Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority environmental water and wetlands manager Simon Casanelia said the water release was referred to as the ‘Goulburn River autumn fresh’ and was expected to run from approximately March 11 to April 4.
“Water for the environment will greatly benefit native vegetation by wetting the river’s banks and then receding, supporting existing vegetation, especially after the recent hot dry weather,” Mr Casanelia said.
“Autumn is often a time when people get out to enjoy the Goulburn River during public and school holidays.
“This year, the autumn fresh has been planned to avoid all public and school holidays.
“Establishing and promoting bank vegetation has been a priority after multiple years of higher water levels, which has made it difficult for bank vegetation to take hold and grow.
“Scientists and Goulburn Broken CMA staff have observed a positive response to water deliveries in the lower Goulburn River with some recovery of lower bank vegetation and good coverage along the middle bank.”
Water for the environment is water allocated and managed to improve the health of rivers, wetlands and floodplains.
The autumn fresh is targeted for the lower Goulburn River. It will have a peak flow of approximately 6000 megalitres per day at Shepparton before slowly dropping back to approximately 1000ML per day late in early April.
“Peak flows will be well below minor flood levels along the Goulburn River,” Mr Casanelia said.
“At Shepparton the river will reach 4.3 metres, the minor flood level is 9.5 metres.
“Timing and height of the fresh may vary depending on natural flows in the river.
“Delivery of water for the environment will reduce or stop if there is any flood risk,
“Environmental flows are planned by the Goulburn Broken CMA in consultation with the local community, Traditional Owners, river ecologists, Goulburn-Murray Water, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
“Decisions about using water for the environment are based on science, including research by river ecologists and long-term environmental monitoring. The research and monitoring clearly demonstrates water for the environment is improving the health of the Goulburn River.”
To check how water for the environment changes flows in the Lower Goulburn, view the hydrograph on Goulburn Broken CMA’s website fchmccoys.hydronet.com which updates weekly.
The flows are authorised by the VEWH in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2024-25.
The plan is available for download from vewh.vic.gov.au with regular watering updates posted on the Goulburn Broken CMA website, gbcma.vic.gov.au
To learn more, visit flow-mer.org.au/selected-area-lower-goulburn-river/
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