A second spring flow fresh is to be released through the lower Goulburn River below Goulburn Weir in November.
A second spring flow fresh is to be released through the lower Goulburn River below Goulburn Weir in November.
The release of up to 5,600 ML/day for 14 days is scheduled to commence on Tuesday 13th November, and conclude on 2nd December. Flows and timing may vary depending on weather conditions. Releases take about a week to flow to the Murray River.
Similar to the fresh provided in October, the flow is aimed to stimulate Golden Perch breeding in the lower Goulburn River.
“The longer duration of the November fresh is also aimed at prolonging the inundation of snags to provide more macroinvertebrate habitat, and to encourage aquatic vegetation,” Geoff Earl, Environmental Water Flow Coordinator from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) said.
The fresh also aims to move water from the Goulburn River to the River Murray to help meet other environmental flow needs downstream. This water is being provided by The Living Murray program and by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office. The Living Murray is a joint initiative funded by the Victorian, New South Wales, South Australian, Australian Capital Territory and Commonwealth governments, coordinated by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority.
Monitoring funded by the Goulburn Broken CMA to detect fish breeding has commenced, as is monitoring funded by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office which will investigate the outcomes of environmental flows on macroinvertebrates and their habitat, water quality, organic matter movement, algae, and bank vegetation.
With the dry spring, environmental flows have been released since early October to improve conditions for the river environment.
Environmental water deliveries are being planned by Goulburn Broken CMA and managed by Goulburn-Murray Water in line with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder’s Seasonal Watering Plan 2012-13 and the requirements of other delivery orders. Goulburn-Murray Water regularly publishes river flow forecasts on their website at www.g-mwater.com.au/managing-water-storages.
For further information about these releases, please contact Geoff Earl at Goulburn Broken CMA office at Shepparton on 03 5820 1100.
The Goulburn River At McCoys Bridge
For further information please contact:
Amanda McClaren, Communications and Marketing Manager
t: 03 5820 1117 m: 0459 023 640 e: amandam@gbcma.vic.gov.au