River users and native animals and plants will benefit from increased Goulburn River flows during March.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Environmental Water Co-ordinator Meegan Judd said an environmental flow was due to be released from Goulburn Weir on March 7.
“The increased flow aims to maintain recently established vegetation on the lower river banks,” Ms Judd said.
“These plants help stabilise the river bank and provide valuable habitat and food for native fish, birds and water bugs.
“Higher river levels are great for boating and swimming, which is good news for anyone heading to the river during the next few weeks and for Easter.” Currently flow at Murchison is about 840 ML/day and 750 ML/day ay McCoy’s Bridge. From March 7 the river flows from the Goulburn Weir will gradually increase to a peak of 4,500 ML/day by March 15. This means the river height will increase to a maximum of 2.58m at Murchison, 3.93m at Shepparton and 3.32m at McCoy’s Bridge. Water takes about four days to flow from Goulburn Weir to the Murray River. The increased river flow released from Goulburn Weir will be finished by March 31. The majority of the water will flow into the Murray River where it will provide additional downstream environmental benefits.
The increased flow will use a combination of Commonwealth environmental water and water en route to meet downstream irrigator and community demand.
Environmental flows are planned by the Goulburn Broken CMA, managed by Goulburn-Murray Water in line with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder’s Seasonal Watering Plan 2015-16, and take into consideration delivery orders by irrigators and other water users.
For more information visit www.gbcma.vic.gov.au
The Seasonal Watering Plan 2015-16 is available at www.vewh.vic.gov.au
Goulburn Murray Water publishes river flow forecasts on its website at www.g-mwater.com.au/managing-water-storages