Edward-Wakool Selected Area Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Plan 2019-2022 1 Prepared by: Watts, R.J.a, McCasker, N.a, Howitt, J.a, Liu, X. a, Trethewie, J.a , Allan, C. a, Thiem, J.b, Duncan, M.b, Healy, S.c, Bond, N.d, Van Dyke, J. d, Vietz, G.e, Donges, M. e a. Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University PO Box789, Albury, NSW 2640 b.NSW Trade & Investment Narrandera Fisheries Centre, PO Box 182, Narrandera NSW 2700 c. NSW Office of Environment and Heritage PO Box 363 Buronga NSW 2739 d. La Trobe University e. Streamology Waterway science and management This monitoring project was commissioned and funded by Commonwealth Environmental Water Office with additional in-kind support from Charles Sturt University, NSW DPI Fisheries, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and La Trobe University. Copyright © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia, 2019. ‘Edward-Wakool Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Plan (2019-2022) is licensed by the Commonwealth of Australia for use under a Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 Australia licence with the exception of the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, the logo of the agency responsible for publishing the report, content supplied by third parties, and any images depicting people. For licence conditions see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/ The Commonwealth of Australia has made all reasonable efforts to identify content supplied by third parties. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or the Minister for the Environment. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are factually correct, the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication. Edward-Wakool Selected Area Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Plan 2019-2022 1 Contents 1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................4 1.1 Background ..........................................................................................................................................4 1.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Research approach for the Edward-Wakool Selected Area .................4 2. Edward-Wakool Selected Area description ..............................................................................................7 3. Commonwealth environmental watering ............................................................................................. 12 3.1 Commonwealth environmental watering actions 2009-2019 ........................................................ 12 3.2 Expected outcomes relevant to the Mid-Murray Region ............................................................... 13 3.3 Commonwealth environmental water holdings ............................................................................. 16 3.4 Practicalities of environmental watering in the Edward-Wakool system ...................................... 16 4. Monitoring and research priorities ........................................................................................................ 18 4.1 Principles to underpin the development of the MER Plan ............................................................. 18 4.2 Process for prioritisation of hydrological zones .............................................................................. 19 4.3 Priorities identified by stakeholders ................................................................................................ 20 5. Indicators for Monitoring and Evaluation ............................................................................................. 21 5.1 Hydrology (Category 1) ..................................................................................................................... 23 5.2 Carbon and water quality (Category 3)............................................................................................ 27 5.3 Stream metabolism (Category 1) ..................................................................................................... 34 5.4 Riverbank and aquatic vegetation (Category 3) .............................................................................. 40 5.5 Fish movement (Category 2) ............................................................................................................ 44 5.6 Fish Reproduction (Larvae) (Category 1) ......................................................................................... 54 5.7 Fish Reproduction (larvae) (Category 3) .......................................................................................... 58 5.8 Fish recruitment (Category 3) .......................................................................................................... 65 5.9 Fish River (Category 1) ...................................................................................................................... 69 5.10 Fish River (Category 3) .................................................................................................................... 79 6. Integrated Research ............................................................................................................................... 86 6.1 Two-dimensional hydraulic modelling ............................................................................................ 88 6.2 Physical habitat research ................................................................................................................. 91 6.3 Riverbank and aquatic vegetation ................................................................................................... 98 6.4 Primary productivity and ecosystem respiration ............................................................................ 99 6.5 Turtle research ................................................................................................................................ 100 6.6 Fish spawning in the Edward River ................................................................................................ 104 6.7 Biodiversity research (Environmental DNA) .................................................................................. 106 6.8 Social science research ................................................................................................................... 110 7. Summary of monitoring, evaluation and research activities .............................................................. 113 8. Engagement and communication ........................................................................................................ 115 Edward-Wakool Selected Area Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Plan 2019-2022 2 9. Reporting .............................................................................................................................................. 118 10. Project management ............................................................................................................................ 120 10.1 Project governance ....................................................................................................................... 120 10.2 Risk assessment ............................................................................................................................ 121 10.3 Key personnel ............................................................................................................................... 121 10.4 Quality assurance ......................................................................................................................... 123 10.5 Health, Safety and Environment Plan .......................................................................................... 123 10.6 Equipment ..................................................................................................................................... 126 11. Data management ................................................................................................................................ 128 12. References ............................................................................................................................................ 129 13. Budget ................................................................................................................................................... 138 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................... 139 Edward-Wakool Selected Area Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Plan 2019-2022 3 1. Introduction 1.1 Background The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) is responsible under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) for managing Commonwealth environmental water holdings. The holdings must be managed to protect or restore the environmental assets of the Murray-Darling Basin, and other areas where the Commonwealth holds water, so as to give effect to relevant international agreements. The Basin Plan (2012) further requires that the holdings must be managed in a way that is consistent with the Basin Plan’s Environmental Watering Plan. The Water Act 2007 (Cth) and the Basin Plan also impose obligations to report on the contribution of Commonwealth environmental