Restoring and Protecting the Lower Murray-Darling 2017–18 Snapshot

noted otherwise. noted All imagesby Commonwealth Environmental Water Officeunless Coorongof the Back cover: Pelicans take edge abreak onthe down Great the Darling Anabranch in2017 Cover: makingitsway Environmental water starts Darling Anabranch in2017 Above: Thelower reaches Great ofthe respects their continued connection their cultures and to their elders both to elders cultures and their their The Commonwealth EnvironmentalThe We respects to our pay and them Australia’s traditional owners and to water, community. and land Water acknowledges Holder past and present. and past

WAT412.0617 Commonwealth Environmental Water Office MURRAY-DARLING MURRAY-DARLING RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE THE PROTECTING AND RESTORING 2017–18 SNAPSHOT LOWER LOWER

Summary of longer term outcomes Maintain the current waterbird species We use environmental under the Basin-wide Environmental diversity and increase their populations water to improve the Watering Strategy by supporting breeding opportunities. Maintain current populations of Maintain base river flows and increase the health of our rivers, migratory shorebirds at the Coorong. number of bank-full and ‘fresh’ events. A floodplains and fresh event is an increase in a river’s water Create the right conditions to improve wetlands levels beyond the base flow. It does not fill native fish health, spawning and the river or go over the bank. movement, with the aim of increasing the overall fish populations. Throughout the Murray–Darling Basin, we deliver Improve overall flows in the River Murray Maintain estuarine fish in the Coorong, water to important locations to support the health by 30 per cent and to the Murray Mouth of waterways and the many unique native by 30–40 per cent. including by increasing mulloway spawning and overall populations and animals, plants, birds and fish that depend on Maintain levels in the Lower Lakes expanding the range of black bream them to survive and thrive. above 0.40 m. and greenback flounder. The Lower Murray–Darling region contains diverse Provide freshwater flows greater than and rich natural environments that supply water 2000 GL per year into the Coorong (on a for domestic and extensive agricultural use. Its three-year rolling average). waterways are central to the cultural values and practices of Aboriginal traditional owners, and Maintain the current area of river red gum support tourism and recreational activities. and black box forests and woodlands, improve their condition and increase the The Lower Murray–Darling’s rivers, floodplains, survival rate of young trees. swamps and wetlands provide habitat for threatened animals including the regent parrot, Maintain the area and improve the Australasian bittern, Murray cod, Murray condition of lignum communities, hardyhead, silver perch, southern bell frog and particularly in the Lower Darling and in the Murray River tortoise. The region also features River Murray from its junction with the internationally significant wetlands, including the Wakool River to downstream of Lock 3, Coorong and lakes Alexandrina and Albert, the including Chowilla and Hattah Lakes. Riverland complex, Banrock Station and Hattah–Kulkyne Lakes. Maintain the area of native plants on the banks and in stream, particularly in or near The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office the River Murray, the Lower Darling River works in partnership with state government and the Great Darling Anabranch. agencies and local organisations to plan and manage flows for the environment. We are Maintain an adequate population of working to achieve environmental outcomes as Ruppia tuberosa in the south lagoon of outlined in the Basin-wide Environmental Watering the Coorong. Strategy and the Murray–Darling Basin Plan.

Emus bathing in the Coorong large Murray cod spawning event and help Depending on river operating rules, flow Water for the Lower young golden perch travel from nursery constraints and climatic conditions, the habitats in the lakes to the River Murray.On the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Murray–Darling downside, the natural floods caused a large can decide to: hypoxic blackwater event that killed many fish. environment to date ■ use water to meet identified environmental The high natural flows and additional demands The environmental need for water is a environmental flows during 2016–17 improved ■ hold on to the water and carry it over for reflection of the health of rivers, wetlands and water quality and water levels in the Coorong, use in the next water year (‘carryover’) floodplains, and the plants and animals they benefiting native fish. However, the southern support. Ecological health is influenced by Coorong still showed limited recovery. ■ trade (buy or sell water) for equal or flows and conditions in the past. In some cases There was increased coverage and flowering greater environmental benefits. this can date back many years—parts of the of ruppia in 2016–17, but the growth of algal Lower- Murray Darling environment are still mats hampered the setting of seeds. showing the effects of the millennium drought. Key needs for 2017–18 include supporting the Between 2010 and 2012 natural flows and recovery of native fish populations (including targeted environmental water delivery resulted providing habitat and food for fish from the in improvements in the condition of many Lower Darling), consolidating the growth of wetlands in the Lower Murray–Darling and native plants after the flood and continuing started the recovery from the flows into the Coorong to restore its millennium drought. In drier conditions from unique habitat. 2013 to 2016, some floodplain and wetland sites entered a natural drying phase, and the scale of river flows reduced. The Lower Darling Supplying water for the River and Great Darling Anabranch environment experienced minimal or no flows from 2014 to mid-2016. In the Lower Murray there was negligible spawning of golden perch, probably The water acquired by the Australian because of the low flows. The low flows also Government through investment in more led to increases in salinity in the Coorong, efficient irrigation infrastructure and other which had detrimental impacts on native fish measures enables the Commonwealth and plants, including ruppia. Environmental Water Holder to provide river flows needed to restore and protect the natural Heavy rainfall across the southern system throughout the Basin. Murray– Darling Basin in the latter half of 2016 resulted in large volumes of water flowing We often use this water to supplement natural through the Lower Murray, wetting many of the floods and environmental water provided by adjacent wetlands and woodlands higher up the New South Wales Office of Environment and on the floodplain. There were mixed results for Heritage, the Victorian Environmental Water native fish in 2016–17. Natural flows into Holder, the South Australian Department of Menindee Lakes provided an opportunity for Environment, Water and Natural Resources, environmental watering of the Lower Darling The Living Murray program and the River Murray and the Great Darling Anabranch to support a Increased Flows program. Birds welcome additional flows in 2017 ■ the Nature Foundation South Australia community groups, including Aboriginal Our partners traditional owners, have the opportunity to ■ Banrock Station help shape the regional planning and ■ Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority management of our delivery of water for the The best approaches to managing ■ Renmark Irrigation Trust environment over the long term. water for the environment involve Please contact your local engagement officer local knowledge and the ■ the Murray Darling Wetlands Working Group Ltd to learn more about our work or offer latest science. suggestions for the use of environmental water. ■ the Tar-Ru Lands Board of Management Commonwealth environmental watering is ■ local councils and planning groups planned, delivered and managed in Local engagement officer—Berri, SA partnership with individuals and groups in the ■ private landholders M: 0437 064 664 Lower Murray–Darling region. Partners include: E: [email protected] ■ the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. ■ the New South Wales Office of Environment Local engagement officer—Mildura, The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and Heritage (including the National Parks Victoria P: 03 5051 4372, M: 0437 218 649, regularly attends community forums, events and and Wildlife Service) E: [email protected] committees in the catchments. We continue to ■ the New South Wales Department forge local partnerships to ensure that of Primary Industries ■ WaterNSW ■ Lower Murray Water ■ Murray Local Land Services ■ Western Local Land Services ■ the Victorian Environmental Water Holder ■ Goulburn–Murray Water ■ the Mallee Catchment Management Authority ■ the South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources ■ the South Australian Murray–Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board ■ the South Australian Research and Development Institute ■ SA Water

Environment water provided flow in the Lower Darling River

LOWER MURRAY-DARLING RIVER REGION Commonwealth Environmental Water Office

The Lower Murray–Darling Water from Menindee Lakes is used to manage the focus will be on in-stream watering—such as Water is also being used to top up Hattah Lakes and augment supplies to the Lower Murray varying flows and connecting with low-lying to support black box trees higher on the region is made up of the River system. End-of-river flows are captured in Lake creeks and wetlands—to support the health and floodplain, which are in poor condition. Murray downstream of Alexandrina and Lake Albert and released into movement of fish and the growth of riverbank Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth: the Coorong and through the Murray Mouth via and in-stream plants. Under low-flow conditions, the aim will be to 3,274 GL of Commonwealth environmental Lock 15, near Euston, to the the barrages. Along the length of the River If conditions are wetter, flows may target maintain minimum flows through the barrages to water has been used in the Murray and Lower Murray, water is also pumped directly from the Murray Mouth in South low-lying wetlands and floodplains the Coorong throughout the year. In wetter Darling regions between 2008–09 and 2016–17 river or diverted through small weirs to secure (within constraints to avoid impacts on others), conditions, we may provide additional water 3,274 delivered in conjunction with return ﬂows from Australia, the Darling River water for individual properties. to support floodplain plants, fish breeding and over spring and summer to increase flows to the GL watering events in Victorian tributaries. below Menindee Lakes and waterbird breeding. Coorong to improve water quality and 421 GL water levels. Where possible, the environmental Responding to Flows moving through the system will be of Commonwealth the Great Darling Anabranch. water will come from flows that have returned to available to use for other seasonally appropriate environmental water was environmental the river from upstream actions. In this way, activities, such as delivery to off-channel delivered to the Lower Approximately 320 GL is water will achieve multiple environmental In its lower catchment, the River Murray flows wetland sites. Murray-Darling region being carried over from demands in 2017–18 outcomes as it travels down the river. in 2016–17 through semi-arid mallee country, where the 2016–17 for use in the Floodplain and wetlands from Euston to the (plus 264 GL of return 320 only substantial water source is the river itself. Lower Darling River and Great Darling 2017–18 water year in the The following plans for 2017–18 are based on Lower Lakes: There is moderate demand to ﬂows from upstream GL Large floodplains have developed along the Anabranch: There is high demand for water in watering events.) southern-connected Basin. careful consideration of the urgency of water provide flows to low-lying wetlands and river’s path. The Murray flows into Lake the Lower Darling River to support native fish needs from year to year and over multiple years, anabranches, which are still recovering from the Alexandrina and Lake Albert, then into the populations, including young Murray cod and what we believe can be achieved, millennium drought. These flows will continue to spawned in 2016. It may be difficult to meet this ML = megalitre = 1 million litres GL = gigalitre = 1000 megalitres extensive Coorong lagoon system before support the recovery of native plant, bird, fish depending on water availability. need if conditions are dry. If water availability flowing out to the Southern Ocean through and frog communities. Water may be provided River Murray channel: We are planning to improves, environmental watering to manage the Murray Mouth. to support weir pool manipulation—raising or deliver water from Hume Dam to provide water quality and provide fish habitat will be a The water resources of the River Murray are lowering weir pools, which can benefit fringing whole-of-system flows. As in previous years, high priority. regulated from its source to the ocean, to plants and sites that are not normally connected water releases will be guided by rainfall and provide water for hydro-electric power to the river. This will also transport nutrients and Following the positive outcomes from flows in other natural triggers. generation, urban centres, irrigated organic matter to the river channel. early 2017, there is lower demand for water in agriculture and the environment. The whole-of-system flows will be scalable so Overbank flows to support the ongoing recovery the anabranch. It is unlikely to be watered in Lake Victoria is the major water storage in the that our water delivery is responsive to seasonal of floodplain and wetland plants may be in 2017–18 unless there are high inflows from the Lower Murray–Darling region, supplying and operational conditions. This means that if scope, depending on seasonal conditions. Barwon–Darling River. regulated flows to South Australia. conditions are dry and the triggers are small, For more information on our planning process, see the 2017–18 Portfolio Management Plan for the Lower Murray–Darling region at www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo Lower Murray–Darling region !

Lookout across the Coorong Darling Anabranch in early 2017

Outcomes snapshot River Internationally Significant Wetlands (Ramsar Wetlands) Scientific monitoring shows that water delivered to the Lower Murray–Darling is Because of the low flows in 2015–16, there was little spawning of golden Protected area providing habitat and breeding opportunities for many of the region’s unique and silver perch in the Lower Murray. Compared to the previous year Irrigation area native plants and animals. (2014–15), the numbers and diversity of small-bodied fish remained high, Tandure Lake Lake Menindee Full monitoring reports are available on our website: www.environment.gov.au/ but there was an increase in numbers of exotic goldfish and Lake Cawndilla water/cewo/catchment/lower-murray-darling/monitoring common carp.

Lake Tandou

r For the second consecutive year, small Murray cod were found in the

e v i 2016–17 Lower Murray, indicating successful recruitment. The conditions that

n i supported this recruitment remain unclear. Recruitment means the

l r Preliminary results from monitoring in the Lower Darling River a survival of a species through all life stages and into the next generation. D and Great Darling Anabranch are: Maintaining the integrity (the physical, chemical and biological aspects) Delivery of water supported large numbers of Murray cod larvae of flow from upstream to the lower River Murray is critical to supporting spawned in the Lower Darling River in 2016–17. The abundance of larvae native fish and other animals living in the river, lakes and Coorong. Great Darling Anabranch suggests that it was one of the largest spawning events in this system in 20 years. Monitoring by our partners in South Australian wetlands over the past five years found that: Riverland ! Large numbers of golden perch were detected in both the Darling River Lock No. 3 The populations of the endangered Murray hardyhead improved at Berri ! Lock Lock M and the Great Darling Anabranch. These fish are dispersing throughout Banrock Station No. 5 No. 10 ur ra and Disher Creek sites following several years of Commonwealth Wetland Complex Lock y the river system. No. 4 R i environmental watering. In early 2015 a sub-population was moved to v e r 2014–16 Brickworks Billabong in Victoria, a site also being rehabilitated with Hattah-Kulkyne! ! !! ! Lakes !! Commonwealth environmental water. There has since been evidence of ! ! !! ! y ra Our long-term monitoring program in the Lower Murray found that: those fish reproducing at the new site. u r

M r

e v

i Environmental water reduced salinity levels in the Lower Murray channel, Across all sites, river red gum, black box and lignum increased in crown R Murray-Darling Basin Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth. It also transported nutrients extent and density, tip growth and flowering.

! Brisbane The Coorong, and ! ! through the river system and, in doing so, may have provided ‘food’ for Lakes Alexandrina ! Seven frog species, including the vulnerable southern bell frog, and Albert Wetland ! aquatic plants and animals. Commonwealth environmental water ! ! ! were found at several sites. ! ! ! ! ! ! provided 100 per cent of flows into the Coorong from November 2014 to ! ! ! ! ! ! A variety of waterbird species, including threatened and endangered ! ! June 2015 and again from September 2015 to June 2016. ! ! ! species, were recorded at watering sites. This indicates that the sites ! Sydney Raising weir pools in the Lower Murray improved connections between Adelaide ! ! provided diverse habitat and food types. ! Canberra the floodplain and the river. In low-flow years, changes in weir pool ! levels, along with environmental watering, can provide benefits such as ! 0 65 130km ! ! Melbourne the exchange of organic matter and nutrients between the river and floodplain and the wetting of fringing plants.