The Murrumbidgee Environmental Water Advisory Group (EWAG) met on 3–4 March 2026 to discuss environmental water in the Murrumbidgee catchment.
Water operations and storage update
Blowering and Burrinjuck dams’ levels are very low and of similar volume, though their percentage capacities differ. Inflows to the system remain very low, and long range forecasts indicate ongoing dry conditions across the Murrumbidgee catchment.
Environmental watering events
The Western Lakes complex recorded a third consecutive year of Australian painted snipe presence, with up to 9 individuals observed over a 2-month period. Management actions, including a feral animal exclusion fence, also supported strong populations of southern bell frogs, breeding Australasian and little bitterns, and the successful stocking of native fish, including olive perchlet and southern purple spotted gudgeon.
Targeted environmental watering of the North Redbank Wetlands was informed by newly installed remote level sensors, which helped to maintain stable water levels to encourage waterbird breeding. Glen Avon Lagoon, an important deep-water refuge, was stocked with 6,000 golden perch fingerlings, with measures implemented to exclude exotic fish.
Watering in the Gayini system focused on the northern flow path in response to stress on lignum in the southern floodplain. Water reached key wetlands, and juvenile golden perch were recorded, indicating successful recruitment.
Yarradda Lagoon and other sites were maintained through pumping events to support water levels and fish stocking. While pump failures and low river levels presented challenges, 25,000 golden perch fingerlings were stocked into the wetland by the local fishing club. Follow-up environmental flows and monitoring are planned to assess growth and survival.
The Cultural Access Licence (CAL) was used to deliver cultural outcomes by providing water to several significant wetlands in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
The full allocation was applied across several sites, including Cudgel Creek, Tuckerbil Wetlands and McCaughey’s Lagoon. Members of the Leeton and District Local Aboriginal Land Council welcomed the return of water to these areas. Future opportunities for the CAL were discussed.
Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism
The EWAG received an update on the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism projects in the Murrumbidgee. This included infrastructure upgrades under the Yanco Modernisation Project and the installation of 4 new hydrometric flow measurement stations.
Monitoring evaluation and reporting
New monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements for water sharing plans were discussed. Members highlighted the need to clearly link objectives, strategies and performance indicators.
Basin Plan review
The second day of the meeting focused on the Murray–Darling Basin Plan review, with the Murray–Darling Basin Authority in attendance to answer questions.
