THE Goulburn Valley Catchment Management Authority plans to release water from the Goulburn Weir from mid-September to improve habitat and food sources for native fish, platypus and water bugs in the Lower Goulburn River.
This release is referred to as the Goulburn River early spring fresh, and it increases the height of the river for a short time, with scientific monitoring, and is one of the most important flow events for the ecology of the Goulburn River.
Goulburn Broken CMA environmental water and wetlands manager, Simon Casanelia states,
“The release occurs when flows would naturally be high and brings food and nutrients into the river to feed plants and animals ahead of summer.
“The flow boosts food resources and available habitat…stabilises plants to grow and moves sediments from the riverbed to maintain habitat for water bugs and native fish.”
If all goes well to plan, the fresh is due to start on September 15, peaking later in the month at approximately 9,500ML/day before dropping back to approximately 1,000ML/day, while remaining well below minor flood levels, at all times.
Environmental flows are planned by the Goulburn Broken CMA in consultation with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and the Victorian Environmental Water Holder as well as Goulburn-Murray Water, who manage the releases of environmental flows from storages.
Find out more about river health, water for the environment and monitoring activities at www.gbcm.vic.gov.au.
To check flows in the Lower Goulburn, view the hydrograph on Goulburn Broken CMA’s website: http://fchmccoys.hydronet.com
