In catchments particularly affected by dry conditions, we targeted refuge sites where native fish, waterbirds and other wildlife had congregated in and around the remaining pockets of water.
We worked with community advisory groups to prioritise the sites to receive water and build on the successes of previous years. Where possible, we also managed our water reserves to hold some water in account for future dry times.
We also collaborated with numerous landholders across the rivers and floodplains in which we work. Their support and cooperation is critical to the successful outcomes achieved.
We manage water on behalf of the NSW Government and partner with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) and The Living Murray program.
Water was used strategically to:
- support habitat health
- provide essential refuge sites as the drought continued
- make subtle but important changes to river flow patterns at a number of locations to provide triggers for native fish to breed
- connect rivers with key floodplain wetlands and give native fish increased access to habitat and food.
Key achievements
Connectivity
Work on the Water Infrastructure Project at Toorale National Park and State Conservation Area (Toorale) continued in 2019–20. This involved removing, modifying or decommissioning existing water infrastructure on Toorale to support environmental outcomes. In October 2019, Peebles Dam was removed from the Warrego River, improving connectivity between the Darling and Warrego Rivers and floodplains.
The aim of the project is to enable greater water flow capacity through the lower reaches of the Warrego River and into the Darling River for downstream environmental benefits and improved fish passage. Flows in the Warrego system in spring 2019 and autumn 2020 extended through Toorale with the use of the Commonwealth held environmental water entitlement directed into the Darling River and onto the western floodplain
Native fish
Whole of system flows in the Murray catchment provided an important opportunity for native fish to feed, breed and move throughout the river system. This ensures populations of native fish are able to recover and repopulate when more favourable conditions return to the landscape.
Water for the environment was delivered into Tuppal Creek, between Tocumwal and Deniliquin. DPIE – EES is developing a works program with Murray Irrigation and Tuppal Creek landholders to allow higher flows to move unimpeded along the creek. This will improve passage for large-bodied native fish species such as Murray cod.
Waterbirds
During spring 2019, a whole-of-system multi-site flow in the Lachlan River provided critical foraging and roosting habitats for a diversity of waterbirds at multiple sites in the mid- and lower-Lachlan. These included threatened species such as the freckled duck, blue-billed duck and brolga, as well as migratory shorebirds such as Latham’s snipe, common greenshank, sharp-tailed sandpiper and resident wader species.
Native vegetation
In early 2020, a total of 3.4 gigalitres of water was delivered to the wetlands of the Lower Gwydir and Gingham watercourses. This watering took advantage of natural river flows due to rains returning to the catchment and inundating 3500 hectares in the Gingham and Big Leather (Lower Gwydir) watercourse wetlands. Surveys indicated good growth of flow-dependent vegetation, provision of habitat for many waterbird species and strong recruitment of frog species.
The arrival of widespread rain toward the end of the water year means water managers can now focus their attention on recovery and restoration of the rivers, wetlands, native vegetation and animals hard-hit by drought. In consultation with local community advisory groups, we have started implementing adaptive management plans to support the health of our rivers, wetlands and wildlife.
Where water for the environment has been available, we have achieved a range of important outcomes for rivers and wetlands along with the wildlife that rely on them. The flows that support one species invariably support many other beneficial outcomes. Here are a few highlights from the 9 water resource plan areas across the state.
Murray and Lower Darling catchments
In 2019–20 we delivered 135.6 gigalitres of water to rivers, creeks and wetlands on private and public land.
For example:
- we worked with state and federal partner agencies to connect rivers and floodplain wetlands on a landscape scale
- managed flows triggered breeding and movement of native fish
- water for the environment boosted floodplain productivity and the aquatic food web
- our work supported habitat health and plant growth
- we partnered with a private irrigation company to upgrade and install new infrastructure that increased flows and improved outcomes for the Tuppal and Thule creeks
- we delivered water to several private wetlands using irrigation infrastructure and private pumping to support southern bell frog populations in the central Murray
- we managed the delivery of water for the environment into the Bottle Bend Reserve to support black box and lignum.
Murrumbidgee catchment
In 2019–20 we delivered 80.5 gigalitres of water to rivers, creeks and wetlands on private and public land.
This water delivery:
- connected the river with floodplain wetlands to core water sites and provide habitat for threatened species including Australian bitterns and southern bell frogs
- used existing infrastructure to provide water to wetlands on the Lowbidgee floodplain
- triggered breeding and movement of native fish
- boosted floodplain productivity and the aquatic food web
- replenished wetland refuges in anticipation of possible dry times ahead
- provided critical refuge habitat for native fish, turtles and frogs at sites throughout the catchment
- allowed us to manage higher flows to meet the needs of native fish in anticipation of heat wave conditions.
We also worked with a private irrigation company to deliver water to private property wetlands to support southern bell frogs, waterbirds and native plant life.
Lachlan catchment
In 2019–20 we delivered 31.9 gigalitres of water to rivers, creeks and wetlands on private and public land.
For example we:
- worked with the CEWH to provide a variety of refuge habitats for wildlife under stress from the drought
- provided critical foraging habitat for the Lachlan’s last-known population of olive perchlet
- partnered with the mid-Lachlan Aboriginal community and Ngiyampaa Nation to support and access cultural values and practices associated with Booberoi Creek
- supported a range of native wildlife and plant communities in anabranch (a stream branching off from a river or creek and rejoining it further downstream) systems and creeks.
Macquarie–Castlereagh catchment
In 2019–20, water for the environment was quarantined in a drought account. However, a NSW and CEWH delivery of 4.6 gigalitres was made to supplement natural flows later in the water year.
This meant we:
- were unable to complete the third year of the 3-year watering strategy for the Macquarie Marshes
- worked with partner agencies to incorporate critical environmental needs into river operations
- relocated freshwater turtles from drying pools to long-lasting weir-pool habitat
- made use of supplementary held environmental water to maximise flows to the Macquarie Marshes after rainfall rebooted the river system.
Gwydir catchment
In 2019–20 we delivered 16 gigalitres of CEWH water to rivers, creeks and wetlands in this catchment.
This enabled us to:
- maintain water quality and water levels in refuge pools along the Carole Creek, Mehi and main Gwydir river channels
- deliver water to Whittaker’s Lagoon on the Mehi floodplain to support native fish survival and attract birdlife
- support vegetation growth and recovery in the Lower Gwydir watercourse wetlands to provide habitat for waterbird species and encourage recruitment of frogs.
Barwon–Darling catchment
In 2019–20, no deliveries of water for the environment were made.
During this water year we:
- worked with partner agencies to protect first flush flows at the start of the year
- partnered with Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries to monitor water quality as part of the first flush at Brewarrina
- observed rainfall and natural flows that allowed a number of environmental water requirements to be met that connected habitats, triggered fish movement and inundated instream benches (sediments banks within the river channel) for improved productivity.
Border Rivers catchment
In 2019–20, no deliveries of water for the environment were made.
During this water year we:
- worked with partner agencies on drought response actions for the aquatic ecosystems of the Border Rivers
- advised on the release of flows for town water supplies to achieve dual environmental benefits
- observed rainfall and resulting flows that provided small fresh events in the Severn River, downstream of Frazers Creek
- observed rainfall and natural flows that provided small and large freshes in the Dumaresq River
- observed rainfall and natural flows that included a continual base flow in the lower section of the Macintyre River.
Intersecting Streams catchment
In 2019–20 we:
- operated dam structures in Toorale National Park and State Conservation Area to provide water from the Warrego River to connect to the Darling River and the Warrego River floodplain.
Namoi catchment
In 2019–20, no deliveries of water for the environment were made.
During this water year we:
- provided advice to partner agencies on critical environmental needs within the NSW drought management response framework
- observed rainfall and natural flows that replenished water levels, refreshed water quality, boosted productivity and allowed large-scale fish movement
- managed the release of an environmental water allowance made available when the use of a pipeline from Chaffey Dam to Dungowan caused cease-to-flow conditions below a temporary weir on the Peel River
- observed rain and natural inflows that replenished river pools upstream of the Cockburn and Peel river confluence in combination with the environmental water allowance.
