2023
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A message from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
In 2022-2023, Water for the environment complemented widespread flooding to support the continued recovery of our rivers, wetlands and native wildlife.
The Darling-Baaka and Murray rivers flowed at the highest levels in decades, replenishing floodplains, forests and woodlands.
This paved the way for hundreds of thousands of waterbirds to breed for the second year in a row in including Dharriwaa (Narran Lakes), Macquarie Marshes and Gwydir wetlands Lachlan and Murrumbidgee valleys.
Water reconnected rivers, meaning native fish could travel thousands of kilometres. These flows triggered Golden perch spawning and migration in the northern Basin and lower Murray Valley.
We start the 2023-24 water year with full dams and high water allocations. However, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting the return of dry and hot conditions.
Over the coming year we will look to lock in the gains achieved over the past three years. Water for the environment will be used to support the thousands of young waterbirds that now call the region home.
We will continue to support the spawning, recruitment and migration of native fish. Especially in areas impacted by low oxygen water caused by flooding. All of this is possible thanks to the collaborative efforts our partners. We look forward to working with them again over the next 12 months.
Dr Simon Banks
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
Planning our use of water for the environment
Each year, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder prepares a water management plan.
It outlines how we will use water for the environment across the Basin’s rivers and wetlands under a range of different weather and water availability conditions.
The amount of water set aside for the environment in proportion to the size of the Basin and its environmental needs is small. Therefore, we carefully and strategically plan how we use this water.
Our Plan considers:
- water availability for the coming year
- rainfall outlook
- health of river and wetland plants and animals
Every year is different.
Forecast water use available in 2023-24*
| Catchment | Carryover from previous year (gigalitres) | Potential new allocations to Commonwealth entitlements (gigalitres)** |
|---|---|---|
|
Macquarie |
114 |
69 |
|
Namoi |
27 |
4 |
|
Gwydir |
134 |
16 |
|
Border Rivers |
16 |
- |
|
Southern-connected Basin*** |
548 |
1,375 |
|
Lachlan river valley |
103 |
51 |
|
Wimmera |
22 |
- |
* regulated catchments only.
** estimate based on analysis of the current and forecast seasonal conditions and account rules in the different valleys.
*** rivers that feed into the Murray River between the Hume Dam and the sea.
Northern catchments
The northern Basin’s climate is variable, water availability can change dramatically.
Rivers in the northern Basin can switch from being dry to in flood within days or weeks. In times of drought, rivers can shrink back to small, disconnected pools or dry up completely.
The return of wetter conditions provides an opportunity for rivers to flow from top to bottom and reconnect to important wetlands. These are critical times for plants and animals to feed and breed and recover from the drought.
In wet years, we look to improve river and wetland health and help fish and other wildlife build up numbers. In dry years we try to maintain river health and reduce damage caused by drought.
Northern Murray Darling Basin
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
|
Condamine-Balonne River |
Enhance connection with the Barwon-Darling rivers. Help native fish move and breed across the Lower Balonne. Support waterbird breeding at Dharriwaa (Narran Lakes) if required. |
|
Border Rivers and Moonie River |
Enhance connectivity to support native fish and other native animals to move, breed and feed. |
|
Gwydir Valley |
Support the survival of native fish by helping them breed, feed and migrate. Improve habitat, and maintain connection between the Gwydir and Barwon valleys. Support waterboard breeding if required. |
|
Barwon-Darling and Warrego Valleys |
Maintain connectivity and improve water quality. Help native fish move and breed. Maintain the health of the Warrego Floodplain. |
|
Namoi Valley |
Help native fish breed and move by providing flows that increase food and boost connectivity between the Peel, Namoi and Barwon rivers. Maintain water equality if required. |
|
Macquarie Valley |
Support recovery from the 201-2020 drought and build resilience in the Macquarie River and Marshes. Provide flows that support wetland vegetation and feeding habitat for young waterbirds. Provide for native fish breeding and survival. |
Southern catchments
The southern Basin’s variable climate means water availability can change throughout the year.
In wet years, we look to improve river and wetland health and help fish and other wildlife build up numbers. In dry years we try to maintain river health and reduce damage caused by drought.
Each year, we look to coordinate environmental flows across valleys, supporting rivers to connect with the River Murray, from its source to the Coorong.
We plan water use scenarios for very dry through to very wet conditions and adapt to whatever season eventuates. Water managed for river health is used to benefit multiple sites as it flows down the river. It also creates positive social, cultural and economic benefits for communities along the way. With careful planning, we squeeze the most out of every drop.
Southern Murray Darling Basin
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
|
Coorong Lower Lakes Murray Mouth |
Provide for end of system flows. Keep salinity at a healthy range for as long as possible in the Coorong. Support ongoing recovery of native fish, food for migratory birds, and aquatic plants. |
|
Lower Murray Floodplain Wetlands |
Provide flows to selected wetlands. Support rare and threatened species such as Regent parrots, Southern bell frogs and Murray hardyhead. Maintain and improve vegetation. |
|
Lower Darling / Baaka |
Recover native fish populations devastated by low dissolved oxygen. Support Murray cod breeding and the migration of golden perch from Menindee Lakes. |
|
Murray River Channel (Hume Dam to Lower Lakes) |
Support native fish populations by coordinating flows from northern Victorian and southern NSW rivers. Maintain higher flows to help native fish breed, feed and move. Support in-channel and floodplain vegetation, as well as salt export. |
|
Mid-Murray Forests & Creeks |
Connect rivers, creeks and low-lying wetlands in the mid-Murray, including Barmah Millewa, Edward/Kolety-Wakool, and the Gunbower-Werai and Koondrook-Perricoota forests. Support native fish, frogs, waterbirds and wetland plants. |
|
Northern Victorian Rivers |
Promote plant growth on riverbanks and minimise bank erosion. Improve native fish populations, including Murray and Trout cod and Golden and Silver perch. Maintain habitat and river connectivity. |
|
Lachlan River |
Capitalise on wetter conditions to support plants and provide feeding habitat for young waterbirds. Support native fish breeding and recruitment, especially threatened species. |
| Murrumbidgee River | Continue to build resilience of wetland plants and animals. Support feeding habitat for young waterbirds and provide flows to support native fish movement and recruitment. |
Working in partnership: Healthy Rivers, healthy communities
“Water for the environment” is water that is set aside to support fish, birds and native plants when they need it most.
With rainfall runoff now captured in dams or extracted from rivers for human use, the pattern of flow in rivers has changed. Our rivers and wetlands need to be actively managed to keep them healthy and provide for the birds, fish and native plants that rely on them. Healthy rivers also benefit communities and industry.
Planning for the use of water for the environment is a collaborative effort. We work with Commonwealth and state agencies, First Nations peoples, scientists, landholders, community groups and river operators. Their advice ensures our water use is backed by science, knowledge and meets local needs.
Further information
Read the Basin-scale plan for 2023-24 and all the valley chapters in the Water Management Plan.