalitres / day) downstream of Yarrawonga (late October to mid-November) and ~18,000 ML/day in the Lower Murray (early November to early December). This water delivery event built on the outcomes and learnings from The Southern Spring Flow 2019.
The key objectives were to:
- Support native fish and provide the conditions they depend on every year to feed and breed.
- Connect the River Murray with its anabranches and creeks through Barmah, Millewa and Gunbower Forests, to support aquatic plants, enable fish movement and provide food resources for aquatic animals.
- Maintain core wetlands that are important for waterbirds.
In addition to this spring flow, water was being delivered directly to South Australia between Summer and Autumn to support connecting flows with the Coorong. This water delivery complements use of the Commonwealth’s held South Australian allocation within the state, along with flows moving downstream from upstream watering actions in tributaries such as the Goulburn and Murrumbidgee rivers.
For more information visit: The Southern Spring Flow 2020.
Gunbower Creek
Status: Completed
About the watering
As part of the five-year agreement between the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and the Commonwealth, 10,398.6 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to Gunbower Creek during 2020-21.
This watering action provided habitat for small and large-bodied native fish populations (such as Murray cod, golden perch and freshwater catfish) and assisted with fish movement along Gunbower Creek.
Edward/Kolety-Wakool System (Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River)
Status: Completed
About the watering
During 2020-21 up to 60,000ML of Commonwealth environmental water was made available for use in the Edward/Kolety-Wakool system, which is still recovering after the 2016 flood.
Watering actions include:
- Yallakool Creek - Wakool River junction: Commencing in spring, a fresh of up 800 ML per day followed by early summer pulses to encourage silver perch spawning was completed. These flows were designed to be not more than 800 ML per day downstream of the junction of the Yallakool Creek-Wakool River. An autumn pulse up to 400ML per day was planned to commence in late March finishing in early May to complete the years watering Yallakool Creek.
- Upper Wakool River: Commencing in the middle of spring to late spring, a fresh of no more than 70 ML per day was released in the Wakool River then a recession down to a base flow of 50ML per day. To improve water quality, additional CEW was provided from the middle of summer to the end of autumn. These variable flows will be provided in two-week tranches of plus or minus 30ML per day stepping up to no more than 120ML per day followed by decreases to no less than 50ML per day. These flows are planned to occur at the same time as Yallakool Creek flows.
- Colligen Creek/Niemur River: Commencing in the middle of spring to the end of spring, a fresh of up 400ML per day was completed. A second fresh of up to 340ML per day was commenced in early January to end January followed by a recession to base flow 170ML per day.
Tuppal Creek
Status: Completed
About the watering
This joint action between NSW and the CEWO provided up to 8,000 ML (including 4,000 ML of Commonwealth environmental water) into Tuppal Creek (using Murray Irrigation infrastructure for delivery) to:
- Improve water quality in the Tuppal Creek, particularly salt levels.
- Improve the condition of the fringing vegetation community including River Red Gums and Black Box
- Continue working partnerships between the Tuppal Creek community and relevant agencies
- Provide connectivity between existing remnant pools and the Edward River
Koondrook-Perricoota - Forest Pollack Swamp
Status: Completed
About the watering
This action will enable 2,500 ML of Commonwealth environmental water to be pumped into Pollack Swamp (Koondrook-Perricoota Forest). As per previous watering events in the Pollack, the objectives of this watering action were to:
- Build on the results of previous actions to maintain ecosystem resilience
- Provide feeding habitat for local waterbird populations to maintain their condition and ability to respond when wetter conditions return and
- Assist to maintain the condition of the vegetation in the swamp which colonial waterbirds including egrets use for nesting during floods.
Jimaringle-Cockran Creeks
Status: Completed
About the watering
This joint action between the NSW and the CEWO provided 7,500 ML of environmental water (4,000 ML NSW and 3,000 ML Commonwealth) to the Jimaringle-Cockran Creeks system for the first time since 2012-13. An additional 500ML of CEW was provided to top up deep hole refuges for the remainder of the year. The event was planned to limit the likelihood of poor water quality entering the connecting Niemur River system. Delivery is being undertaken from Murray Irrigation’s Mascotte escape into the Cockrans Creek then down the Jimaringle Creek. The objectives of this watering action are:
- Maintaining and improving the health of native plant communities in the creeks including river red gum and black box
- Provide habitat in which native animal communities, such as native frogs, can successfully breed and grow.
Landholders along these creeks continue to be key partners by generously sharing their time, knowledge and experience during the planning, delivery and monitoring of these watering actions.
2019-20
| Watering action | Status of Commonwealth action |
|---|---|
| River Murray flows | Complete |
| Gunbower Creek | Complete |
| Edward/Kolety-Wakool (Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River) | Complete |
| Tuppal Creek | Complete |
| Pollack Swamp | Complete |
River Murray flows
Status: Completed
About the watering
In 2019, all the environmental water agencies that work in the Murray valley pooled their water resources to deliver two environmental flows down the length of the River Murray. Known as the ‘Southern Spring Flow’ a total of nearly 330,000 ML of environmental water was delivered, to provide benefits along the length of the River Murray. The first flow started in August delivering water into rivers, creeks and wetlands in the mid-Murray. The second flow started in early September, to coincide with water delivered through the Goulburn River.
Travelling from Hume Dam to the Coorong, the flow benefitted multiple rivers, creeks and wetlands along the River Murray, watering plants and waterbird habitat, improving water quality, restoring connectivity and helping native fish and wetland refuges survive through dry times.
More information on this event is available on The Southern Spring Flow 2019.
Multi-year environmental watering for Gunbower Creek
Status: Complete for 2019-20
About the watering
As part of the five-year agreement between the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and the Commonwealth, 21,231 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to Gunbower Creek during 2019-20. Some of this water was re-use of environmental flows from the Goulburn River and Broken Creek.
This watering action provided habitat for small and large-bodied native fish populations (such as Murray cod, golden perch and freshwater catfish) and assisted with fish movement along Gunbower Creek.
Edward/Kolety-Wakool (Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River) watering
Reed Beds Swamp December 2019. Photo: Katherine Reid
Status: Completed for 2019-20
About the watering
Up to 60,000 ML was approved for use in the Edward/Kolety-Wakool River System from July 2019 to June 2020. As a result of the ongoing drought only 19,291 ML were used in 2019-2020 due to reduced water availability. The planned summer/autumn CEW environmental flows in the Edward/Kolety Wakool system started on 1 July 2019 and ceased on the 30 November 2019 due to reduced water availability. The Tuppal creek e-water flows commenced on 6 September 2019 then continued to 30 April 2020. Pollack swamp commenced on 16 September 2019 and concluded on 7 February 2020. These flows continue to assist with the recovery of native fish and instream water plant communities which are still recovering after the 2016 flood.
Trout cod were caught for the first time by our monitoring team in the Edward-Wakool River system during the 2019 winter flow period. Photo courtesy of Charles Sturt University.
Adult blackfish captured in the Yallkool Creek/upper Wakool River in February 2019. Photo courtesy of Charles Stuart University.
The Edward/Kolety-Wakool Environmental Water Reference Group is working with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holders and other partners to build the health of the Edward/Kolety-Wakool River system, including:
- creating habitat for native fish, such as Murray cod, trout cod, silver perch, river blackfish and eel-tailed catfish to move, spawn and grow
- helping native water plants including common reed, pondweed and milfoil recover after the 2016 flood
- improving water quality
- providing habitat in winter 2019 to help native fish mature and protect native water plants from frost damage.
Colligen Creek 2019 Winter flows. Image courtesy of John Trethewie.
The planned releases of water for the environment into the river system were:
- Yallakool Creek - Wakool River junction: winter flows from May-July 2019 were followed by a fresh of up 600 ML per day in late August to early September 2019. Summer flows aimed to provide rises in the creek to encourage silver perch spawning and bring food into the creek. These flows were not more than 600 ML per day downstream of the junction of the Yallakool Creek-Wakool River.
- Upper Wakool River: water releases commenced in August and were not more than 70 ML per day. These flows were synchronised with the Yallakool Creek flows.
- Colligen Creek-Niemur River: received similar flows to Yallakool Creek - Wakool River junction plan but did not reach more than 450 ML per day.
Tuppal Creek
Tuppal Creek in March 2019. Photo: CEWO.
Status: Completed
About the watering
This was a joint action between the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office providing 6,000 ML. Environmental water use (including 3,000 ML of Commonwealth environmental water) in Tuppal Creek, which was designed to:
- Improve water quality in the Tuppal Creek, particularly salt levels.
- Improve the condition of the fringing vegetation community including River Red Gums and Black Box
- Continue working partnerships between the Tuppal Creek community and relevant agencies
- Provide connectivity between existing remnant pools and the Edward/Kolety River
Environmental water delivery was managed by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, in cooperation with the Murray Irrigation Limited and landholders along Tuppal Creek. These are all key partners who kindly shared their time, knowledge and experience to enable environmental water to be delivered.
Pollack Swamp
Status: Completed
About the watering
This was a joint action between the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office providing 2,000 ML of environmental water to Pollack Swamp (Koondrook-Perricoota Forest). Environmental water use was designed to improve the abundance and maintain the diversity of the Basin’s waterbird population.
Emus cooling off in the Pollack Swamp in 2019. Image by Dan Hutton.
Bird life flocking to the watering at Pollack Swamp Image by Dan Hutton
2018-19
|
Watering action |
Status of Commonwealth action |
|---|---|
|
Completed |
|
|
Completed |
|
|
Edward-Wakool (Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River) |
Completed |
|
Completed |
|
|
Completed |
River Murray flows
Status: Completed
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water contributed to whole-of-system watering in the River Murray, providing benefits along the length of the river and contribution to flows and targeting outcomes from Hume Dam through to the Coorong. Specifically, 78,511 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was released from Hume Dam to support in-channel, wetland and low elevation floodplain habitat along the length of the River Murray to improve the condition and promote the migration of native fish species, support waterbird habitat and mobilise and export salts from the River Murray system.
Commonwealth environmental water deliveries started in July 2018, but were temporarily suspended for most of spring when channel capacity was taken up to transfer consumptive water downstream to where it was needed to meet peak demand during summer. A small proportion of environmental water deliveries recommenced in November 2018, alongside high volumes of consumptive water, when transfers of consumptive water were able to be reduced. For more information please refer to the following media release: Joint Media Release: Water for environment returns to Murray after spring break
Environmental water from this action was re-used downstream, including to benefit the Coorong and Lower Lakes.
To avoid affecting landholders, Commonwealth environmental water was ordered at a maximum flow rate of 15,000 ML/day downstream of Yarrawonga Weir throughout winter-spring and at rates below channel capacity (below 9,500 ML/day downstream of Yarrawonga Weir) at other times of the year.
River Murray, October 2018. Photo: CEWO.
Multi-year environmental watering for Gunbower Creek
Status: Completed
About the watering
As of June 2019, around 18,922 ML of Commonwealth environmental water has been delivered in Gunbower Creek, at times utilising a proportion of return flows from watering in the Goulburn River and Broken Creek.
This watering action provided habitat for small and large-bodied native fish populations and assisted with fish movement along Gunbower Creek.
Gunbower Creek in July 2018 during environmental watering, providing habitat over winter. Photo: Mark Playdon.
Edward-Wakool (Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River) watering
Early morning during August 2018 on the Edward River at Deniliquin. Photo: CEWO.
Status: Completed
About the watering
Up to 120,000 ML were made available for use in the Edward-Wakool River System from July 2018 to June 2019. These flows continued to assist with the recovery of native fish and instream water plant communities which are still recovering after the 2016 flood.
The Edward-Wakool Environmental Water Reference Group is working with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holders and other partners to build the health of the Edward-Wakool River system, including:
- creating habitat for native fish, such as Murray cod, Silver Perch, River Blackfish and Eel-tailed Catfish to move, spawn and grow
- helping native water plants including common reed, pondweed and milfoil recover after the 2016 flood
- improving water quality
- providing habitat in winter 2019 to help native fish mature and protect native water plants from frost damage.
The releases of water for the environment into the river system were:
- Yallakool Creek - Wakool River junction: from late August to mid-September 2018, a trial release of 800 ML per day (peaking over 4 days) was actioned to test for river health and native fish benefits.
- Following the 800 ML per day trial in August to mid-September 2018, water releases that were planned to continue throughout the year in the Yallakool Creek - Wakool system and Colligen Creek – Niemur River were not able to be actioned as result of operational flows required to fill Lake Victoria.
- Flows in the Yallakool River and Colligen Creek Niemur River of 170 ML per day commenced on the 16 May 2019 to provide habitat in winter 2019 to help native fish mature and protect native water plants from frost damage.
Water plants like the common watermilfoil shown above in the upper Wakool River in August 2018 are slowly recovering after the 2016 flood and provides habitat for water bugs and baby fish. Photo: CEWO.
Tuppal Creek
Tuppal Creek in March 2019. Photo: CEWO.
Status: Completed
About the watering
This was a joint action (50-50) between the NSW OEH and the CEWO providing a total of 6,000 ML. The Commonwealth environmental water use of 3,000 ML in Tuppal Creek was designed to:
- improve water quality in the Tuppal Creek, particularly to help reduce salt levels.
- improve the condition of the fringing vegetation community including River Red Gums and Black Box
- continue working on partnerships between the Tuppal Creek community and relevant agencies and
- provide connectivity between existing remnant pools and the Edward River.
Pollack Swamp
Status: Completed
About the watering
This was a joint action between the NSW OEH and the CEWO providing 2,000 ML of environmental water to Pollack Swamp (Koondrook-Perricoota Forest). Environmental water use was designed to improve the abundance and maintain the diversity of the Basin’s waterbird population.
Pollack swamp before watering in 2018. Image by Dan Hutton
Pollack swamp after watering in 2019. Image by Dan Hutton
Eastern Great Egrets at the central reed bed, other species there include white-necked & White-faced herons, Royal & Yellow-billed spoonbills and Australian white ibis. Image by Dan Hutton
2017-18
| Watering action | Status of Commonwealth action |
|---|---|
| River Murray flows | Completed |
| Edward-Wakool (Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River) | Completed |
| Tuppal Creek | Completed |
| Gunbower Creek | Completed |
| Barham Lake | Completed |
River Murray flows
Status: Completed
About the watering
The Commonwealth environmental water contributed to whole-of-system watering in the River Murray, providing benefits along the length of the River Murray in 2017–18, and contributing to flows and targeting outcomes from Hume Dam through to the Coorong. Specifically, 289,606 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was released from Hume Dam to support in-channel, wetland and low elevation floodplain habitat along the length of the River Murray to improve the condition and promote the migration of native fish species; support waterbird habitat and waterbird breeding events; and, mobilise and export salts from the River Murray system.
The outcomes targeted with Commonwealth environmental water included:
- Provide native fish with in-stream habitat and continued opportunities for migration and spawning.
- Maintain the existing area and condition of native vegetation alongside the river and anabranches, and in low-lying floodplain wetlands.
- Provide habitat for waterbirds and support the completion of waterbird breeding events
- Support processes such as the circulation and transport of nutrients, which are essential to the health of the system, throughout the River Murray catchment.
Environmental water from this action may be re-used downstream, to benefit the Coorong and Lower Lakes.
Flows moving down the River Murray, October 2017. Photo: CEWO 2017.
Edward-Wakool (Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River) watering
Status: Completed
About the watering
Up to 100,000 ML was made available for use in the Edward-Wakool River System from July 2017 to June 2018. These flows continued to provide winter flows, followed by flows aiming to assist with the recovery of native fish and instream water plant communities that were still recovering after the 2016 flood.
Flows were provided to support:
- Yallakool Creek-Wakool River flows: 24,367 ML (action completed)
- Colligen Creek-Niemur River: 20,202 ML (action completed)
Components of these flows will be monitored under the Long Term Intervention Monitoring (LTIM) Project for the Edward-Wakool river system Selected Area, which is being led by Charles Sturt University.
Left: Winter flows in Yallakool Creek 2017. Photo: Damian McRae, CEWO. Right: Spring unregulated flows in the Niemur River. Photo: Jeremy Morton.
Tuppal Creek (spring and autumn)
Status: Completed
About the watering
This was a joint action between the NSW OEH and the CEWO.
Environmental water use (including 2,574 ML of Commonwealth environmental water) in Tuppal Creek was designed to:
- Improve water quality in the Tuppal Creek, particularly salt levels.
- Improve the condition of the fringing vegetation community including River Red Gums and Black Box
- Continue working partnerships between the Tuppal Creek community and relevant agencies
- Provide connectivity between existing remnant pools and the Edward River
Environmental water delivery was managed by the NSW OEH, in cooperation with the Murray Irrigation Limited and landholders along Tuppal Creek are key partners, who kindly shared their time, knowledge and experience to enable environmental water to be delivered.
Spring flows in Tuppal Creek. Photo: Emma Wilson, NSW OEH.
Flows arriving at the junction of Tuppal Creek and the Edward River by mid-September 2017. Photo: Emma Wilson, NSW OEH.
Multi-year environmental watering for Gunbower Creek
Status: Completed
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water delivery (up to 28,000 ML) continued in Gunbower Creek in 2017-18, as part of a three year agreement that commenced in 2015-16.
This action seeks to provide habitat for small and large-bodied native fish populations and assist with fish movement along Gunbower Creek throughout the year. It is anticipated to also improve water quality and connect the Creek with the internationally important Gunbower Forest, which helps to support movement of native fish, aquatic invertebrates, nutrients and carbon between the two.
Environmental water is expected to provide habitat and important food resources for all stages of the native fish life cycle throughout the year. Particular species that are expected to benefit include the nationally threatened silver perch, trout cod and Murray cod as well as species listed in Victoria such as golden perch and freshwater catfish.
Gunbower Creek near Cohuna in June 2012 (large areas of the creek are exposed reducing the amount of habitat available for fish) and June 2015 during environmental watering (greater depth in the creek is helping fish to survive). Photos: North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Barham Lake
Status: Completed
About the watering
In 2017–18, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder delivered 102 ML of Commonwealth environmental water available for use at Barham Lake. The watering was being undertaken in partnership with New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, cluBarham and the Edward-Wakool Angling Association.
The primary purpose of the environmental water delivery is to support the resident native fish population through summer and autumn by maintaining water levels and quality that are critical to their survival. Fish species found in the lake include freshwater catfish (Tandanus tandanus), a species of conservation significance in New South Wales (listed an endangered). The delivery of environmental water will also support fringing vegetation and waterbirds at the site.
2016-17
| Watering action | Status of Commonwealth action |
|---|---|
| River Murray flows | Complete |
| Edward-Wakool | Complete |
| Gunbower Creek | Complete |
River Murray flows
Status: This action is complete
About the watering
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, contributed to whole-of-system watering in the River Murray, providing benefits along the length of the River Murray in 2016-17 and contributing to flows and targeting outcomes from Hume Dam through to the Coorong. Significant natural flows resulting from rainfall events moved through the length of the River Murray system from June 2016 to January 2017. Following the recession of these flows, environmental water was used to help boost the health of wetlands and floodplains along the length of the River Murray.
Specifically, Commonwealth environmental water was released from Hume Dam to support in-channel, wetland and low elevation floodplain habitat along the length of the River Murray to improve the condition and promote the migration of native fish species; support waterbird habitat and waterbird breeding events; and, mobilise and export salts from the River Murray system.
In addition to the volume released from Hume Dam, return flows and the Commonwealth’s 151 GL of held South Australian allocation were delivered directly to the South Australian border to meet environmental demands in the Lower River Murray, particularly for maintaining connectivity between the Lower Lakes and Coorong, and provide suitable habitat conditions (both salinity and water levels) in the Coorong for estuarine fish and vegetation species.
Edward-Wakool
Status: This action is complete
About the watering
Merran Creek where Commonwealth environmental water was used for the first time in 2016-17.
Up to 170,000 ML was made available for use in the Edward-Wakool River System from July 2016 to June 2017. These flows provided native fish refuges during the 2016 hypoxic blackwater event and contributed to native fish spawning and movement, re-establishment of water plants and connecting various parts of the system. Flows were provided to support:
- Native fish refuge flows: 107,370 ML (action completed – see additional information and drone footage below)
- Yallakool Creek-Wakool River flows: 30,900 ML (action completed)
- Colligen Creek-Niemur River: 24,400 ML (action completed)
- Tuppal Creek: 1,325 ML (action completed)
- Merran Creek: 1,107 ML (action completed)
Water delivery was managed in partnership with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and in cooperation with Water NSW. Local community groups were involved in the planning for these flows.
Components of these flows have been monitored under the Long Term Intervention Monitoring (LTIM) Project for the Edward-Wakool river system Selected Area, which is being lead by Charles Sturt University.
Native fish refuge flows during the 2016 hypoxic blackwater event
Staged delivery of environmental water into the river system via Murray Irrigation escape infrastructure to create fish refuges was undertaken during October - December 2016. This was done in consultation with the Edward-Wakool Environmental Water Reference Group, Local Government, and NSW agencies including the State Emergency Service. In consultation with community and landholders as floodwater (unregulated conditions) began to recede, fresh oxygenated water was released into the rivers via Murray Irrigation escapes including the Edward River and Wakool River Escapes.
Refuge flows being provided into the Wakool River via the Wakool Escape during 2016.
Drone footage of the flows provided to create refuge habitat for native fish during the 2016 hypoxic blackwater event is available from the links below. In these videos the dark coloured water is the low dissolved oxygen (hypoxic) blackwater and the lighter coloured water is the well oxygenated water providing refuge habitat.
The fact sheet Hypoxic blackwater events and water quality provides more information about these events.
While a number of large Murray cod were lost in the system during the 2016 hypoxic blackwater event, anglers reported that there remain good numbers of Murray cod in some areas which will support population recovery in future years. The provision of flows into the Yallakool-Wakool and Colligen-Niemur systems in 2017-18 will aim to contribute to this recovery process.
A Murray cod caught in the Edward-Wakool River system during April 2017.
Gunbower Creek
Status: This action is complete
About the watering
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder approved the delivery of up to 28,000 ML of Commonwealth environmental water in Gunbower Creek in 2016-17.
The water supported an improved watering regime to provide habitat for a range of native fish species within the Creek throughout the year. The watering maintained and/or improved water quality and provided hydrological connectivity between the Ramsar listed Gunbower Forest and Gunbower Creek in support of native fish, aquatic invertebrates and nutrient and carbon movement. Commonwealth environmental water provided critical in-channel habitat for fish from a range of life-history stages including: deep-water and shallow habitat that inundated snags and other debris.
The provision of Commonwealth environmental water within Gunbower Creek will enhance ecosystem functioning over the long-term, likely supporting Commonwealth (EPBC listed) species such as the endangered trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) and the vulnerable Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii). Victorian listed threatened species are also expected to benefit from the proposed watering including the golden perch (Macquaria ambigua), Freshwater catfish (Tandanus tandanus) and silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus).
2015-16
| Watering action | Status of Commonwealth action |
|---|---|
| River Murray Valley flows | Complete |
| Barmah Millewa Forest | Complete |
| Barham Lake | Complete |
| Edward River - Stevens Weir | Complete |
| Yallakool-Wakool and Colligen-Niemur | Complete |
| Tuppal Creek (Spring) | Complete |
| Tuppal Creek (Autumn) | Cancelled |
| Gunbower Creek | Complete |
River Murray Valley Flows
Status: This action is complete.
About the watering
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder contributed to a whole of system watering in the River Murray, primarily through winter-spring 2015-16. The flow regime provided a series of environmental flows in the mid and lower Murray, to achieve whole of system benefits from Hume Dam through to the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth. A total of 367 GL of Commonwealth environmental water was released from Hume Dam from June to October to support in-channel, wetland and low elevation floodplain habitat throughout the River Murray for improving the condition, movement and recruitment of native fish – both silver (critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) and golden perch were detected spawning in the Murray River in response to flow variability; improve riparian and wetland vegetation condition; and contribute to the managed export of salt from the River Murray system.
Releases of Commonwealth environmental water from storage commenced in June 2015 and were guided by natural hydrological cues. In effect this meant releases from Hume Dam were triggered by dam inflows, so that river flows reflected natural seasonal conditions and mimicked what may have happened naturally.
See also: Media release – Faster flows trigger fish breeding frenzy
River Murray through Barmah Millewa Forest, at Euston and in South Australia (showing David Fleer and George Giatas of the South Australian Research and Development Institute monitoring fish larvae and microinvertebrates). Photos: Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and South Australian Research and Development Institute
Barmah Millewa Forest
Status: This action is complete
About the watering
This action used a portion of River Murray Flows for a targeted watering of Barmah Millewa Forest during late winter and spring. Flows were directed to Millewa Forest in particular (as Millewa Forest was dry in 2014-15 and the last environmental flow event in 2013-14 provided water mostly to Barmah Forest) to protect moira grassland – a key component of the NSW Central Murray State Forests Ramsar site – from further decline. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and The Living Murray worked with New South Wales and Victoria to coordinate their environmental water portfolios to ‘piggy back’ on operational transfers coordinated by Murray-Darling Basin Authority River Murray Operations during spring. This collaboration provided an opportunity to achieve higher flows (up to a maximum of 15,000 ML/day downstream of Yarrawonga Weir) in an efficient manner.Barmah Millewa Forest during late winter and spring. From August to October 2015, small flows were diverted into low-lying creeks and anabranches of Barmah Forest, for the purpose of maintaining aquatic and riparian vegetation and providing lateral connectivity and flow conditions through creeks and anabranches for native fish.
The flows into Millewa Forest saw growth of moira grass in a number of places through the forest along with other aquatic vegetation such as water ribbons and water milfoil. Small flows continued into Reed Beds Swamp through December and January to support breeding of white and straw-necked ibis, spoonbills, egrets, pelicans, white-belied sea eagles, darters and little pied cormorants. As many as 200 Australasian Bitterns (endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 – a significant proportion of the entire population of Australasian Bitterns) and Little Bitterns were also detected inhabiting, and likely breeding, in the forest. Flows also contributed to outcomes within the Edward-Wakool River System.
Aquatic vegetation response in Millewa Forest: moira grass and water ribbons
Photos: New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage and Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
See also: Media releases:
- Bitterns boom in border wetlands
- Barmah water delivery benefits fish, plants and birds
- Rare grassland at home in southern wetlands
Barham Lake
Status: This action is complete
About the watering
115 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to Barham Lake to assist with supporting threatened native fish populations.
Barham Lake includes a range of native fish species, including eel-tailed catfish (also endangered in New South Wales) as well as Murray cod (nationally listed as vulnerable), Australian smelt, native carp gudgeons, un-specked hardyhead and golden perch. Commonwealth environmental water has been provided as an interim measure to top up the lake to support the native fish, particularly the self-sustaining catfish population. The local community and government agencies are investigating longer-term solutions to maintaining the catfish population.
Barham Lake before watering and after one week (late Jan 2016). Photo: New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage
Edward River - Stevens Weir
Status: This action has been completed.
About the watering
Edward River, Benarca Bend/Greg Graham reserve upstream of Stevens Weir. Photo: Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
Stevens Weir was refilled with water entering the Edward River system from tributaries. None of the 10 GL of Commonwealth environmental water that was made available to underwrite the lowering and refilling of the weir was used. This watering action:
- enabled Water NSW to further lower Stevens Weir through July 2015
- aimed to support the seasonal bank drying and wetting cycle
- sought to provide managed flows (as part of the River Murray Flows) into the Edward River from late June to approximately end July 2015 if required to target a total flow of 500 ML/day at the Toonalook gauge (Edward River above Deniliquin).
The action also provides Water NSW with an alternative option for the management of the weir given the status of Lake Mulwala. It will not set a precedent for future years where Lake Mulwala is at normal operational levels and Water NSW would consider fully opening the weir over winter as per routine practice.
Flows over the winter period in the Edward River will vary in response to river level fluctuations in the River Murray. At times of higher flows in the River Murray this may result in flows above the desired flow rate of 500 ML/day in the Edward River. However, it would still allow the outcome of providing a short period of bank drying to occur.
Yallakool-Wakool and Colligen-Niemur
Status: These actions have been completed.
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water use in Yallakool Creek-Wakool River and Colligen Creek-Niemur River occurred from early September 2015 until late January 2016. Flows returning to the Edward River from the flows into Barmah-Millewa Forest (see above) were used to start these actions. The flows were planned to be instream and were managed to minimize third party risks. We thank the landholders along Yallakool Creek, Wakool River, Colligen Creek and Niemur River as well as local community groups for their support of these watering actions during the year.
These flows aimed to assist in:
- providing areas of habitat for native fish, such as Murray Cod, to move into and spawn in, especially in areas where the flows will cover snags that are the preferred spawning sites of Murray cod
- maintaining the growth and health of instream aquatic vegetation (such as pondweed and milfoil), that provides habitat for aquatic animals (like zooplankton, tadpoles and insects) which in turn, become food for young and small native fish, including gudgeons, smelt and hardyheads.
- allowing slower, more natural, rates of recession to flows and avoid sharp rises and falls in water levels
- providing contingency flows to improve water quality if required later in the 2015-16 water year.
Priority ecological outcomes being targeted
The Edward-Wakool system is recognized as an important area for regional populations of Murray cod and silver perch, and provides potential drought refuges for these fish communities at a local and broader River Murray scale.
These flows also aimed to build on past watering in the Edward-Wakool system to maintain habitat for native fish, such as Murray Cod, which are continuing to slowly recover from past hypoxic black water events.
Delivery arrangements
Environmental water delivery was managed by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, in cooperation with the Water NSW. Local community groups were involved in the planning for these environmental flows.
Components of these flows were monitored under the Long Term Intervention Monitoring (LTIM) Project for the Edward-Wakool river system Selected Area, which is being lead by Charles Sturt University.
Murray cod in Yallakool Creek. Photo: Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
Tuppal Creek (spring)
Status: This action has been completed.
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water use in Tuppal Creek occurred from early September 2015 until late November 2015. This included 2 GL of Commonwealth environmental water and 2 GL of NSW environmental water.
Priority ecological outcomes being targeted
Environmental water use in Tuppal Creek aimed to:
- improve water quality in the creek, particularly salinity levels
- improve the condition of native vegetation along the creek, including River Red Gums and Black Box
- provide connectivity between existing remnant pools and maintain water depths to benefit native fish and frog populations and their preferred habitat.
Delivery arrangements
Environmental water delivery was managed by the NSW OEH, in cooperation with the Murray Irrigation Limited. Landholders along Tuppal Creek are key partners, who kindly shared their time, knowledge and experience to enable environmental water to be delivered.
Tuppal Creek (autumn)
Status: This action was cancelled due to high levels of blue green algae in the Murray River, continuing into April 2016. This action may proceed in autumn 2016.
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water use in Tuppal Creek was to occur from early mid March until early May 2016. This included 1.5 GL of Commonwealth environmental water and 1 GL of NSW environmental water.
Priority ecological outcomes being targeted
The objectives for the autumn 2016 flow were to:
- provide a flush through the creek to improve water quality;
- improve vegetation health, in particular fringing River Red Gum and Black Box trees;
- continue working partnerships between the Tuppal community and relevant agencies, and
- provide connectivity between existing remnant pools and maintain water depths to potentially benefit native fish populations and their preferred habitat.
Monitoring will be conducted for the duration of the event by NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and Murray Local Land Services staff. The parameters that will be monitored by agency staff include water quality, flow movement and vegetation response.
Delivery arrangements
Environmental water delivery was managed by the NSW OEH, in cooperation with the Murray Irrigation Limited. Landholders along Tuppal Creek are key partners, who kindly shared their time, knowledge and experience to enable environmental water to be delivered.
Multi-year environmental watering for Gunbower Creek
Status: This action is complete
About the watering
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has approved the delivery of environmental water in Gunbower Creek for three years, commencing in 2015-16.
This action is to provide an improved watering regime over this period for small and large-bodied native fish populations and to restore longitudinal fish-passage along Gunbower Creek throughout the year. It seeks to improve water quality and hydrological connectivity between the Ramsar listed Gunbower Forest and Gunbower Creek in support of native fish, aquatic invertebrates and nutrient and carbon movement.
Commonwealth environmental water is expected to support the life cycle of native fish by providing suitable in-channel habitat for all stages of the native fish life cycle. This includes: deep water habitat; shallow habitats required for larvae/juvenile recruitment and small bodied fish; maintaining submerged snags and entraining leaf litter to provide habitat and food for macro-invertebrates; and maintaining water quality suitable for all native aquatic species.
The provision of environmental water within Gunbower Creek will enhance ecosystem functioning over the long-term, likely supporting Commonwealth (EPBC Act) listed species including the endangered Trout Cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) and the vulnerable Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii). Victorian listed threatened species are also expected to benefit from the proposed watering including the Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua), Freshwater catfish (Tandanus tandanus) and Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus).
June 2012 - Gunbower Creek near Cohuna. Large areas of the creek are exposed reducing the amount of habitat available for fish.
June 2015 - Gunbower Creek near Cohuna (same location). Environmental water creates greater depth in the creek helping fish to survive.
Photos: North Central Catchment Management Authority
2014-15
| Watering action | Status of Commonwealth action |
|---|---|
| Yallakool-Wakool River system | Completed |
| Tuppal Creek (Spring & Autumn) | Completed |
| Colligen-Neimur Creek system | Completed |
| River Murray Valley Winter Flows | Completed |
Yallakool Creek
Status: This action is complete
About the watering
35 GL of Commonwealth environmental water was used in this watering event to provide flows that will benefit Murray Cod recruitment and the establishment of fringing vegetation and aquatic plants.
The delivery of Commonwealth environmental water in Yallakool Creek started in August to take advantage of the higher natural flows being experienced in the catchment at that time. The flows were limited to 500 ML/day in order to maintain optimal conditions for Murray cod recruitment and conditioning, and to minimise third party risks.
The watering event occurred during the Murray cod spawning period (approximately September to November). The flows also included a gradual recession through to mid January 2015 to assist with the dispersal of newly hatched cod. The management of flows, including the recession period, were adaptively managed and guided by the outcomes of monitoring undertaken during the watering event.
See also: Media release – Edward-Wakool receives Commonwealth water
Colligen Creek
Status: This action is complete
About the watering:
3 GL of Commonwealth environmental water was used in this watering event to provide a more gradually recession to a rainfall-rejection in January 2015. This was expected to benefit native fish and other biota, which are negatively impacted by rapid changes in flow height.
Tuppal Creek (Spring & Autumn)
Status: This action is complete
About the watering
A total of 2 GL of Commonwealth environmental water and 4 GL of NSW environmental water was provided for spring (October to November 2014) and autumn (March to April 2015) watering actions in Tuppal Creek during 2014-15. These flows contributed to providing habitat for native fish and frogs, improving water quality, providing connectivity between the remnant pools and maintaining water depths.
Environmental water Tuppal Creek, 23 September 2014. Photo: NSW OEH.
Little pied cormorant Tuppal Creek, 23 September 2014. Photo: NSW OEH.
River Murray Valley Flows
Status: This action is complete for 2014-15 (continues in 2015-16).
About the watering:
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has made available up to 634 GL of environmental water to support winter-spring river flows within the River Murray from June 2015 to January 2016. The planned flow regime aims to provide whole of system benefits from Hume Dam through to the Lower Murray. The use of Commonwealth environmental water aims to support in-channel, wetland and low elevation floodplain habitat throughout the River Murray for improving the condition, movement and recruitment of native fish, improve riparian and wetland vegetation condition and the managed export of salt from the River Murray system.
Releases of Commonwealth environmental water from storage commenced in June 2015 (25,630 ML delivered) and will be guided by natural hydrological cues. In effect this will mean releases from Hume Dam are being triggered by dam inflows, so that river flows reflect natural seasonal conditions. The releases are being limited to flow rates that avoid unacceptable impacts on third parties.
2013-14
| Watering action (all actions have been completed) | Amount of water delivered (ML) |
|---|---|
| Environmental watering of Hattah Lakes within the lower River Murray region in 2014 | 4 633 |
| Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (within Lower River Murray region) | 158 983 |
| Lower Murray (Rilli Reach and Ramco River Terrace 2013-14 to 2015-16) | 40 |
| Lower Murray (Clark's Floodplain, Thiele's Flat and Loxton Riverfront Reserve 2013-14 to 2015-16) | 71 |
| Lower Murray (Murray River at the Locks 8 and 9 weir pools) | 216 |
| Lower Murray Wetlands (South Australia) | 1 019 |
| Johnsons Waterhole, Lower Murray (South Australia) | 104 |
| Mallee Wetlands | 2 652 |
| Murray River Valley including Gunbower Creek | 244 250 |
| Edward-Wakool Rivers, Colligen, Yallakool, Tuppal, Gwynnes, Jimaringle and Cockran Creeks | 16 815 |
| Total in 2013-14 | 428 783 |
Environmental watering in the Murray River Valley 2013-14
Status
31 March 2014: This action is completed.
Up to 300 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water is being provided for use within the Murray River Valley including the river channel between Hume Dam to the Murray Mouth in South Australia, the lower Darling River channel below Menindee Lakes to Wentworth and associated low level floodplain and wetlands.
Pelicans near Lake Alexandrina, South Australia. © Amanda Cox and DSEWPaC
The delivery of Commonwealth environmental water may be used to order flow rates targeting up to 15,000 ML/day downstream of Yarrawonga Weir (recognising that subsequent rain events may naturally result in marginally higher rates). If there is an increased chance of flow rates exceeding 18,000 ML/day downstream of Yarrawonga Weir and 60,000 ML/day at the South Australian border the delivery of Commonwealth environmental water will be reduced or cease. Flow thresholds have been established through external consultation with our delivery partners to minimise impacts on third parties and to river and floodplain work programs, and will be subject to ongoing assessment as the season progresses and conditions change. In the use of Commonwealth environmental water, delivery partners are required to manage flows so as to avoid or minimise impacts to private property and public infrastructure.
The proposed watering action will contribute to the following expected environmental outcomes:
- maintain and improve the condition, diversity and extent of floodplain and wetland native plants communities
- improve the diversity and condition of native fish and waterbird populations through maintaining suitable aquatic habitat and providing opportunities for breeding and recruitment
- maintain ecological function through supporting longitudinal and lateral hydrological connectivity
- improve ecosystem and population resilience through supporting ecological recovery and maintaining aquatic habitat
- maintain water quality within the River Murray valley by contributing to the transport and export of salt and nutrients through the Murray Mouth and mitigating environmental risks associated with hypoxic dissolved oxygen levels and algal blooms.
This watering action will be managed in cooperation with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources SA.
See also: Minister's media release - A '300 billion litre drink' for the River Murray
Environmental watering in Gunbower Creek 2013-14
Status This action is in progress.
About the watering
Gunbower Creek, Murray River catchment. Photo by Alana Wilkes (CEWO)
Up to 35,000 ML of Commonwealth environmental water has been made available for use in Gunbower Creek, Victoria, during 2013-14.Commonwealth environmental water will contribute to in-stream baseflows and freshes within Gunbower Creek between July 2013 and June 2014.
This watering action will contribute to achieving the following objectives:
- provide habitat, breeding and recruitment opportunities for native fish
- support hydrological connectivity and water quality throughout Gunbower Creek.
This watering action is an example of how environmental water can contribute to environmental outcomes at multiple sites. With the assistance of our delivery partners, the environmental water for this action will be provided from flows that were originally part of other environmental watering actions in Victoria.
This watering action will be managed in cooperation with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, Goulburn-Murray Water, The Living Murray, the Murray Darling Basin Authority and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Environmental watering in the Edward-Wakool River System 2013-14
A large ‘multisite’ environmental water event in the Murray River during 2013-14 contributed to meeting environmental watering needs in the Edward-Wakool system. This included approximately 12,000-18,000 ML of environmental water delivered to Yallakool Creek during October to December 2013 to support Murray cod and Golden perch spawning and to maintain breeding habitat.
Additional Commonwealth environmental water was also made available for use in the Edward-Wakool River System during 2013-14 for the watering actions listed below.
Status: These actions have been completed
Yallakool Creek
8,494 ML of Commonwealth environmental water, provided during December 2013 to February 2014, contributed to a gradual recession to the Murray cod maintenance flow referred to above (the ‘multisite’ flows).
Niemur River
5,759 ML of Commonwealth environmental water, provided during February to March 2014, to the Niemur River via Colligen Creek contributed to maintaining water quality and reduce the risk of stress and mortality of native fish caused by high water temperatures and decreasing dissolved oxygen levels.
Tuppal Creek (Spring and Autumn)
A total of 2,562 ML of Commonwealth environmental water and 2,725 ML in NSW environmental water was provided for spring (October to December 2013) and autumn (March to April 2014) watering actions in Tuppal Creek during 2013-14. These flows contributed to providing habitat for native fish and frogs, improving water quality, and providing connectivity between the remnant pools and maintain water depths.
2012-13
| Watering action (all actions have been completed) | Amount of water delivered (ML) |
|---|---|
| Note: * indicates that the action was undertaken with the use of return flows. | |
| Clark's floodplain with Nature Foundation SA | 60* |
| Lower Murray River (South Australia) | Disher Creek – 250* Berri Basin – 543* Whirlpool corner – 91* Ramco Lagoon – 1* Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth - 98 853 Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth - 150 000 Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth - 237 118* |
| Murray River valley | 300 000 |
| Tuppal creek | 2 000 |
| Gunbower creek | 2 158* |
| Jimaringle, Cockran and Gwynnes creeks | 3 000 |
| Edward-Wakool river system | 28 943 |
| Total in 2012-13 | 822 792 |
Environmental watering in the Murray River Valley
Up to 300 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water was made available to create more natural river flow patterns in the Murray River valley, and deliver significant volumes of water to the lower Murray River, during spring and summer 2012-13.
The use of environmental water in the Murray River valley built on the outcomes of previous years' environmental water delivery and high natural flow events, and sought to:
- maintain and improve the health of riparian and wetland native vegetation
- encourage breeding and support the survival of native fish such as Murray cod, silver perch, golden perch and freshwater catfish
- connect habitats along the river and between the river channel and fringing wetlands
- transport and disperse materials such as sediment, nutrients and organic matter
- provide additional inflows to the Lower Lakes to improve water quality and enable barrage releases to the Coorong. Additional inflows to the Coorong will help manage salinity and seasonal water levels for native water plants such as Ruppia tuberosa.
This watering event was part of a series of coordinated environmental watering actions across the Southern Connected Basin. Water from other environmental water holders as well as other Commonwealth environmental watering actions, such as spring releases in the Murrumbidgee and Goulburn rivers, together supported environmental outcomes at multiple sites across the river system.
Commonwealth environmental watering in the Murray River valley was actively managed to take account of river conditions and rainfall, in cooperation with the SA Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Catchment Management Authorities.
The South Australian Research and Development Institute monitored the outcomes of this watering action in the lower Murray River valley.
Gunbower creek
Status: This action has been completed.
About the watering
Commonwealth environmental water contributed to providing good quality habitats in which native fish communities, including golden and silver perch, Murray cod, trout cod and the crimson spotted rainbowfish, could migrate, breed and grow.
This watering action was managed in cooperation with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, Goulburn-Murray Water, and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Edward River, Wakool River, Colligen and Yallakool Creeks
28,943 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered between October 2012 and April 2013 and was expected to contribute to the following outcomes:
- support the movement, breeding and recruitment of native fish (such as Murray cod, and golden and silver perch)
- support the habitat requirements of native fish and other native species including frogs, turtles and invertebrates
- support ecosystem functions that relate to the connectivity of habitats along the watercourse.
The use of Commonwealth environmental water will help build on the outcomes of environmental water provided to the Edward-Wakool River System in previous years.
Jimaringle, Cockran and Gwynnes Creeks
3,000 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was used in Jimaringle, Cockran and Gwynnes creeks in the Edward-Wakool river system during spring in 2012-13. Additional environmental water for this event was supplied by the New South Wales Government.
The use of environmental water in Jimaringle, Cockran and Gwynnes creeks contributed to:
- providing flows to maintain and improve water quality within the creeks, particularly salinity
- maintaining and improving the health of native plant communities in the creeks including river red gum, black box and lignum
- providing good quality habitats in which native animal communities, such as the pobblebonk frog, Peron's tree frog and wrinkled toadlet, can successfully breed and grow.
Landholders along these creeks continue to be key partners by generously sharing their time, knowledge and experience during the planning, delivery and monitoring of these watering actions.
Video
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has produced the video The Cockran, Jimaringle and Gwynnes Creek systems which refers to this watering event.
Tuppal Creek
2,000 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was used in Tuppal Creek during 2012-13. Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in conjunction with up to 2,000 ML of environmental water supplied by the New South Wales Government.
Environmental water was delivered in spring-summer 2012 to:
- provide flows through the system to maintain and improve water quality within the creek, particularly salinity
- maintain and improve the health of native plant communities in the creek including river red gum, black box and lignum
- contribute to providing good quality habitat, and support the breeding and recruitment of native animals, particularly frogs.
Tuppal Creek had not previously received environmental water. Landholders along Tuppal Creek are key partners, who kindly shared their time, knowledge and experience to enable environmental water to be delivered to the creek for the first time.
Video
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has produced the video Restoring Tuppal Creek which refers to this watering event.
2011-12
| Watering action (all actions have been completed) |
Amount of water delivered (ML) |
|---|---|
| Colligen Creek (Edward-Wakool river system) | 5 500 |
| Wakool River and Colligen Creek (Edward-Wakool river system) | 7 500 |
| Edward-Wakool river system (fish refuge habitat flows) | 39 445 |
| Jimaringle-Cockran Creek (Edward-Wakool river system) | 3 000 |
| Mid-Murray River system (fish refuge habitat and replenishment flows) | 92 093 |
| Lower Murray River (South Australia) | 69 300 |
| Lower Murray River (South Australia) | 126 600 |
| Total in 2011-12 | 343 438 |
Colligen Creek
5,500 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in Colligen Creek during November and December 2011. Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in conjunction with water supplied by the New South Wales Government.
The environmental water was used to provide a pulse in river flows over a period of 20 days. The primary objective for this pulse flow was to encourage movement of large bodied native fish such as Murray cod, silver perch and golden perch, and to initiate spawning and recruitment of these species.
Monitoring undertaken by Charles Sturt University has subsequently shown that there were also significant benefits to native small bodied fish, such as carp gudgeons. For a summary of the preliminary results refer to the factsheet: Early results from environmental watering in Colligen Creek.
Wakool River and Colligen Creek
7,500 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in the Wakool River and Colligen Creek during February and March 2012. The Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in conjunction with water provided by the New South Wales Government.
The objectives of this watering action were to provide opportunities for small-bodied fish, such as Murray-Darling rainbow fish and carp-gudgeons, to access important breeding and feeding habitat and improve the condition of the river and riparian ecosystems.
In the Wakool River the environmental water flows commenced on 14 February 2012 and continued until 6 March 2012 when they were suspended due to heavy rainfall in the region and further upstream in the Murray River catchment.
In Colligen Creek the environmental water flows began on 8 February 2012, and finished on 1 March 2012. This watering action built upon the benefits achieved in the November-December 2011 Colligen Creek environmental water flows referred to above.
The flow was monitored as part of the Edward-Wakool fish monitoring project.
Fish refuge habitat flows – Edward River, Wakool River and Yallakool Creek
39,736 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to the Edward River, Wakool River and Yallakool Creek during April and May 2012. Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in conjunction with additional environmental water provided by the New South Wales Government.
The water was used to provide and maintain important refuge habitat for remnant fish populations, particularly Murray cod, from hypoxic blackwater (water containing low levels of oxygen) that can severely impact fish.
Commonwealth environmental water was delivered using Murray Irrigation Limited infrastructure, and continued from water delivered by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
This watering action also contributed to the outcomes of environmental watering in the mid-Murray River system (refuge habitat and replenishment flows).
Commonwealth environmental water was made available for use in the mid-Murray River system during autumn 2012 as releases from Hume Dam to target flows of approximately 7.5 GL per day.
The March 2012 floods in the Murrumbidgee catchment resulted in a hypoxic blackwater event (water contained low levels of dissolved oxygen) in the lower Murrumbidgee River. From mid-March through to May, hypoxic blackwater was flowing from the Murrumbidgee into the Murray River, and there were concerns that it may severely impact fish and other aquatic animals.
The objective of this watering action was to provide and maintain refuge habitat in the Murray River for native fish and other aquatic animals, such as Murray cod and Murray crayfish. Releasing environmental water to increase flows down the Murray River, increased the refuge habitat available below the junction with the Murrumbidgee River.
This action complemented pre-releases made by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority from Hume Dam, and Commonwealth environmental watering actions that were undertaken simultaneously in the wider Murray River catchment. An integrated approach was taken to mitigate the negative impacts of hypoxic blackwater from the Murrumbidgee River; Commonwealth environmental water was also delivered in the:
The benefits of this watering action were monitored by the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre. For further information please refer to:
This watering action was managed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (River Murray Operations) in cooperation with the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, New South Wales Office of Water, State Water Corporation, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Goulburn-Murray Water.
Environmental watering in Jimaringle-Cockran Creek
3,000 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to the Jimaringle-Cockran Creek during March and April 2012. Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in conjunction with 3.2 GL of water supplied by the New South Wales Government.
The environmental water was used to provide a follow up watering following the successful watering of the creek system in autumn 2011. The watering action aimed to improve water quality and continue to improve the health of the vegetation in the system, in particular the aquatic vegetation and fringing river red gum and black box communities.
2010-11
| Watering action (all actions have been completed) |
Amount of water delivered (ML) |
|---|---|
| Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth | 29 183 |
| Coombool Swamp | 506 |
| Lake Walla-walla | 7 850 |
| Kulkurna | 57 |
| Hattah Lakes | 9 342 |
| Katarapko Floodplain-Carpark Lagoons | 154 |
| Jimaringle and Cockran Creeks | 1 100 |
| Wakool River and Yallakool Creek | 18 667 |
| Total in 2010-11 | 66 859 |
Wakool River and Yallakool Creek
18,667 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in the Wakool River and Yallakool Creek during January and February 2011. This water contributed to the following objectives:
- to encourage the movement and possible spawning of large bodied native fish in the Wakool and Yallakool system
- maintain and enhance riparian and aquatic habitat, and improving water quality.
Jimaringle-Cockran Creek
1,100 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to the Jimaringle-Cockran Creek during April 2011. Commonwealth environmental water was delivered in conjunction with water supplied by the New South Wales Government. This water contributed to the following objectives:
- to ‘prime up’ and wet the soil in the mid-section of the system, which had not received floodwater in 2010-11, in anticipation of the potential delivery of additional environmental water and/or natural high system flows in 2011-12
- to maintain or improve the health of riparian vegetation, particularly black box and river red gum, to build on improvements in vegetation condition that had occurred due to recent good rainfall in the region
- to improve our understanding of inundation extents that can be achieved using small volumes of water delivered through strategic irrigation escapes.
2009-10
| Watering action (all actions have been completed) |
Amount of water delivered (ML) |
|---|---|
| Lake Wallawalla, near Mildura, Vic | 4 140 |
| Hattah Lakes, near Mildura, Vic | 7 060 |
| Werai State Forest, near Deniliquin, NSW | 4 500 |
| Top-up flows for nine wetlands along the lower NSW Murray (Andruco Lagoon, Boeill Floodplain, Brechin, Cliffhouse 1 and 2, Grand Junction, Kennaugh, Nampoo, Wee Wee Creek) | 1 750 |
| Millewa State Forest, near Deniliquin, NSW | 1 500 |
| Chowilla Floodplain, near Renmark, SA & NSW | 7 230 |
| Lake Albert, at the Murray Mouth, SA | 20 000 |
| Morgan Conservation Park, near Morgan, SA | 320 |
| Molo Flat, near Waikerie, SA | 330 |
| Wigley Reach, near Renmark, SA | 250 |
| Paiwalla Wetland, near Murray Bridge, SA | 240 |
| Weila, near Renmark, SA | 220 |
| Overland Corner Complex, near Kingston-on-Murray, SA | 200 |
| Katarapko Creek Wetlands, near Berri, SA | 20 |
| Total in 2009-10 | 47 760 |
Werai Forest
4,500 ML of Commonwealth environmental water was delivered during spring 2009 to provide drought relief for the wetland vegetation, including stands of common reed and river red gum forests, and to improve overall wetland health.
This use of Commonwealth environmental water contributed to the following environmental outcomes in the Werai Forest including:
- River red gum health improved in the flooded areas with new growth and an increase in canopy density were observed.
- growth and flowering of aquatic plant species was observed after the water delivery
- the increased connectivity created by the watering action allowed fish to move upstream within the Werai Forest system.
- The improved wetland vegetation also provided habitat for many frog species, including the Peron’s tree frog, plains froglet, spotted marsh frog and common froglet. Long-necked turtles were also observed feeding in the wetlands.
2008-09
| Watering action (all actions have been completed |
Amount of water delivered (ML) |
|---|---|
| Chowilla Floodplains (SA) (Near Renmark, SA) | 1 780 |
| Carpark Lagoons, Katarapko (SA) (Near Berri, SA) | 200 |
| Paiwalla Wetland (SA) (Between Mannum and Murray Bridge, SA) | 600 |
| Rocky Gully (SA) (Near Murray Bridge, SA) | 80 |
| Markaranka Wetland Complex (SA) (Near Waikerie, SA) | 2 230 |
| Overland Corner Floodplain (SA) (Near Kingston-on-Murray, SA) | 500 |
| Murbpook Lagoon (SA) (Near Blanchetown, SA) | 1 400 |
| Lindsay Island (VIC) (On VIC/SA Border) | 1 000 |
| Hattah Lakes (VIC) (North-Western Victoria near Robinvale) | 2 120 |
| Backwater Lagoon (NSW) (In Wangumma State Forest, west of Wentworth, NSW) | 1 000 |
| Total in 2008-09 | 10 910 |