Flow-MER is an on-ground monitoring, evaluation and research program, working with scientists, water managers, communities and First Nations across the Murray-Darling Basin.
The goal of the research is to help understand how fish, birds, vegetation and river connectivity respond to water for the environment.
The Goulburn Broken CMA, as the local partner in the program, will work with river scientists and researchers to design and implement the program.
Goulburn Broken CMA environmental water manager Simon Casanelia, said water used to keep rivers and wetlands healthy was known as water for the environment.
“Water set aside by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder for this purpose is released locally from Lake Eildon at relevant times of the year,” Mr Casanelia said.
“This water is used to keep native plants healthy and support feeding and breeding of native animals such as platypus, fish and birds.
“Releases of water for the environment are designed to mimic natural flows that would have occurred before the river was dammed and regulated. By providing this water, we do our bit to help replicate natural flows.”
The new phase of the program will include responsive monitoring and research in the Broken Creek and the Broken, Loddon and Campaspe rivers, as well as continued monitoring in the Goulburn River.
There are a total of 10 areas included in the expanded Flow-MER program across the Murray-Darling Basin.
Local activities to be undertaken as part of the program will include monitoring fish abundance and diversity and the condition of riverbanks and riverbank vegetation.
Research and monitoring of environmental water under the Flow-MER program has been conducted on the Goulburn River since 2014.
This expanded phase of the program runs from mid 2024-2029 and will include a strong focus on active First Nations’ participation.
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