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Water for the environment is making a difference

Local citizen scientists: Deniliquin locals monitoring native fish responses to water for the environment

Alec Buckley, from Deniliquin, has been helping his uncle, Ant Jones with the water quality monitoring in the Edward/Kolety River. Photo credit: Ant Jones.

Locals from Deniliquin are helping keep track of how fish are responding to water for the environment in the Edward/Kolety-Wakool. This is giving fish a fighting chance to survive low-oxygen blackwater.

  • Local citizen scientists

World Wetlands Day: Lower Darling-Baaka and Great Darling Anabranch

Anabranch landholders celebrating the flow. Photo: Dan Schulz / Otis Filley

Find out how water for the environment is contributing to wetland restoration this World Wetlands Day.

  • Lower Darling-Baaka and Great Darling Anabranch

World Wetlands Day: Wingillie Station

Lake Henry, Wingillie Station, June 2022. Photo: MDWWG

Find out how water for the environment is contributing to wetland restoration this World Wetlands Day.

  • Wingillie Station

Waterbird breeding bonanza in the Basin

Pelicans flying into roost in the Lachlan catchment in 2022. Photo credit: Warren Chad

An exceptional combination of wet conditions plus the careful use of water for the environment has created optimal circumstances for waterbird breeding across the Murray-Darling Basin in 2021–22 and continuing into 2023.

  • Waterbird breeding bonanza in the Basin

Widespread environmental benefits across the Basin

gda-chris-locke

After years of drought in parts of the Murray-Darling Basin, wetter conditions and a record delivery of water for the environment have brought widespread benefits across the Basin in 2021-22.

  • Widespread environmental benefits across the Basin

Waterbird resurgence in the Murray-Darling Basin

Magpie geese

2021-22 has been a big year for waterbirds, with the most widespread breeding across the Murray-Darling Basin in more than 20 years. Explore the map to discover some of the significant bird breeding events.

  • Waterbird resurgence in the Murray-Darling Basin

The Pelican Brief

Pelicans

Wetter conditions in 2021-22 saw more pelicans than usual moving inland to feed and breed. Environmental water holders, scientists, water managers and the Nari Nari Tribal Council have worked together to keep water levels stable to protect the birds as much as possible.

  • The Pelican Brief

Murray hardyhead thriving at Wingilli Station

The threatened Murray hardyhead are thriving in southwest NSW. Photo: NSW DPI Fisheries.

In 2018, only 800 individual Murray hardyhead were released into the Little Frenchman’s Creek in southwest NSW. Now, environmental water managers have made a massive discovery.

  • Murray hardyhead thriving at Wingilli Station

Murray cod making a splash in the Macquarie

Sampling for larvae Murray Cod in the Macquarie River. Photo: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) Fisheries

Baby Murray cod are thriving in the Macquarie River after a release of water for the environment in late-2020 provided a much needed boost for native fish populations.

  • Murray cod making a splash in the Macquarie

Capitalising on nature’s work – how is water for the environment used when it’s wet?

Many of the Murray-Darling Basin’s catchments are experiencing increased river flows after recent rainfall.

Each year, we plan for very dry through to very wet conditions and adapt to whatever season eventuates. Even in wetter conditions, water for the environment still has an important role to play.

  • Capitalising on nature’s work – how is water for the environment used when it’s wet?

Gwydir booms again in 2021

 Joanne Ocock, NSW DPIE.

Dry conditions have dominated the Gwydir for the past several years, however, the current ‘boom’ will help to rejuvenate the landscape and community after the long dry.

  • Gwydir booms again in 2021

Backpacks on birds and eyes in the sky: a look at the technology guiding water for the environment in the Basin

 Neil Sutton.

Images of high-tech drones or satellite trackers might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of delivering water for the environment. Find out more about the technology that helps us decide when and where to release environmental water.

  • Backpacks on birds and eyes in the sky: a look at the technology guiding water for the environment in the Basin

Water for the environment: bringing the benefits to Banrock Station

 Irene Wegener

Since 2015, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office (CEWO) has been delivering water for the environment to Banrock Station in South Australia. Earlier this year, new infrastructure was installed at Banrock Station’s Wigley Reach, to allow water to reach a larger area of the floodplain than was previously possible.

  • Water for the environment: bringing the benefits to Banrock Station

Spring 2020: A South Australian Riverland snapshot

Fantastic frog habitat at Overland Corner wetland complex

With good rainfall across the southern Basin, it was the perfect time to deliver water for the environment to the wetlands along the South Australian stretch of the Murray.

  • Spring 2020: A South Australian Riverland snapshot

Lamprey found in record numbers at Murray barrages

Pouched lamprey (top) and short-headed lamprey (below). Photo- Tracey Steggles

Water for the environment has helped drive a spectacular increase in lamprey numbers in the Murray-Darling Basin.

  • Lamprey found in record numbers at Murray barrages

Native fish making a comeback: Mullinmur Billabongs gets a makeover

Mullinmur Billabongs is situated along the banks of the Ovens River, near Wangaratta in Victoria. Photo- Nat Ord

Mullinmur Billabongs is a series of wetlands along the banks of the Ovens River, near Wangaratta in Victoria. With help from the Wangaratta community, water for the environment is providing a new home for endangered fish species.

  • Native fish making a comeback: Mullinmur Billabongs gets a makeover

Working together for Dharriwaa

Narran Lake 'Dharriwaa' - June 2020. Photo- Brendan Odee Welsh

For over seven years, the Narran Lakes and surrounding river system remained dry. The Lakes, known as Dharriwaa by the Yuwaalaraay/Euahlayi people, is a significant meeting place for Aboriginal peoples and a source of food and medicine.

  • Working together for Dharriwaa

Hatched and dispatched: Elf’s migration journey

Straw-necked ibis sitting on nests with eggs. Photo- CSIRO

Since 2017, Elf – the straw-necked ibis – has been sporting a lightweight GPS mini-backpack to help us understand more about these special birds. So, what has she taught us?

  • Hatched and dispatched: Elf’s migration journey

Smart use of water for the environment at Sunshower Lagoon showing promising results

Sunshower Lagoon. Photo- Vince Bucello - Midstate Video Productions - Griffith NSW.

Sunshower Lagoon on the mid Murrumbidgee has become a haven for large numbers of waterbirds, frogs and turtles. Even the threatened southern bell frog has been found at the site for the first time in almost a decade.

  • Smart use of water for the environment at Sunshower Lagoon showing promising results

A decade of water for the environment

In 2019 the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office celebrated 10 years of delivering water for the environment in the Murray-Darling Basin. Water for the environment has achieved many great outcomes for our rivers, floodplains, plants and animals in the Basin over the last 10 years - A decade of water for the environment showcases some of these achievements so far.

  • A decade of water for the environment in the Murray-Darling Basin

Congolli Numbers Bouncing Back

Native congolli being returned to the river after survey. Photo CEWO

The latest fish survey results in the Lower Murray region have water managers excited.

  • Congolli Numbers Bouncing Back

Golden perch – why the Darling River is so important for the Basin’s fish communities

Golden perch or ‘yellowbelly’ are one of the main large-bodied native fish that support the freshwater recreational fishing industry.

  • Golden perch – why the Darling River is so important for the Basin’s fish communities

Wind, waves and wi-fi – A winning combination for the Coorong

When it comes to getting the most out of water for the environment, it is all about timing. Whether it is to provide food for waterbirds, improve water quality or help native fish to spawn, getting environmental flows to the right place at the right time is critical.

  • Wind, waves and wi-fi – A winning combination for the Coorong - media release
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Last updated: 21 February 2023

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.