Environmental Watering in 2010/11 Environmental Watering Sites 2010/11

Lindsay, Wallpolla islands Neds Corner Merbein Common Basin 1 Cardross Koorlong Hattah Lakes Yungera Liparoo Wetland Heywoods Lake Lake Cullen Nyah Forest McDonald Swamp Woorinen North Lake Ouyen Hird Swamp Gunbower Forest Round Lake Richardson’s Lagoon

Lake Meran Barmah Forest Rainbow Numurkah ALBURY Lake Boort River Kaniva BENALLA Rushworth HORSHAM St Arnaud MacKenzie River Bright Maryborough Castlemaine Edenhope Stawell Omeo Tullaroop Creek Alexandra Mansfield Halls Gap Ararat Daylesford BENALLA Marysville Mallacoota Hamilton Orbost Werribee Lakes Entrance Sale Heywood Frankston Moe TRARALGON Portland Anglesea Colac Cows Leongatha Lorne Yarram Port Campbell Apollo Bay Foster

Published by the Victorian Government ISBN 978-1-74287-620-7 (print) Accessibility Department of Sustainability and Environment ISBN 978-1-74287-621-4 (online) If you would like to receive this publication in an Melbourne, September 2012 For more information contact the DSE Customer accessible format, such as large print or audio, © The State of Victoria Department of Service Centre 136 186 please telephone 136 186, or email customer. Sustainability and Environment 2012 [email protected] Disclaimer This publication is copyright. No part may be Deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired? reproduced by any process except in accordance This publication may be of assistance to you Call us via the National Relay Service on 133 677 with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. but the State of Victoria and its employees do or visit www.relayservice.com.au not guarantee that the publication is without Authorised by the Victorian Government, flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your This document is also available in PDF format 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. particular purposes and therefore disclaims all on the internet at www.water.vic.gov.au Print managed by Finsbury Green. Printed on liability for any error, loss or other consequence recycled paper. which may arise from you relying on any Front cover: Barmah Lake information in this publication. Photo by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA Contents

Introduction 2 Water Sources and Volumes 2010/11 4 Barmah Forest 6 Campaspe River 10 Glenelg River 12 Goulburn River 14 Gunbower Creek 16 Hattah Lakes 18 Lindsay and Wallpolla islands 20 Loddon River and Boort District wetlands 22 Murray hardyhead 26 North Central wetlands 28 Moorabool River 32 River Murray channel wetlands 34 Thomson and Macalister rivers 36 Wimmera and MacKenzie rivers 38 References 40 Partners Inside back cover Introduction

Victoria’s environmental watering program drought refuges was no longer the highest faced markedly different challenges and priority for environmental watering. greater opportunities in 2010/11 than in Instead, watering activities focused on previous years. maximising the environmental benefits The effects of the recent prolonged drought of natural high flows and minimising the remained a serious concern but, for the first environmental impact of flooding. time since the program began, protecting

The situation What is being done After a dry start to the watering year, wetter conditions The Victorian environmental watering program plans across most of the state in the second half of 2010/11 for a range of scenarios, from extremely dry to very wet, brought a welcome reprieve to Victoria’s rivers and adapting as seasonal conditions unfold. wetlands. Rainfall and catchment run-off filled many In drought years the focus is on avoiding catastrophic events, wetlands to capacity and generated high natural flows such as major fish kills, and protecting refuges where plants in a number of river systems after 13 years of drought. and animals can survive and begin recolonisation when However, the effects of drought on the state’s network conditions improve. In wet years the focus is on restoring of national and state parks and reserves, rivers, wetlands values that could not be maintained in drier periods, and floodplains cannot be quickly erased. Large areas of improving the long-term resilience of the environment. dead and struggling river red gums and degraded wetland In 2010/11 the Victorian environmental watering program habitats remain. Some native fish and turtle populations responded to conditions at both extremes. It moved from have bounced back; others are yet to recover. Similarly, protecting drought refuges to building on the benefits of while 2010/11 brought many more significant bird wetter conditions by providing extra environmental water breeding events than previous years, not all species at some sites to help boost the recovery of flow stressed recovered strongly. systems. Environmental water was also used to help Though greatly needed, heavy rainfall and high flows mitigate the effects of blackwater. also brought significant human and environmental Environmental watering has consistently produced positive challenges. One of these was blackwater, which occurred results for the environment. For example, in 2010/11 the in some systems as a result of summer flooding drawing delivery of over 400 billion litres of environmental water to accumulated organic matter from floodplains and riverbanks the Barmah-Millewa Forest helped to sustain the largest into waterways. bird-breeding event in more than 60 years. The fundamental challenges of environmental water management in Victoria remain constant despite short-term Where environmental water comes from changes in rainfall and flows: the prospect of a more water- scarce future resulting from an underlying shift in climate, The environmental water being delivered across Victoria and the impact of extraction from the Murray and other comes from a range of sources. These include environmental rivers to supply water for consumptive uses. water entitlements held by Victoria, the Living Murray program and the Commonwealth.

2 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 In no case does sourcing environmental water affect 3. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holdings farmers’ water allocations or town water supplies. In dry Under the Water for the Future initiative, the Australian years, environmental water allocations are reduced along Government is building a portfolio of environmental water with other users’ allocations. In wetter years like 2010/11 holdings to protect and restore environmental assets of the the availability of environmental water increases to the Murray-Darling Basin. The holdings are managed by the same extent as other types of allocations. Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. Victorian sites 1. Victoria’s Environmental Water Reserve (EWR) began receiving water from these holdings in 2008/09. Victoria’s EWR is made up of: 4. Other water sources • A small share of environmental water entitlements, There are other ways of providing water to the environment, such as the Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk such as delivering water intended for consumptive use via Entitlement. These entitlements work the same as water a route that will benefit a needy stretch of river or wetland entitlements held by farmers and other water users. along the way. • Water set aside for the environment as obligations on consumptive entitlements that allow water corporations Ongoing management to take and supply water to towns and farmers. Victoria’s environmental watering program is a collaborative • Unregulated flows and spills from storages, usually effort. In 2010/11 it involved the Department of Sustainability created by heavy rainfall. and Environment, catchment management authorities and Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, the Commonwealth The EWR is increasing as water savings from Victoria’s Environmental Water Holder and the Murray-Darling water recovery projects, such as the G-MW Connections Basin Authority. Project (formerly the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project), the Macalister Channel Automation Project The program is integrated with river and catchment and the Wimmera- Pipeline Project, are realised. management activities. It focuses on achieving the best These projects save water to share between farmers, outcomes through a mix of targeted water recovery, towns and the environment. efficient use of environmental water, structural works and habitat restoration. 2. The Living Murray Program Important advances in 2010/11 included reusing return flows, The Living Murray Program has a significant portfolio of expanding the use of consumptive water en route, and use environmental water to improve the environmental health of unregulated flow entitlements for the first time. of six Icon Sites. Four of the Icon Sites are in Victoria – Barmah Forest, Gunbower Forest, Hattah Lakes, and From 1 July 2011, management of Victoria’s environmental Lindsay-Wallpolla islands. water entitlements became the responsibility of the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH). The VEWH is an The program has also initiated a series of environmental independent statutory body responsible for making decisions works that will improve delivery of environmental water to on the most efficient and effective use of environmental water more than 37,000 hectares of significant forests, wetlands entitlements across Victoria. Future environmental watering and lakes of the River Murray. booklets will be published by the VEWH on its website The Living Murray is a joint initiative funded by the New (www.vewh.vic.gov.au). South Wales, Victorian, South Australian, Australian Capital Environmental water management is a continually evolving Territory and Commonwealth governments, and coordinated process. With an increasing body of knowledge and technical by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. advances, the Victorian program continues to refine water delivery strategies and methods each year to achieve further efficiencies and better outcomes across the state.

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 3 Water sources and volumes 2010/11

Sites River Murray Victorian Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement The Living Murray Commonwealth Water Environmental Holdings Loddon Bulk Entitlement Wimmera and Glenelg Rivers Environmental Entitlement Thomson Bulk Entitlement Macalister River Environmental Entitlement Moorabool River Environmental Entitlement Other sources Barmah-Millewa Forest 84,5001 199,000 144,5001

Campaspe River 2,140

Glenelg River 10,748

Goulburn River 8,873 33,0002 52,4402

Gunbower Creek 1,0583

Hattah Lakes 2,6024 2,363 9,342 3,0003

Lindsay Island 826 145

Lindsay Island – Lake Wallawalla 2,0484 7,850

Loddon River 427 322

Tullaroop Creek 87

Boort district wetlands – Lake Boort 4,675

Boort district wetlands – Lake Meran 4,258

Round Lake (Murray hardyhead) 764

Cardross Basin (Murray hardyhead) 1,027

Koorlong Lake (Murray hardyhead) 36

North Central wetlands 1,9884 – Richardson’s Lagoon

North Central wetlands – Hird Swamp 1,7134

4 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Sites River Murray Victorian Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement The Living Murray Commonwealth Water Environmental Holdings Loddon Bulk Entitlement Wimmera and Glenelg Rivers Environmental Entitlement Thomson Bulk Entitlement Macalister River Environmental Entitlement Moorabool River Environmental Entitlement Other sources Sites River Murray Victorian Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement The Living Murray Commonwealth Water Environmental Holdings Loddon Bulk Entitlement Wimmera and Glenelg Rivers Environmental Entitlement Thomson Bulk Entitlement Macalister River Environmental Entitlement Moorabool River Environmental Entitlement Other sources Barmah-Millewa Forest 84,5001 199,000 144,5001 North Central wetlands – Lake Cullen 8,4794

Campaspe River 2,140 North Central wetlands – McDonalds 9574 Swamp Glenelg River 10,748 Moorabool River 691

Goulburn River 8,873 33,0002 52,4402 River Murray channel wetlands – Nyah 162

Gunbower Creek 1,0583 River Murray channel wetlands – Liparoo 1304

Hattah Lakes 2,6024 2,363 9,342 3,0003 River Murray channel wetlands – Yungera 3044

Lindsay Island 826 145 River Murray channel wetlands 1554 – Neds Corner Lindsay Island – Lake Wallawalla 2,0484 7,850 River Murray channel wetlands 1004 Loddon River 427 322 – Merbein Common River Murray channel wetlands 5,2474 Tullaroop Creek 87 – Heywoods Lake

Thomson and Macalister Rivers 12,840 10,666 Boort district wetlands – Lake Boort 4,675

Wimmera and MacKenzie Rivers 7,065 1,4405 Boort district wetlands – Lake Meran 4,258

Total volume delivered 2010/11 119,223 234,508 72,199 9,342 17,813 12,840 10,666 691 149,998 Round Lake (Murray hardyhead) 764 (million litres – ML)

Cardross Basin (Murray hardyhead) 1,027 1  Barmah-Millewa Forest watering – 134,500 ML of NSW Barmah-Millewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation and 10,000 ML of NSW adaptive environmental water allocation was also delivered to Barmah-Millewa Forest. Koorlong Lake (Murray hardyhead) 36 2 This water was delivered through the Goulburn River to meet environmental demand in the Lower Lakes in South .

3 North Central wetlands 1,9884 River Murray Unregulated Flows – flows in the River Murray in excess of South Australian flow requirements, and NSW – Richardson’s Lagoon and Victorian existing rights, which are available to be prioritised for environmental benefit. 4 North Central wetlands – Hird Swamp 1,7134 Includes use of water available under the River Murray Unregulated Flows entitlement. 5 -Wimmera-Mallee Water operational release.

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 5 Barmah Forest

Environmental watering in Barmah Forest By spring 2010 it had been five years since the last medium- level flood (55% of forest inundated) and 10 years since the helped sustain the conditions for a last widespread flood (most of the floodplain inundated). remarkable waterbird breeding season. Relatively small volumes of environmental water were used in 2008/09 and 2009/10 to provide critical drought Introduction refuge for species such as the southern pygmy perch and freshwater turtles. Barmah Forest is a 28,500 ha floodplain on the River Murray between Echuca in Victoria and Tocumwal A large natural flood in September 2010, following on from in . smaller flows during July and August, resulted in about 85% of the floodplain being inundated. With the adjoining Millewa Forest in New South Wales it forms the largest river red gum forest in Australia. Barmah- This large natural flood peak presented an opportunity to Millewa Forest is recognised as a wetland of international use environmental water to maintain the minimum required importance under the Ramsar Convention and as an icon flows and maximise the benefits of flooding for native site under the Living Murray program. flora and fauna, including moira grass and river red gum communities, as well as colonial waterbirds, turtles, The forest is ecologically important because of its sheer fish and frogs. expanse of river red gum trees and wetland habitat – home to a huge range of plants, birds and other animals, including turtles, frogs and native fish. Steamer Plain near Budgee Creek in Barmah Forest Photo by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA

6 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Barmah-Millewa 428,000 ML 199,000 ML: The Living Murray program Barmah-Millewa September 2010 – Forest Forest, floodplain February 2011 84,500 ML: Victorian River Murray Flora and and wetlands Fauna Bulk Entitlement – Barmah-Millewa Environmental Water Allocation 134,500 ML: NSW Barmah-Millewa Environmental Water Allocation 10,000 ML: NSW state allocation

Watering aims The priority aims of environmental watering in 2010/11 were to: • bridge the gap to maintain River Murray flows between natural high-flow events • maintaining water levels in key wetlands that support colonial waterbird breeding habitat, ensuring that nesting waterbirds did not abandon their nests and were able to successfully fledge their offspring • support vegetation communities (such as moira grass) by maintaining appropriate water levels in wetlands.

Above: Aquatic vegetation at Steamer Plain in Barmah Forest Left: Darter and chicks at Steamer Plain in Barmah Forest Photos by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 7 Outcomes The use of environmental water contributed significantly A small number of little black cormorants and darters nested to the success of waterbird breeding during 2010/11, among the estimated 500 nests of little pied cormorants. maintaining appropriate water levels in wetlands to Australian white ibis and straw-necked ibis nested in their accommodate the nesting and successful fledging of chicks. collective thousands along with royal spoonbills. On the New South Wales side of the river, an estimated 7,400 pairs The year saw the successful fledging of thousands of nesting waterbirds were recorded in Millewa Forest. of waterbirds in Barmah Forest, including a number of threatened species. The night heron and egret breeding White-bellied sea-eagle recruitment continued. Although event (approximately 2,800 nankeen night heron, monitoring was restricted by lack of access to known 75 great egret, 85 intermediate egret and 22 little egret nesting sites, at least two nests were observed to produce nests) was the largest in Barmah Forest for around young. Numerous immature birds were seen in the forest. 40 years, and the successful fledging of brolga chicks the first in Barmah Forest for around 60 years.

Barmah Lake Photo by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA

8 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Wetland plant response to the prolonged flooding was crayfish, and other aquatic animals, as the water did not mixed. It appears that abundance of moira grass plains has contain enough oxygen. Spiny freshwater crayfish were reduced, with open water and bare ground taking its place reported to have left the river, and a large number of native in some areas. Drought-stressed river red gums sprouted fish deaths were reported across the river system. fresh canopies throughout some parts of the forest. Environmental water was released from the Goulburn system to attempt to reduce the impact of the blackwater event. The rainfall-induced flooding in spring and summer of 2010/11 triggered a blackwater event throughout Despite the detrimental impacts that the blackwater event Barmah-Millewa forest and in the River Murray downstream had on aquatic species, native fish such as silver perch, of the forest from late spring to early autumn. Blackwater golden perch and Murray cod all spawned in response was caused by large amounts of organic material from to the flood conditions during the season. the floodplain being washed into the river and wetlands. The environmental watering that occurred at Barmah-Millewa Combined with warmer temperatures these conditions Forest was a joint management effort utilising entitlements resulted in a reduction in the dissolved oxygen levels in held by the Living Murray program, the New South Wales the water. This created unfavourable conditions for fish, Government and the Victorian Government.

Intermediate Egret in breeding plumage Barmah Forest Photo by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 9 Campaspe River

Natural high flows over summer were complemented by environmental flow releases to start the Campaspe River on the road to gradual recovery from drought.

Introduction The Campaspe River in north-central Victoria has high environmental values because of its connection to the outlet at commencement of winter baseflow in Campaspe River River Murray, banks of river red gum trees and relatively Photo by Darren White, North Central CMA healthy native fish populations. Watering aims The Campaspe River is greatly affected by river regulation. During the prolonged drought the river’s environmental The priority aims of environmental watering in 2010/11 flow targets were largely unmet, particularly during winter. were to: The overall health of the river was in serious decline, • provide connectivity down the length of the river to evident by the stressed vegetation communities, water enable fish movement quality problems and siltation of the deep river pools. • maintain appropriate water quality for fish The river began to recover when high summer rainfall • maintain access to riffle habitat and adequate water and natural flows provided some relief to vegetation and quality for macroinvertebrate populations scoured the deep river pools. • maintain a permanent connecting river flow to improve water quality. Campaspe River at before (left) and after (right) winter baseflow Photos by Darren White, North Central CMA

10 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Campaspe River 2,140 ML Commonwealth environmental water Downstream of June 2011 Lake Eppalock

Outcomes In 2010/11, for the first time in over 10 years, the Campaspe River received winter baseflows in accordance with the scientific flow recommendation. Connectivity was successfully maintained from Lake Eppalock to the River Murray. There were anecdotal reports of fish migration along the river. Water quality was also maintained, particularly the dissolved oxygen levels that are critical for the survival of native fish. Environmental flow releases complemented the natural high flows that occurred in the system over summer, continuing the process of recovery that began with high summer rainfall. The Campaspe River is in the early stage of recovery from the drought. It is expected that the recovery process will continue for some time to come.

Above: Campaspe River at English’s Bridge before winter baseflow Below: Campaspe River at English’s Bridge after winter baseflow Photos by Darren White, North Central CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 11 Glenelg River

Strong recruitment by many plant and The health of the river has been seriously affected by years of drought and water extraction for towns and farming. animal species highlighted the importance Altered hydrology resulting from forestry plantations and of maintaining drought refuge pools in dry diversions is a serious threat to its environmental values. seasons so that populations can bounce back in wetter years. Watering aims As in the previous year, environmental watering in 2010/11 Introduction focused on the high-priority reach from the Rocklands Reservoir through to the junction with . The 350 km Glenelg River is a defining feature of south- The main aims were to: west Victoria. Joining the Grampians National Park to the Southern Ocean, it is home to a range of rare and unique • provide a summer baseflow and freshes to protect plant and animal species. water quality and maintain habitat connectivity A number of threatened species whose survival depends • provide winter or spring freshes to support native on adequate river flows inhabit the Glenelg River. fish populations. Top: Fraser Swamp Glenelg River A recently discovered subspecies of callistemon was found Photo by Bryce Morden Glenelg Hopkins CMA at three locations along the Glenelg River and fringing Below: Glenelg River at Moree swamps in spring 2010. Photo by Stephen Ryan Glenelg Hopkins CMA The Glenelg spiny freshwater crayfish is known to occur in the system. This species was upgraded from being listed as threatened to endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in February 2011. Other threatened species that are found in the system include Yarra pygmy perch, variegated pygmy perch, and growling grass frog.

12 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Glenelg River 7,733 ML Wimmera and Glenelg River Glenelg River downstream Spring 2011 3,015 ML Environmental Entitlement 2010* of Rocklands Reservoir Summer and Autumn 2011

* 8,783 ML of this water was sourced from accumulated passing flows Outcomes Flooding following large rainfall events in November 2010 and January 2011 improved water quality and reduced the need for some environmental releases, including summer freshes, as they occurred naturally. Higher flows in 2010/11, supported by the delivery of year round baseflows and summer freshes, brought continued relief from historical salinity problems at Harrow. Salt concentrations during 2010/11 were around a quarter of those experienced during the drought. Wet catchment conditions triggered strong recruitment in many plant and animal species that depend on river habitats. Vegetation on the river bank showed signs of improvement, with increased foliage vigour and stand condition, including the recently discovered callistemon. This highlights the importance of maintaining refuge pools in dry years, so that populations can bounce back when conditions improve.

Right: Glenelg River at Clunies Hole Below: Glenelg River at Moree Photos by Stephen Ryan Glenelg Hopkins CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 13 Goulburn River

Environmental water was used to raise levels of dissolved oxygen in the lower Goulburn and Murray rivers, aiming to reduce the water quality impact on native fish and crayfish.

Introduction The lower Goulburn River is a Heritage River, and its floodplain and associated wetlands are listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. This area Watering aims provides important habitat for waterbirds and native fish, including Murray cod. The priority aim of environmental watering in 2010/11 was to improve dissolved oxygen levels in the lower Goulburn River. Before spring 2010, prolonged drought had significantly affected the availability and condition of in-stream, Environmental water was also released from the Goulburn floodplain and wetland habitat for native fish and waterbirds system to alleviate blackwater in the Murray system. in the Goulburn River. Winter/spring baseflows and freshes, Additional deliveries were also made to meet environmental important for the maintenance of in-stream vegetation, demands in the Lower Lakes in South Australia. These habitat for macroinvertebrates and fish spawning, were releases were not designed to meet environmental demand significantly reduced during the drought. in the Goulburn River. Above-average rainfall in 2010/11 resulted in the lower Goulburn River receiving a number of spring freshes and Top: White-faced Heron two overbank flows between August 2010 and February Photo by Jo Wood Goulburn Broken CMA 2011, meeting environmental flow objectives naturally. Below: Goulburn Weir on the Goulburn River Photo by Jim Castles Goulburn Broken CMA However, the overbank flows brought large amounts of organic material into the river that had accumulated on the floodplain during the drought, resulting in blackwater. Low dissolved oxygen levels led to a number of fish deaths and forced crayfish out of the river. Environmental water was released to assist in improving dissolved oxygen levels in the lower Goulburn River and the River Murray, which was similarly affected by blackwater following overbank flows.

14 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Goulburn River 8,873 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Goulburn and Murray Rivers December 2010 – Fauna Bulk Entitlement downstream of Goulburn February 2011 Weir. These releases also River Murray 33,000 ML The Living Murray program met environmental demand at the Lower Lakes in South Australia. Lower Lakes, 52,440 ML Commonwealth environmental water Lower Lakes, South Australia May – June 2011 South Australia

Outcomes Environmental watering in 2010/11 succeeded in increasing dissolved oxygen levels in the lower Goulburn River, protecting native fish and crayfish. Naturally occurring overbank flows inundated most of the lower Goulburn River floodplain and associated wetlands – in some areas for the first time in over 10 years. River red gums responded with strong new growth, wetland plants flourished and many waterbirds bred, including egrets, spoonbills, ibis and cormorants.

Left: Male Aurora Damselfly Photo by Jo Wood Goulburn Broken CMA Right: Royal Spoonbill Photo by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 15 Gunbower Creek

Delivery of consumptive water en route via Gunbower Creek provided breeding conditions for fish populations prior to natural flooding and assisted in mitigating against the impact of blackwater.

Above: Great egret with breeding plumage Introduction Photo by Anna Chatfield North Central CMA Gunbower Creek runs along one edge of Gunbower Forest, River regulation has significantly reduced the frequency and which is an icon site under the Living Murray program and duration of flooding in Gunbower Forest. Gunbower Creek is recognised as a wetland of international importance under is a major irrigation supply carrier within the Torrumbarry the Ramsar Convention. Irrigation system and therefore flow in the creek is dictated by irrigation demand. As a result flows in the creek are Gunbower Forest is a 19,450 ha river red gum floodplain now less variable and are seasonally reversed, with higher ecosystem bounded by the River Murray and Gunbower flows occurring in summer and lower flows in winter – the Creek. Gunbower Creek contains a diverse range of fish opposite of natural conditions. habitat types including flowing water, instream benches, deep holes, open water, submerged aquatic vegetation, These changes have significantly affected the ability of native snags, and is connected to a number of deep and shallow flora and fauna to complete their life cycles. wetlands within Gunbower Forest. The creek supports Environmental water has been used in Gunbower Forest a range of fish species including threatened species such in previous years to mitigate the effects of the long drought, as Murray Cod, Trout Cod and Freshwater Catfish. providing water to key wetlands to create and maintain drought refuges. In September 2010, upstream floodplains and Gunbower Forest experienced their first significant natural floods in over Left: Flood runner leading to wetlands 10 years. As the floodplains drained blackwater entered Photo by Kathryn Stanislawski North Central CMA Middle: Vegetation monitoring site autumn 2010 Gunbower Creek. Right: Vegetation monitoring site autumn 2011 Photos by Kate Bennetts Australian Ecosystem

16 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Gunbower Creek 1,058 ML River Murray Unregulated Flows Gunbower Creek June 2011

Watering aims Outcomes The priority aim of environmental watering in 2010/11 was The delivery of consumptive water en route through to improve conditions for native fish populations by delivering Gunbower Creek supported fish populations in the months a series of freshes in Gunbower Creek to promote spawning before natural flooding occurred. and recruitment, mobilise nutrients and freshen water quality. Fish were stimulated by the flow. This was evident at Delivery of environmental water to Gunbower Creek Koondrook weir where migratory juvenile golden perch and coincided with a severe blackwater event in Gunbower Creek silver perch accumulated during the environmental flow. which occurred as a result of natural flooding in Gunbower These fish appeared to be trying to re-colonise Gunbower Forest and upstream, such as Barmah Forest. The Creek from the River Murray. environmental flow played an important part in mitigating Environmental watering in 2010/11 succeeded in managing against the risk of fish deaths within Gunbower Creek. declining dissolved oxygen levels in the Gunbower Creek The delivery of consumptive water en route through to protect native fish populations. Gunbower Creek meant that the targeted flow rates The natural flooding event that followed these releases could be met using water on its way to meet downstream inundated approximately 9,000 ha of Gunbower Forest consumptive needs. Any losses associated with the delivery through overbank flooding of the River Murray. This delivered of this water through Gunbower Creek were met using water to around 80% of wetlands, 95% of the river red gum environmental water. This ensured that consumptive users community and 20% of the black and grey box community. were not penalised (by having less water) due to any losses Significant plant growth and recruitment is expected to in Gunbower Creek. occur throughout the forest as the water levels recede. Interestingly, native fish populations have remained relatively stable compared to previous years, despite the flood event. A significant waterbird breeding event occurred with over 250 breeding pairs of great egrets successfully fledging Left: Frog spawn young. There were also successful breeding events of Middle: Box woodland Right: Drying field of Nardoo nankeen night herons, cormorants, ducks, ibis and swans. Photos by Kathryn Stanislawski North Central CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 17 Hattah Lakes

Environmental watering supported diverse To combat its deteriorating condition, environmental water has been provided to the lake system since 2005. In recent and abundant waterbird populations in the years the focus of environmental watering has been on Hattah Lakes system. preventing further decline of river red gums and providing drought refuges for plants and animals. Introduction High river flows in the Murray over summer 2010/11 provided natural inflows into the lakes for the first time since 2001. Hattah Lakes is a world-renowned freshwater lake and This complemented environmental water deliveries by: wetland complex in the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. Twelve of the lakes are internationally recognised under • rapidly increasing the extent of inundation to the floodplain the Ramsar Convention, and the lakes complex is an icon surrounding the lakes site under the Living Murray program. • increasing the duration of inundation of the system Like all floodplain ecosystems along the lower River Murray, • connecting the lakes with the river, providing an influx Hattah Lakes has suffered from an insufficient water regime of nutrients and food sources to the lake environment. resulting from river regulation and the prolonged drought. Aerial photo of Hattah Lakes, January 2011 Photo by Mallee CMA

18 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Hattah Lakes – lakes 11,705 ML 2,363 ML – The Living Murray 15 sites totalling July – Lockie, Little Hattah, program 1,140 ha September 2010 Mournpal, Yerang, Roonkie, 9,342 ML – Commonwealth Bulla/Arawak, Marramook/ environmental water Brokie, Yelwell and Konardin Hattah Lakes – 5,602 ML 2,602 ML – Victorian River Murray 310 ha October – Lake Kramen Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement December 2010 (River Murray Unregulated Flows) April – June 2011 3,000 ML – River Murray Unregulated Flows

Lake Kramen is one of the wetlands within the Hattah Lakes Outcomes complex. The lake was last inundated in 1993 and had been dry for approximately 15 years before receiving A total of 31 waterbird species were recorded at environmental water in 2010/11. Hattah Lakes, including eight rare and threatened species: Australasian shoveler, eastern great egret, hardhead, The black box vegetation community fringing the lake was musk duck, nankeen night heron, pied cormorant, in poor condition associated with severe water stress. whiskered tern and white-bellied sea eagle. This was the last opportunity to deliver environmental water Five species of frogs were recorded, including three species to Lake Kramen before the Hattah Lakes system entered that recruited successfully. a drying phase in preparation for construction of the Living Murray water management works to enable large-scale The condition of river red gum and black box stands environmental watering. improved, with increased foliage vigour. Ecological monitoring demonstrated that Lake Kramen Watering aims supported the most diverse and abundant waterbird population in the Hattah Lakes system in 2010/11, The objective of environmental watering in 2010/11 with 17 species and 441 individuals recorded. was to progress from drought conditions to a restoration of the lake system’s environmental values. The priority aims were to: • improve the overall condition of the Hattah Lakes system • provide habitat, foraging and breeding opportunities for waterbirds and other fauna • inundate fringing river red gum and black box trees to improve stand condition.

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 19 Lindsay and Wallpolla islands

Environmental watering in successive Watering of key wetlands and creeks has sustained the ecology of Lindsay Island pending the reinstatement of years prevented irreversible losses of river an appropriate water regime. red gum and black box communities at By 2009/10 Lake Wallawalla had been dry for approximately Lake Wallawalla. nine years and was suffering from severe water stress. The condition of its black box and river red gum trees was Introduction declining, and there was widespread tree deaths. Lindsay and Wallpolla islands in north-west Victoria are To prevent irreversible losses of river red gum and black box part of the Living Murray icon site Chowilla Floodplain communities, Lake Wallawalla received its first allocation of and Lindsay-Wallpolla Islands. They support a number of environmental water in 2009/10. This was followed up with threatened and vulnerable species, including the white- further environmental water in 2010/11 to maximise the bellied sea eagle, regent parrot and inland carpet python. benefits of the previous delivery. Lake Wallawalla, a large riverine deflation basin and lunette In early 2011, large sections of Lindsay Island, including system on Lindsay Island, south of Lindsay River, is a high- Lake Wallawalla, were inundated as a result of high flows value wetland of national importance identified as a priority following high rainfall in the River Murray. This connectivity site for environmental watering. with the river provided a range of benefits, including an influx of nutrients and food sources into the system. In 2010/11 Lindsay Island was slowly recovering from the effects of a water regime that has degraded the ecosystem over many years. In 2007/08, after 10 years of drought, environmental watering provided life support to Lindsay and Wallpolla islands, focusing on pockets of river red gums Left: Lake Wallawalla wetlands that were kept alive as drought refuges for native plants Photo by Shar Ramamurthy, DSE and animals. Right: West regulator Lake Wallawalla Photo by Mallee CMA

20 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Lindsay Island 971 ML 826 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna 6 sites totalling July – September Bulk Entitlement 210 ha 2010 145 ML – The Living Murray program Lindsay Island – 9,898 ML 7,850 ML – Commonwealth environmental water 768 ha July – October Lake Wallawalla 2010 48 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement 2,000 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows)

Watering aims Outcomes As in previous years, ecosystem survival was the overall At Lake Wallawalla, five species of frogs were recorded, objective of environmental watering at Lindsay and including the growling grass frog. Successful breeding Wallpolla islands in 2010/11. was observed in three of these species. The priority aims were: Twenty-three types of waterbirds were recorded, including two rare and threatened species: hardhead and • inundation of wetland areas providing drought refuge pied cormorant. for flora and fauna, including river red gum and black box communities The condition of river red gum and black box trees improved, with increased foliage coverage. • continued support for the diverse waterbird, frog and aquatic vegetation communities, including river red gums. Environmental watering at Lindsay Island has assisted in sustaining the ecology of the system, protecting key refuges throughout drought. Natural inflows that entered the system in early 2011 then provided a range of environmental benefits, rejuvenating the former drought-stressed landscape.

Aerial photo of Lake Wallawalla March 2011 Photo by Louise Searle Mallee CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 21 Loddon River and Boort district wetlands

As heavy flooding subsided, environmental Lake Boort is a 420 ha shallow freshwater marsh wetland of bioregional importance. It is highly valued for its habitat flows were used to sustain the recovery of diversity, waterbird carrying capacity and waterbird species riparian and in-stream ecosystems. diversity. Lake Boort had been dry for over 10 years, having last held water in 1999. Its vegetation community Introduction – particularly river red gums at the wetland margins – was showing signs of drought stress. The Loddon River system in north-central Victoria provides Lake Meran is a 180 ha open freshwater wetland of important habitat for a range of flora and fauna species, bioregional importance located between Boort and Kerang. including the regionally significant freshwater blackfish. Unique within the region for its size and depth, it provides The river also forms an important component of the water important habitat for a range of flora and fauna species. supply system, with a range of downstream uses including Lake Meran dried for the first time in over 150 years irrigation, stock, and urban supply. in 2003/04. Tullaroop Creek, in the upper Loddon catchment, is also Surplus flows available under the Loddon entitlement heavily affected by river regulation. Blackfish, which depend were available in late in 2010 and diverted to Lakes Boort on the creek for breeding and habitat, have experienced and Meran in order to maximise the ecological benefit significant stress throughout the drought. of the small flooding in the catchment, and alleviate The lower reach of the Loddon system (reach 4) is the focus pressure downstream. of environmental water management as it does not carry While the flooding experienced in the Loddon system consumptive water and therefore may not receive any flows during early 2011 was devastating for the local communities, apart from environmental water. including Boort, it provided much-needed floodplain The Loddon system contains a diverse complex of connectivity between the Loddon River, associated creek floodplain wetlands and lakes, known as the Boort District systems, and the Boort wetlands. wetlands. In 2010/11, two of these wetlands received The extensive flooding filled all the wetlands in the complex, environmental water – Lake Boort and Lake Meran. many for the first time in over 10 years.

Left: Loddon River at Loddon Weir Photo by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA Boort-Yando Road channel in August 2010 (middle) and May 2011 (right) Photos by Jon Leevers North Central CMA

22 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Loddon River 749 ML 322 ML – Loddon River Bulk Entitlement Loddon River October 2010 reach 4 427 ML – Commonwealth environmental water June 2011 Tullaroop Creek 87 ML Loddon River Bulk Entitlement Tullaroop Creek July – August 2010 Lake Boort 4,675 ML Loddon River Bulk Entitlement (surplus flows) 410 ha September – November 2010 Lake Meran 4,258 ML Loddon River Bulk Entitlement (surplus flows) 140 ha September – November 2010

Watering aims Tullaroop Creek The priority aims were to: • restore/maintain blackfish populations • maintain habitat quality for macroinvertebrates • maintain a mosaic of aquatic macrophytes • clean the creek bed surface (removing biofilms, for example) • restore/maintain geomorphic variability (such as pools and runs). Loddon River (reach 4) The priority aims in 2010/11 were to: • maintain channel form and control the growth of terrestrial vegetation in stream • rehabilitate in-stream vegetation and ecological processes • improve water quality and reduce the risk of blackwater and acid sulfate soil problems • maintain pools and depressions in the main channel to provide opportunistic fish habitat • maintain habitat quality for macroinvertebrates.

Above: Tullaroop Creek August 2010 Below: Loddon River Reach 4 Photos by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 23 Lake Boort Water was required in 2010/11 to: • promote the growth of aquatic vegetation • provide opportunities for emergent aquatic vegetation to regenerate • provide conditions conducive to river red gum and black box recruitment • support waterbird use of the wetland. Lake Meran Water was required to: • promote the growth of emergent aquatic species

• improve the health of river red gums fringing the wetland Above: Lake Boort October 2010 Below: Lake Boort January 2011 • provide opportunities for waterbird feeding and roosting. Photos by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA Outcomes Watering aims for the Loddon River system and Boort district wetlands in 2010/11 were achieved by natural high flows in spring and summer, including bankfull and overbank flows. Flooding during spring and summer provided significant benefits to the Loddon system. As the floods subsided and flows declined, environmental flows were used to help with the recovery of riparian and in-stream values. The condition of riparian vegetation improved, with significant new growth – including red gums – and some recruitment. Encroachment of terrestrial vegetation into the main channel of the river was reduced. Opportunistic migration of fish via the Kerang fishway indicated that the lower reaches of the system were connected after several years of drought. A range of bird species took advantage of floodplain watering, including cormorants, ducks, herons and egrets. Macroinvertebrate populations also showed signs of recovery. In Tullaroop Creek there was some recruitment of blackfish. Water quality declined marginally during the flooding events, though this appears to have had minimal impact on the ecosystem. Above and below: Lake Boort December 2010 Photos by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA

24 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Channel-forming processes, including pool and river bed scouring, are assumed to have occurred as a result of the high flows, although this is difficult to verify. Further information about bed and bank morphology will be gained as stream profiles are reviewed. Over 500 waterbirds of 25 different species were recorded in Lake Boort. Among them were a number of species listed as vulnerable or near threatened: great egret, hardhead, nankeen night heron and pied cormorant. Five waterbird species were recorded as breeding, including hardhead. River red gum saplings have been observed on recently exposed mudflats on the margins of Lake Boort. Above: Lake Meran before and after watering Photos by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA Lake Meran wetland had its first watering in over seven years and showed signs of recovery similar to those in Lake Boort. Over 1,200 waterbirds of 26 different species were recorded, including those listed as vulnerable or near threatened: great egret, hardhead, nankeen night heron, pied cormorant and musk duck. Nine waterbird species were recorded as breeding. As the managed water delivery to the Boort District wetlands was supplemented by natural flows from the Loddon system, seeds and plant materials are expected to have been transported into the wetlands from other parts of the catchment, promoting a good vegetation response.

Right: Lake Meran filling September 2010 Below left: Lake Boort September 2010 Below middle: Lake Meran December 2010 Below right: Lake Meran January 2011 Photos by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 25 Murray hardyhead

Careful management of depth and salinity levels continued to keep this critically endangered fish species alive at four recovery sites.

Introduction The Murray hardyhead is native to the wetlands (both fresh and saline) of the Murray and Lower systems and to the rivers themselves. Round Lake Photo by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA The recent prolonged drought put the species at serious risk of extinction. Round Lake In Victoria the Murray hardyhead remains at only three Round Lake is a 40 ha permanent saline wetland near of its historical locations and one additional protected site. in northern Victoria. As one of only three wetlands It relies on environmental water to survive. in Victoria which historically supported Murray hardyhead and still maintains a population of the species, it has received Two of the four sites – Round Lake and Cardross Lakes environmental water every season since 2004/05. Basin 1 (east) – have received environmental water each year. The third site, Woorinen North Lake, has been watered In 2010/11, rainfall received across northern Victoria each year by Goulburn-Murray Water. resulted in lower evaporation from Round Lake than has occurred in previous years. Therefore, while floodwaters did Koorlong Lake became part of the recovery program not inundate the wetland, a smaller volume of water was in 2009/10 when Murray hardyhead were introduced to required to maintain the wetland than in previous seasons. the site. Like Round Lake and Cardross Basin, it receives environmental water from the Victorian environmental Cardross Lakes water entitlements. Cardross Lakes are a series of inter-connected drainage All four sites need to be regularly topped up with basins near Mildura. In 2007, Basin 1 was divided into two environmental water to maintain the depth and salinity sections (east and west) to reduce environmental water levels that will allow the Murray hardyhead to breed. requirements in drought conditions. Water was periodically delivered to Basin 1 east between 2007 and 2010, while With a short life cycle – most adults live for only a year – Basin 1 west dried out. the species is extremely vulnerable. Failure to breed in just one year can extinguish a population. This makes it vital In 2010 it was necessary to reinstate the entirety of Basin 1 to provide environmental water each year not only for to increase the availability of fish habitat and increase the recruitment but also for survival. salinity of Basin 1 east by combining it with Basin 1 west. In 2010/11, as well as its allocation of environmental water, Basin 1 received significant inflows from stormwater drainage after high rainfall events.

26 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Round Lake 76 ML 51 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna 40 ha Intermittent delivery Bulk Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows) over 2010/11 25 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement Cardross Basin 1,027 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna 140 ha Intermittent delivery Bulk Entitlement over 2010/11 Koorlong Lake 36 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna 140 ha Intermittent delivery Bulk Entitlement over 2010/11

Koorlong Lake In 2009/10 and 2010/11 Koorlong Lake received the There were differences in the size of captured individuals in environmental watering necessary for the survival of its both Round and Koorong lakes, demonstrating that the fish translocated population of Murray hardyhead. were spawned over an extended period during the season. In Round Lake there was a decrease in numbers of eastern Watering aims gambusia, a species known for aggressiveness towards Watering of Murray hardyhead sites during 2010/11 aimed to: native fish species, including Murray hardyhead. • prevent critical loss of Murray hardyhead by promoting breeding of the species • maintain suitable habitat, wetland water and salinity levels.

Outcomes The salinity of the lakes was managed through environmental watering activities to maintain optimal levels for the Murray hardyhead. The 2010/11 water year saw significant improvements in the Murray hardyhead populations across the state, with strong recruitment recorded at all sites. A total of 971 Murray hardyhead were found in monitoring events at Round Lake, which is the highest number of individuals caught since 2008. Murray hardyhead Photo by Michael Hammer, Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 27 North Central wetlands

Waterbird populations kept alive by drought Hird Swamp is a 344 ha deep freshwater marsh of international importance within the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar refuges in previous years showed encouraging site. It is particularly important for its high habitat diversity, signs of recovery as conditions improved. its carrying capacity for waterbirds and the species diversity of its waterbird populations. Hird Swamp also supports Introduction the Australian painted snipe and growling grass frog, both of which are listed under the Environment Protection and Richardson’s Lagoon (also known as Baillieu’s lagoon), Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Hird Swamp last Hird Swamp, Lake Cullen and McDonalds Swamp in received environmental water in 2006/07. north-central Victoria are important wetlands sustained by environmental watering. Lake Cullen is a 629 ha intermittent saline wetland within the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site – the only natural wetland Richardson’s Lagoon is a 120 ha remnant cut-off meander of this type within the site. It is internationally important of the River Murray near Echuca. The wetland and because of its size, habitat and waterbird carrying capacity. associated reserve provides diverse habitats including open The wetland last received water in 2006/07. water, reeds, and red gum and black box dominated flats. The diversity of habitats supports a range of waterbird McDonalds Swamp is a 164 ha deep freshwater marsh of species, as well as mammals and reptiles. Delivery of bioregional significance located near Kerang. It is an important environmental water to Richardson’s Lagoon began in late wetland for waterbirds due to its size and ability to support 2009/10, continuing into the 2010/11 water year. High flows a range of species. It also supports abundant and diverse during 2010/11 did not enter the wetland. vegetation, microorganisms and macroinvertebrates. The site received environmental water in 2008/09 and 2009/10.

Above: Richardson’s Lagoon May 2010 Richardson’s Lagoon cygnets October 2010 Below: Richardson’s Lagoon September 2010 Photo by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA Photos by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA

28 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Richardson’s 1,988 ML 1,282 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna 120 ha July – September Lagoon Bulk Entitlement 2010 706 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna December 2010 Bulk Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows) Hird Swamp 1,713 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk 270 ha November 2010 – Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows) January 2011 Lake Cullen 8,479 ML 5,362 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna 630 ha September – Bulk Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows) October 2010 3,117 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna October 2010 Bulk Entitlement September 2010 – February 2011 McDonalds 957 ML 510 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna 160 ha September – Swamp Bulk Entitlement December 2010 447 ML – Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows)

Above: Hird Swamp before watering October 2010 Hird Swamp July 2011 Below: Hird Swamp after watering January 2011 Photo by Mick Dedini Department of Sustainability and Environment Photos by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 29 Watering aims Outcomes The objectives of environmental watering in the North Central Over 2,000 waterbirds of 28 species were recorded at wetlands in 2010/11 included: Richardson’s Lagoon during 2010/11, including species listed as vulnerable or near threatened: magpie geese, • providing habitat for waterbird use, including breeding great egret, musk duck, hardhead and azure kingfisher. and foraging Nine waterbird species were recorded breeding, including • inundating river red gum and black box communities magpie geese and musk duck. and promoting species recruitment Anecdotal evidence suggests that this is the first time • promoting the growth and recruitment of aquatic vegetation magpie geese have been seen at Richardson’s Lagoon in over 60 years. This species is considered abundant across • maintaining water quality. northern Victoria but declining in south-east Australia. Other fauna species recorded at the wetland in 2010/11 are the grey-crowned babbler (endangered), plumed whistling duck, turtle, eastern long-necked turtle and swamp wallaby. Over 5,700 waterbirds of 35 species were recorded at Hird Swamp in 2010/11, including nine listed species: Baillon’s crake, intermediate egret, great egret, musk duck, hardhead, nankeen night heron, pied cormorant, royal spoonbill and whiskered tern. Five waterbird species were recorded breeding, including hardhead.

Upper left: McDonalds Swamp July 2011 Photo by Mick Dedini Department of Sustainability and Environment Below left: McDonalds Swamp October 2010 Photo by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA Below: Lake Cullen delivery channel September 2010 Photo by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA

30 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Monitoring showed high waterbird use at Lake Cullen. Over 7,500 waterbirds of 38 species were recorded at A total of 2,500 waterbirds of 25 species were recorded. McDonalds Swamp in 2010/11. These included nine listed Listed species using the wetland included great egret, musk species: intermediate egret, great egret, white-bellied sea duck, whiskered term and hardhead. Great cormorants, little eagle, Caspian tern, musk duck, hardhead, pied cormorant, black cormorants and little pied cormorants were recorded royal spoonbill and Australasian shoveller. Ten waterbird in large numbers – over 200 individuals in July 2011. species were recorded breeding, including hardhead. The aquatic vegetation species known as Ruppia showed Vegetation outcomes will be determined by monitoring signs of improvement in response to the 2010/11 watering scheduled to be undertaken in 2011/12. event at Lake Cullen. Dense mats of this vegetation were observed through the wetland edge. Upper: Lake Cullen September 2010 Middle: Lake Cullen November 2010 Below: Lake Cullen April 2011 Photos by Bridie Velik-Lord North Central CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 31 Moorabool River

The new Moorabool Environmental During recent drought years, a small volume of water was made available over summer to assist in managing water Entitlement is an important step towards quality. This protected deep refuge habitats between restoring the ecological health of this highly Lal Lal Reservoir and She Oaks and ensured the survival stressed river. of significant fish and other life dependent on the river. High rainfall in 2010/11 produced significant and sustained Introduction flows, providing some relief to the river. The Moorabool River in southern Victoria supports diverse Watering aims macroinvertebrate communities and areas of intact remnant riparian vegetation. It also provides habitat for native fish The priority aims of watering in the Moorabool system in species including river blackfish, Australian smelt, common 2010/11 were to: galaxias and southern pygmy perch. Environmental flows • maintain water quality play a key role in maintaining the health of these communities. • maintain the diversity of macroinvertebrate and in-stream The Moorabool River is one of Victoria’s most flow-stressed aquatic plant communities rivers. Over the past decade it has received critically low flows and experienced extended periods of no flow. This • limit the encroachment of in-stream vegetation has put considerable strain on native plants, fish and other • maintain snag habitat animals which depend on the river for their survival. • restore or maintain self-sustaining populations of priority fish species • maintain riparian vegetation communities.

Left: Moorabool River at Hunts Bridge Middle and right: Moorabool River at Coopers Photos by Jayden Woolley Corangamite CMA

32 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Moorabool River 111 ML Moorabool River Environmental Entitlement Lal Lal Reservoir April – May 2011 to She Oaks (reach 3) Moorabool River 580 ML Moorabool River Environmental Entitlement Lal Lal Reservoir June 2011 to She Oaks (reach 3)

Outcomes In 2010/11 most of the priority flow requirements for the • providing water for riparian plant communities Moorabool River were partly or fully achieved through • allowing greater connectivity between pools to improve a combination of natural unregulated flows, consumptive breeding opportunities for self-sustaining populations water releases and managed environmental releases. of fish such as river blackfish, Australian smelt, common Benefits from these flows to the system include: galaxias and southern pygmy perch. • transporting accumulated organic matter through For the first time since 2006 there were no extended periods the system, which is vital for the survival of native fish when the river stopped flowing. and other aquatic species • flushing sediments along the river to maintain suitable habitat for native macroinvertebrate and fish species

Left: Lal Lal Reservoir Moorabool River Right: Moorabool River at Sheoaks Photos by Jayden Woolley Corangamite CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 33 River Murray channel wetlands

Strategic environmental water deliveries to a These sites are distributed between Nyah and the South Australian border. They are predominantly river red gum number of sites along the River Murray channel communities that are in poor condition due to drought stress. helped improve the condition of stressed river Ongoing water extraction from the River Murray and red gum and black box communities. prolonged drought have led to serious decline in floodplain values, including river red gum communities. Remaining Introduction birds, fish, frogs and turtles have had to retreat to small pockets of surviving habitat. The survival of plant and animal The River Murray channel links the many forests, floodplains life on the floodplain would be seriously threatened without and wetlands along the river and provides habitat for assistance from environmental watering. numerous native plants, fish and animals. It also supports the iconic river red gum forests which line its banks. Heavy rainfall caused a high-flow event in the River Murray that provided natural inflows into the channel’s wetland River Murray channel wetlands that received environmental systems for the first time in many years – in some cases water in 2010/11 include: since 2001. These natural flows complemented the delivery • Nyah Forest – a creek and river red gum floodplain of environmental water by: in the Nyah State Forest • rapidly expanding inundation to the surrounding floodplain • Liparoo – a large lagoon, fringed by river red gums, • increasing the duration of inundation located south of the Murray-Kulkyne National Park • enabling connectivity with the river, providing an influx • Merbein Common – wetlands that support a network of nutrients and food sources. of highly stressed river red gums and associated plant and animal life • Yungera J1 – a creek in the Belsar Yungera Floodplain complex • Neds Corner – a wetland on the largest freehold property in Victoria, owned by Trust for Nature and managed for conservation • Heywoods Lake – a significant wetland that forms part of the Heywoods Lake Wildlife Reserve.

Heywoods Lake March 2011 Photo by Mallee CMA

34 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Nyah Forest 162 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk 160 ha July 2010 Entitlement Liparoo 130 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk 30 ha November – Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows) December 2010 Yungera 304 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk 20 ha November – Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows) December 2010 Neds Corner 155 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk 10 ha November – Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows) December 2010 Merbein Common 100 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk 70 ha November – Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows) December 2010 Heywoods Lake 5,247 ML Victorian River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk 180 ha April – June 2011 Entitlement (River Murray Unregulated Flows)

Watering aims Outcomes The objective of environmental watering in 2010/11 was Inundation of the black box and river red gum stands to assist restoration of floodplain values throughout the fringing the wetlands resulted in improved stand condition. River Murray corridor, from Nyah to the South Australian Establishment of aquatic and understory vegetation was border. The intended ecological benefits included: observed across all the watered sites. • improving the condition of long-term water-stressed Waterbird activities increased – for example, threatened river red gum and black box communities egrets and spoonbills inhabited Heywoods Lake. Waterbird and frog breeding was observed throughout • establishing lake bed vegetation and fringing understorey the watered wetlands. vegetation to provide habitat, food sources and breeding resources for many wetland-dependent species • renewing the seed bank • improving moisture to enhance the resilience of vegetation communities.

Heywoods Lake June 2011 Photo by Mallee CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 35 Thomson and Macalister rivers

Environmental releases provided optimally Watering aims timed spawning flows for Australian grayling The priority aims for environmental watering in the in the Thomson and Macalister rivers. Thomson and Macalister rivers in 2010/11 were to: • trigger a spawning event for Australian grayling Introduction • provide fish movement throughout the system The Thomson and Macalister rivers are significant waterways • water riparian and in-stream vegetation providing a range of important values and services in the region. Home to a variety of native fish, including • flush accumulated sediments from the river channel the vulnerable Australian grayling, these rivers provide • maintain river channel form significant freshwater flows into the Ramsar-listed wetlands of the . The rivers support populations of • provide a flush of freshwater to the lower Australian grayling, listed under the Environment Protection and Gippsland Lakes. and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, which require a • replicate the previous year’s spawning flow event for range of flows to support their life cycle. broad-finned galaxias in the Thomson system. Dry conditions over a number of years before 2010/11 resulted in a decline of favourable flows for Australian grayling. Macalister River downstream of Lake Glenmaggie during autumn Wetter conditions in 2010/11 saw a return of average system fresh release flows for the Thomson and Macalister systems. Photo by David Stork CMA

36 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Thomson River 12,840 ML Thomson River Environmental Bulk Entitlement Thomson River April – June 2011 downstream of Thomson Reservoir Macalister River 10,666 ML Macalister River Environmental Entitlement Macalister River April – June 2011 downstream of Lake Glenmaggie

Outcomes The 2010/11 environmental flow releases provided two spawning flows for Australian grayling, timed to be within their optimal spawning period. This aimed to replicate a similar natural event that occurred in the previous year, which was found to have triggered the spawning of another important species, the broad-finned galaxias. Monitoring has indicated there has been positive recruitment in Australian grayling, particularly in the Thomson system. Ongoing monitoring is being undertaken to explore the impact of releases on fish population. The Thomson and Macalister releases were timed to coincide in the lower Thomson to provide a flushing flow for the lower Thomson. The releases also coincided with a peak natural flow event in the Latrobe River and contributed to a larger flushing flow in the lower Latrobe and the Gippsland Lakes.

Thomson River downstream of Thomson Reservoir during autumn fresh release Photo by David Stork West Gippsland CMA

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 37 Wimmera and MacKenzie rivers

Regulated releases played a vital role The lake had been completely dry since 2000 and was about three-quarters full in spring 2011, attracting large in maintaining water quality, habitat numbers of migratory birds – and tourists to witness and connectivity in the lower Wimmera the spectacle. and MacKenzie rivers. The Wimmera bottlebrush, recently listed as endangered under federal legislation, occurs in a small section of Introduction the lower MacKenzie River system. The populations of Wimmera bottlebrush appear to be highly dependent The is in a period of recovery from the record on river flows for their health, and were showing significant drought conditions which saw much of the river dry up signs of stress from the lack of water for four years until completely. The MacKenzie River’s high-value fish and platypus the environmental water releases in Spring 2009. populations are also benefiting from the wetter conditions. Environmental releases in the MacKenzie River help to The lower Wimmera River has very strong environmental maintain the connection between the upper system, with its values – such as the significant self-sustaining population high-value fish populations, and the lower Wimmera River, of freshwater catfish – and areas of refuge habitat that which has lost some fish species over the years. were threatened by low flows during the drought. For these reasons it has received environmental water releases in recent years. Salinity problems at the lower end of the river make environmental water releases critical for sustaining viable fish populations and trying to reverse the degradation of vegetation and macroinvertebrate communities seen during the drought. Floods in September and December 2010 and January 2011 caused large volumes of water to flow from the Wimmera River into , Victoria’s largest freshwater lake. Weir Wimmera River December 2010 Photo by Greg Fletcher Wimmera CMA

Lake Hindmarsh January 2011 Wimmera River and Lake Hindmarsh January 2011 Wimmera River at Jeparit January 2011 Photo by Greg Fletcher Wimmera CMA Photo by Greg Fletcher Wimmera CMA Photo by Paul Fennell Wimmera CMA

38 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Watering details

Location Volume: Water source Area covered Delivery million litres (ML) Wimmera River 6,780 ML 5,340 ML – Wimmera and Glenelg Rivers Wimmera River, Spring 2010 Environmental Entitlement including Burnt

and Bungalally 1,440 ML – Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Autumn 2011 Creeks operational release MacKenzie River 1,725 ML Wimmera and Glenelg Rivers Environmental MacKenzie River July 2010 – Entitlement June 2011 Watering aims The priority watering aims in the Wimmera River were to: Lake Hindmarsh, Victoria’s largest freshwater lake and a wetland of national significance, dried out completely • improve habitat availability and water quality by in 2000 and was a striking symbol of the drought. Floods maintaining pools throughout September 2010 to January 2011 led to large • provide connectivity to enable dispersal of aquatic volumes of water entering the lake. Nearly three-quarters species that have been lost from the lower reaches. full in spring 2011, the lake became a large oasis in the semi-arid southern Mallee. Bird monitoring between The priority watering aims in the MacKenzie River were to: September and December 2010 revealed that 28 waterbird • improve the health of riparian vegetation – particularly species – from pelicans and black swans to black-fronted Wimmera bottlebrush – in the lower MacKenzie dotterels and red-capped plovers – were using the lake priority reach for habitat. • maintain high-value fish and regionally threatened Sustained flows in – the first in many platypus populations in the mid-MacKenzie priority reach years – sent a pulse of water to its terminal lakes, watering over summer/autumn, when natural flows are scarce stressed river red gums and filling weir pools to the benefit of the towns along its length. • provide connectivity with the Wimmera River, enabling dispersal of species and providing good-quality water. The MacKenzie River received almost continuous flows throughout the 2010/11 year, which led to improvements Outcomes in the condition of the stands of Wimmera bottlebrush in the lower reach. The flows also provided invaluable connectivity The most significant natural streamflows for decades – and with the lower Wimmera River, helping to disperse some the first overbank flow events since 1996 – while leading fish and macroinvertebrate species lost during the drought. to significant property damage in some areas, had positive outcomes for the environment. The floods watered drought While the greatest benefits came from natural flooding and stressed river red gums along many reaches, especially subsequent releases for flood mitigation, regulated releases the lower Wimmera River and Yarriambiack Creek. also played a vital role in maintaining water quality, habitat The floods also reduced the high salinity levels affecting and connectivity in the lower Wimmera and MacKenzie rivers. the lower Wimmera River. As a result, there have been Small regulated releases in Burnt and Bungalally creeks significant improvements in red gum condition, including – conduits for water reaching the Wimmera River – also the emergence of ‘zombie trees’ – trees previously provided environmental benefits. considered dead that now show signs of life.

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 39 References

Over-arching Victorian Policy Documents Key Program Participants Contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder on 131 186 or visit www.water.vic.gov.au for more (02) 6275 9246 information on the following documents. or visit http://www.environment.gov.au/ewater/index.html Victorian Regional Sustainable Water Strategies Corangamite CMA Strategies to plan for long-term water security across Victoria: (03) 5232 9100 or visit http://www.ccma.vic.gov.au – Northern Region (the River Murray system and its Gleneg-Hopkins CMA tributaries: Loddon, Goulburn, Broken, Campaspe, Kiewa and Ovens systems) (03) 5571 2526 or visit www.ghcma.vic.gov.au – Central Region (West Gippsland, , Westernport, Goulburn Broken CMA Western, Central Highlands and Barwon Regions) (03) 5820 1100 or visit www.gbcma.vic.gov.au – Western Region (Wimmera, Mallee, Millicent, Portland, Goulburn-Murray Water Otway, Glenelg, Hopkins and Avoca Basins) (03) 5826 3500 or visit www.g-mwater.com.au – Gippsland Region (South Gippsland, Latrobe, Thomson, Mitchell, Tambo, Snowy and Basins) Mallee CMA Victorian River Health Strategy (03) 5051 4377 or visit www.malleecma.vic.gov.au Outlines the Victorian Government’s long-term direction for North Central CMA managing Victoria’s rivers. Released in 2002, the strategy (03) 5448 7124 or visit www.nccma.vic.gov.au will be renewed in early 2013 to include an innovative integrated approach to managing rivers and wetlands. North East CMA Victorian Regional River Health Strategies (02) 6043 7600 or visit www.necma.vic.gov.au Establishes regional objectives for river systems and river Parks Victoria reaches via community engagement and sets priorities to 13 19 63 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au achieve these and build cases for government investment in river health. The Living Murray program (02) 6279 0100 or visit www.mdba.gov.au/programs/tlm West Gippsland CMA 1300 094 262 or visit www.wgcma.vic.gov.au Wimmera CMA (03) 5382 1544 or visit www.wcma.vic.gov.au

40 Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 Partners

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2010/11 For more information call the Customer Service Centre 136 186

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