WAT387.0516C unless noted otherwise. noted unless
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All Gunbower Creek. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Creek. Gunbower Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo:
Black Swan cygnet in its nest on the Black Swamp, near near Swamp, Black the on nest its in cygnet Swan Black dusk. at Forest Millewa the in Swamp Beds Reed
Back cover: Kangaroos on Deniliquin Island, Edward River Edward Island, Deniliquin on Kangaroos cover: Back
Deniliquin near River, Edward Cover:
Above: Aboriginal marker tree near Mathoura NSW NSW Mathoura near tree marker Aboriginal Above:
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling ■
Local landholders and community members community and landholders Local ■
Advisory Group Advisory
ater ater W Environmental Darling Murray-Lower ■
orking Group Ltd Group orking W Wetlands Murray-Darling ■
Goulburn-Murray Water Goulburn-Murray ■
Authorities Authorities
Victorian Catchment Management Management Catchment Victorian ■
Victorian Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Victorian ■
New South Wales Local Land Services Land Local Wales South New ■
Industries - Water - Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
Murray Irrigation Limited Irrigation Murray ■
WaterNSW WaterNSW
■
E: [email protected] [email protected] E:
Industries – Fisheries – Industries 430 188 0419 M:
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■ NSW Deniliquin – officer engagement Local
Duffy Linda
2016–17 2016–17 Wildlife Service) Wildlife
Heritage (including National Parks and and Parks National (including Heritage
RIVERS
water locally. water
New South Wales Office of Envir of Office Wales South New onment and and onment ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
offer suggestions for the use of environmental environmental of use the for suggestions offer
Postal address: address: Postal
MID-MURRAY the Mid-Murray, including: Mid-Murray, the
Linda Duffy to learn more about our work or or work our about more learn to Duffy Linda
past and present. and past
with a number of individuals and organisations in in organisations and individuals of number a with
Please contact your local engagement officer officer engagement local your contact Please
@theCEWH
their cultures and to their elders both both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned,
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water We pay our respects to them and and them to respects our pay We
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth
www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo W:
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
to water, land and community. community. and land water, to
E: [email protected] [email protected] E:
knowledge and the latest science. latest the and knowledge
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
respects their continued connection connection continued their respects Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Water Environmental Commonwealth
T: 1800 803 772 772 803 1800 T:
water management involve local local involve management water community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
Australia’s traditional owners and and owners traditional Australia’s
The best approaches to environmental environmental to approaches best The continue to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continue
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
committees within the catchment. We will will We catchment. the within committees
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The regularly attends community forums, events and and events forums, community attends regularly Our partners Our
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth The
Fishing on the River Murray. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Murray. River the on Fishing Mid-Murray region. Mid-Murray
environmental benefit. environmental breeding colony of intermediate egret in Victoria Commonwealth environmental water in the the in water environmental Commonwealth across the Basin, and they are culturally trade (sell or buy water) for equal or greater greater or equal for water) buy or (sell trade
■
stages, from spawning, juvenile to adulthood. adulthood. to juvenile spawning, from stages, Environmental water is and, along with Barmah-Millewa Forest, supports requirements for sale or purchase of of purchase or sale for requirements significant to local Aboriginal people.
fish, frogs and turtles) survival through all life life all through survival turtles) and frogs fish,
in the next water year (‘carryover’) year water next the in the breeding of threatened and vulnerable birds
To date, there have been no specific specific no been have there date, To
Recruitment describes a species’ (like native native (like species’ a describes Recruitment hold on to the water and carry it over for use use for over it carry and water the to on hold Maintain the extent of and prevent ■ dedicated to including the Australasian bittern.
further decline in riparian and in-stream
tributaries. tributaries.
demands Commonwealth environmental water is
late winter and through spring. spring. through and winter late improving the health of native vegetation communities, events in Victorian Victorian in events use water to meet identified environmental environmental identified meet to water use
■ managed in partnership with state and local will guide watering, anticipated to commence in in commence to anticipated watering, guide will particularly those in, or near to, the flows from watering watering from flows
can agree to: agree can delivery partners to improve connections rainfall) and seasonal and operational conditions conditions operational and seasonal and rainfall) our rivers, floodplains Murray, the Edward-Wakool system, conjunction with return return with conjunction
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth between rivers, floodplains and wetlands, aquatic vegetation. Natural triggers (for example, example, (for triggers Natural vegetation. aquatic Kiewa, and the Moira grasslands in the
2015-16 , delivered in in delivered , connected Basin. connected
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints particularly to those sites that support nationally
spawning and recruitment, and riverbank and and riverbank and recruitment, and spawning and wetlands Barmah-Millewa Forrest. between 2008-09 and and 2008-09 between the southern- the
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending threatened species under the Environmental waterbird habitat, native fish flows, migration, migration, flows, fish native habitat, waterbird
Darling regions regions Darling
water year in in year water Maintain the current species diversity
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act set to contribute to joint efforts to support support to efforts joint to contribute to set
Murray and Lower Lower and Murray in the 2016-17 2016-17 the in managers. The Mid-Murray region contains and increase abundance of waterbirds
1999 and state-based legislation, and wetlands This year, Commonwealth environmental water is is water environmental Commonwealth year, This
has been used in the the in used been has use for 2015-16 water provided by other water holders and and holders water other by provided water diverse and rich natural environments. by supporting breeding opportunities.
of international or national significance. We are
carried over carried environmental water water environmental
from from supplements natural events and environmental environmental and events natural supplements
river flows have also reduced in scale. in reduced also have flows river Its natural waterways are a source of also working toward the achievement of Create the right water conditions to
291 GL GL 291 Commonwealth Commonwealth was was
Commonwealth environmental water often often water environmental Commonwealth
wetland sites entering into a drying phase, while while phase, drying a into entering sites wetland water supply for domestic water use, environmental outcomes as outlined in the improve native fish condition and
2,853 GL 2,853 of of Approximately
2013 to 2015 have seen some floodplain and and floodplain some seen have 2015 to 2013 spawning, movement between areas, irrigation districts. districts. irrigation extensive agriculture and irrigated Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy
from the millennium drought. Drier conditions from from conditions Drier drought. millennium the from (part of the implementation of the Murray- and improve the age ranges and health natural system throughout the Basin’s Basin’s the throughout system natural production, the cultural values in the Mid-Murray and contributed to recovery recovery to contributed and Mid-Murray the in
GL Darling Basin Plan). of their communities.
needed to restore and protect the the protect and restore to needed GL and practices of local Aboriginal improvements in the condition of many wetlands wetlands many of condition the in improvements
2,853
291 bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring events and environmental watering saw saw watering environmental and events Traditional Owners and tourism and
Summary of longer-term outcomes During the 2010 to 2012 period, natural flow flow natural period, 2012 to 2010 the During Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental recreation activities.
under the Basin-wide Environmental
enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Watering Strategy
Darling Basin Plan’s implementation. implementation. Plan’s Basin Darling Environmental water is delivered to key locations infrastructure and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure
communities, as part of the Murray- the of part as communities, to support the region’s unique native animals, investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment Maintain base river flows, with the region
plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy natural program, in consultation with local local with consultation in program,
2015-16. experiencing more bank-full and ‘fresh’
Government, including through through including Government, waterways including the internationally
Basin Authority’s ‘the Living Murray’ Murray’ Living ‘the Authority’s Basin events. in region Mid-Murray
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The important forests.
the in used was and Heritage, and the Murray-Darling Murray-Darling the and Heritage, and
supply A fresh event describes an increase in levels environmental water water environmental The region is home to a vast estate of river red
New South Wales Office of Environment Environment of Office Wales South New gum forests, wetlands and floodplains lining the of the river beyond the base flow, but does of Commonwealth Commonwealth of Victorian Environmental Water Holders, Holders, Water Environmental Victorian environmental water water environmental
393 GL GL 393 River Murray including Barmah-Millewa, not fill the river or go over the bank.
managed by the Commonwealth and and Commonwealth the by managed Gunbower, Koondrook-Perricoota and Werai
Commonwealth Commonwealth
the Mid-Murray region is planned and and planned is region Mid-Murray the forests. Collectively, these forests support Maintain current extent of river red gum
The delivery of environmental water in in water environmental of delivery The 550 plant and 270 animal species, including and blackbox communities, along with
threatened species such as the Australasian improvements to condition and greater
to date to
range of ages (young to old). to (young ages of range bittern, superb parrot, Mueller daisy, swamp likelihood of young tree survival. These long-term a species’ population features a a features population species’ a long-term communities are essential for providing
use in the Mid-Murray Mid-Murray the in use wallaby grass, silver perch, Murray cod and trout
events and recruitment so that over the the over that so recruitment and events cod. Gunbower Forest also supports the only food and habitat for many native animals
Holder aims to create or support breeding breeding support or create to aims Holder Golden perch caught in the River Murray channel
Environmental water water Environmental The Commonwealth Environmental Water Water Environmental Commonwealth The Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority
WAT387.0516C unless noted otherwise. noted unless
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All Gunbower Creek. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Creek. Gunbower Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo:
Black Swan cygnet in its nest on the Black Swamp, near near Swamp, Black the on nest its in cygnet Swan Black dusk. at Forest Millewa the in Swamp Beds Reed
Back cover: Kangaroos on Deniliquin Island, Edward River Edward Island, Deniliquin on Kangaroos cover: Back
Deniliquin near River, Edward Cover:
Above: Aboriginal marker tree near Mathoura NSW NSW Mathoura near tree marker Aboriginal Above:
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling ■
Local landholders and community members community and landholders Local ■
Advisory Group Advisory
Murray-Lower Darling Environmental Water Water Environmental Darling Murray-Lower ■
oup Ltd oup Gr Working Wetlands Murray-Darling ■
Goulburn-Murray Water Goulburn-Murray ■
Authorities Authorities
Victorian Catchment Management Management Catchment Victorian ■
Victorian Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Victorian ■
New South Wales Local Land Services Land Local Wales South New ■
Industries - Water - Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
Murray Irrigation Limited Irrigation Murray ■
WaterNSW WaterNSW
■
E: [email protected] [email protected] E:
Industries – Fisheries – Industries 430 188 0419 M:
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■ NSW Deniliquin – officer engagement Local
Duffy Linda
2016–17 2016–17 Wildlife Service) Wildlife
Heritage (including National Parks and and Parks National (including Heritage
RIVERS
water locally. water
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
offer suggestions for the use of environmental environmental of use the for suggestions offer
address: Postal
MID-MURRAY the Mid-Murray, including: Mid-Murray, the
Linda Duffy to learn more about our work or or work our about more learn to Duffy Linda
past and present. and past
with a number of individuals and organisations in in organisations and individuals of number a with
Please contact your local engagement officer officer engagement local your contact Please
@theCEWH
both elders their to and cultures their planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned,
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water We pay our respects to them and and them to respects our pay We
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth
o www.environment.gov.au/water/cew W:
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
community. and land water, to
knowledge and the latest science. latest the and knowledge
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
respects their continued connection connection continued their respects Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Water Environmental Commonwealth
772 803 1800 T:
water management involve local local involve management water community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
Australia’s traditional owners and and owners traditional Australia’s
The best approaches to environmental environmental to approaches best The continue to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continue
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
committees within the catchment. We will will We catchment. the within committees
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The regularly attends community forums, events and and events forums, community attends regularly Our partners Our
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth The
Fishing on the River Murray. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Murray. River the on Fishing Mid-Murray region. Mid-Murray
environmental benefit. environmental breeding colony of intermediate egret in Victoria Commonwealth environmental water in the the in water environmental Commonwealth across the Basin, and they are culturally trade (sell or buy water) for equal or greater greater or equal for water) buy or (sell trade
■
stages, from spawning, juvenile to adulthood. adulthood. to juvenile spawning, from stages, Environmental water is and, along with Barmah-Millewa Forest, supports requirements for sale or purchase of of purchase or sale for requirements significant to local Aboriginal people.
fish, frogs and turtles) survival through all life life all through survival turtles) and frogs fish,
in the next water year (‘carryover’) year water next the in the breeding of threatened and vulnerable birds
To date, there have been no specific specific no been have there date, To
Recruitment describes a species’ (like native native (like species’ a describes Recruitment hold on to the water and carry it over for use use for over it carry and water the to on hold Maintain the extent of and prevent ■ dedicated to including the Australasian bittern.
further decline in riparian and in-stream
tributaries. tributaries.
demands Commonwealth environmental water is
late winter and through spring. spring. through and winter late improving the health of native vegetation communities, events in Victorian Victorian in events use water to meet identified environmental environmental identified meet to water use
■ managed in partnership with state and local will guide watering, anticipated to commence in in commence to anticipated watering, guide will particularly those in, or near to, the flows from watering watering from flows
can agree to: agree can delivery partners to improve connections rainfall) and seasonal and operational conditions conditions operational and seasonal and rainfall) our rivers, floodplains Murray, the Edward-Wakool system, conjunction with return return with conjunction
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth between rivers, floodplains and wetlands, aquatic vegetation. Natural triggers (for example, example, (for triggers Natural vegetation. aquatic Kiewa, and the Moira grasslands in the
2015-16 , delivered in in delivered , connected Basin. connected
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints particularly to those sites that support nationally
spawning and recruitment, and riverbank and and riverbank and recruitment, and spawning and wetlands Barmah-Millewa Forrest. between 2008-09 and and 2008-09 between the southern- the
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending threatened species under the Environmental waterbird habitat, native fish flows, migration, migration, flows, fish native habitat, waterbird
Darling regions regions Darling
water year in in year water Maintain the current species diversity
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act set to contribute to joint efforts to support support to efforts joint to contribute to set
Murray and Lower Lower and Murray in the 2016-17 2016-17 the in managers. MhT rarruM-die coigey niatnon s and increase abundance of waterbirds
1999 and state-based legislation, and wetlands This year, Commonwealth environmental water is is water environmental Commonwealth year, This
has been used in the the in used been has use for 2015-16 water provided by other water holders and and holders water other by provided water aeservid rdn nhic enlaruta s.tmenonrvi by supporting breeding opportunities.
of international or national significance. eW are
carried over carried environmental water water environmental
from from supplements natural events and environmental environmental and events natural supplements
river flows have also reduced in scale. in reduced also have flows river ntI warutas yawretal a sras e ocruoe f also working toward the achievement of Create the right water conditions to
291 GL GL 291 Commonwealth Commonwealth was was
Commonwealth environmental water often often water environmental Commonwealth
wetland sites entering into a drying phase, while while phase, drying a into entering sites wetland sertaw fylppu dor wictsome uerta ,es environmental outcomes as outlined in the improve native fish condition and
2,853 GL 2,853 of of Approximately
2013 to 2015 have seen some floodplain and and floodplain some seen have 2015 to 2013 spawning, movement between areas, irrigation districts. districts. irrigation avisnetxe arultucirge ine etagirrd d Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy
from the millennium drought. Drier conditions from from conditions Drier drought. millennium the from (part of the implementation of the Murray- and improve the age ranges and health natural system throughout the Basin’s Basin’s the throughout system natural tnoitcudorp ch, varultue eulal s in the Mid-Murray and contributed to recovery recovery to contributed and Mid-Murray the in
GL Darling Basin Plan). of their communities.
needed to restore and protect the the protect and restore to needed GL pna oecitcard ls Aaocf anigirobl l improvements in the condition of many wetlands wetlands many of condition the in improvements
2,853
291 bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring events and environmental watering saw saw watering environmental and events OanoiitdarT arenwl tns asiruod nm d
Summary of longer-term outcomes During the 2010 to 2012 period, natural flow flow natural period, 2012 to 2010 the During Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental aonitaercer s.eitviitc
under the Basin-wide Environmental
enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Watering Strategy
Darling Basin Plan’s implementation. implementation. Plan’s Basin Darling Environmental water is delivered to key locations infrastructure and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure
communities, as part of the Murray- the of part as communities, to support the region’s unique native animals, investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment Maintain base river flows, with the egionr
plants, birds and fish that elyr on healthy natural program, in consultation with local local with consultation in program,
2015-16. experiencing more bank-full and ‘fresh’
Government, including through through including Government, waterways including the internationally
Basin Authority’s ‘the Living Murray’ Murray’ Living ‘the Authority’s Basin events. in region Mid-Murray
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The important forests.
the in used was and Heritage, and the Murray-Darling Murray-Darling the and Heritage, and
supply A fresh event describes an increase in levels environmental water water environmental The region is home to a vast estate of river red
New South Wales Office of Environment Environment of Office Wales South New gum forests, wetlands and floodplains lining the of the river beyond the base flow, but does of Commonwealth Commonwealth of Victorian Environmental Water Holders, Holders, Water Environmental Victorian environmental water water environmental
393 GL GL 393 River Murray including Barmah-Millewa, not fill the river or go over the bank.
managed by the Commonwealth and and Commonwealth the by managed Gunbower, Koondrook-Perricoota and Werai
Commonwealth Commonwealth
the Mid-Murray region is planned and and planned is region Mid-Murray the forests. Collectively, these forests support Maintain current extent of river red gum
The delivery of environmental water in in water environmental of delivery The 550 plant and 270 animal species, including and blackbox communities, along with
threatened species such as the Australasian improvements to condition and greater
to date to
range of ages (young to old). to (young ages of range bittern, superb parrot, Mueller daisy, swamp likelihood of young tree survival. These long-term a species’ population features a a features population species’ a long-term communities are essential for providing
use in the Mid-Murray Mid-Murray the in use wallaby grass, silver perch, Murray cod and trout
events and recruitment so that over the the over that so recruitment and events cod. Gunbower Forest also supports the only food and habitat for many native animals
Holder aims to create or support breeding breeding support or create to aims Holder Golden perch caught in the River Murray channel
Environmental water water Environmental The Commonwealth Environmental Water Water Environmental Commonwealth The Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority
WAT387.0516C unless noted otherwise. noted unless
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All Gunbower Creek. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Creek. Gunbower Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo:
Black Swan cygnet in its nest on the Black Swamp, near near Swamp, Black the on nest its in cygnet Swan Black dusk. at Forest Millewa the in Swamp Beds Reed
Back cover: Kangaroos on Deniliquin Island, Edward River Edward Island, Deniliquin on Kangaroos cover: Back
Deniliquin near River, Edward Cover:
Above: Aboriginal marker tree near Mathoura NSW NSW Mathoura near tree marker Aboriginal Above:
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling ■
Local landholders and community members community and landholders Local ■
Advisory Group Advisory
Murray-Lower Darling Environmental Water Water Environmental Darling Murray-Lower ■
oup Ltd oup Gr Working Wetlands Murray-Darling ■
Goulburn-Murray Water Goulburn-Murray ■
Authorities Authorities
Victorian Catchment Management Management Catchment Victorian ■
Victorian Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Victorian ■
New South Wales Local Land Services Land Local Wales South New ■
Industries - Water - Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
Murray Irrigation Limited Irrigation Murray ■
WaterNSW WaterNSW
■
E: [email protected] [email protected] E:
Industries – Fisheries – Industries 430 188 0419 M:
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■ NSW Deniliquin – officer engagement Local
Duffy Linda
2016–17 2016–17 Wildlife Service) Wildlife
Heritage (including National Parks and and Parks National (including Heritage
RIVERS
water locally. water
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
offer suggestions for the use of environmental environmental of use the for suggestions offer
address: Postal
MID-MURRAY the Mid-Murray, including: Mid-Murray, the
Linda Duffy to learn more about our work or or work our about more learn to Duffy Linda
past and present. and past
with a number of individuals and organisations in in organisations and individuals of number a with
Please contact your local engagement officer officer engagement local your contact Please
@theCEWH
both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned,
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water We pay our respects to them and and them to respects our pay We
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth
o www.environment.gov.au/water/cew W:
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
community. and land water, to
knowledge and the latest science. latest the and knowledge
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
respects their continued connection connection continued their respects Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Water Environmental Commonwealth
772 803 1800 T:
water management involve local local involve management water
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
Australia’s traditional owners and and owners traditional Australia’s
The best approaches to environmental environmental to approaches best The continue to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continue
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
committees within the catchment. We will will We catchment. the within committees
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
regularly attends community forums, events and and events forums, community attends regularly Our partners Our
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth The
Fishing on the River Murray. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Murray. River the on Fishing Mid-Murray region. Mid-Murray
environmental benefit. environmental breeding colony of intermediate egret in Victoria Commonwealth environmental water in the the in water environmental Commonwealth across the Basin, and they are culturally
trade (sell or buy water) for equal or greater greater or equal for water) buy or (sell trade
■
stages, from spawning, juvenile to adulthood. adulthood. to juvenile spawning, from stages, Environmental water is and, along with Barmah-Millewa Forest, supports requirements for sale or purchase of of purchase or sale for requirements significant to local Aboriginal people.
fish, frogs and turtles) survival through all life life all through survival turtles) and frogs fish,
in the next water year (‘carryover’) year water next the in the breeding of threatened and vulnerable birds To date, there have been no specific specific no been have there date, To
Recruitment describes a species’ (like native native (like species’ a describes Recruitment
hold on to the water and carry it over for use use for over it carry and water the to on hold Maintain the extent of and prevent ■ dedicated to including the Australasian bittern.
further decline in riparian and in-stream
tributaries. tributaries.
demands Commonwealth environmental water is
late winter and through spring. spring. through and winter late improving the health of native vegetation communities,
events in Victorian Victorian in events use water to meet identified environmental environmental identified meet to water use
■ managed in partnership with state and local will guide watering, anticipated to commence in in commence to anticipated watering, guide will particularly those in, or near to, the
flows from watering watering from flows
can agree to: agree can delivery partners to improve connections
rainfall) and seasonal and operational conditions conditions operational and seasonal and rainfall) our rivers, floodplains Murray, the Edward-Wakool system, conjunction with return return with conjunction
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth between rivers, floodplains and wetlands, aquatic vegetation. Natural triggers (for example, example, (for triggers Natural vegetation. aquatic Kiewa, and the Moira grasslands in the
2015-16 , delivered in in delivered , connected Basin. connected
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints particularly to those sites that support nationally
spawning and recruitment, and riverbank and and riverbank and recruitment, and spawning and wetlands Barmah-Millewa Forrest. between 2008-09 and and 2008-09 between the southern- the
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending threatened species under the Environmental waterbird habitat, native fish flows, migration, migration, flows, fish native habitat, waterbird
Darling regions regions Darling
water year in in year water Maintain the current species diversity
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act set to contribute to joint efforts to support support to efforts joint to contribute to set
Murray and Lower Lower and Murray in the 2016-17 2016-17 the in
managers. The Mid-Murray region contains and increase abundance of waterbirds
1999 and state-based legislation, and wetlands This year, Commonwealth environmental water is is water environmental Commonwealth year, This
has been used in the the in used been has 2015-16 for use use for 2015-16
water provided by other water holders and and holders water other by provided water diverse and rich natural environments. by supporting breeding opportunities.
of international or national significance. We are
carried over carried environmental water water environmental
from from supplements natural events and environmental environmental and events natural supplements
river flows have also reduced in scale. in reduced also have flows river Its natural waterways are a source of also working toward the achievement of Create the right water conditions to
291 GL GL 291 Commonwealth Commonwealth was was
Commonwealth environmental water often often water environmental Commonwealth
wetland sites entering into a drying phase, while while phase, drying a into entering sites wetland water supply for domestic water use, environmental outcomes as outlined in the improve native fish condition and
2,853 GL 2,853 of of Approximately Approximately
2013 to 2015 have seen some floodplain and and floodplain some seen have 2015 to 2013 spawning, movement between areas,
irrigation districts. districts. irrigation extensive agriculture and irrigated Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy
from the millennium drought. Drier conditions from from conditions Drier drought. millennium the from (part of the implementation of the Murray- and improve the age ranges and health
natural system throughout the Basin’s Basin’s the throughout system natural production, the cultural values
in the Mid-Murray and contributed to recovery recovery to contributed and Mid-Murray the in
GL Darling Basin Plan). of their communities.
needed to restore and protect the the protect and restore to needed GL and practices of local Aboriginal improvements in the condition of many wetlands wetlands many of condition the in improvements
2,853
291 bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring events and environmental watering saw saw watering environmental and events Traditional Owners and tourism and
Summary of longer-term outcomes During the 2010 to 2012 period, natural flow flow natural period, 2012 to 2010 the During Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental recreation activities.
under the Basin-wide Environmental
enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Watering Strategy
Darling Basin Plan’s implementation. implementation. Plan’s Basin Darling Environmental water is delivered to key locations infrastructure and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure
communities, as part of the Murray- the of part as communities, to support the region’s unique native animals, investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment Maintain base river flows, with the region
plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy natural
program, in consultation with local local with consultation in program,
2015-16. experiencing more bank-full and ‘fresh’
Government, including through through including Government, waterways including the internationally
Basin Authority’s ‘the Living Murray’ Murray’ Living ‘the Authority’s Basin events. Mid-Murray region in region Mid-Murray
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The important forests.
was used in the the in used was and Heritage, and the Murray-Darling Murray-Darling the and Heritage, and
supply A fresh event describes an increase in levels environmental water water environmental The region is home to a vast estate of river red
New South Wales Office of Environment Environment of Office Wales South New gum forests, wetlands and floodplains lining the of the river beyond the base flow, but does of Commonwealth Commonwealth of Victorian Environmental Water Holders, Holders, Water Environmental Victorian environmental water water environmental
393 GL GL 393 River Murray including Barmah-Millewa, not fill the river or go over the bank.
managed by the Commonwealth and and Commonwealth the by managed Gunbower, Koondrook-Perricoota and Werai
Commonwealth Commonwealth
the Mid-Murray region is planned and and planned is region Mid-Murray the forests. Collectively, these forests support Maintain current extent of river red gum
The delivery of environmental water in in water environmental of delivery The 550 plant and 270 animal species, including and blackbox communities, along with
threatened species such as the Australasian improvements to condition and greater
to date to
range of ages (young to old). to (young ages of range bittern, superb parrot, Mueller daisy, swamp likelihood of young tree survival. These
long-term a species’ population features a a features population species’ a long-term communities are essential for providing
use in the Mid-Murray Mid-Murray the in use wallaby grass, silver perch, Murray cod and trout
events and recruitment so that over the the over that so recruitment and events cod. Gunbower Forest also supports the only food and habitat for many native animals
Holder aims to create or support breeding breeding support or create to aims Holder Golden perch caught in the River Murray channel
Environmental water water Environmental The Commonwealth Environmental Water Water Environmental Commonwealth The Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority
WAT387.0516C unless noted otherwise. noted unless
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2016 Australia, of Commonwealth ©
All images by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth by images All Gunbower Creek. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Creek. Gunbower Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo:
Black Swan cygnet in its nest on the Black Swamp, near near Swamp, Black the on nest its in cygnet Swan Black dusk. at Forest Millewa the in Swamp Beds Reed
Back cover: Kangaroos on Deniliquin Island, Edward River Edward Island, Deniliquin on Kangaroos cover: Back
Deniliquin near River, Edward Cover:
Above: Aboriginal marker tree near Mathoura NSW NSW Mathoura near tree marker Aboriginal Above:
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling ■
Local landholders and community members community and landholders Local ■
Advisory Group Advisory
Murray-Lower Darling Environmental Water Water Environmental Darling Murray-Lower ■
Murray-Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd Group Working Wetlands Murray-Darling ■
Goulburn-Murray Water Goulburn-Murray ■
Authorities Authorities
Victorian Catchment Management Management Catchment Victorian ■
Victorian Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Victorian ■
New South Wales Local Land Services Land Local Wales South New ■
Industries - Water - Industries
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■
Murray Irrigation Limited Irrigation Murray ■
WaterNSW WaterNSW
■
E: [email protected] [email protected] E:
Industries – Fisheries – Industries M: 0419 188 430 430 188 0419 M:
New South Wales Department of Primary Primary of Department Wales South New ■ Local engagement officer – Deniliquin NSW NSW Deniliquin – officer engagement Local
Linda Duffy Duffy Linda
2016–17 2016–17 Wildlife Service) Wildlife
Heritage (including National Parks and and Parks National (including Heritage
RIVERS
water locally. water
New South Wales Office of Environment and and Environment of Office Wales South New ■ GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 ACT Canberra 787, Box GPO
offer suggestions for the use of environmental environmental of use the for suggestions offer
address: Postal
MID-MURRAY
the Mid-Murray, including: Mid-Murray, the
Linda Duffy to learn more about our work or or work our about more learn to Duffy Linda
past and present. and past
with a number of individuals and organisations in in organisations and individuals of number a with
Please contact your local engagement officer officer engagement local your contact Please
@theCEWH
their cultures and to their elders both both elders their to and cultures their
planned, delivered and managed in partnership partnership in managed and delivered planned,
RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING
water delivery over the long term. term. long the over delivery water We pay our respects to them and and them to respects our pay We
Commonwealth environmental water use is is use water environmental Commonwealth
o www.environment.gov.au/water/cew W:
planning and management of environmental environmental of management and planning
to water, land and community. community. and land water, to
knowledge and the latest science. latest the and knowledge
Traditional Owners, to help shape the regional regional the shape help to Owners, Traditional
respects their continued connection connection continued their respects Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Water Environmental Commonwealth
772 803 1800 T:
water management involve local local involve management water
community groups, including Aboriginal Aboriginal including groups, community
Australia’s traditional owners and and owners traditional Australia’s
The best approaches to environmental environmental to approaches best The continue to forge local partnerships that allow allow that partnerships local forge to continue
Water Holder acknowledges acknowledges Holder Water
committees within the catchment. We will will We catchment. the within committees
The Commonwealth Environmental Environmental Commonwealth The
regularly attends community forums, events and and events forums, community attends regularly Our partners Our
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Office Water Environmental Commonwealth The
Fishing on the River Murray. Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Murray-Darling Photo: Murray. River the on Fishing Mid-Murray region. Mid-Murray
environmental benefit. environmental breeding colony of intermediate egret in Victoria Commonwealth environmental water in the the in water environmental Commonwealth across the Basin, and they are culturally trade (sell or buy water) for equal or greater greater or equal for water) buy or (sell trade
■
stages, from spawning, juvenile to adulthood. adulthood. to juvenile spawning, from stages, Environmental water is and, along with Barmah-Millewa Forest, supports requirements for sale or purchase of of purchase or sale for requirements significant to local Aboriginal people.
fish, frogs and turtles) survival through all life life all through survival turtles) and frogs fish,
in the next water year (‘carryover’) year water next the in the breeding of threatened and vulnerable birds
To date, there have been no specific specific no been have there date, To
Recruitment describes a species’ (like native native (like species’ a describes Recruitment hold on to the water and carry it over for use use for over it carry and water the to on hold Maintain the extent of and prevent ■ dedicated to including the Australasian bittern.
further decline in riparian and in-stream
tributaries. tributaries.
demands Commonwealth environmental water is
late winter and through spring. spring. through and winter late improving the health of native vegetation communities,
events in Victorian Victorian in events use water to meet identified environmental environmental identified meet to water use
■ managed in partnership with state and local will guide watering, anticipated to commence in in commence to anticipated watering, guide will particularly those in, or near to, the
flows from watering watering from flows
can agree to: agree can delivery partners to improve connections
rainfall) and seasonal and operational conditions conditions operational and seasonal and rainfall) our rivers, floodplains Murray, the Edward-Wakool system, conjunction with return return with conjunction
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Holder Water Environmental Commonwealth between rivers, floodplains and wetlands, aquatic vegetation. Natural triggers (for example, example, (for triggers Natural vegetation. aquatic Kiewa, and the Moira grasslands in the
2015-16 , delivered in in delivered , connected Basin. connected
constraints and climatic conditions, the the conditions, climatic and constraints particularly to those sites that support nationally
spawning and recruitment, and riverbank and and riverbank and recruitment, and spawning and wetlands Barmah-Millewa Forrest. between 2008-09 and and 2008-09 between the southern- the
Depending on river operating rules, flow flow rules, operating river on Depending threatened species under the Environmental waterbird habitat, native fish flows, migration, migration, flows, fish native habitat, waterbird
Darling regions regions Darling
water year in in year water Maintain the current species diversity
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act set to contribute to joint efforts to support support to efforts joint to contribute to set
Murray and Lower Lower and Murray in the 2016-17 2016-17 the in
managers. The Mid-Murray region contains and increase abundance of waterbirds
1999 and state-based legislation, and wetlands This year, Commonwealth environmental water is is water environmental Commonwealth year, This
has been used in the the in used been has use for 2015-16
water provided by other water holders and and holders water other by provided water diverse and rich natural environments. by supporting breeding opportunities.
of international or national significance. We are
carried over carried environmental water water environmental
from from supplements natural events and environmental environmental and events natural supplements
river flows have also reduced in scale. in reduced also have flows river Its natural waterways are a source of also working toward the achievement of Create the right water conditions to
291 GL GL 291 Commonwealth Commonwealth was was
Commonwealth environmental water often often water environmental Commonwealth
wetland sites entering into a drying phase, while while phase, drying a into entering sites wetland water supply for domestic water use, environmental outcomes as outlined in the improve native fish condition and
2,853 GL 2,853 of of Approximately
2013 to 2015 have seen some floodplain and and floodplain some seen have 2015 to 2013 spawning, movement between areas,
irrigation districts. districts. irrigation extensive agriculture and irrigated Basin-wide Environmental Watering Strategy
from the millennium drought. Drier conditions from from conditions Drier drought. millennium the from (part of the implementation of the Murray- and improve the age ranges and health
natural system throughout the Basin’s Basin’s the throughout system natural production, the cultural values
in the Mid-Murray and contributed to recovery recovery to contributed and Mid-Murray the in
GL Darling Basin Plan). of their communities.
needed to restore and protect the the protect and restore to needed GL and practices of local Aboriginal improvements in the condition of many wetlands wetlands many of condition the in improvements
2,853
291 bring back some of the river flows flows river the of some back bring events and environmental watering saw saw watering environmental and events Traditional Owners and tourism and
Summary of longer-term outcomes During the 2010 to 2012 period, natural flow flow natural period, 2012 to 2010 the During Environmental Water Holder to help help to Holder Water Environmental recreation activities.
under the Basin-wide Environmental
enables the Commonwealth Commonwealth the enables Watering Strategy
Darling Basin Plan’s implementation. implementation. Plan’s Basin Darling Environmental water is delivered to key locations infrastructure and other measures, measures, other and infrastructure
communities, as part of the Murray- the of part as communities, to support the region’s unique native animals, investment in more efficient irrigation irrigation efficient more in investment Maintain base river flows, with the region
plants, birds and fish that rely on healthy natural
program, in consultation with local local with consultation in program,
2015-16. experiencing more bank-full and ‘fresh’
Government, including through through including Government, waterways including the internationally
Basin Authority’s ‘the Living Murray’ Murray’ Living ‘the Authority’s Basin events. in region Mid-Murray
The water acquired by the Australian Australian the by acquired water The important forests.
the in used was and Heritage, and the Murray-Darling Murray-Darling the and Heritage, and
supply A fresh event describes an increase in levels
environmental water water environmental The region is home to a vast estate of river red
New South Wales Office of Environment Environment of Office Wales South New gum forests, wetlands and floodplains lining the of the river beyond the base flow, but does of Commonwealth Commonwealth of Victorian Environmental Water Holders, Holders, Water Environmental Victorian environmental water water environmental
393 GL GL 393 River Murray including Barmah-Millewa, not fill the river or go over the bank.
managed by the Commonwealth and and Commonwealth the by managed Gunbower, Koondrook-Perricoota and Werai
Commonwealth Commonwealth
the Mid-Murray region is planned and and planned is region Mid-Murray the forests. Collectively, these forests support Maintain current extent of river red gum
The delivery of environmental water in in water environmental of delivery The 550 plant and 270 animal species, including and blackbox communities, along with
threatened species such as the Australasian improvements to condition and greater
to date to
range of ages (young to old). to (young ages of range bittern, superb parrot, Mueller daisy, swamp likelihood of young tree survival. These
long-term a species’ population features a a features population species’ a long-term communities are essential for providing
use in the Mid-Murray Mid-Murray the in use wallaby grass, silver perch, Murray cod and trout
events and recruitment so that over the the over that so recruitment and events cod. Gunbower Forest also supports the only food and habitat for many native animals
Holder aims to create or support breeding breeding support or create to aims Holder Golden perch caught in the River Murray channel
Environmental water water Environmental The Commonwealth Environmental Water Water Environmental Commonwealth The Photo: Murray-Darling Basin Authority
MID-MURRAY REGION Commonwealth Environmental Water Office
The Mid-Murray region Tributaries in this region include Kiewa, Ovens, asset condition and the available supply Edward-Wakool River System in-channel base Goulburn-Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and according to different scenarios). flows and freshes to forests and ephemeral (not extends from the Hume Dam, Murrumbidgee Rivers and Broken Creek. permanent) waterways and wetlands: River Murray Channel ‘whole of system’ flows: Commonwealth environmental water will most near Albury in New South The Mid-Murray region features a major There is a moderate demand for water to likely contribute to in-channel base flows and anabranch and floodplain system, the improve the seasonality and variability of flows freshes in Edward River, Wakool River, Yallakool Wales to the Euston Weir. Edward-Wakool. The Edward-Wakool supports a along the length of the river and reconnect Creek, Colligen Creek and Niemur River, to high proportion of native fish at all stages of their with low-lying wetlands. maintain habitat and to support aquatic At Euston, the Lower lifecycle including threatened species such as vegetation and native fish. In the ephemeral (not Commonwealth environmental water is the Murray cod, trout cod, and silver perch. It permanent waterways, such as Tuppal Creek, expected to be delivered as a ‘whole-of- Murray-Darling region begins. also provides refuge during drought. watering will look to maintain in-stream habitat, system’ flow in 2016-17. Similar to the approach particularly water quality and vegetation. In the The Mid-Murray is a highly followed in 2015-16, watering will be guided by Edward-Wakool forests, such as Werai Forest, the natural triggers (for example, rainfall) and is Responding to priority of environmental watering would be to regulated section of the anticipated to commence in late winter and protect and maintain vegetation health, support continue through spring. Murray-Darling Basin, with environmental the transport of carbon and nutrients and possibly major storages and The ‘whole of system’ flows will be scalable so support waterbird breeding events if they occur. that the environmental watering is responsive demands Gunbower Creek: In 2016-17 Commonwealth to seasonal and operational conditions. infrastructure including environmental water will contribute to year-round This means that if conditions are dry and the variable flows to mimic more naturally variable Like all water users, Commonwealth triggers are small, environmental watering will Hume Dam, Dartmouth Dam flows to support the survival of juvenile fish, be focused on in-stream watering, such as and state water holders and stimulate movement of native fish and aquatic Yarrawonga Weir, Stevens varying flows and connecting with low-lying managers must consider variable invertebrates, and transport carbon between creeks and wetlands, to support fish health Gunbower Creek and Gunbower Forest. Weir and Torrumbarry Weir. seasonal conditions to manage the and movement, and riverbank and aquatic Hume Dam, near Albury NSW Environmental water may supplement some of best way to restore the Basin’s rivers, vegetation. A natural constriction point the flows required for consumptive purposes. floodplains and wetlands. If conditions are wetter, environmental water Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest: It is near Albury, following draining of the lake to in the River, known as the may be used for small floodplain watering This involves careful consideration of the unlikely that Commonwealth environmental remove carp and installation of a carp-screen. events (within constraints to avoid impacts on Barmah Choke, also urgency of environmental demands each year water will be delivered to Gunbower Forest in This watering event is part of a rehabilitation others), targeting outcomes such as fish (from year to year and over multiple years) and 2016-17, as it is anticipated that other water project involving a number of government breeding, promoting important floodplain influences water delivery. what we believe can be achieved depending holders will meet demands unless conditions agencies, local council and community groups. vegetation communities, and supporting the on water availability due to conditions. become wet. Similarly, Commonwealth completion of waterbird breeding events. environmental water is unlikely to be used in Environmental flows moving through the The following scenarios for the use of Mid-Murray are used for objectives within Environmental flows moving through the system Koondrook-Perricoota Forest until issues regarding Commonwealth environmental water in 2016-17 the Mid-Murray and the Lower Murray will be able to be used for other activities that potential third party impacts are resolved. are based on our assessment of environmental downstream, including Hattah Lakes, the are considered seasonally appropriate, such as demands (in the context of targeted outcomes Central Murray off-channel wetlands and Chowilla Floodplain and Lower Lakes, delivery to off-channel wetland sites (see and watering requirements, watering history, ephemeral creeks - Hume to Euston: It is Coorong and Murray Mouth. below). anticipated that the demands of native fish and vegetation of the permanent and Further information on our planning process semi-permanent wetlands will be met by a and for a copy of the Portfolio Management Plan number of water holders in 2016-17. for the Mid-Murray region 2016-17 visit Commonwealth environmental water may be www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo provided to several wetlands, consistent with local planning processes managed by state delivery partners. For example, up to 90 ML of Commonwealth environmental water has been made available for refilling Norman’s Lagoon, Gunbower Creek, near Spence’s Bridge
Outcomes snapshot 2014-15 Increased levels of dissolved oxygen and aquatic vegetation growth Scientific monitoring shows that water delivered to the Mid-Murray is providing were evident in the Edward-Wakool system. food, habitat and breeding opportunities for many of the region’s unique A native obscure galaxias was found in the Edward-Wakool system for native fish, waterbirds, plants and wildlife. the first time in five years of monitoring. There is a general trend of Full monitoring reports are available each year on our website: improvement in the native fish community in the Edward-Wakool system www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo/catchment/mid-murray/monitoring following the millennium drought, widespread flooding and hypoxic blackwater fish kills in recent times.
2015-16 Environmental water inundated sedges and grasses especially along the riverbanks of the Yallakool Creek and the mid-Wakool River, creating Water directed to the Barmah and Millewa Forests contributed to the shallow vegetated habitat allowing frogs to spawn and tadpoles to growth of Moira grass, and supported breeding of over one thousand thrive. pairs of water birds including white and straw-necked ibis, spoonbills, eastern great egrets, nankeen night herons, darters and little pied A strong response by aquatic and semi-aquatic plant species was cormorants. observed in-stream and in wetlands of the Edward-Wakool system that received environmental water during spring 2014 as a result of a longer, Additionally, a significant proportion of the global population of slower recession to environmental flows. Australasian bitterns and little bitterns inhabit the forests and were detected breeding. This watering action has also contributed to the spawning of the golden perch and the critically endangered silver 2013-14 perch in the Murray region. Improved connectivity between rivers and creeks which has prompted In the Edward-Wakool system preliminary monitoring results suggest that fish breeding and mixing as they moved to and from the Wakool the primary objectives for the 2015-16 flows have been achieved. This Reserve refuge pool. included providing areas of habitat for native fish, such as Murray cod, General increase in native fish populations including the vulnerable to move into and spawn, and maintaining the growth and health of Murray Cod in the Edward-Wakool. instream aquatic plants (such as common reed, pondweed and milfoil), that provides habitat for aquatic animals (like zooplankton and insects) Environmental water was used to provide baseflows in Gunbower Creek which become food for small native fish, including gudgeons, smelt, over the winter and a high stable flow during spring. The winter hardyheads, as well as young cod and perch. There was a notable baseflows were important to ensure that adult fish remained in good increase in silver perch recruits in 2015-16 and the role of environmental condition ready for spring migration and spawning. The spring watering flows in contributing to this outcome is being explored in more detail is important to allow Murray cod to spawn, protect their nests and for with flows planned for 2016-17. larvae to emerge and drift downstream. Monitoring during spring and early summer identified that Murray cod spawned at least three times.
www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo