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Murray-Darling Basin
Commission eLetter No 74 February 2008
Welcome to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission monthly e-letter with reports of happenings across the Basin. Contributions are welcome. Please send items (no more than 250 words) to the editor at sam.leone@mdbc.gov.au An online html version is
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“Good rainfall in the northern half of the Basin during December has resulted in good flows moving down the Darling River and into Menindee Lakes,” Dr Craik said. “The storage of Menindee Lakes had increased to 232 GL by late January and a total of 400 GL is expected. This compares with a total storage in Menindee Lakes of about 1700 GL.” Dr Craik said the more recent rain in the Warrego River catchment in southern Queensland had also caused very significant flooding. But only a small fraction of this water was expected to eventually make its way to the Darling River and then Menindee Lakes. “An excellent piece of news is that some of the wetlands in the northern half of the Basin – which have been dry for some years – are now getting some valuable watering.” While there had been good rainfalls in mid January in the southern half of the Basin along the Murray and its upper tributaries, the response in streamflows was only small. “This will probably result in only 50 to 80 gigalitres of extra water, equivalent to less than 1 per cent of the total system storage,” Dr Craik said. “The main catchment areas in the Victorian Alps and Snowy Mountains of New South Wales are still very dry after many years of below average rainfall. “It will take sustained heavy rainfall to provide a significant increase in inflows and hence lift storage levels.” For the latest information keep an eye on the MDBC’s weekly report of river operations at www.mdbc.gov.au/subs/river-info/weekly-report/current_wr.pdf Call
for fish study tender closes
Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said the submissions would now be evaluated and successful tenderers would be announced in the near future. Dr Craik said the call for tender had been the subject of some mixed and misleading media reporting in late December. “I would like to make it absolutely clear that there is no intention of eradicating trout from Basin streams,” Dr Craik said. “We appreciate that an important industry and strong recreation imperatives have developed around trout. “The study is part of a 2003 Ministerial Council agreement to increase native fish stocks to 60 per cent of pre-European levels by 2053.” Dr Craik said the study would:
“There has been a lot of talk but very little in the way of research into most of the alien species, other than carp. "This study is about quantifying the issue," Dr Craik said. "The final document, due in 2011, will establish the environmental, social and economic benefits of control measures it will be then up to governments to decide what is best. "Any decision on the future of trout or any of the other alien fish is a decision for governments.” For more information call Sam Leone on 0407 006 332 MDBC releases
environmental water for South Australia
MDBC Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said critical refuge areas on the Chowilla Floodplain, one of the icon sites of The Living Murray, would receive up to 2.6 GL. Another 2 GL would go to mitigating the risk of acidification at a number of environmentally significant wetlands below Lock 1 on the Murray River. “The MDBC partner governments agree these are among the highest priority sites for the very small volume of environmental water available in the Murray River system this season,” Dr Craik said. “The water, available through The Living Murray program, is part of 12.8 GL carried over from last water year for environmental use. This water is not available for irrigation use and will not impact on the availability of water for consumptive users.” Dr Craik said two of the areas in critical need of water, Werta Wert Wetland and Twin Creeks, would be watered immediately, while watering at another three areas would be deferred until early Autumn. “The river red gums, black box and many other species that occur in this system are threatened by these prolonged drought conditions and need some respite,” Dr Craik said. The maintenance of these drought refuges is critical for the recovery of wildlife and vegetation at Chowilla, including nationally threatened species such as the Southern Bell Frog. These species are particularly vulnerable because this drought has been preceded by many years of ‘human induced’ drought, which has significantly reduced flooding events in the lower Murray. This has reduced the ability of many floodplain species to withstand extended dry periods. South Australia’s Minister for Environment and Conservation, the Hon Gail Gago said, “I welcome the life supporting environmental flow of the Chowilla Floodplain - SA’s largest area of River Red Gum woodland containing some trees up to 200 years old and part of the Riverland Ramsar site (Ramsar recognises internationally significant wetland sites). “Unfortunately there will still be large areas that will continue to decline through lack of water, but we hope the area to benefit will provide a vital life support for important species,” said Minister Gago. Dr Craik said that, in addition, downstream of Lock 1 there is the risk of acidification in some wetlands, caused by drying after long periods of being continuously wet. “This could have catastrophic, long lasting impacts on the environment and on water quality. By providing this small but crucial amount of water now, we hope to avoid irreversible damage in the future.” This announcement brings the total environmental water provided by MDBC this season to 10.6 GL (this includes the recent announcement of 6 GL of water for the Wakool River and Merran Creek to protect critical fish habitat. For more information download the related factsheet Water
released to save Millewa State Forest native fish
MDBC Chief Executive, Dr Wendy Craik AM said the water - up to 0.5 GL – was made available through The Living Murray program. “It is part of the 12.8 GL carried over from last water year for environmental emergencies such as this. This water is not available for irrigation use and will not impact on the availability of water for other users,” Dr Craik said. “The MDBC partner governments agree this is one of the highest priority sites for use of the very small volume of environmental water available in the Murray River system this season. “If we can help to save this rare native fish and preserve it in its natural habitat it will contribute to the overall biodiversity of the Murray River system,” Dr Craik said. Forests NSW Riverina ecologist Gary Miller said the population of Southern Pygmy Perch was under threat. “We have been monitoring this site closely since last September, and there has been a significant deterioration in water quality and available habitat since Christmas,” Mr Miller said. “We are able to deliver water directly into the portion of the creek required, which allows us to use a very small volume of water to great effect. “We have released 125 megalitres into part of Toupna Creek within Millewa State Forest, to ensure the survival of a population of Southern Pygmy Perch. “Ongoing monitoring of the population will occur with the possibility of another release should water quality deteriorate.” Department of Primary Industries research scientist for freshwater fish ecology Lee Baumgartner said that the Millewa population of Southern Pygmy Perch was one of only a small number in the Murray-Darling Basin and that this population was under threat from the severe drought conditions. “Researchers are undertaking an assessment program to closely monitor fish conditions before and after the watering takes place,” Mr Baumgartner said. For more information contact: Sam Leone on 0407 003 662 A
drink for Eagle Tree at Gunbower forest icon site
The Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest downstream of Torrumbarry Weir, between Echuca and Swan Hill, is one of the six icon sites of the MDBC’s Living Murray program. Eagle Tree is estimated to be more than 1,000 years old and stands about 50 metres. Its health is declining due to extremely dry conditions and old age. The Eagle Tree project came about following a call to Victoria’s North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) from a landholder wishing to donate water to allow the tree to be watered this summer/autumn. "Watering a single tree is a little outside the work we usually do in the forest, however this tree is quite exceptional, there simply aren't many of them left alive anymore," said Melanie Tranter, North Central CMA's Gunbower Forest Project Manager. "It is the only thing in the forest to receive water this season. "The North Central CMA believes it's important for this project to be delivered as a community driven activity, " Ms Tranter said. "The response for assistance with the project has been great. In working out the best way to water the tree we have had assistance from Stan Archard of Archard's Irrigation and Cliff Dillon from Wrigley Dillon soil services. “Murray Goulburn Cooperative has even offered to cart water in there using their milk tankers." State Emergency Services volunteers sand bagged an area around the tree to provide a bunded area to deliver the water into and the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment arranged for the delivery of water to the tree. "While the ecological benefits are expected to be short term, this tree really symbolises the plight of our River Red Gum forests that are suffering from a lack of water due to lower rainfall and reduced flooding," Ms Tranter said. For more information go www.nccma.vic.gov.au/ 3rd
Annual Water Summit to be held in Sydney
These are just some of the topics to be covered that 3rd Annual Water Summit to be held in Sydney on Friday, 29 February. Organisers say the event will bring together some of “Australia’s leading legal, financial and industry experts for a day of thought-provoking discussion and debate on the current issues and emerging challenges facing the water industry.” Presenters include:
Other areas to be covered include Water quality criteria and good neighbourliness and commercialisation of Water, Investing in Water Security in Australia, For more information phone (02) 93878133 or visit www.legalwiseseminars.com.au Seen
a tagged fish – report it!
NSW DPI scientists are tagging freshwater fish throughout NSW waterways to gain a better understanding of long distance migrations and habitat use. NSW DPI Research Scientist at the Narrandera Fisheries Centre, Lee Baumgartner, said the cooperation of fishers had been vital to the success of the tagging program. “To date, more than 20,000 fish have been tagged in inland waters with species including Murray cod, golden perch, redfin perch, carp, bony herring and silver perch,” he said. “These fish migrate between different rivers in search of food and to spawn. Some fish have moved more than 1500 km across a number of years. “Initial results show that many inland fish migrate hundreds of kilometres in as little as a month.” Dr Baumgartner said the data provided important information to help manage native fish populations. Of particular interest is data that helps identify barriers to migration such as dams and weirs, and fish movements in response to rehabilitation works. Fish usually receive two tags. A yellow dart tag is inserted in the shoulder, which contains a contact number and information for the angler to record and fish are also micro-chipped in the pectoral (chest) region, using the same technology applied to cats and dogs. If you do catch a tagged fish, try to record the date of capture, length of the fish, species, river name, capture location, tag number and whether the fish was returned to the waterway. For more information contact Sarah Chester on (02) 6036 2110 OR 0417 207 669 Funding
available to protect rare and significant species
A total of $110,000 is available
to implement work which will be completed by 30 May 2008.
“These on-ground works are necessary to ensure these species are here for future generations to enjoy.” Expert staff will be available to help develop a project and fill in the application form. Site visits to assist identifying species will also be available. Application close on Friday 15 February 2008. For more information go to www.lmd.cma.nsw.gov.au or telephone 03 50219460. Have
your say on the Indi River management plan
The technical study undertaken between March and June 2007 included field assessments, a literature review, risk analysis and recommendations for priority on-ground works. This work resulted in a report, the Indi River Study, that has informed the preparation of the Management Plan. The plan includes recommended sites and management actions and a summary of recommended on-ground works. Public comment will be accepted until 11th February. The plan can be viewed at www.murray.cma.nsw.gov.au/?p=publications&p_id=7&c_id=3 For more information
contact Jane Gudde on 02 6051 2241 or email Jane.Gudde@cma.nsw.gov.au
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