Operations update
At the time of the meeting, the Murrumbidgee catchment area was under normal river operations. As of 26 February, Burrinjuck storage was 88.8% and Blowering storage was 66.3%.
In December 2023 and January 2024, the inflow of water into storages and the release of water from storages were almost the same. Careful management of releases from Burrinjuck and Blowering dams helps maintain harmony between the 2 storages and reduce the risk of spills.
The long-range forecast indicates that El Nino conditions are starting to ease. However, rainfall from March to May is expected to be below median levels and temperatures in the same period are expected to exceed median temperatures.
Environmental flows in the Murrumbidgee catchment have been used to support trout cod and Murray cod, increase connectivity for better native fish movement and support waterbird breeding. It was reported at the meeting that 350,214 ML of water for the environment has been delivered so far this year.
In the coming months, water for the environment will provide an autumn fish pulse to maintain in-stream habitat and opportunities for fish dispersal. Delivery will be timed around maintenance and repairs to water delivery infrastructure.
The Environmental Water Advisory Group was given a brief update about the Reconnecting River Country Program. For details of the Reconnecting River Country Program or to sign up for ongoing communications and updates, please go to Reconnecting River Country Program.
Monitoring update
Wetland monitoring of vegetation, fish, frogs, turtles, and waterbirds was undertaken in November and December 2023 and January 2024.
Some of the core monitoring sites in the mid-Murrumbidgee were not monitored due to low water levels. Although exotic fish species were caught at every monitored site across the mid-Murrumbidgee, more native fish were caught in the area during the monitoring period. Multiple native frog and turtle species were recorded. The endangered southern bell frog was heard at Gooragool for the first time since 2021.
Water levels in the lower Murrumbidgee were lower than in the previous year, and some sites were too shallow to conduct monitoring. Where monitoring took place, a mixture of exotic and native fish was found throughout the lower Murrumbidgee. The Murray River short-necked turtle, broad-shelled turtle and eastern long-necked turtle were found across the monitoring sites, as were many species of frogs.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) was collected in the Yanco Creek system to understand better the plants and animals that live there. Further monitoring of the Yanco Creek system will take place in April.
Narrandera Fisheries Centre visit
For the second half of the meeting Environmental Water Advisory Group members went on a tour of the new facilities at the Narrandera Fisheries Centre and learnt more about the breeding programs and work in eDNA. For more information, visit the Fisheries Centre website.
