Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority environmental water and wetlands manager Simon Casanelia said the water release was referred to as the ‘Goulburn River autumn fresh’ and was expected to run from about March 11 to April 4.
“Water for the environment will greatly benefit native vegetation by wetting the river’s banks and then receding, supporting existing vegetation, especially after the recent hot dry weather,” Mr Casanelia said.
“Establishing and promoting bank vegetation has been a priority after multiple years of higher water levels, which has made it difficult for bank vegetation to take hold and grow.
“Scientists and Goulburn Broken CMA staff have observed a positive response to water deliveries in the lower Goulburn River with some recovery of lower bank vegetation and good coverage along the middle bank.”
Water for the environment is water allocated and managed to improve the health of rivers, wetlands and floodplains.
The autumn fresh is targeted for the lower Goulburn River. It will have a peak flow of about 6000 Ml/day at Shepparton before slowly dropping back to about 1000 Ml/day.
“Peak flows will be well below minor flood levels along the Goulburn River,” Mr Casanelia said.
“At Shepparton the river will reach 4.3 metres; the minor flood level is 9.5 metres.
“Timing and height of the fresh may vary depending on natural flows in the river. Delivery of water for the environment will reduce or stop if there is any flood risk.”
Environmental flows are planned by the Goulburn Broken CMA in consultation with the local community, Traditional Owners, river ecologists, Goulburn-Murray Water, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
The flows are authorised by the VEWH in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2024-25.
For more information, go to vewh.vic.gov.au or gbcma.vic.gov.au or flow-mer.org.au/selected-area-lower-goulburn-river/
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