Water for the environment will be used in the River Murray throughout winter and spring to ensure that native fish have the water they depend on to survive, feed and breed.
Release of this water is being coordinated with environmental flows from the Goulburn River, as well as natural flows and operational flows.
The Southern Spring Flow 2019 will provide benefits along the whole length of the river, from Yarrawonga to the Coorong. With forecasts of continuing dry weather, it will provide much needed food and shelter for a range of animals, support for native fish spawning and water for wetland plants, particularly those that did not receive water in previous years.
Careful planning and collaboration across State agencies in NSW, Victoria and South Australia, as well as other Commonwealth agencies, has made the Southern Spring Flow possible. The flows are being delivered in close collaboration with river operators and local site managers.
Further information on the Southern Spring Flow can be found on the fact sheet:
A media release on the Southern Spring Flow is available: Southern Spring Flow throws a lifeline to the River Murray. Regular updates on the flow will also be published as they become available.
Drop-in information sessions will be held in community centres along the Murray River over the coming months. For more information, please contact your nearest Local Engagement Officer:
- Anthony Wilson – Albury / Wodonga 0419 188 430
- Richard Mintern – Mildura 0437 218 649
- Michelle Campbell – Berri 0437 064 664
For further information on the Southern Spring Flow:
Monitoring reports
Monitoring reports are now available for the 2019 Southern Spring flow.
Monitoring results showed the amount of food for baby fish—called zooplankton—increased during the Southern Spring flow and also provided valuable information about the flow boosted the aquatic foodweb.
The Southern spring flow updates
Southern Spring flow wrap-up
In 2019, the Southern Spring flow delivered water to six major sites through 5,000 km’s of rivers in the southern Murray-Darling Basin.
This wrap-up is a quick summary of the water delivery action, outlining the objectives, locations and early results.
Southern spring flow update 6
Taps are off for the Southern Spring flow. The last of the water is making its way into the Coorong.
Monitoring of water quality and food (plankton) is continuing through to December.
Two satellite images of the Barmah-Millewa forest compare the footprint of Southern Spring Flow (Oct 2019) with a natural flood that occurred in September 2016.
Southern spring flow update 5
The Southern Spring flow is wrapping up on 19 October 2019.
Flows from both water deliveries have now reached the Lower Lakes. Barrage operators are taking advantage of Southern Ocean storms to help push water from the Southern Spring Flow into the Coorong. This is the last of the many jobs this water is performing along the River Murray from Hume Dam to the Coorong.
Before and after satellite images in Update #5 show the targeted wetlands that received water in the Barmah-Millewa Forest during the Southern Spring Flow.
Southern spring flow update 4
Lamprey are on the move. Winter flows though the barrages have triggered lamprey (an eel-like fish) to start their annual upstream migration. Scientists are tagging and tracking these unusual creatures as they make their way upriver.
Black swans have started breeding in Barmah-Millewa forest. August flows have reached the Lower Lakes and are supporting flows to the Coorong. September flows have reached Renmark.
Water for the environment is being re-used multiple times at multiple locations all along the River Murray.
Southern spring flow update 3
Update 3 highlights progress of both the August and September flows. Water from the 1 August flow has reached the Lower Lakes and water from the September flow is now reaching Euston.
As the spring pulse arrives at Gunbower Forest, water managers will be delivering a through-flow from Gunbower Creek into Yarran Creek. This will flush carbon and nutrient-rich water from the Gunbower wetlands, supporting food for native fish as well as restoring an important fish highway.
Water for the environment is being re-used multiple times at multiple locations all along the River Murray.
Southern spring flow update 2
Update 2 summarises the places reached by the first flow and outlines studies being done to see how well these flows are supporting the river food-chain. Water from the 1 August flow reached Lock 1 at Blanchetown (SA) early this week.
The second flow for this event started its journey on 1 September. Timing of this small flow is set to coincide with water for the environment being provided in the Goulburn River in mid late September.
Water for the environment is being re-used multiple times at multiple locations all along the River Murray.
Southern spring flow update 1
The first of two small flows to boost the health of the River Murray started its downstream journey from Hume Dam on 1 August. This parcel of water is being re-used multiple times at multiple locations all along the River Murray.
Update 1 provides a snapshot into our decision making. Three natural inflows into Lake Hume provided a cue for us to start delivering water. Rainfall in early to mid-August then changed our plans. The flow has reached the mid-Murray near Echuca.
Murray cod
River Murray - Barmah - October 2017