׉?4ׁB!3בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://-8uT6sN7pVsS9BDWZxyt8EFKgj9_sFaDgErODsL981c`׉ 7cassandra://KMx_AsXOCP4g1zd9S3vPfXa9j9tTVrugjd-vQps9bFkͤ`׉ 7cassandra://xHLapLdPBaiQ5oFYwtrepQzTWj7zoJJLiqR38bqcmUQ6`׉ 7cassandra://qFEME0mEhLn8ArEszoVF9VR8aUrI0gPX1sdtazG2wJs& r͠ZrS_}טu׈׈EZrS_}׉EUVictorian Environmental Water Holder Water for the Environment in Victoria 2016–17 ׉ 7cassandra://xHLapLdPBaiQ5oFYwtrepQzTWj7zoJJLiqR38bqcmUQ6`ZrS_}ZrS_}בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://oal19d1xDpK5UElNzT_0o6V_GlCKPh17vgLajpbAgi0`׉ 7cassandra://cYc2wiUjav4Sa2Y5V0zE0D_zTt5R9hhUKqGc2hV1A-c];`׉ 7cassandra://GuihJxcILlOTq3HLaNai35XroP5FHYI4NkOh1bmaHbA`׉ 7cassandra://VngcY_5hHHLZWTyh4FIg3ONxKX5jMNFAed21lpbUQNM͍c͠ZrS_~1טu׉׉ 7cassandra://bbz5LponwDhDSvLOANYovorpa0TovAQZZ8pyd0U0FOQ^I`׉ 7cassandra://hD1VU2Pq5S1-GhNV-YavLGkMeGuMesQokcvcNJFzwKo\`׉ 7cassandra://lBe8nn36VOKxK1asmDcV7W7z91CoyGBsjIavXfHCtkE"`׉ 7cassandra://Leqv60o6-j8-h2DKqgGcGRNunwTyzDSdI4okzq_rTiU͠ZrS_~2AנZrS_}gށt9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}ށ9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}gt9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}gt9׉S G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}9׉S G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}g0k9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}09׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}gGk9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}G9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}g\k9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}\9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}grk9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}r9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}gk9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_}9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gk9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gk9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gԁk9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~ԁ9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gk9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gk9׉S!G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~ 9׉S!G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~ gk9׉S"G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~ 9׉S"G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~ g+k9׉S#G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~ +9׉S#G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~g@k9׉S%G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~@9׉S%G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gVk9׉S'G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~V9׉S'G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gkk9׉S)G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~k9׉S)G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gk9׉S-G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~9׉S-G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gk9׉S/G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~9׉S/G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gk9׉S1G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~9׉S1G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~gρ9׉S3G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~g9׉S5G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~g9׉S7G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~g9׉S9G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~؁9׉S=G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~9׉S?G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~ 9׉SAG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~!9׉SBG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~".9׉SCG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~#D9׉SEG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~$Y9׉SGG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~%n9׉SIG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~&9׉SKG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~'9׉SMG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~(m9׉SNG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~)Ám9׉SOG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~*؁m9׉SPG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~+m9׉SQG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~,9׉SSG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~-9׉SVG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~.C9׉SYG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~/]|9׉S[G ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~0 ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Why do we water when it’s wet? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Gippsland Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Latrobe system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Thomson system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Macalister system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Snowy system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Bumper year for Tupong in Southern Victoria . . . . . . . 23 Shared community benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Central Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Yarra system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Tarago system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Maribyrnong system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Werribee system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Moorabool system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Lower Barwon wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Watering for Melbourne’s environment . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Shared community benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Western Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Glenelg system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Wimmera system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Wimmera–Mallee wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Yarns on the western rivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Shared community benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Northern Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Goulburn system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Broken system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Goulburn Broken wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Campaspe system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Central Murray wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Lower Murray wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Loddon system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Ovens system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Living Murray icon sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Hattah Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Lindsay, Mulcra and Wallpolla islands . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Gunbower forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Barmah Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Rivers without borders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Shared community benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Summary of environmental water delivery 2016–17 89 ׉ 7cassandra://GuihJxcILlOTq3HLaNai35XroP5FHYI4NkOh1bmaHbA`ZrS_~3׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Victorian Murray System Wimmera-Mallee Wetlands System Broken System Wimmera System Loddon System Campaspe System Goulburn System Werribee System Glenelg System Moorabool System Barwon System Tarago System Yarra System Thomson, Macalister & Latrobe Systems Gippsland Region Central Region Western Region Northern Region The Living Murray icon sites Ovens System Snowy Systems ׉ 7cassandra://lBe8nn36VOKxK1asmDcV7W7z91CoyGBsjIavXfHCtkE"`ZrS_~4ZrS_~3בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://KH88OdLnPzWcVwDdMUObplsG0yC2B7QchIFkQkIs_Lk`׉ 7cassandra://Y5sMDIVhTSjjZyg1PqszkQL1OpRQ5W7PSrWgRE6lpJENK`׉ 7cassandra://z-Df_zEw0CuSe8KMRZOuFUNokHoYe1L2cP2iWqwOO-sM`׉ 7cassandra://B706hp7JfzELeNRjHyGD4DeBNN4jdsE5-Lk5Xd45Jts̉͠ZrS_~8טu׉׉ 7cassandra://Ev1oni2mE4G-Ml2-IUXXkGVRC39v5DBdgnmTcgxAK84`׉ 7cassandra://0546pUuDBksvKvOiicgQw5kyWLsy3zaXiIl9t8XGfesw`׉ 7cassandra://pr628u5I7Y_ATU246PdqqmjubJZnJzm6UwUjVeHf-wY"b`׉ 7cassandra://YfRuF9zsQqLLEMgu_ZFtpNRKtZCQ-Uy3Jw4P3-iMaR4|.͠ZrS_~9נZrS_~5( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~6 ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~7( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E=<< BACK TO CONTENTS 1 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://z-Df_zEw0CuSe8KMRZOuFUNokHoYe1L2cP2iWqwOO-sM`ZrS_~:׉E Q<< BACK TO CONTENTS Despite meteorologists predicting that 2016–17 might see a repeat of the prolonged dry conditions of the previous year, the heavens opened across the state, bringing flooding across western and northern Victoria. 2016 was Victoria’s wettest year since the flood year of 2011, with rainfall 19 percent above average. We experienced our wettest September on record, with the Glenelg, Wimmera and Loddon rivers experiencing major flooding. Later, most of December’s rain fell in one day —29 December 2016 — which delivered the highest summer rainfall on record and triggered flash flooding in several places across the state. While Victorian communities struggled with the floods, a great deal of water that was planned to be released for the environment in spring and summer was not delivered, either to reduce the flood risk or because it was not needed as sites had been watered naturally. Sometimes, river and wetland managers were able to make the most of the wet weather and add water to natural flows, creating the deep, long drinks that some of our wetlands and waterways need every few years. These soakings replenished trees (such as red gum and black box), rejuvenated floodplain lands and returned food and nutrients to the river for fish and other water animals like platypus and turtles. We know our climate varies naturally over seasonal, annual and longer cycles. The effect of climate change is now magnifying this variability, increasing the frequency of extreme weather — flood and drought — and with it the degree of uncertainty facing Victorian communities. The increasing variability of our weather means that those of us who manage water for Victoria’s environment must continue to plan ahead each year for all climate scenarios — from drought through to very wet — to provide the best-possible waterway environments for Victorian communities. The stories in Reflections this year show the many benefits of water for the environment. There are stories of fish species returning to rivers in which they were previously extinct, birds flocking to watered wetlands, trees thriving, river banks stabilising and the landscape coming to life. Waterways are being restored in the heart of Victorian communities, delighting anglers, kayakers, birdwatchers and even remote-control boaters! Some of these Victorians tell their stories in the following pages, reminding us that water for the environment is ultimately water for everyone. Denis Flett Chairperson A plains tree frog at Kialla, by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 2 ׉ 7cassandra://pr628u5I7Y_ATU246PdqqmjubJZnJzm6UwUjVeHf-wY"b`ZrS_~;ZrS_~:בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://hWLjdtxMdS2Zd4IeVm6CPe225Bc_9q4Jw-jljQG1bIUV`׉ 7cassandra://xOGzuDEZ94LxiDVqNPx5prjZ0VPr_0HhNsMSmwSfXUk͟`׉ 7cassandra://g_9YCrIHMsSgBTdzszsyrJLwcv2tNjAEEYDm0X-v3mg5}`׉ 7cassandra://jYLQrgk7ntvblH9ydgT_ImJJ5jCoQni-uDMKjPZTcE4#͠ZrS_~?טu׉׉ 7cassandra://ERvl8LeLnuETpF5COnp8Pxq-q1kVasWNOqI7Ev1MktET`׉ 7cassandra://TaEXfiSHG8vGVk2y6oDyY7yjhoteQQuundT6YZD0yQUh`׉ 7cassandra://YWqtWrG7uFIdzI-tJkcfxntaLwBBdKAY_YukmsSjILUi`׉ 7cassandra://O5IJ3k1K7ImzHNPQYxuQ5ExEjxOC3VBTLqU8_1niXXÁ&j͠ZrS_~@נZrS_~<( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~= ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~>( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E=<< BACK TO CONTENTS 3 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://g_9YCrIHMsSgBTdzszsyrJLwcv2tNjAEEYDm0X-v3mg5}`ZrS_~A׉E << BACK TO CONTENTS As Victoria’s population has grown, many rivers and wetlands have continued to be modified to provide water for communities to grow and thrive. In some rivers, up to half of the water that would have naturally flowed in them is removed each year to provide water for farms, homes and industry. As a result, these waterways cannot function as they would naturally and we must actively manage how water flows through them. These managed flows are called ‘water for the environment’. Water for the environment is set aside in storages and released into rivers, wetlands and floodplains to support them, the plants that grow in them and the native animals that live, feed and breed in them. By improving the health of these waterways, water for the environment also provides benefits to communities. Healthy waterways sustain people by supplying water for towns, farms and businesses. They contribute to local agriculture, fishing, real estate, recreation and tourism activity. They make cities and towns more liveable and support the physical and mental wellbeing of communities. They provide places for people to play, relax and connect with nature, and are important to Aboriginal communities who have a continuing connection to Country. Rivers, wetlands and floodplains cannot provide these benefits unless their health is protected and maintained. About the Victorian Environmental Water Holder The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) is an independent body, established by the Victorian Government in 2011, responsible for managing Victoria’s water for the environment. Set up under the Water Act 1989, the VEWH manages environmental water entitlements — the legal right to access a share of water available at specified locations to improve the environmental values and health of Victoria’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains, and the plants and animals that rely on them. The role of the VEWH is to: • make decisions about the most effective use of the environmental water entitlements, including whether to use carryover or trade • commit water and authorise waterway managers to implement watering decisions • work with storage managers and other water holders to coordinate and maximise environmental outcomes from the delivery of all water • commission projects to demonstrate the ecological outcomes of environmental watering at key sites and to help improve environmental water management • publicly communicate environmental watering decisions and outcomes. The VEWH works with local waterway managers to ensure water for the environment achieves the best environmental outcomes. A turtle at Gunbower Forest, by Hugh McGregor Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 4 ׉ 7cassandra://YWqtWrG7uFIdzI-tJkcfxntaLwBBdKAY_YukmsSjILUi`ZrS_~BZrS_~AבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://pZt6brHTLwbW5CTvfqtKnTCxtVrCTwFqFqz2W9HbGJc`׉ 7cassandra://C18L0EtiRfuFA4817S7aOw0u-QG_QQyhZevQJG1KzMkx`׉ 7cassandra://qFxavbJ7X_u9TZPeJ2b4Lb4qeg7ie6KgkvlvGGXVpL8#`׉ 7cassandra://6wFm8W2GyecuEuOOnKz-xB3E-YkU2wC-qXmI1VbRAJo>͠ZuS_~Fטu׉׉ 7cassandra://Q8vRx8MAeSF9mMzK6tZREQS-ZvwpF-l6U9vsi2QrRJw?l`׉ 7cassandra://97yzf3FJc9m8fCMMNJC8oI4PA9ORfINJp7aMS3pQyR0ͅ-`׉ 7cassandra://0jXEaPFnk1uTrnTVyobAqwC-8QnBdEBnWEBJkKSl2Ls%`׉ 7cassandra://alLWf_HqGsN654RualyN-lD32ku9ql3A0tY8ZjsMGrQ%̈͠ZuS_~GנZrS_~C( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~D ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZrS_~E( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E Introduction << BACK TO CONTENTS How does water for the environment work? Water for the environment is released into rivers to mimic some of the flows that would have occurred naturally before the construction of dams, weirs and channels. This is vital to maintain the physical, chemical and biological health of rivers. Environmental water managers generally prioritise returning some of the small and medium sized river flows that are essential in the life cycles of native plants and animals. These flows can move sediment and nutrients through river systems, connect habitats and improve water quality. The timing, duration and volume of water for the environment is designed to support the plants and animals that rely on it. For example, fish such as Australian grayling rely on an increased river flow in autumn as it signals them to migrate downstream for spawning — when fish release eggs. Many wetlands are now either disconnected from the rivers that used to naturally fill them or are permanently connected to rivers or channels. This means that some wetlands do not get enough water, and others get too much. In wetlands, environmental water managers aim to mimic the natural wetland wetting and drying cycles on which many plants and animals depend for their diversity and long-term resilience. For example, where wetlands and floodplains have been cut off from natural river flows, water for the environment can be used to reconnect these areas, sometimes via irrigation infrastructure (such as pumps, channels and regulators). Before and after the development of dams, weirs and channels Rivers and wetlands provide water and land that is important to farms, towns, and industry. As a result, many of Victoria’s rivers and wetlands have been highly modified. For example, instead of water flowing across the landscape naturally, water is captured in storages by dams and weirs, diverted via pipelines, levees and constructed channels and used for towns, cities, industry and farming. Some of our rivers give up more than a third, and sometimes half, of their water for farms, homes, and businesses. Instead of flowing naturally, with high flows in winter and low flows in the hotter summer months, many rivers now run higher when water needs to be delivered for farming and urban use. These changes have affected water quality and interrupted many of the natural river and wetland processes native plants and animals need to survive, feed and breed. 5 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://qFxavbJ7X_u9TZPeJ2b4Lb4qeg7ie6KgkvlvGGXVpL8#`ZuS_~H׉E :<< BACK TO CONTENTS Carryover and trade The VEWH uses carryover (saved, unused, allocated water to use the following season) and water trade (buying, selling or exchanging water) to enable water for the environment to be used when and where it is most needed. The success of environmental watering in a waterway relies on the timing, magnitude and frequency of flow – just as agriculture requires water to be applied at the right time and in the right amount. For benefits to occur – such as triggering fish to move to feed and breed – water must be released at a particular time, in a certain amount, for an adequate number of days. Carryover is an essential tool to maximise the outcomes of water for the environment. Carryover rules allow for the flexible management of water between seasons. Irrigators and environmental water holders rely on carryover to manage differences between water supply and demand in wet years versus dry years. At the end of 2016–17, there were 336,230 megalitres carried over for potential use in 2017–18, subject to carryover rules and conditions (for example, evaporation and potential loss to storage spills) for winter and spring environmental watering actions. In 2016–17, the VEWH used water trades to effectively and efficiently manage its environmental water portfolio. Left to right: Birdwatchers at Lake Powell, by Mallee CMA; A pelican and its reflection on the river, by Emma Coats For example: • in the Central region, Melbourne Water and the VEWH jointly funded the purchase of 304 megalitres to allow the Maribyrnong system to receive water for the environment • in the Northern region, the VEWH sold 20,000 megalitres of water in the Murray and Goulburn systems • in the Western region, the VEWH purchased 5,000 megalitres in the Wimmera–Glenelg water supply system. Water donations In 2016–17, there were no donations of water into the VEWH accounts. Partnerships The efficient and effective delivery of the water for the environment program requires the VEWH to work closely with our program partners. Waterway managers — Victoria’s catchment management authorities (CMAs) and Melbourne Water — and storage managers are central to the local planning and implementation of environmental watering. The VEWH also works with other water holders including the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) (through The Living Murray program) to negotiate and coordinate the use of water for the environment in Victorian waterways. Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 6 ׉ 7cassandra://0jXEaPFnk1uTrnTVyobAqwC-8QnBdEBnWEBJkKSl2Ls%`ZuS_~IZuS_~HבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://pcFwWI5v1-F4F5oAWCpcgq1AWshGDerE9ZO3PAeUWloF`׉ 7cassandra://j6F7X6NkqzlRIjrghIo-fAiwVW__DH2GZN4V_3kGoiQ̓~`׉ 7cassandra://aAfY8CeFkWdh69duIU--JBANxG93jYkwg-k94A6tkes'`׉ 7cassandra://nwsOmW3mxSYMSu7GRdyXCeL0athy1tmdHpTNnzJK0aYͣ82͠ZuS_~Lטu׉׉ 7cassandra://_kmAk5iLDHfxB9ziwQt5WUxKRO7LhcAkJ25Vria6ILg`׉ 7cassandra://tD2QFFJNOiy7L52dBjee6oIOOsZFZPGaB0LWVKFh7bo͸L`׉ 7cassandra://kDrBRIMGPYPq5A46nJ2MeknVsO4_sPv_VqPhicMZxyM7`׉ 7cassandra://lF910ErA2YqoVBqqKGDvntMRR6okV7lH4D2LfctbgXEP͠ZuS_~MנZuS_~J( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~K( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E XIntroduction << BACK TO CONTENTS Funding research and river improvements In 2016–17, the VEWH coordinated the delivery of water for the environment to 76 river reaches and 51 wetlands, totalling 127 sites. We use scientific and community knowledge about rivers and wetlands to measure our success and improve the use of the water. The VEWH also funds monitoring and technical investigations (for example, research to better understand hydrology) and community engagement and infrastructure projects (such as projects to meter water) across Victoria. In 2016–17, the VEWH funded CMAs to monitor native fish, vegetation and water quality. A monitoring project to study native fish at Cardross Lakes, Brickworks Billabong and Lake Koorlong provided a better understanding of the ecology, habitat and status of the Murray hardyhead, one of the most threatened vertebrate species in Australia. Knowledge from the project will inform the environmental watering program, so we can improve the recovery of this threatened fish species. Shared community benefits Water for the environment provides shared benefits to the community: that is, additional Aboriginal cultural, social, economic and recreational benefits. Water for the environment is for everyone. It provides benefits including fishing, birdwatching, kayaking, bushwalking, cycling, camping, yabbying, swimming and picnicking. These activities are all enjoyed on or around Victoria’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains. The beauty of the waterways brings a sense of joy to the community. In a recent survey, 90 percent of Victorians said they visited waterways to relax, rest and enjoy the scenery1 . Healthy rivers help sustain recreational fishing in Victoria. Of the top 50 Victorian recreational fishing river reaches, 28 can receive water for the environment. River tour operators and canoe clubs have been enjoying healthier rivers, getting out on environmental flows and benefiting from an interest in paddling on waterways. The case studies about shared community benefits throughout this report show how Victorians are enjoying their rivers and wetlands, which are being kept healthy by the water for the environment program. The VEWH has overseen delivery of about 4,924,000 ML of water for the environment since July 2011. This is equivalent to nearly 10 times the volume of water in Sydney Harbour . Water for the environment has been delivered to 197 river reaches and wetlands in Victoria since July 2011, including an average of 65 river reaches each year, far exceeding Victoria’s goal of 39 . In 2016–17, The total volume of environmental water deliveries in Victoria increased from 22,555 ML in 2007–08 to 544,526 ML in the VEWH’s first year, hitting a peak of 1,167,830 ML in 2013–14 . Of the top 50 98% of identified potential watering actions were fully or partially achieved. This was achieved Victorian recreational fishing river reaches, 28 can receive environmental water . Twenty-seven (96%) of these reaches have received environmental water since July 2011 . 7 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder through a combination of naturally wet conditions and managed environmental flows and is the highest proportion of actions achieved in any year since the VEWH started . 1 A report on research to explore Victorians’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards, environmental water, ORIMA Research, on behalf of the VEWH, 2017. ׉ 7cassandra://aAfY8CeFkWdh69duIU--JBANxG93jYkwg-k94A6tkes'`ZuS_~N׉E|Upper Latrobe River, by Rachael Millar, West Gippsland CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 8 ׉ 7cassandra://kDrBRIMGPYPq5A46nJ2MeknVsO4_sPv_VqPhicMZxyM7`ZuS_~OZuS_~NבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://8yApgh3tfpj0g6WkzMTAGCm1mSuqZxoS-XjIDCLtd_If `׉ 7cassandra://A6C8ouU3jIrWodplYki_LxXRstgBWAxZHxtoONf0GXAuH`׉ 7cassandra://jcX7NillhHY2eRpixHpcONSRwc3FsX47yNMay2Ku76E">`׉ 7cassandra://FpHguNvdYkyRmb8OVM1yTN51H7wDc1DezS-8-TKUhP0͙{͠ZuS_~Sטu׉׉ 7cassandra://fjiqLgfPbbGrzjewFqUOVkLhbCSurVsscGG_QJ6Ho68[`׉ 7cassandra://CWkAQvHAwEbDqMlb5iULggyLwXrVRgWDsIu_AOAfDCkͪ`׉ 7cassandra://QbQlUkqV-3BPhPhsBYeuvqeKHYEKF-NU-z3li88tZhI1`׉ 7cassandra://DDt_Ww0X1OK_12nigF2xQTDYQyAIx9COyer3B86REmQ͠ZuS_~TנZuS_~P( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~Q ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~R( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E Introduction << BACK TO CONTENTS It’s raining, it’s pouring and nature is filling rivers and wetlands during a plentiful wet season. So should we still put water into the environment when nature is delivering it on tap? In drought years, it’s easy to understand the need to deliberately release water into rivers and wetlands for animals, plants and the environment: parched wetlands, drying river beds and stagnant pools are visibly in need of water. But in wet years, it’s not as easy to understand the need for water for the environment: If the river already has water in it, why do we need to send down more? Why do we need water for the environment when it rains? The artificial drought Rain or shine, many of Victoria’s rivers, floodplains and wetlands constantly experience an artificial drought: Victoria’s waterways have continued to be modified as the population has grown, to provide water for food production towns and industry. The water in rivers is now pooled up in water storages and its flow controlled by weirs and other mechanisms. In some rivers, up to half of the water that would have naturally flowed in them is removed each year for farms, homes and businesses. Even in a wet year, most rivers are still in drought compared to their natural condition. The program to deliver water for the environment was established to help ease some of the impacts of this high level of water extraction. Rivers rely on a pattern on flow Rivers are meant to have a seasonal pattern. The volume, timing, speed, duration, frequency, quality and range of river flows are all essential for the ecosystem. Each part of a river’s flow pattern has its own job to do, whether it’s a high flow in spring to prompt fish to move and breed or an overbank flow to give a drink to river red gum and black box forests. Most of the water we usually see travelling down a river is not water for the environment but water released from a water storage for farms, homes and industry. In fact, water specifically managed to help plants and animals makes up less than a quarter of the water released into Victoria’s rivers. Water for the environment breathes life back into our river systems, creating highs and lows where and when they are naturally needed. We use environmental flows to make sure the right amount of water is in the right place at the right time to trigger feeding, breeding, fledging or migration for fish, birds, turtles and other animals, as well as to water trees and other vegetation and refresh the floodplain. Even if it is a wet year, water for the environment might be required to help mimic some of the natural seasonal flow patterns the river landscape and its wildlife need. Even in a wet year, most rivers are still in drought compared to their natural condition. 9 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://jcX7NillhHY2eRpixHpcONSRwc3FsX47yNMay2Ku76E">`ZuS_~U׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS An autumn flow of water for the environment in the Thomson River at Coopers Creek, by West Gippsland CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016-17 | 10 ׉ 7cassandra://QbQlUkqV-3BPhPhsBYeuvqeKHYEKF-NU-z3li88tZhI1`ZuS_~VZuS_~UבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://_69X9ExYi8042ieGjNSysTfM_mAmRp8Ukitp8ZwFxKQ`׉ 7cassandra://Pej-J2d1wemMG9hhBVoBEOhbWU-CVB3aDVfXoYnN-n0of`׉ 7cassandra://4HsI9KRz_Qcwp8IdLnEKz3iQwgMT0mIwpG5Ia1GOBDo a`׉ 7cassandra://mM0B1LXQ9nEs2YXDjx3Mg8px8LxdHuckGECeMEszrdY:N͠ZuS_~Zטu׉׉ 7cassandra://K4SNJ98oFaNBSTXLmGiOwNacMDiZJZn1RZYqHL4QMjsyn`׉ 7cassandra://MiJMAp6RC_dSIp-GPXzByuuf_Dq3Oiqk103W_5u7tBUW`׉ 7cassandra://GZ6f8YpUWJEut9DcSDZ7MfzLTZRVaEE7kcUGJGsE9O8;`׉ 7cassandra://4akrAAztrb1uVqBQdqCHgYJ3vl6vAEd_ijSPC1wj87g*͠ZuS_~[נZuS_~W( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~X ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~Y( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E GIntroduction << BACK TO CONTENTS Rain or shine, many of Victoria’s rivers, floodplains and wetlands constantly experience an artifical drought. Flood water can’t always reach wetlands because of constructed barriers Before European settlement, when rivers flooded, water would flow over river banks and cross the floodplain to soak natural wetlands. Today when floods occur, dams, levee banks, weirs, roads and other structures stop water from reaching some wetlands. This is why today, even when it rains, water still needs to be pumped to these wetlands so that plants and river animals get the drinks they need to thrive. Flood marks on trees in Broken Creek, by Keith Ward Goulburn Broken CMA Watering for a wet 2016–17 Victoria had an extremely wet year in 2016–17. In July 2016, rainfall was 200 percent above the average in the Goulburn, Kiewa and Ovens river catchments, and there was flooding along many River Murray floodplains. We had our wettest September on record, with major flooding of the Glenelg, Wimmera and Loddon rivers. Later, most of December’s rain fell in one day — 29 December — delivering the highest summer rainfall on record and triggering flash flooding of several places across the state. Interestingly, the 2016–17 deluge had not been predicted: meteorologists had forecast that 2016–17 might repeat the prolonged dry conditions of the previous year. Fortunately, waterway managers plan for all weather. ‘‘Weather conditions change and we need to be responsive,” said VEWH Co-Executive Officer Trent Wallis. “We know that our climate varies naturally over seasonal, annual and longer cycles. We also know that climate change is now increasing the frequency of extreme weather — flood and drought — and with it the degree of uncertainty facing Victorian communities. “The unpredictability of our weather means that those of us who manage water for Victoria’s environment have to plan ahead each year for all weather scenarios.” Each year, local waterway managers develop seasonal watering proposals based on scenarios for drought, dry, average and wet-to-very-wet conditions. There is no one-size-fits-all year-toyear, so these scenarios provide options for watering rivers and wetlands, based on the seasonal climate conditions and water availability for the year. 11 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://4HsI9KRz_Qcwp8IdLnEKz3iQwgMT0mIwpG5Ia1GOBDo a`ZuS_~\׉E << BACK TO CONTENTS Trent explained, “In drought, the focus may be on avoiding the loss of species such as fish, platypus or waterbirds. During average and wet-to-very-wet conditions, water for the environment aims to recover and enhance waterways.” This includes: • improving ecological health and resilience • reconnecting rivers to floodplains and wetlands • improving and enhancing opportunities for populations of key animal and plant species to grow and strengthen. “Sometimes, we have to think of environmental flows as preventative medicine,” said Trent. “Watering when it’s wet enables rivers and wetlands and their animal populations to become stronger and more resilient if conditions turn dry again.” Some of the water planned to be released for the environment in 2016–17 was not delivered. For example, when heavy rain hit the west of the state in winter and spring, waterway managers carefully monitored the Wimmera and Glenelg rivers and decided not to release any water from Rocklands Reservoir until late November 2016, when the threat of destructive flooding had subsided. Meanwhile, the Goulburn Broken wetlands did not need any ‘managed’ water for the environment in 2016–17: rain and natural flooding in late winter and early spring filled the wetlands earmarked for a drink. Summer rainfall then kept them wet until early autumn 2017. However, many river and wetland managers were able to make the most of the wet weather and add water for the environment to natural flows, creating the deep, long drinks some of our wetlands and waterways need every few years. These soakings replenished trees (such as red gum and black box), rejuvenated floodplains and returned food and nutrients to the river for fish and other water animals (like platypus and turtles). “As we are learning, it’s hard to predict what weather 2017–18 will bring us,” Trent said. “But without doubt, our waterway environments are in a better condition to deal with whatever is on the horizon, thanks to the soaking we’ve been able to give them this year.” Watering when it’s wet enables rivers and wetlands and their animal populations to become stronger and more resilient if conditions turn dry again. Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016-17 | 12 ׉ 7cassandra://GZ6f8YpUWJEut9DcSDZ7MfzLTZRVaEE7kcUGJGsE9O8;`ZuS_~]ZuS_~\בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://iAQoxRbq38xYhLAAppHrOvEC78a1kfIDevJ1H3Wq50w60`׉ 7cassandra://Tx5N5RRRr7gKdvCHg-ULo3o4sNzSueRzJ1XpNg4KQRk͗\`׉ 7cassandra://CdPFQ3V7QNQv0kAxh1y2fYw_3ojeSy9-7zD8PDOqLUo2`׉ 7cassandra://NDrB1TleD9X3q7laQ5txxjWdlaPEMzVNBzhGhhMlbJoyt͠ZuS_~aטu׉׉ 7cassandra://A9PsP7dZZqESEYwNfxJ9MOTZva6j_A2Ypd9doV3vQgg `׉ 7cassandra://cNxoCnK_BGIHSymzFpGDy_Pckgxf0X32bD56VyMoOyIdg`׉ 7cassandra://GcQ4sjuRsgMQhknlnW11EN-3ids1Ir340hdrprnc5_A!`׉ 7cassandra://D6AQ45kaF60Te1ZOfazjwcP-mWeeWD6lQUnQhbFK3Iw5H͠ZuS_~bנZuS_~^( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~_ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~`( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉EIntroduction << BACK TO CONTENTS Baby birds benefit from watering when it’s wet appreciated the water for the environment that was delivered Waterbirds certainly on the back of the largest flood in Barmah Forest since 1993. This water helped maintain shallow water around the waterbirds’ nests in the wetlands until February, which meant the baby birds could grow their feathers ready for flight. Without water for the environment on the back of the flood, adult ibis and spoonbills would have abandoned their nests in response to the dropping water levels, before their young could fly. For the full story, see page 79. 13 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder A royal spoonbill with its chicks, by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA ׉ 7cassandra://CdPFQ3V7QNQv0kAxh1y2fYw_3ojeSy9-7zD8PDOqLUo2`ZuS_~c׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Figure 1: Examples of environmental watering objectives under different planning scenarios Drought Dry Main objective: PROTECT ` Avoid critical loss ` Maintain key refuges ` Avoid catastrophic events Main objective: MAINTAIN ` Maintain river functioning with reduced reproductive capacity ` Maintain key functions of high priority wetlands ` Manage within dry-spell tolerances Average Main objective: RECOVER ` Improve ecological health and resilience ` Improve recruitment opportunities for key animal and plant species Wet to very wet Main objective: ENHANCE ` Restore key floodplain and wetland linkages ` Enhance recruitment opportunities for key animal and plant species Living with extremes Victoria’s climate has been following a drying and warming trend for several decades, and 15 of the 16 hottest years in Australia have occurred this century. It is now clear that this trend is a result of human-induced climate change, and most climate models forecast that Victoria will become hotter and drier. Modelling now forecasts that streamflows could reduce by around 50 percent in some Victorian catchments by 2065. This has serious consequences for everyone and everything — agriculture, households, industry, recreation, Aboriginal cultural values, liveability, waterway health and native plants and animals. We may still have years when rainfall during the cooler months is higher than average, but these will occur less often. Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016-17 | 14 ׉ 7cassandra://GcQ4sjuRsgMQhknlnW11EN-3ids1Ir340hdrprnc5_A!`ZuS_~dZuS_~cבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://mSc6inA3BZ4yHpXp3encvdwpa2oSOiIa5haaeM-sz3oA`׉ 7cassandra://5H0cuh_LhzRCud3GUShoXj_jrAKfDe88rSW-yErt-JUJ`׉ 7cassandra://GheIk_KQPZqb_KL7KLf8vw81otRjJYoDIL3hMb9SUHY)`׉ 7cassandra://jFqSDpT06rjQuKNqssSWO7CTAHnS4Z02YxzZXnWJc1oͅg͠ZuS_~hטu׉׉ 7cassandra://1CuHwvXObCASK_jL1bciyUT3-3dnCIubDTe5In5HM1I|`׉ 7cassandra://JiIXmjhZ6HOnKIoHrWkv6ogschSLBeQj7x63naf_6k0`׉ 7cassandra://wvkWimp7cA30-sriQx5YbQS4F_waxzG4wKq_HXRLNy0-`׉ 7cassandra://scAObdM2CL7JQURFSn0-PcJrfL-vgvSTY0BK_izbrxsD(͠ZuS_~iנZuS_~e( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~f ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~g( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Environmental flows triggered huge wildlife breeding events in Gippsland. » Water for the environment helped trigger the largest breeding event of black swans in a decade at Sale Common. » A project in the Thomson River tested if endangered Australian grayling would spawn at lower flows. » A wet winter and spring resulted in Lake Glenmaggie spilling from July to November and the first bankfull flows in the Macalister River since 2012, which helped breeding among important native fish species. » Over 130,000 megalitres of water for the environment was delivered to the Snowy River to improve habitat for native plants, waterbirds and aquatic animals. 15 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://GheIk_KQPZqb_KL7KLf8vw81otRjJYoDIL3hMb9SUHY)`ZuS_~j׉Ew<< BACK TO CONTENTS A Tupong, by Glenelg Hopkins CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 16 ׉ 7cassandra://wvkWimp7cA30-sriQx5YbQS4F_waxzG4wKq_HXRLNy0-`ZuS_~kZuS_~jבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://DmGvDSkIYbVsT_gaLya0aP5lc6AYMkLbzIIa9RT5DlcW`׉ 7cassandra://WizZjPu0KDxunDu-o_hzBz6Nw2YSQFg6dzb714r_F18u`׉ 7cassandra://7IeQ4l4lnlmYWfPPyghs9FRj3RVyXFUjajjQSHByzKM" `׉ 7cassandra://mBkm3wWF_F6cwzwrsSCfs1TBlhs-5EcISYJc6Ad51LUͻ ͠ZuS_~oטu׉׉ 7cassandra://k5qB5VN6GhoQogCDQRxwaYz1BTxRF9rko9UpyznIjRk p)`׉ 7cassandra://Zbp7KZn-BxhpGnLzU2PEMfQvH9qEYT0yCUHMK6oT8Z4`׉ 7cassandra://wQ-AQSBoFdZ7dMEqJPZn2VaRc2xTUS8ICetHiEnu6VcJO`׉ 7cassandra://u3CYjiPt8wvsc8gGf1RAKNdJjSZqh5tBJY4Ee3OMvEU]͠ZuS_~pנZuS_~l( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~m ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~n( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E FGippsland region << BACK TO CONTENTS In 2016, majestic black swans at Sale Common had the biggest breeding boom in a decade as water for the environment flowed into reed beds and swamps. Water was provided to the lower Latrobe wetlands of Sale Common and Dowd Morass during 2016–17. These wetlands are a vital part of the internationally recognised Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site and provide habitats for a variety of birds. “Environmental flows in June 2016 slowly filled the Sale Common, providing clear water that prompted good growth of aquatic plants,” said West Gippsland CMA Waterways Project Manager David Stork. “Plant growth was also helped by the low numbers of carp, which were screened from the wetland,” he said. “Then in July, natural flooding filled the wetland with more turbid water and unfortunately lots of carp, but this flow, combined with water previously delivered, triggered the black swan breeding event. This was a spectacle for locals and visitors and great for the environment.” A constant stream of sightseers enjoyed the Sale Common River Heritage and Wetlands Trail, taking in the spectacle of the swans. The 15-kilometre walk provides an immersive experience in the wetlands. The boardwalk winds its way through a variety of habitats, starting from the edge of the swamp, through deeper water, past islands and through a small reed bed, with a bird hide located near the eastern end of the boardwalk. 1 Keeping Sale Common healthy through the water for the environment program benefits everyone. Its environmental values, natural beauty and recreational opportunities are enjoyed by the many visitors to the Common each year. The Heart Morass wetland, also in the lower part of the Latrobe system, is once again brimming with life after a decade of restoration works followed by the delivery of environmental water in early 2016. Last year’s watering helped provide a burst of growth for wetland plants and food for the waterbirds. Waterway manager: West Gippsland CMA Storage manager: Southern Rural Water Site Latrobe River Heart Morass1 Sale Common1 Dowd Morass1 Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 3,713 No active deliveries Water was diverted into Sale Common from the Latrobe River Water was diverted into Dowd Morass from the Latrobe River The VEWH’s environmental entitlement in the lower part of the Latrobe system allows the diversion of water from the Latrobe River into Heart Morass, Dowd Morass and/or Sale Common at any time when specified river heights are met. The volume of water diverted into the wetlands is not measured. 17 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://7IeQ4l4lnlmYWfPPyghs9FRj3RVyXFUjajjQSHByzKM" `ZuS_~q׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Swan at the lower Latrobe wetlands, by David Stork West Gippsland CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 18 ׉ 7cassandra://wQ-AQSBoFdZ7dMEqJPZn2VaRc2xTUS8ICetHiEnu6VcJO`ZuS_~rZuS_~qבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://qEo-7qnAxPiM499OpcRIxI9n09Geh1mY7PCaQj3-VRsV`׉ 7cassandra://wiPJREeKxPtyj23oNjEA3Uu0Ty1bdPWEQjWITEj5D4ku`׉ 7cassandra://rLUh7n73JntmgAe8e7Su7r--WUltiyhWdDiYPONMK_o#`׉ 7cassandra://ut6yPGnSX4yIJTkzQbkaQZ8YPFzyLai2LcyVNflncgk ͠ZuS_~vטu׉׉ 7cassandra://XJwD8MqVqH0rsW4UWpp-7qOtTiaBvrR6QfiqynBwfzk`׉ 7cassandra://kSPclZP2LoTb4181_8UI6_r5oNfesWItbye9RplVtukw`׉ 7cassandra://PVbE-26WrrUj9IMsHuSkvAM-I4wtZHx6D-MXSjqGSTY$`׉ 7cassandra://eBsbheLzpgJuqF3Fu-ymZ5GH4rtGX7swgJUqAQ2Srmw͠ZuS_~wנZuS_~s( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~t ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~u( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉EZGippsland region << BACK TO CONTENTS In late 2016–17 the Victorian Government finalised a commitment to provide extra water to the heritage-listed Thomson River, to protect its environmental and community values. The river will now receive an extra eight gigalitres of water for the environment annually, adding to the ten gigalitres already available. This will help the West Gippsland CMA provide water for threatened Australian grayling, improving their habitat for breeding and growth. Water for the environment in autumn 2017 helped the river endure dry conditions and provided an opportunity to discover more about optimal breeding conditions for native fish. “It provided an opportunity to test whether Australian grayling would spawn at different flow rates,” said West Gippsland CMA’s Minna Tom. “Our monitoring gave us a good overview of the flow rates fish prefer, so we can adjust flows where necessary to give the native fish the best chance to breed.” This year’s autumn flow had an added bonus: it was timed to coincide with the weekend lead-up to Anzac Day, a prime time for those who like to get out for a paddle. The extra water provided excellent conditions for kayakers and canoeists in the upper Thomson River. Whitehorse Canoe Club took to the water, with almost 30 people enjoying the increased river flows. (See page 25 for full story). Waterway manager: West Gippsland CMA Storage manager: Melbourne Water, Southern Rural Water Site Thomson River Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 10,326 The Thomson River, by Rachel Millar, West Gippsland CMA 19 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://rLUh7n73JntmgAe8e7Su7r--WUltiyhWdDiYPONMK_o#`ZuS_~x׉E&<< BACK TO CONTENTS The recovery of the Macalister River and its native fish was helped along by water for the environment and rainfall in 2016–17, following two years of lower than average rainfall. Heavy rainfall in winter and spring 2016 resulted in spills from Lake Glenmaggie from July to November, with two bankfull flows into the Macalister River for the first time in four years. High river flows in winter are important to trigger the movement of Australian bass and tupong to breed. “It was fantastic to see, because the high flows of water are so important for plants on the river bank,” said West Gippsland CMA’s Minna Tom. The floods also inundated floodplains, providing food and breeding opportunities for turtles, frogs and waterbirds. In autumn 2017, water for the environment was used to increase success of breeding among important native fish species. Left to right: The Macalister River at Lanigans Bridge in winter, by West Gippsland CMA; Lake Glenmaggie, by West Gippsland CMA A maintenance of low flows throughout the year provided connectivity between waterways for fish movement. Waterway manager: West Gippsland CMA Storage manager: Southern Rural Water Site Macalister River Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 6,599 Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 20 ׉ 7cassandra://PVbE-26WrrUj9IMsHuSkvAM-I4wtZHx6D-MXSjqGSTY$`ZuS_~yZuS_~xבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://A5uRqlPu-7KEdss5MiJukcQCJDQ5QixtDHQNItLG5vIc&`׉ 7cassandra://nvhDTyvdGItXdcGBGNckICL4HM1E1fpCVAtPun-g3O8|W`׉ 7cassandra://iSMrFsaNibdh83WMxAUa6IAXSPOgiCFRn-ajLQAsWr8$`׉ 7cassandra://5yFExFpzRf7Bv3Sp7H1TpYAzWJtkoFNwfqv3xx5A9Ug3>͠ZuS_~}טu׉׉ 7cassandra://MS_4RWzapxcmTLn3ryyKovYWmAtZ6iJr3_OxpufI9mcK{`׉ 7cassandra://merkdM5uwJLfxXeDqoJwGYblSjOv7wE7z9bp7JZyGfUʹ`׉ 7cassandra://RAOOLWGXR-XC7uNBU766CU8Fyqllgpaa5xmcXmzTca85`׉ 7cassandra://Czr4NuknXY3zzk3gXYGZlbaE_Stzci4BkwI2YBSQXAg'͠ZuS_~~נZuS_~z( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~{ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~|( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E Gippsland region << BACK TO CONTENTS The Snowy River was given a new lease on life in 2016–17 with over 130,000 megalitres of environmental water creating a food chain bonanza for the river’s plants and animals. Originating on the high plateaus of Mt Kosciusko in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, the Snowy River is an Australian icon immortalised by Banjo Paterson’s poem The Man from Snowy River. Since then, this once-mighty river has changed: much of its natural flow has been diverted for the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, which was constructed over 50 years ago. “Floods, land clearing and reduced flows have contributed to changes in the Snowy River over time,” said East Gippsland CMA Program Manager Bec Hemming. “The river is now wider, straighter and shallower, particularly in the lower floodplains areas. The build-up of sediment in the river bed has resulted in a loss of habitat for native plants, waterbirds and aquatic animals. The East Gippsland CMA has worked closely with the community to rehabilitate the river by planting trees, controlling willows and other weeds and excluding stock from the river.” To help the river recover, environmental water is released every day of the year. Bigger releases in winter and spring recreate flows that would have previously resulted naturally from rainfall or snowmelt. “We had pretty wet conditions in spring 2016, which coincided with planned high-flow deliveries of water for the environment, so we rescheduled environmental watering for later in 2016 to give the river a much-needed summer drink,” said Bec. Paddle steamer on the Snowy River, by East Gippsland CMA To further investigate the effect of environmental flows in the Snowy River, researchers at the Arthur Rylah Institute are looking at the extent to which these flows deliver nutrients to the river estuary. Nutrient cycles are a vital component of the estuary food web and a functioning river system. Preliminary results of this monitoring are expected in 2018. Waterway manager: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Water and East Gippsland CMA Storage manager: Snowy Hydro Limited Site Snowy River Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 132,300 Environmental water deliveries to the Snowy River are managed by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, using water made available by Victoria and New South Wales. 21 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://iSMrFsaNibdh83WMxAUa6IAXSPOgiCFRn-ajLQAsWr8$`ZuS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Tulloch Ard Gorge on a Snowy River environmental flow, by East Gippsland CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 22 ׉ 7cassandra://RAOOLWGXR-XC7uNBU766CU8Fyqllgpaa5xmcXmzTca85`ZuS_~ZuS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://UbvvHPv0GKM1rBDfV_ruPJlfbsd7_4L9A8apbQaHw1wf `׉ 7cassandra://F1OYqoYC-9_heLKotCuOSUIIFJZ1ByEFjU_f8wmEWKcz:`׉ 7cassandra://QFftVPYlVmmLLlD4pWYugik1HoL4m5j5NgJDXrIfzuo#`׉ 7cassandra://d8FYp3ilauu4EqrNEsceJGV5Ai-Aany6jVJtXeCyNpE v͠ZuS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://qOU-ZdBJc-o1L6FyAWJ7zr79gnTHpMNAaGifJWvNCv8`׉ 7cassandra://C995eNVgkV5Xvo8RVa60pBpI407erAyDRK-vKo8g-lYm8`׉ 7cassandra://roJu4UxUZrpw-1cQI3VpDqRTlLhKOokLpcQ2lq27acU!*`׉ 7cassandra://qZjzfGFV4d6zWHSlXfvhDZFTaXG4olN50cwZTU-0Dyo;"͠ZxS_~נZuS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZuS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E << BACK TO CONTENTS The catch of tupong in the Thomson River using electrofishing in 2017 was the highest observed in 13 years. Scientists setting their sights on learning more about the influence of river flows on native fish in Victorian waterways recorded a boom season for tupong across southern Victoria. Tupong were recorded in significant numbers across southern coastal rivers, from the far west of the state, where tupong were reported for the first time in more than 60 years in upstream areas of the Glenelg River, to Gippsland, where monitoring found some of the highest numbers of tupong in the Thomson River in 13 years. Why has this been such a bumper year for tupong? In part, it’s to do with river flow. Tupong, also known also as congolli, are common in southern Victoria, but belong to a group of fish about which we don’t know much. “They’re diadromous, meaning they spend parts of their lives in saltwater and parts in freshwater,” explained Arthur Rylah Institute Research Scientist Frank Amtstaetter. “We know there are several factors that influence the presence of tupong and other diadromous species, primarily spawning, immigration into rivers and their ability to survive,” Frank said. “We’re working on finding out more about how tupong respond to environmental conditions, particularly flows in the rivers – how flows affect their lifecycle and that of other diadromous species,” he said. The importance of flow Young tupong migrate into streams from the sea in spring and summer. Conversely, adult tupong migrate from freshwater downstream to the sea in autumn and winter to breed. “There is evidence that adult spawning migrations are triggered by increases in river flows,” Frank said. For example, adult tupong implanted with acoustic transmitters migrated 40 kilometres downstream during a pulse in river flows. We are investigating the link between movements of that sort and flow pulses. Frank said studies were also continuing on the effects of river flows on the migration of juvenile tupong into rivers and on their survival rates. “Based on the first year of sampling using netting and trapping last spring, numerous tupong were captured migrating into freshwater during late spring in rivers such as Gippsland’s Thomson and Tarwin rivers. “The catch of tupong in the Thomson River using electrofishing in 2017 was the highest catch rate observed in 13 years of monitoring on this river,” Frank said. “More than 80 percent of the tupong captured in 2017 were less than one year old, indicating that tupong are successfully spawning, migrating to freshwater and surviving,” he said. 23 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://QFftVPYlVmmLLlD4pWYugik1HoL4m5j5NgJDXrIfzuo#`ZxS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Survival Water for the environment “The upstream dispersal of juvenile tupong can allow them to take advantage of additional habitats for feeding, growth and survival, which may be important to growing the population,” Frank said. “There are a couple of mechanisms for this dispersal. First, increases in river flows can stimulate the upstream movement of these fish. Second, maintaining suitable flows enables fish to move to feed and breed. For example, if flows drop to a point where the river becomes a series of disconnected pools, then the fish cannot migrate upstream.” Environmental watering for diadromous fish occurs during autumn and winter to trigger spawning migrations, during spring to attract fish into coastal streams, and during summer to trigger migration. “In addition, summer base flows are maintained in a number of rivers to provide river connectivity, which allows tupong to migrate upstream,” Frank said. “For example, in 2017 in the Thomson River, tupong dispersal upstream was possible during the summer with higher baseflow conditions. Similarly, juvenile tupong migrated to the upstream portion of the middle reaches of the river by early February.” Adult tupong migrate from freshwater downstream to the sea in autumn and winter to breed, triggered by increased river flows. Frank said age verification data and continued sampling under various flow conditions would continue to add to the knowledge of the tupong life cycle and the influence of river flows. “The findings can help inform when environmental flows are beneficial and how much water is required,” he said. “We plan to sample for another two years and will analyse the data to investigate the role of discharge, including environmental flow releases, on the immigration and upstream dispersal of diadromous fish.” Young tupong migrate into freshwater streams from the sea in spring and summer to feed and grow. Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 24 ׉ 7cassandra://roJu4UxUZrpw-1cQI3VpDqRTlLhKOokLpcQ2lq27acU!*`ZxS_~ZxS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://dftJAb__uIRXokd0nQBMRvw7OlV83OTpYy26_CMjAbQ`׉ 7cassandra://GOHQXuoNr68WNG4sBCklyr3gGS3oBPftZZw5fVg5eQ8n`׉ 7cassandra://EsTVk5omc_oNL_hDl_ZdCuW5hheGasPlsmDWFgC0a6c#-`׉ 7cassandra://xUWxQhILyE2_7fwrlLOQ_KmhSYDXWknOntIl_1RmLKQ \͠ZxS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://itUXW7ROwf7pQNOZeaqo-KiJSnUxSSEvbaiKWWlXRSwt`׉ 7cassandra://Tet_1H9SVKpPN-lKbcGF1VakEkrxiNB71cDN1_l2slI}(`׉ 7cassandra://zQntgOgnbKYR3CTGNa43WKQJOZOzDCx2QkclcOCTB7c'`׉ 7cassandra://7JDVv8FOcHGHUHHsThm9w13wtZBR6ZeoOwGaVMZL4A4 ͠ZxS_~נZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉Ed<< BACK TO CONTENTS Paddlers riding a wave Water for the environment is providing more recreational opportunities along Victoria’s rivers, including for canoeing and kayaking. The river now looks like how older locals Whitehorse Canoe Club is among the groups making good use of local waterways during environmental flows. The club took to the water on the Thomson River during a flow timed for the Anzac Day long weekend. Almost 30 people joined the club’s fun on the water, with an environmental flow providing perfect conditions for paddling. Whitewater rafting tour operator Lynton Hill is also noticing that water for the environment has had a positive effect on the Snowy River. “We see consistency of water, increased clarity, reduction of stagnant pools, reduction of silt and algae on the banks, reduction of streambed vegetation and a deepening and more defined river channel,” Lynton said. “The river now looks like how older locals remember it. It has a more natural flow, with increased spring releases mimicking what happened before the dam. The river now has a sense of being alive.” remember it. It has a more natural flow, with increased spring releases mimicking what happened before the dam. The river now has a sense of being alive. Whitehorse Canoe Club members canoeing the Thomson River, by Mike Flavel 25 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://EsTVk5omc_oNL_hDl_ZdCuW5hheGasPlsmDWFgC0a6c#-`ZxS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Whitehorse Canoe Club members canoeing the Thomson River, by Mike Flavel Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 26 ׉ 7cassandra://zQntgOgnbKYR3CTGNa43WKQJOZOzDCx2QkclcOCTB7c'`ZxS_~ZxS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://qmXB36KSQWVVI0KMeWhJBUpMZwO0yLtOqTOolcDNeCk0`׉ 7cassandra://4bXMSkptqIR6sY26CLAE6jh_MNAtHhTPbXknP9AR1nUR`׉ 7cassandra://hJhPZz6_kGHmVcOMyRTrsKglHTJcIXxaqDFwzADvSQc`׉ 7cassandra://dVPXp_-DrJJEA8AwlljklU4voqoqeUl6C0sUnDxQplw͖/8͠ZxS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://NSGilTXT_M5_F15MG6pjkC9vDhrjPqjXoeIaejtNFK4[\`׉ 7cassandra://eLkayQZrIz_ZVyrYDHc_vbc_sJCGS3QfwIDuLbllH98%`׉ 7cassandra://TeMq7H_r69Cek65HchrDbY-8B9Sot9ODsMiksk9u254=`׉ 7cassandra://lEC4qnHnEDvEUwmNmKENNS6nm2T8cyvzugQbAXmkY983͠ZxS_~נZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉ECentral region << BACK TO CONTENTS Water for the environment boosted the health of rivers and wetlands, creating refuges for plants and animals in the densely populated areas of greater Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong. » Water delivered to the Tarago River triggered a baby boom of threatened Australian grayling. » The largest spring flow to date was released to the Werribee River to stimulate fish breeding and support native vegetation. » The environmentally diverse Yering Backswamp and the Banyule Billabong on the Yarra River bounced back, with more frogs and birds and fewer weeds. » A successful summer drying regime reinvigorated Reedy Lake in the internationally important lower Barwon wetlands. » Fresh flows in the Maribyrnong River in autumn improved water quality for waterbugs, fish and platypus, as well as recreational users. » New research improved our understanding of how deep pools in the Moorabool River provide refuge for plants and animals when the river stops flowing. 27 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://hJhPZz6_kGHmVcOMyRTrsKglHTJcIXxaqDFwzADvSQc`ZxS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS The Moorabool River at Dog Rocks, by Andrew Sharpe, VEWH Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 28 ׉ 7cassandra://TeMq7H_r69Cek65HchrDbY-8B9Sot9ODsMiksk9u254=`ZxS_~ZxS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://S4NfPGOBF2300BT7A89fE_gmzRkgA4WpclokOq53JPwU`׉ 7cassandra://goMPNljsYgeo7QiWNqBUE7KJRZmEGzpGnLKh8LtSKb4j'`׉ 7cassandra://UtSN8BnaJbcjVWE5wtPjstze9GmOihjj19Wg2QNUwSwx`׉ 7cassandra://G8A_b3D1iGYh2TjZC-huYQkRE9iWphVBgOSPDeVX5Us͆#0͠ZxS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://Wn6aLEJi_89xZifd72mu0KtqJdy_SPIXV1QvnBIxDnMd`׉ 7cassandra://jDk4BptS3ZAgrZKMno4ir-lUq8cSkyPBoqt-yR2kEPk}`׉ 7cassandra://YTacMWyWyLMhBAN2Ng_3xrpumXwpAA62jEwyBVsIKs0%w`׉ 7cassandra://TB0FYk41Kf7e5B_0SdcWwirARbP_Rd9edr5KBhSOpIk+%͠ZxS_~נZxS_~G`9׉Hhttps://youtu.be/2zALXkrFJDUGׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E qCentral region << BACK TO CONTENTS Melbourne’s iconic Yarra River is becoming an ecological wonderland for frogs, birds, platypus and fish, as water for the environment improves the health of the river. The Yarra system received its second-largest-ever volume of water for the environment in 2016–17 with the delivery of over 21,000 megalitres. This water is key to the survival of the river’s endangered aquatic inhabitants (such as Australian grayling, Macquarie perch, river blackfish, platypus and waterbugs). “Environmental flows complemented wet conditions during the year, providing a much-needed top-up to improve the health of the Yarra. While it may seem unusual that water is released in wet periods, it is the ideal time to mimic natural processes.” said Melbourne Water’s Cheryl Edwards. “Dams have altered natural flows and reduced habitat and food availability for native aquatic animals, so the release of this water is very important to improve the Yarra’s health.” Over time, the lower Yarra River has been straightened, widened and cleared of debris as Melbourne has grown around its banks. The earliest recorded European modifications to the course of the river date back to 1879. The program to deliver water for the environment aims to reinstate flows that support the environment along the length of the river. In the Yarra system, Yering Backswamp (5 kilometres south-west of Yarra Glen) and Banyule Billabong (at Viewbank) received environmental water in 2016–17, and the health of these areas improved noticeably. There were more native frogs and birds and fewer weeds. As well, works to lower the bank of Spadoni’s Billabong (at Yering) allowed this waterway to fill naturally for the second time since the project’s completion in 2013. Over one-third of Victoria’s population lives in the Yarra catchment, which has an area of about 4,000 square kilometres. Water for the environment is improving environmental outcomes and the highly prized recreational values of the river, benefiting everyone who enjoys the Yarra. Waterway manager: Melbourne Water Storage manager: Melbourne Water Site Yarra River Banyule Billabong Yering Backswamp Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 21,478 60 6 Click here to watch the Melbourne Water video about environmental water for the Yarra River, or watch it at https://youtu.be/2zALXkrFJDU 29 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://UtSN8BnaJbcjVWE5wtPjstze9GmOihjj19Wg2QNUwSwx`ZxS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Wurundjeri people, Traditional Owners of the Yarra River. It’s been a big year for the In June 2017, Minister for Planning Richard Wynne joined Wurundjeri elders in Victorian Parliament to introduce the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Bill 2017. In September, the Bill passed in Parliament. In an Australian first, the Act identifies the Yarra River and the many hundreds of parcels of public land it flows through, as one living, integrated natural entity for protection. The Act combines the ‘Caring for Country’ wisdom of Traditional Owners with the most modern river management expertise. In a Victorian first, it is co-titled and part of its preamble is written in Woi-wurrung, assuring Traditional Owners a permanent voice in the governance and protection of the Yarra River. The Wurundjeri people are involved in an increasing number of projects related to the Yarra and its tributaries, including a project with VEWH and Melbourne Water that aims to use water for the environment to achieve cultural objectives. The Yarra River at Templestowe, by Sarah Gaskill, Melbourne Water Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 30 ׉ 7cassandra://YTacMWyWyLMhBAN2Ng_3xrpumXwpAA62jEwyBVsIKs0%w`ZxS_~ZxS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://W2SbBw3OJJV628GXiEdyTNXADFz0BkVAr5gE-KGaBB4H_`׉ 7cassandra://eSEjjt2RdBTAs81KlGjN-kdzp_qGDDsW49q2EC9g5B8ut`׉ 7cassandra://ITy6cTWmhUTApMLbmnQZFQJRd19H7iFsbbqT1n0ZNeU#a`׉ 7cassandra://LAkwwdKlcZgL2YstENVB_o5MD3Eyk9MMeMrqJelXCTY ͠ZxS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://4ZnsxZjDHMMC5je9XYMAn0ZNGZfhAEvmVAfQOR4QVi4T`׉ 7cassandra://hULaU_TcOV7d5MiL84Asyli_LhsvMRxMZ_mqCEiAkLQx`׉ 7cassandra://8RPs1hdC81WOqIOO6wfpdUgcQRt6AOw3-F5wCXdQ4U4"`׉ 7cassandra://uj_QqyGSkQpW3RFPhnj1XM_LXtXEgibBPGxWiL9YYRATG͠ZxS_~נZxS_~G`9׉Hhttps://youtu.be/1Pzy1IwaQl8Gׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉ECentral region << BACK TO CONTENTS The threatened Australian grayling fish underwent a baby boom in 2016–17, triggered by water releases into the Tarago River. The releases improved river health for native fish, other animals (such as platypus) and plants, and in the process made the river a better place for the community to enjoy. Populations of threatened Australian grayling benefited greatly from the water released by Melbourne Water from the Tarago/ Bunyip Environmental Entitlement, with high counts of grayling eggs and larvae showing the positive response of these fish to water for the environment. A survey of fish populations in the Tarago and Bunyip rivers also recorded the iconic river blackfish and other native fish species including spotted galaxias, pouched lampreys and hooded lampreys. “We were excited to also find a baby Australian mudfish as part of our monitoring,” Melbourne Water Senior Environmental Water Resources Planner Sarah Gaskill said. “It’s a critically endangered species and has only been recorded in a handful of locations before.” There is however still some concern about the river blackfish, which will be the subject of future research. “Our research over many years has helped us to fine-tune how we release water for the environment, so we can provide the specific river conditions needed for breeding by species such as the Australian grayling,” Sarah said. “But the needs of river blackfish are less well known, so we will need to do some more work to understand their water flow and habitat requirements in detail.” Waterway manager: Melbourne Water Storage manager: Melbourne Water Site Tarago River Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 1,952 Click here to watch the Melbourne Water video about environmental water for the Tarago River, or watch it at https:// youtu.be/1Pzy1IwaQl8 Top to bottom: The Tarago River, by Sarah Gaskill, Melbourne Water; a young grayling in the Bunyip River, by Tarmo A Raadik, Arthur Rylah Institute 31 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://ITy6cTWmhUTApMLbmnQZFQJRd19H7iFsbbqT1n0ZNeU#a`ZxS_~׉E Y<< BACK TO CONTENTS A fresher and healthier Maribyrnong River is the result of environmental flows that are protecting one of Melbourne’s most-valued and frequently used waterways. Jacksons Creek and Deep Creek join to form the Maribyrnong River, which runs south through Yarraville in the heart of Melbourne’s inner suburbs. There are no formal environmental water entitlements available to deliver flows through the river, so the VEWH and Melbourne Water have bought unused water from irrigators for the last three years, to maintain the river’s water quality. “Dry conditions since 2012 have meant reduced flows in the Maribyrnong River system, and this has put pressure on river health and aquatic habitats,” explained Melbourne Water Senior Environmental Water Resource Planner Simon Catzikiris. There has been much less run-off to the system over the last few years including in Jacksons Creek and Deep Creek. Despite the return of wetter conditions this year, there was still not enough water making its way into the Maribyrnong River system. “Conditions dried again over summer and autumn, so water for the environment was delivered from Rosslynne Reservoir to Jacksons Creek in March and May 2017. A total of 304 megalitres provided the fresh flows needed to help support the health and sustainability of the river’s ecosystem,” Simon said. Populations of platypus and fish including migratory short-finned eels, galaxias and flathead gudgeons call the Maribyrnong River home. Water for the environment refreshed pools, improved fish passage and supported aquatic plants. Without this water, the condition of the animals and plants in Jacksons Creek would have continued to decline. An added 1 bonus of the water for the environment is a cleaner, healthier river for the community to enjoy for recreation. Waterway manager: Melbourne Water Storage manager: Southern Rural Water Site Upper Jacksons Creek Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 3041 In 2016–17, water allocations copurchased by Melbourne Water and the VEWH contributed to the delivery of 304 ML of environmental water to meet objectives in upper Jacksons Creek in the Maribyrnong system, where no permanent environmental water holdings are currently held. Maribyrnong River at Brimbank Park in Keilor, by Simon Catzikiris, Melbourne Water Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 32 ׉ 7cassandra://8RPs1hdC81WOqIOO6wfpdUgcQRt6AOw3-F5wCXdQ4U4"`ZxS_~ZxS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://EKquJWXseH0u3zZe_X0TQs2O6PCmEdXmkDhhvJ1oeLwzX`׉ 7cassandra://64C4hajH-PMteQv4DYBW5Ccfr425sqzFPqdsVLLluHYg`׉ 7cassandra://0u9Ohbobd5FcsPpzThX7CggUDGoeOaaqrKtC0ErAtLs `׉ 7cassandra://Py2FJaW5hw5d7qujs5_2le2N_t8pCJ6T_-nTRrla6QM0͠ZxS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://J0aSLE_L3RjkEq4iS0BEhjaFgd7u83sYaAuWM2h9JgsO`׉ 7cassandra://z5-aqB06z7XLcRLsk8mbXDGZjrD1-gO6Tj5wuFMA16o͢`׉ 7cassandra://Arc3f9XGGBqX9GigpmFa0rD3CFSjE6SBEobV-KnDnCo1^`׉ 7cassandra://2O3golPSFSuvTBFYZMcmjeW9irIEdisJYu2BDEG83tk͠ZxS_~נZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉ElCentral region << BACK TO CONTENTS The Werribee River received a boost in late 2016 — its largest ever single environmental flow — in a bid to encourage native fish to breed. Melbourne Water Senior Environmental Water Planner Bill Moulden said the larger flow this year aimed to encourage migratory fish to move into the river from the estuary. “Water for the environment gives nature a boost. We use it to replicate the conditions native fish, frogs and platypus require to reproduce, and it helps to flush out sediment and improve water quality,” Bill said. “A sign of the improved river health was the discovery of an Australian grayling – a nationally-threatened fish – for the first time ever in the Werribee River. In June 2017, a young Australian grayling adult was sighted upstream near the town centre. Its age and location implied that it would have migrated during the previous spring.” Bill said the installation of a fish ladder in 2015 was also enabling Australian grayling and other fish species to migrate and breed. Monitoring funded through the Victorian Government’s Water for Victoria plan, which underpins a major investment in catchment and waterway health, found large numbers of common galaxias moving into the river after water for the environment was released. This was another sign of improved waterway health. The 1,122 megalitres of environmental water delivered to the Werribee River in 2016–17 is helping to bring the river back to optimum health. Waterway manager: Melbourne Water Storage manager: Southern Rural Water Site Werribee River Pyrites Creek Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 1,122 1, 2 954 1 Deliveries to the Werribee River included some reuse of return flows. 2 Includes use of 896.4 ML of allocation made available for use by Melbourne Water. Australian grayling, by Arthur Rylah Institute 33 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://0u9Ohbobd5FcsPpzThX7CggUDGoeOaaqrKtC0ErAtLs `ZxS_~׉EV<< BACK TO CONTENTS A sign of the improved river health was the discovery of an Australian grayling – a nationally-threatened fish – for the first time ever in the Werribee River in June 2017. A lateral rock fishway on the Werribee River, by Bill Moulden, Melbourne Water Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 34 ׉ 7cassandra://Arc3f9XGGBqX9GigpmFa0rD3CFSjE6SBEobV-KnDnCo1^`ZxS_~ZxS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://XvnYFXksrpiXd6FVwNrjy_SosdLeXyJobqeAmIo8IEY `׉ 7cassandra://uZTwHfvK_SVbPnUQJvr7IvEJl8JqjKYutSU7l3e5Wnsk`׉ 7cassandra://IjOlqUYpKAmo3ZlcXUmFjBhQXMYVmHdLdGcbks245mU`׉ 7cassandra://9761_VF2ADdsptHl7FoYWMvPKaxeHkIy3_nklHRA9Ko͏= ͠ZxS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://VCXzdox5oS0aGdkSS8vXT1Ifw0BSLyLCYifyjs61m7g@`׉ 7cassandra://73nAV-BWGQg5hvlnNIvPnMKilQSJ3gHjKNFalwSjWFc`׉ 7cassandra://tW-sx0KA2CO-UokzvZlvP_oFd7g53R8dMdCwCHFuskc8`׉ 7cassandra://L_yOdQkvdmh4TAVansFzdaJXssWPMu8bRMcdpv5Af0Up̢͠ZxS_~נZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E Central region << BACK TO CONTENTS Animals that live in the Moorabool River, like fish and platypus, are thriving after water for the environment deliveries in summer and autumn 2016–17 added to the flows of a wet spring to improve the river’s health. Following the end of dry conditions, river flows increased and the Lal Lal Reservoir overflowed with high rainfall in spring 2016. Waterway managers capitalised on the wet conditions by delivering water to the environment during summer and into autumn. This protected refuge pools and helped plants and animals recover from the dry period in 2015–16. Refuge pools are deep pools in a river channel that provide habitat for fish, frogs, waterbirds and aquatic plants. These pools often hold water through long, dry periods and provide somewhere for aquatic animals to live until flows return, connecting the river again. Deep pools along a river are often the last refuge for river life when flows are low. Research this year helped us better understand how refuge pools in the river function and how they provide sanctuary for plants and animals when the river stops flowing. The research identified and prioritised which pools to target with environmental water deliveries, to maximise their effectiveness as places of refuge. “This new information is particularly important for waterway managers when we are in drought and have only a very limited amount of water available to protect environmental values,” Corangamite CMA Environmental Water Coordinator Saul Vermeeren said. “Conditions were very dry in the Moorabool River in 2015–16, which meant we aimed to maintain water quality and top-up habitat refuge pools. This year the river reconnected due to the wetter conditions and we’re working to keep it as connected as possible with the limited water we have available. The research carried out this year has also confirmed just how important the refuge pools are in helping plants and animals survive during dry times so they can flourish in wet times.” Waterway manager: Corangamite CMA Storage manager: Central Highlands Water Site Moorabool River Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 1,965 Water for the environment this year helped plants and animals recover from the dry period in 2015–16. 35 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://IjOlqUYpKAmo3ZlcXUmFjBhQXMYVmHdLdGcbks245mU`ZxS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS The Moorabool River at Dog Rocks, by Andrew Sharpe, VEWH Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 36 ׉ 7cassandra://tW-sx0KA2CO-UokzvZlvP_oFd7g53R8dMdCwCHFuskc8`ZxS_~ZxS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://ETRBx6fd-U22C_P7B9ADRjfCbwFGS8-XmBXcVU2SVxs`׉ 7cassandra://J7tFfoSn-9Gkg5wSu1PJCPrf73kMGSyO9RaJ3kyQb0sy`׉ 7cassandra://SQK_s6EEFH_qHx4_JyNYq5ajD372qHZPA22rYTQIsa0!`׉ 7cassandra://93qG4-_R3Kp0QBNRqu5wDGUJypE4AWvQHrhv1RKYH18͒͠ZxS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://l8qZU2D64YVpBVTli8uKdUX_vVrt_0DFlRlrNzWBsaQC`׉ 7cassandra://tiD85p6bUKG5vdZ4HgUZfL_TtCCvDAOLnR5Pef3U7rwͻY`׉ 7cassandra://dtoL1MUkcSLniI1-PyksoxaOwtdsm_Ix8wLCOzDFU1w/N`׉ 7cassandra://f5kCHDahT53TfzLvlAICzQSOivmFA55tyBuLv6h4XSo ov͠ZxS_~נZxS_~F`9׉Hhttps://youtu.be/ZVADTKm9gcMGׁ ׁ rנZxS_~c*9׉Hhttps://youtu.be/S_jsY2uch6QGׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E 'Central region << BACK TO CONTENTS Managing water for the environment isn’t always about adding more water. One of the success stories of 2016–17 was the lowering of the water levels of an internationally important wetland. Healthy wetlands need varying water levels, because their wide variety of plants and animals have differing water needs. Until this year, Reedy Lake — a wetland in the lower Barwon river system — suffered from having too much water for too long. The lake’s water levels had been high for over a decade, allowing reeds to choke the lake and crowd out other important plants and animals. This loss of habitat threatened endangered coastal saltmarsh communities and the number and diversity of internationally important migratory waterbirds the wetland supports. The wetland had literally had too much to drink and needed a good drying-out. Corangamite CMA worked with local community members, the Lower Barwon Advisory Committee, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Parks Victoria and the VEWH to put in place a plan to lower water levels at the lake. “If we don’t act, one of the last remaining areas of endangered coastal saltmarsh communities in the Corangamite Region will be lost, the dominant reeds will choke the wetland, carp will multiply and the wetland will no longer be able to provide a haven for a range of internationally important birds,” explained Corangamite CMA Chair Alice Knight. “Lowering water levels at Reedy Lake is an important management action that we believe will mitigate threats to the system and ensure all user groups can continue to use and cherish the lake into the future.” A low-water-level regime began at Reedy Lake in 2016–17. As explained in the VEWH’s Seasonal Watering Plan 2016–17, levels at the lake will be lowered each summer for the next two years, with full water levels maintained in the fourth year of the cycle. Click here to watch the Corangamite CMA video about environmental watering at Reedy Lake, and here to watch the video about environmental watering at Reedy Lake and Hospital Swamps, watch them at https://youtu.be/ZVADTKm9gcM and https://youtu.be/S_jsY2uch6Q Corangamite CMA, with the support of the VEWH, is keeping a close eye on the lake to see how it responds to the new approach. Monitoring of the lake is already showing signs that the regime is working, with clear evidence that the extent of reeds is reducing. The monitoring also identified environmental improvements including better wader habitat for migratory shorebirds and restored coastal saltmarsh habitat, and it also found that the new regime did not generate acid sulfate soils. Water levels at Hospital Swamps, another lower Barwon wetland, were also managed throughout 2016–17. Waterway manager: Corangamite CMA 37 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://SQK_s6EEFH_qHx4_JyNYq5ajD372qHZPA22rYTQIsa0!`ZxS_~׉E2<< BACK TO CONTENTS If we don’t act, one of the last remaining areas of endangered coastal saltmarsh communities in the Corangamite Region will be lost. Lignum swamp and coastal saltmarsh at Reedy Lake, by Saul Vermeeren, Corangamite CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 38 ׉ 7cassandra://dtoL1MUkcSLniI1-PyksoxaOwtdsm_Ix8wLCOzDFU1w/N`ZxS_~ZxS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://6TT3XPBdrtMGkktye_NwbijbrKb6VaWK9makZJHDNN8=`׉ 7cassandra://QIhZ96AGqVElp-a7z422vwI18XRuqtQFqTHmNRaQn3s̀"`׉ 7cassandra://C9Qd03xzkT_58dAYLcCX3bvdTtalarDXU4XCjE52Doo'`׉ 7cassandra://AVkZk_x6jDBg3uf17VFb3F6h1M-mBo0kWAVCA4l_NEM/8͠ZxS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://_KBeqCZ2ab7qeVViVYYMJZhlTmPU7CN0F_-_3wLuKJUn`׉ 7cassandra://gtWhYT2MiAw77rcXk_O6qlfdew1hYfzzLP37OlgBaREu`׉ 7cassandra://BWbwPLOrhI3M9tB9CYDvwJCYP3G6K0w8CLn0gBm-agM#`׉ 7cassandra://1NXD10jyfkGtSOcUtY8aGXMrKw0amBf_0X5uuRbE67w͠ZyS_~נZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZxS_~( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Melbourne’s rivers, estuaries and wetlands are the foundation of a vibrant natural environment and a key contributor to the city’s productivity and liveability. The community loves its waterways, and our deep connections to the rivers and their surrounding landscapes form part of the region’s liveability. Environmental water is important for keeping these rivers and landscapes healthy. “As Melbourne and the surrounding region have grown over the past two centuries, the city has relied heavily on our rivers to supply water for growing food, drinking and industry use,” Melbourne Water’s General Manager Integrated Planning Chris Williams said. Melbourne Water, as the waterway manager, works with the VEWH to carefully plan and target the release of water for the environment to help native plants and animals cope with the pressures of urbanisation. Species that call Melbourne’s Yarra, Maribyrnong, Tarago and Werribee rivers home include platypus, dozens of frog species and important and endangered native fish populations. The strategically timed release of water for the environment helps increase platypus and frog populations and encourages native fish to migrate and spawn. “Water for the environment gives nature a boost. We use it to create the conditions native fish, frogs and platypus need to reproduce, and it helps to flush out sediment and improve water quality,” Chris said. “Given the pressures of climate variability and population growth likely to be experienced in Melbourne, it’s never been more important to find ways to help nature deal with these stresses.” “Working with the VEWH and other stakeholders, we want to ensure these important native species of aquatic animals and vegetation thrive. Our focus is on finding a balance that supports community and commercial needs, for the benefit and liveability of Melbourne now and for future generations.” 39 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://C9Qd03xzkT_58dAYLcCX3bvdTtalarDXU4XCjE52Doo'`ZyS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Fish recovery Fish populations are benefiting from the delivery of water for the environment. For instance, during the Millennium Drought from 1997–2009, there were concerns about Australian grayling in the Yarra River. Flows to the Yarra and Tarago rivers in autumn — known as freshes — are timed to support the breeding requirements of Australian grayling. They provide the natural cue for the fish to migrate downstream to spawn. “Australian grayling spawn in the freshwater reaches of the system before their eggs and larvae drift out to sea. The juveniles then spend about six months in the sea before migrating back upstream,” Melbourne Water Senior Environmental Water Resources Planner Cheryl Edwards said. Water for the environment delivered in the region in 2016–17 included the largest-ever release in the Werribee River in November, which resulted in Australian grayling being detected in the Werribee River for the first time. Australian grayling are not the only fish to benefit from the flows. River blackfish also respond well, and the flows in the Yarra help Macquarie perch to breed by clearing debris from its spawning grounds — pebble beds known as riffle habitats. Left to right: Maroondah reservoir, by Bob Padula; Watering at Banyule Billabong, by Keith Chalmers; Werribee River, by Melbourne Water Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 40 ׉ 7cassandra://BWbwPLOrhI3M9tB9CYDvwJCYP3G6K0w8CLn0gBm-agM#`ZyS_~ÁZyS_~בCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://GPlSlM70Pj-TzB0JrxDWSuC_6qyr3QVyjgy8lWwWqxE`׉ 7cassandra://roWKXBZkyWZ7Mr1OuV9-mYFjm-rvEjSv7XKryAiWiEkx`׉ 7cassandra://Cf6JW-mldrFwPASNKowTtkXUAsIhMhAczaiAsEFCpGU"`׉ 7cassandra://4U8og6RWmJWtqdsZbStY60KBBqr3friJSrzQkUwyb1cT͠ZyS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://UjuQcSKotpzJSvSldofhea8RNJS-ajd_U4OZQNtESGc_`׉ 7cassandra://tVMZfI7ed26xStM7ggdBLBmQ6C96ER6LUQGHeYxHLDMz`׉ 7cassandra://yGPUR-IvQNL03FPM1rxSwxeto03Pr2zJdU-u61gMTeo$`׉ 7cassandra://dyhu-756YmPrwKR0zVrCG7bNwpW6KRZpGxxKdeRG0Dk͠ZyS_~ȓנZyS_~ā( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZyS_~Ł ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZyS_~Ɓ( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉EW<< BACK TO CONTENTS Platypus The local platypus population suffered greatly during the Millennium Drought. Environmental water releases in subsequent years have improved water quality for macroinvertebrates — the platypus’ main food source — and have stimulated platypus to explore new habitat and expand their range. “We work with the VEWH to plan and release environmental water, which enables platypus to move around the river and put on the weight they need to be healthy enough to reproduce during the summer breeding season,” Cheryl said. Frogs bouncing back Rivers and wetlands in the central region also support several frog species, which are highly dependent on water to provide habitat at particular stages of their life cycle. Frogs are highly sensitive to changes in the environment and we use this knowledge to plan the delivery of environmental water to rivers and wetlands to replicate the conditions frogs need to reproduce. Monitoring shows that frog populations in rivers and creeks that receive environmental water are larger than those that don’t. A symphony of frogs serenaded visitors to Banyule Billabong, when environmental water in late spring 2016 provided spectacular benefits for those who frequent the area. The billabong lies along one of Melbourne’s most popular recreational trails in Viewbank, near Heidelberg. The Banyule Billabong has one of the most diverse populations of regionally and locally significant wildlife of all the Yarra Valley parkland billabongs. A Melbourne Water investigation of its longterm needs prompted an environmental watering regime to help ensure its ecological future. The month-long trial helped determine the amount of water needed to rehabilitate the billabong’s rich ecosystem, which is home to species like the growling grass frog and to threatened plant species (such as river swamp wallaby grass and ferny azolla). The monitoring showed a rapid response response from frogs and improvements in plant growth. Banyule Billabong after watering in 2016, by Anthea Fleming of the Warringal Conservation Society 41 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://Cf6JW-mldrFwPASNKowTtkXUAsIhMhAczaiAsEFCpGU"`ZyS_~׉EU<< BACK TO CONTENTS You never heard so many happy frogs! Common froglets, pobblebonks and some clicks from, I think, striped marshfrogs.” Banyule resident Anthea Fleming, also of the Waringal Conservation Society, witnessed this first hand: “You never heard so many happy frogs! “ she reported. “Common froglets, pobblebonks and some clicks from, I think, striped marshfrogs.” Melbourne Water General Manager of Integrated Planning Chris Williams said that under natural conditions the Banyule Billabong would have been flooded annually. However, with our rivers supplying water to drink, grow food and meet industry needs, the billabong is flooded less frequently, and water for the environment is essential to its future. “We delivered water to the site to simulate what should occur naturally, and we were really pleased to see that the frogs responded by returning to the area almost immediately,” Chris said. “The billabong is also a popular recreational area for enjoying nature, walking and cycling along the Yarra trail, so we want to ensure the site is rehabilitated for the benefit and liveability of the community and for future generations. Water delivered from the Yarra River to help this unique environment survive and thrive is crucial to achieving this rehabilitation.” Left to right: A growling grass frog, by East Gippsland CMA; An echidna at Banyule Billabong, by Anthea Fleming, Warringal Conservation Society; Tawny frogmouths at Banyule Billabong after watering, by Anthea Fleming, Warringal Conservation Society. Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 42 ׉ 7cassandra://yGPUR-IvQNL03FPM1rxSwxeto03Pr2zJdU-u61gMTeo$`ZyS_~ʁZyS_~ɁבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://0isiPauUKkiHdql2JBibX79aRcj-cP5hGQ68i1srpbs0o`׉ 7cassandra://whsRUGTfaGqCBEHesjpxZcZMf4y88tNUJYPqj4Appuwz`׉ 7cassandra://vWe9A6oZXLnaA3S1KLrm5gxLyidz80lkKCLvRSbeW4U&`׉ 7cassandra://R_RYeYq-naYjpwK_epFckTFTU6F43SK2pQ2j-gHEcYEu͠ZyS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://f-2lfR-ffK2gqAcR3TQ4-ZoW8Xfx5HvEtUHUtgsVACEU2`׉ 7cassandra://fyYY9EbczAPhHCI7Y0bqsuUZ-jFfV6JLcIiHZfWb5zI͡G`׉ 7cassandra://3Wzu0K1-Fl8wdgrUeOs5hbqdZMLJ4ZXaQw-xd_sg-XM2-`׉ 7cassandra://ctQksru2Pr_sbMrO6RrP5_QGdG3cxPjPylaNY2cDwKg͠ZyS_~ϓנZyS_~ˁ( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZyS_~́ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZyS_~́( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉Eh<< BACK TO CONTENTS Paddling in ‘the backyard’ As well as boosting waterway health for native plants and animals, water for the environment delivered to the iconic Yarra River is providing a playground for paddlers. The Yarra River is Sean Marler’s little slice of paradise in Melbourne’s high-rise landscape. Sean’s been paddling the Yarra River since he was 19 years old. He said the peaceful surrounds of the river and diverse wildlife made it easy to forget Melbourne is a city that more than four million people call home. “I’ve paddled on rivers all over the world but nothing quite beats what you’ve got in your own backyard,” Sean said. “The Yarra River is my main playground. I go bushwalking, birdwatching and paddling there, and I’m constantly amazed by the biodiversity I see,” he said. It’s an appreciation being shared by a growing number and diversity of people. “There’s a huge age range. I know people in their 70s who get out here and I take kids as young as three down the river, too,” Sean said. Environmental flows create a healthier waterway for native plants and animals and a Yarra River for everyone to enjoy. I know people in their 70s who get out here and I take kids as young as three down the river too. Paddling on the Yarra River during an environmental flow, by Melbourne Water 43 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://vWe9A6oZXLnaA3S1KLrm5gxLyidz80lkKCLvRSbeW4U&`ZyS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS Sean Marler enjoys paddling on the Yarra River, by Melbourne Water Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 44 ׉ 7cassandra://3Wzu0K1-Fl8wdgrUeOs5hbqdZMLJ4ZXaQw-xd_sg-XM2-`ZyS_~сZyS_~ЁבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://gMtII4DlGanBmp2hpTh5m2fkIM4krC3xjeS3b2GTqIIR`׉ 7cassandra://2GPd4J1ZLuL30LW9dEJNDEuk23r8fnuGUQhta1ub4PMP`׉ 7cassandra://DA6kpakmtA92BE0P2_GnCsyMN2BShNOtPlIxHf8xD_U}`׉ 7cassandra://M7tZwupNHeDIBJWlB42I4A1Ju6Q2jsDQPNcbM2FSw00͆ ͠ZyS_~טu׉׉ 7cassandra://kxckWlCoSsoO-tiqYyGU-LaR7RjVFkvuch4Ef8ncul0`׉ 7cassandra://Nn1Rz2NAcjGLeEtVmwX7o3464agYMXFBn2HoGIvL9kI͸`׉ 7cassandra://kBniy0_ariTTu5QaDguZ0vJr-cggDgr2HSXOdR2rv30;$`׉ 7cassandra://BtzgZVvjFqV-s-AXUbjI8V0hHPR58Ks0GzVc_Wv2pQQiy*͠ZyS_~֓נZyS_~ҁ( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZyS_~Ӂ ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ rנZyS_~ԁ( ̐9׉SG ׁ ׁ r׉En<< BACK TO CONTENTS 2016–17 saw the region’s waterways recover after three dry years, with a wet winter providing more water to help us achieve many of our winter watering objectives. » High natural flows in winter 2016 reconnected many parts of the Glenelg River, providing ideal breeding conditions for native fish. » Platypus and native fish in the Wimmera River continued to recover, thanks to high natural flows and water for the environment. » Water for the environment was delivered to 31 of the 51 Wimmera–Mallee wetlands. » Two Aboriginal water projects in the Wimmera and Glenelg rivers helped reconnect Traditional Owners to many parts of Country and built cross-cultural relationships. » Water for the environment was delivered to the Glenelg River to coincide with the Johnny Mullagh Memorial Cup, an annual cricket competition celebrating the first Australian Test team, who were all Aboriginal men from the area. » Scientists and anglers collaborated using environmental DNA monitoring to reveal how native fish in Wimmera waterways respond to environmental flows. 45 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder ׉ 7cassandra://DA6kpakmtA92BE0P2_GnCsyMN2BShNOtPlIxHf8xD_U}`ZyS_~׉E<< BACK TO CONTENTS The Wimmera River at Horsham, by Greg Fletcher, Wimmera CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 46 ׉ 7cassandra://kBniy0_ariTTu5QaDguZ0vJr-cggDgr2HSXOdR2rv30;$`ZyS_~؁ZyS_~ׁבCטu׉׉ 7cassandra://nzKB11RYFBNGZfZzPWHEGjxf74LpvSKOZAzHlCgyJZ8