MDBC 8340 reprint 23/12 12/2/04 12:38 PM Page 1

John Baker Fish Ladder - River Murray next decade, to provide migratory fish passage. next decade, to provide migratory . All River Murray weirs will have fishways installed over the objective of providing continuous passage from the sea to Hume incorporated into the MDBC Fish Passage Program which has is now available within and overseas being the inclusion of fishways. This knowledge knowledge to support designed and built in a time when there was insufficient scientific required for navigation and water supply. The structures were barriers to native fish are still The weirs, locks and other artificial through weir structures. regulation. “Fish lifts” and “fishways” help the fish move fish overcome the barriers created by river migratory River Murray Water operates a number of works to help native species to survive. (such as carp) and diseases have made it more difficult for and the introduction of exotic fish of habitat, overfishing, (such as and weirs), decline in water quality, removal system. Changes in river flow, physical barriers to movement There are 35 species of native fish in the Murray- Fish passage anabranches along this reach. erosion in the main channel and development of eroding environs. River Murray Water is investing in works to reduce between the competing demands on river and its strategy for sustainable and equitable balance long-term and riparian landowners. The Committee is developing a land and water management agencies bodies, government catchment includes representatives of local government, River Murray Water committee which convenes an advisory Managing the River Murray

manage the resources of River Murray and its tributaries agriculture from the River Murray. Its strong desire is to in the communities relying on irrigated for certainty the complexity of environmental flows issue and need The Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council recognises both also exist downstream of , but to a lesser extent. impacts with such unseasonally cold temperatures. Thermal Few native plant and animal species have evolved to cope natural temperatures would have been about 16-20 degrees. Dam into the Mitta River when released from Dartmouth summer, water at temperatures of about 10 degrees Celsius is Water storage too has led to a decline in water quality. In Murray Water works within the Cap guidelines. and community demands. River balance competing industry to stop the declining sustainability of water resources and Murray-Darling Basin was introduced in 1995. The Cap aims diversions (known as the “Cap”) from rivers of Following a water use audit, moratorium on and is of serious concern. damaged the health of River Murray and its environs and the reduced frequency of floods has flow patterns water during summer and autumn. This change in seasonal With irrigation development came the need to deliver more typical in autumn and winter. more in spring and early summer while low flows were High flows occurred though there were seasonal patterns. Historically, flows in the River Murray were unpredictable, Environmental flows CRC for Freshwater Ecology The Murray Flood – Barmah Forest The River Murray System available for environmental purposes. environmental outcomes are achieved with the water that is The program aims to ensure that the best possible operational measures costing $150 million over seven years. acknowledged the need for a program of structural and In April 2002, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council achieve this objective began in 2002. program investigating the environmental flows required to economic benefits obtained from water use. An extensive to improve its environment, while enhancing the social and Managing the River Murray the investment involved. those initiatives offering the best environmental outcomes for The selection of works to be implemented will based on introducing more flexible operation of barrages to enhance • installing fishways at weirs and locks barrages; • regimes in wetlands; improving wetting and drying • surcharging small flood events to make them closer • raising weir pools to enhance connectivity with the flood • lowering weir pools to improve their health; • management of unseasonal flooding the Barmah-Millewa • re-snagging to enhance fish habitat; • impacts of large storages; minimising thermal • entire river system including: A range of possible initiatives will be evaluated over the the health of Murray mouth. natural; plain; forest; N Mountains

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I U N N IT Y Environmental challenges: consumer and 35% pre-consumer) with the balance (50%) being oxygen bleached virgin pulp. recycled paper with a soft non-glare finish. It is produced 50% fibre (15% post Recycled Paper: Printed on Monza Satin Recycled, a new generation premium A2+ gloss coated Our values: courage; inclusiveness; commitment; respect & honesty; flexibility; Email: [email protected] Website: www.mdbc.gov.au Telephone: (02) 6279 0100 Facsimile: (02) 6248 8053 Box 409 Canberra ACT 2601 GPO The Murray-Darling Basin Commission For further information on the Murray–Darling Basin • Series addresses the following themes and subjects: Printed material in the Murray-Darling Basin Knowledge generation projects • Major Commission projects • MDBC strategies • Planning for sustainability • Community partnership and the • Managing the River Murray • Environmental challenges in the Basin • The Murray-Darling Basin government or community has the capacity to meet environmental challenges of practicability and mutual obligation. Basin by themselves. However, coordinated and integrated action Managing the River Murray at every level will go a long way to ensuring The Basin is a shared resource crossing many jurisdictions. No single Initiative sustainable future. Initiative Initiative The River Murray System Initiative please contact

I&D MDBC 8340 © MDBC 2002 Cover Photo: Hume Dam, Andrew Tatnell Managing Managing the storage, which the NSW • Basin the dams, weirs and other Murray-Darling all • the Darling River from the Menindee Storage to • upstream of ; tributaries entering the River Murray • and all its effluents the main course of the River Murray • The River Murray system includes: country’s best irrigation, farming and grazing lands. inland south-eastern Australia and includes much of the Basin covering more than a million square kilometres of of the Murray-Darling The system is the southern part well-being of more than two million people in those States. influence on the economic, environmental and social Wales, and South Australia has a powerful Victoria The River Murray system supplies water to New South and environmental benefits. irrigation, consumption, recreation, commercial fishing cultural, aesthetic and economic reasons. They use it for Australians value water for environmental, social, Commission in perpetuity. Basin Government has leased to the Murray-Darling and Commission constructions; Murray; on); it further (streams which leave the river and re-join (streams flowing out of the river) and anabranches the River Murray the River Murray MDBC 8340 reprint 23/12 12/2/04 12:38 PM Page 2

Managing the River Murray Managing the River Murray Managing the River Murray Managing the River Murray

the State authorities located at the various structures from tributary flows or flood releases from storages, or a fishways will be built as part of a program to While river operators try to minimise the destructive of the required rates of release for that day. During combination of these. Spill mode is used when there is establish fish passage from “the sea to Hume Dam” impact of floods, it is now recognised that floods are of the Snowy River flow and also to provide dedicated floods, flows may be adjusted every few hours. limited space left in the storages and inflow rates are high. (a distance of 2225 km). essential to the health of the river. They push water into environmental flows to the River Murray. the wetlands on the floodplain and improve the health Darling system itself, which reflect the shared responsibility for Operational decisions take in a range of technical For more than 50 years, to promote pride and and bio-diversity of the river corridor. As a result, there From the outset, the unit distinguished service delivery from action both between valley communities and between States. considerations such as flow requirements, salt andMaintaining safe structures efficiency, the Commission has awarded the Senator are now occasions (after consultation with regional the Commission’s regulatory and resource management Collings Trophy to the lockmaster and his team Balancing conflicting values water level changes, estimated evaporation, communities) when River Murray Water boosts natural A major initiative coordinated by River Murray Water is the policy making functions and achieved revised cost sharing forecast rainfall and the water carrying capacity ofTo regulate the river system, River Murray Water operates a judged to be looking after the best maintained lock Australians value water for irrigation, recreation, floods with special releases. construction and management of a series of Salt Interception between governments for services, thus eliminating cross- the river at various locations. number of structures, including: and weir. From 2003 the award is contested by all commercial fishing, environmental benefits, aesthetic Schemes. These schemes usually involve large scale subsidies, promoting efficiencies and protecting its business water storage assets in the River Murray System. groundwater pumping and drainage projects that intercept assets through full cost recovery. Collectively, the authorities have more than 100 full-• four major storages (Dartmouth and Hume Dams, Menindee and cultural purposes and there are many situations saline water flows and dispose of them, by evaporation. A time engineers, dam supervisors, lock masters and Lakes and ); where these values conflict. John Baker Peter Solness John Baker new joint program of salt interception schemes totalling The main services of River Murray Water are: other technical and administrative staff looking after• Yarrawonga Weir; Working with a wide range of people to find a balance Management of the contributing $60 million in capital works over seven years beginning in • water storage, management and delivery; River Murray assets. In addition, they put together • thirteen weirs and locks; is an important part of managing the Murray-Darling 2001 has been agreed by the partner governments of the specialist teams for major refurbishments or new • five barrages (barriers constructed near the river’s mouth to catchments • operating salinity mitigation schemes; Water entitlements and Basin’s water resource. Basin Salinity Management Strategy. These engineering projects. stop infiltration of sea water upstream); and • enabling boat navigation of the system; and diversions Concern about low water quality caused by increasing works are required to make early gains against salinity whilst • other smaller structures. • supporting recreation and tourism In calculating the amount of water to release from salinisation and other risks such as blue-green algal remedial land management actions within the Basin are Most of Adelaide’s water comes from the Riverthe majorMurray. storages, River Murray Water staff use one of threeTo cope with the ageing of this infrastructure and to ensure Fruit stall near Monash in South Australia’s Riverland In recent years, the rapidly increasing demands fromLake Victoria Paddlesteamer “Emmy Lou” cruising the river outbreaks, has focused attention on the negative impact of being implemented. The salt interception works also provide below Echuca Wharf. “modes” or types of operation for “running” the system andthe health and safety of operational staff and the public, the a wider range of users have outstripped the Murray system’s land management practices in the contributing catchments of additional “salt disposal entitlements” for States to offset new Located in Canberra, River Murray Water staff work closely its water. They are: Commission funds and supervises an investigation and water capacity. Diversions for farming agricultural, human An example of such competing interests is the situation at the River Murray. irrigation development. States’ participation in the program is with the State authorities from , Victoria construction program across all the structures. The work is and industrial consumption have reduced median annual flowLake Victoria, a key Commission water storage in south- guided by a set of principles to ensure equity. John Baker and South Australia. In addition to daily river management, 1. Supply mode - used for most of the irrigation season, carried out by the State constructing authorities. of the Murray at its mouth to about 27% of pre-developmentwestern NSW. In 1994, the lowering of water levels in Lake The Commission and its partner governments are working to NSW Alps the unit also coordinates long-term planning and develops which typically extends from about November until mid- conditions. Victoria for maintenance revealed the need for urgent deal with the source of these problems through a range of new operational procedures when required by the Priorities for investigation and construction are determined May. In this mode, the flow in the river is set to meet the protection of a large number of Aboriginal burial sites, many long-term Basin-wide programs. In the meantime, River River Channel Management An unpredictable source Commission and Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council. using a range of risk assessment tools covering dam safety, demands (including the entitlement flow to South Australia) The Murray-Darling Basin Agreement sets out the principles of them of ancient origin. Murray Water undertakes river operations aimed at and agreed environmental flows. business risk, occupational health and safety, public risk, that determine how the water collected in the four main minimising the impact on people and the environment of The construction of the has resulted In its natural state the River Murray was an unpredictable In 2001 the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council environmental and security risks. storages, Dartmouth , Hume Reservoir, Menindee A comprehensive program, directed by the NSW National events such as salinity slugs (sudden injections of high salt in increases in total flow in the reaches between source. Before the building of the dams, weirs and other released the Integrated Catchment Management Policy 2. Storage mode - undertaken during winter and spring Lakes and Lake Victoria, is to be shared between New SouthParks and Wildlife Service, began and has led to works to concentrations) and outbreaks of blue-green algae. and Hume Dam and between Hume and Yarrawonga. As structures, severe droughts could reduce it to a chain of salt Statement. This Statement is a commitment by the community From 1995 to 2003 the program has been dominated by when river flows are more than what is needed to meet Wales, Victoria and South Australia. protect burials and the important cultural heritage values at well, the use of as a drought storage results waterholes and, in South Australia, sea water could infiltrate and governments of the Murray-Darling Basin to do all that a major upgrade of Hume Dam costing in excess of flow requirements. In this mode, most of the water Lake Victoria. in sustained periods of high flow in the . up to 250 km upstream from the mouth. needs to be done to manage and use the resources of the $80 million. In 2001 and 2002, a major upgrade of For example, South Australia is entitled to minimum volumes originating in the upper Murray catchment is stored in These changed flow regimes have caused accelerated Basin in a way that is ecologically sustainable. It outlines an Yarrawonga Weir was also completed costing over of flow across the border but in practice, the flow is often The project, which involves the Indigenous community and Australian engineers started regulating the river’s flow when Dartmouth or Hume Dams. Flow down the river derives erosion of river banks. agreed process for management of catchments within the $12 million. Both of these structures were more than 60 years more than the minimum. In many years, additional dilution local landholders has found a balance between protecting Hume Dam was completed in 1936. Since then, a continuous from other tributaries, particularly the Kiewa, Ovens and Basin for the next ten years and beyond. All Murray-Darling old and the refurbishments were necessary to ensure that they flows are supplied from storages to South Australia above thecultural heritage and continuing to use the lake as an Managing salinity In the Hume-Yarrawonga reach a Waterway Management flow has been maintained throughout the river’s length, Goulburn rivers. Basin Commission activities work within and support this complied with contemporary design standards. minimum entitlement. When there are extended, severe essential part of the water supply system. Plan has been developed which monitors erosion control and ensuring a reliable water supply. policy. 3. Spill mode - used generally in late winter and spring droughts and levels in the storages are low, a “period of Managing salinity in the Murray-Darling Basin is a very highrevegetation works along the 180 km reach of river and In the years 2002 to 2010, emphasis will move downstream This is now embodied in a Plan of Management agreed and From the formation of the River Murray Commission in 1917 when water flow exceeds the river's capacity at any point special accounting” is declared and the available water may priority. This basin is geologically and climatically prone to floodplain. with rebuilding of navigable pass sections of weirs and adopted in 2002. until it was replaced by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission because of run-off caused by heavy rain. This mode of be divided equally between the three States. Water reserves concentrating salt in the landscape. Salinity has become a locks 1 to 10 and 15 and safety and operating improvements in 1988, engineers concentrated on storing and distributing operation can be complex because the flow can vary as also are kept from one season to the next for high priorities major problem since European settlement, as changing land at the Murray Mouth Barrages. Concurrent with these works, water. In the 1980s, it became clear that farming methods tributaries join the main stream. Floods may be generated such as supplying towns and to provide for future shortages. use has altered the movement of water within the and other water uses were seriously affecting the quality of“Running” the river landscape, releasing vast quantities of salt to the ground The Murray-Darling Basin Commission is not responsible for the River Murray’s water and that it needed to be managed surface and the Basin rivers. how the water is used after it has been diverted. That is as part of the larger Basin. Each day, River Murray Water staff operate the river system determined individually by the three States, each of which Without intervention, there will continue to by directing releases from storages and controlling diversions Managing floods has its own history of development and water distribution be steep increases in salinity in some major As a result, a new Murray-Darling Basin Agreement from the river for consumptive use. They then inform staff of Principles behind a salt interception scheme was signed in 1987 by the Commonwealth, New policies. The States also use their shares of the water at While regulation of the River Murray system has reduced tributaries of the River Murray and Darling South Wales, Victorian and South Australian different rates. the frequency and duration of minor and moderate River with major social, economic and governments. Queensland signed the Agreement and flooding, river managers still need to deal with the environmental impacts. River Murray Water Built in the decades after World War II, the Snowy Mountains became a member of the new Commission in 1996; bigger floods. The major structures - even when the closely monitors water salinity levels along Hydro-electric Scheme uses the reliable water of the Snowy the Australian Capital Territory joined in 1998. storages are full - can be used to slightly reduce peak the River Murray and, when possible, calls Mountains (re-directed west from the Snowy River which flowsflows while maintaining duration. Sometimes it is also for water to be released to dilute flows. The purpose of the new agreement is to promote and south-east to the coast) together with the upper regulated waterpossible to release water in advance of a major inflow The Basin Salinity Management Strategy coordinate effective planning and management for of the Murray and Murrumbidgee systems to produce hydro-to cut the height of the peak downstream. the equitable, efficient and sustainable use of the electricity and boost irrigation water in the Murray and (BSMS) that was released in 2001, guides water, land and other environmental resources of the Murrumbidgee Valleys. The Snowy-Murray part of the SchemeDuring floods, the weirs from Euston to Blanchetown are communities and governments across the Murray-Darling Basin provides, on average, about 9% of the flows of the Murray dismantled to minimise obstruction to flow. At Mildura, Basin in how to work together to control system. However, in dry times its contribution can be as highthe steel trestles, which support the timber dropbars salinity and protect key natural resource To improve the way in which the Commission as 33% and therefore very important. Recently, governmentswhich form the water retaining membrane during values within their catchments. Pumping water and disposing it to evaporation basins at the Waikerie Salt Interception Scheme in managed and operated the River Murray, River have agreed to fund water savings programs to restore somenormal operation, are stripped and then completely South Australia keeps 80 tonnes of salt a day out of the River Murray. It establishes targets for the river salinity of Murray Water was established in 1998 as an removed from the river. At the other weirs, concrete Grape stacking on drying racks for sultanas and each tributary valley and the Murray- internal business unit of the Commission. stoplogs and the navigable pass sections are removed. raisins near Mildura. They are put back as the flood recedes. John Baker © Peter Solness/Network Photographers Michael Bell Murray Mouth at Goolwa SA Weir and Lock No. 2 Waikerie Construction completed in 1928