Water releases happening now…

Environmental water flows are dependent on many factors, and can often change, so it is important to keep up to date.

With the weather beginning to dry and below average rainfall forecasted for the next three months, our Environmental Water team are back to busily planning how to keep our rivers and wetlands in best condition.

A ‘low flow’ has already begun in the Macalister River and will continue until the end of June. This small lift in river volume will connect all parts of the river to help native fish to move around and to find food and shelter. This will be complemented by two autumn ‘freshes’. The April fresh will trigger the downstream migration of the Australian Grayling, towards Lake Wellington to spawn. The May fresh will trigger Tupong and Australian Bass to follow the Grayling downstream to spawn as well.

The Thomson will also receive a fresh in April, followed by a low flow through to the end of June. The fresh is intended to trigger a spawning migration for Australian Grayling and Australian Bass, with the low flow delivered to help small native fish and platypus move around the river and give them access to more food and shelter.

* Please note: Flow rates and heights are estimates, and actual heights on the day may vary due to rainfall or irrigation water orders being delivered. Also, environmental flow deliveries may be offset or replaced by natural rainfall/flow events. In the case of a large rainfall event meeting our flow targets, an environmental flow may not be delivered.

If flows are cancelled or modified, our email list will be notified and a SMS sent to subscribers who have opted in for that feature.
This page will be updated if any changes occur or you can email  eflows@wgcma.vic.gov.au if you have any further queries.

Things can change so, sign up to receive up to the minute notifications