WATER for the environment is being released into the Goulburn River this spring to benefit native fish. Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Environmental Water and Wetlands Manager, Simon Casanelia, said the delivery of water would increase river habitat and encourage native fish to move and spawn. “Water for the environment will be used to deliver a series of short-term increases in river flows between now and the end of November,” Mr Casanelia said. “As water temperatures rise, these short-term increases can act as a cue for golden perch and silver perch to move and spawn in the lower Goulburn River between Murchison and the Murray River. “Spring is an important time for fish movement and spawning, so there is strong environmental value in providing these flow cues even after the higher flows experienced over winter.” A late-spring fresh will also be delivered to initiate perch spawning and will be the first environmental water delivery of this kind for several years. These freshes are typically only delivered when there have been natural high flow events over winter and spring which increases perch spawning success. After the fresh, lower variable base flows will support the germination and growth of lower-bank vegetation over the warmer months. These lower flows are expected to begin before the peak recreation period, including the opening of cod season. The exact timing and size of the flows will depend on catchment and rainfall conditions. Water for the environment is water allocated and managed to improve the health of rivers, wetlands and floodplains. Decisions about its use are informed by river science, long-term environmental monitoring and current catchment conditions. Mr Casanelia said the flows would also increase habitat and food resources for platypus and waterbugs. Flows are planned to fluctuate between 1200 and 3000 ML/day over the two months, with two higher peaks. The first is expected to reach up to 6000 ML/day around October 19 at Murchison, followed by a late-spring fresh of up to 9000 ML/day around November 12 at Murchison. Peak flows will remain well below minor flood levels along the Goulburn River. At Shepparton, the river is expected to reach a maximum of about 5.5 metres (approximately 9000 ML/day), compared with the minor flood level of 9.5 metres (approximately 29000 ML/day). The timing and height of the fresh may vary in response to natural flows, and delivery will be reduced or stopped if there is any flood risk. The planned release of water for environment will also benefit the river and adjacent wetlands directly downstream of Lake Eildon, which have not experienced higher flows for several months because elevated contributions from downstream tributaries have reduced the need for releases from the storage. Before the river was regulated, flows in the lower Goulburn would have risen and fallen in response to rainfall. The planned delivery will recreate some of this natural variability while remaining well below minor flood levels. Environmental flows are planned by the Goulburn Broken CMA in consultation with the local community, river ecologists, Goulburn-Murray Water, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. To check how water for the environment changes flows in the Lower Goulburn, view the hydrograph on Goulburn Broken CMA’s website fchmccoys.hydronet.com/ (updated weekly). The flows are authorised by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2026–27. The plan is available from vewh.vic.gov.au, with regular watering updates available on the Goulburn Broken CMA website at gbcma.vic.gov.au
