Watering event updates

Keep up to date with current key watering events in the Murray and Lower Darling catchments.

This information was updated on 23 September 2019.

Tuppal Creek

Event status: Underway
Start date: 6 September 2019 End date: 30 April 2020
Water allocated to event: Up to 12,000ML
Water source: NSW, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

Aims of watering event: 

  • provide flow to river reach (longitudinal)
  • support habitat health
  • improve fringing vegetation
  • provide refuge habitat during dry times
  • support aquatic food web to feed native fish

Brief description of event: The purpose of the flow is to provide habitat for native fish and improve fringing vegetation condition. Environmental water is expected to be delivered through to April 2020. Delivery is managed by Murray Irrigation Limited via their irrigation channel system.

For more information read the Tuppal Creek news article.
This watering event is consistent with annual watering priorities. The event has been endorsed by the local Environmental Water Advisory Group.

Boomanoomana

Event status: Completed
Start date: 6 September 2019 End date: 16 October 2019
Water allocated to event: 311ML
Water source: NSW

Aims of watering event: 

  • support habitat health
  • maintain core site(s)
  • provide refuge habitat
  • provide waterbird breeding habitat
  • provide waterbird feeding habitat
  • provide refuge habitat during dry time
  • support nesting sites/habitat
Brief description of event: The purpose of the flow is to provide habitat for waterbirds and maintain wetland vegetation condition. Environmental water is expected to be delivered through to October 2019. A total of 400 megalitres of NSW adaptive environmental water has been allocated to this event, with delivery being managed by Murray Irrigation Limited.
This watering event is consistent with annual watering priorities. The event has been endorsed by the local Environmental Water Advisory Group.

Edward-Wakool watering event

Event status: Underway
Start date: 1 July 2019 End date: To be confirmed
Estimated water use to date: 12,000ML
Water source: Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

Aims of watering event: 

  • Boost instream productivity for ecosystem health
  • Provide flow to river reach (longitudinal)
  • Improve fringing vegetation
  • Maintain/protect nesting/spawning habitat
  • Trigger native fish movement
  • Provide nursery habitat for juvenile fish
Brief description of event: This event will provide flows in the Yallakool-Wakool and Colligen-Niemur creek systems to provide and maintain habitat for native fish and provide opportunities for movement. Flows paused on December 1 with a follow-up pulse in mid February.
This watering event is consistent with annual watering priorities. The event has been endorsed by the local Environmental Water Advisory Group.

Multisite Hume to South Australia watering event

Event status: Completed
Start date:  August 2019 End date: October 2019
Estimated water use to date: 50,000ML
Water source: The Living Murray and River Murray Increased Flows

Aims of watering event: 

  • connect river and wetland (latitudinal)
  • boost instream productivity for ecosystem health
  • provide flow to river reach (longitudinal)
  • enhance instream flow
  • improve wetland condition
  • improve fringing vegetation
  • support nesting sites/habitat
  • support aquatic food web to feed native fish.
Brief description of event: Water for the environment will add to flows in the Murray River to help provide food for fish and give native plants a drink. These pulses in winter and spring 2019 will occur throughout the length of the Murray from Yarrawonga to the Coorong. See update for more information.
This watering event is consistent with annual watering priorities. The event has been endorsed by the local Environmental Water Advisory Group.

Millewa regulators watering event

Event status: Completed
Start date:  1 July 2019 End date: December 2019
Estimated water use to date: 21,000ML
Water source: River Murray Increased Flows

Aims of watering event: 

  • connect river and wetland (latitudinal)
  • improve wetland condition
  • provide waterbird feeding habitat
  • provide refuge habitat during dry time
  • maintain/protect nesting/spawning habitat
  • trigger native fish movement
  • provide nursery habitat for juvenile fish
Brief description of event: Water for the environment will assist in providing and maintaining habitat for native fish and allow opportunities for movement between the Murray River, Edward River, Gulpa Creek and several floodplain creeks. The event will also help to maintain floodplain vegetation condition.
This watering event is consistent with annual watering priorities. The event has been endorsed by the local Environmental Water Advisory Group.