This past couple of years as drought has created havoc across the nation, it is good news to know that recent rainfall across the Goulburn Catchment has allowed Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) to fill Waranga Basin ahead of schedule.
GMW diverted additional water into the off-stream storage during April and early May as rainfall stemmed irrigation demand and increased river flows.
Achieving this milestone early highlights two months of increased rainfall downstream of Eildon with the highest flows seen in 10 years, estimated at around 5000 megalitres per day last month.
GMW Water Resources manager, Mark Bailey said the water will now be held in storage at Waranga Basin until the next irrigation season begins on August 15.
“This is exactly what we like to see at this time of year, bringing benefits that are two-fold,” Mr Bailey said
“It fuels confidence that we have water available for improved seasonal determinations in the Goulburn system when the season opens with a good likelihood longer term determinations will exceed initial forecasting.
“It also means more water will reach the Murray system, which becomes a Victorian resource under the MDBA accounting rules.”
Mr Bailey cautioned recreational river users that water levels could rapidly rise and currents could be strong, presenting a danger for those visiting the area.
“We are getting strong flows downstream of the Goulburn Weir through Murchison and into Shepparton from all the tributaries below Lake Eildon, such as the Acheron and Rubicon rivers as well as the Hughes and Sunday creeks,” Mr Bailey said
“Anyone camping or fishing or planning a school holiday visit should be aware of this potential danger.”
Mr Bailey said since the last seasonal outlook, a more optimistic picture was viable for the Goulburn system and the Murray system was improving.
At the same time, Victorians are set to enjoy the flow-on benefits of water for the environment with many of the state’s waterways to receive much-needed environmental water deliveries over the next year.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) recently launched its Seasonal Watering Plan 2020-2021, setting out where and when water for the environment is planned to be delivered to rivers and wetlands across Victoria under different climate scenarios, including drought, dry, average and wet. This water has been legally set aside in environmental water entitlements that are held and managed by the VEWH. Environmental water entitlements are subject to the same seasonal allocations as equivalent entitlements held by other water users.
In releasing the seasonal watering plan, VEWH Co-CEO, Beth Ashworth said that despite recent rainfall easing dry conditions, environmental watering was still critical to protect waterway health.
“Planning for all climate scenarios allows us to quickly respond to emerging conditions to get the best environmental outcomes we can, no matter what,” Ms Ashworth said.
This year’s plan also delivers on changes to the Water Act 1989 which, for the first time in Victoria, enshrined in law consideration of recreational and Aboriginal values in all water management.
