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Murray-Darling Basin Commission –
September 2007, E-letter No 70
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 available at: www.mdbc.gov.au/communications/s-scribe/eletter_menu Please feel free to pass this e-letter along to anybody who might be interested. To subscribe online go to http://mdbc.gov.au/communications/s-scribe To be removed from the mailing list, please reply to this message with “unsubscribe” in the subject heading. This newsletter currently
has 1440 subscribers.
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission warned today that Murray operations over the coming spring and summer are likely to pose significant challenges for the communities and environments sustained by its waters. “We are facing a spring and summer on the Murray like no other since Hume Dam was completed in 1936,” Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said today. “The unprecedented combination of both low storage levels and low inflows will require us to operate outside our normal operating regime.” Drought contingency measures are already in place across the Murray system to conserve water as the worst drought on record continues to impact water availability. These measures include keeping releases from Hume Dam as low as possible for as long as possible. Several weirpools between Lake Mulwala and the South Australian border are already drawn down below normal levels and could be further drawn down in coming weeks. “We expect that weirpool levels in South Australia will remain close to current levels to contain salinity increases, however the lower lakes are likely to fall to record lows under continuing dry conditions,” Dr Craik said. “Flow in the mid reaches of the River Murray is currently falling and it is possible that passing flows through Sunraysia could soon fall to very low levels without significant rainfall. “The Commission is working closely with South Australia to optimise patterns of flow across the border in order to minimise salinity impacts.” Dr Craik said the current warm dry conditions have resulted in initial demand across the system. In the immediate short-term it is planned to meet this demand with tributary inflows and by further lowering of weir pools, rather than releasing water from upstream storages. “For example, without early rain, Lake Mulwala will be lowered from its current level of 124.2m AHD to as low as 123.6m AHD (1.3m below Full Supply Level) to delay any increase in release from Hume Dam. This approach would ‘buy time’ for further rainfall and increased tributary inflows to arrive to refill the weirpool. Similarly, Torrumbarry Weir could be lowered by 40cm (to 85.65m AHD), and similar operations are possible at Euston Weir, depending on rainfall and inflows into the system.” Boat operators, stock owners, river pumpers and other river users are advised to take these outlooks into account and make any necessary adjustments to their activities. MDBC will issue media releases for individual weirpools or river reaches as necessary over coming weeks. More detailed information, weekly reports and forecasts of river operations will continue to be available at the MDBC website at http://www.mdbc.gov.au/rmw/river_information_centre. More good news
for Murray-Darling Basin native fish
This cautious optimism has emerged from the Murray-Darling Basin’s Commission’s latest Native Fish Strategy Implementation Report launched in Mildura recently by Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM. “Native fish populations are up at some crucial locations, they are moving in greater numbers through the new river ‘fishways’ and the battle against arch enemy – the European carp – is gathering pace,” Dr Craik said. “And best of all, community and government awareness of their plight and the need for urgent action is at an all time high.” Dr Craik said the ultimate goal of the Strategy was to return native fish populations to 60 percent of their estimated pre-European settlement levels within 50 years. The new report says a four-State assessment team and the Fish Passage Taskforce, with scientific and technical expertise, has identified and tested new types of improved fishways. It reports on other on-ground works such as major resnagging projects on the Murray River between Hume Dam and Yarrawonga. “Projects such as these show great promise for the rehabilitation of waterways for native species, such as the endangered Murray cod and critically endangered Trout cod,” Dr Craik said. “A comprehensive review has explored the concept of ‘habitat management areas’ and their establishment across the Basin. The review identified management options and recommended ways to advance the approach.” Dr Craik said a rapid response plan was being developed to deal with new incursions of invasive freshwater fish, and a new program would search for and develop species-specific fish poisons and ways of delivering them to remove carp from aquatic systems. “We are also pleased with recent research which is exploring a potential Achilles heel for carp. We have found that when a wetland begins to dry, for example during a drought, the native fish sense the lowering water levels and return to the main river. Carp instead look for deeper channels in the wetland and swim further into it and to their death.” The report says other programs for threatened species aim to improve knowledge of native fish distribution, spawning, movement and their drivers, and responses to environmental flows. “We have commissioned a review to collate the scattered research on the threatened Murray River crayfish and to identify key knowledge gaps to help us sustainably manage the species,” Dr Craik said. “Other reviews are focusing on the positive and negative impacts of stocking native fish and the effects of stocking salmonids on native fish.” Other achievements have included:
“The task is daunting, yet there is wide community support to reverse damage to the Basin’s aquatic systems for the benefit of native fish. Rehabilitation work, guided by research, has begun and is proving successful, but there is a long road ahead.” A full copy of the
Implementation Report is available for free download at www.mdbc.gov.au/NFS/nfs_publications
First guide
book on fishes of the Murray-Darling Basin launched
Funded and published by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, the book was launched recently in Mildura by MDBC Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM. The 157-page Fishes of the Murray-Darling Basin; an Introductory Guide was written by fisheries ecologist Mark Lintermans who has spent more than 20 years studying fish and is President of the Australian Society for Fish Biology. “The book is a welcome and valuable contribution to our knowledge of the Basin’s fish, especially its native species,” Dr Craik said. “It sets out comprehensive information on how to identify 57 species, their habits, distribution, abundance and background information on the threats to fish and their aquatic ecosystems. “And it does all this in an easy to read, beautifully laid out format including colour photographs of each fish and coloured distribution maps.” Dr Craik said native fish, along with other natural resources of the Basin, were under increasing stress from natural events such as the prolonged drought and from human activities. “It has been estimated that native fish in the Basin are 10 per cent of their pre-European levels and alien species such as carp contribute around 80 per cent of the fish biomass at many sites,” she said. “The Commission’s Native Fish Strategy is tackling the problem and aims to restore native fish communities to 60 per cent of their estimated pre-European levels in the next 50 years. “There have been significant advances, for example a series of fishways on the Murray River now provides passage for tens of thousands of fish of a variety of species, and resnagging of river sections has significantly improved fish habitats. At some locations fish numbers are up. “However, there is still much to be done. An essential goal is to ensure that information on the Basin’s fish species is readily available to the community – and this new book is a major step forward,” Dr Craik said. “It will be a valuable guide for naturalists, students, scientists, anglers and anyone interested in the aquatic fauna of our major rivers.” A free copy of the book is available from the MDBC. Phone 02 6279 0434. Water purchase
pilot closes early because of strong response
Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM announced on 13 August that the MDBC had received more than enough expressions of interest to meet the project’s aim of buying up to 20 gigalitres (or about 0.2% of the average water diversion from the southern Basin) at market prices. “We are delighted with the response,” Dr Craik said. “However, this is just the first phase of the pilot and much still needs to be done. For example, we now need to arrange the conveyancing or transfer of ownership of the water entitlements.” Any recovered water will be used eventually for The Living Murray Environmental Watering Plan to improve ecological conditions at the so-called “icon sites”. It will result in healthier wetlands and help wildlife such as waterbird breeding. “However, I want to stress that because of the current prolonged drought, little water is likely to be available from these entitlements in 2007/08,” Dr Craik said. The Living Murray program was established in 2002 in response to evidence showing a decline in the health of the River Murray system. The program’s “First Step” focuses on improving the health of the six “icon sites” along the river. It aims to recover up to 500 gigalitres of water for the environment by June 2009 through improving water infrastructure and by buying water entitlements from willing sellers. For more information go
to http://thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au/programs/water_recovery/environmental_water_purchase
‘Sea to Hume’
fishways project nets major environmental award
Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said the Commission shared the 2007 South Australian Seafood Industry’s Fishing for the Future Environment Award with the other partners in the fishways project - the Australian, Victorian, New South Wales and South Australian governments. “I am delighted that the award recognises the substantial contribution this project has made to securing our native fish populations,” she said. The project is part of the MDBC’s Native Fish Strategy - a plan for restoring native fish populations to 60 percent of their pre-European settlement levels. It aims to provide passage for native fish from the Southern Ocean up river to the Hume Dam - a distance of about 2,300 kilometres – through the construction of innovative “fish ladders” which help native fish move. Three fishways have been completed at the barrages. Five have been completed at locks 7, 8, 9 10 and 15. Construction is underway at Lock 1 and there are plans to build fishways at all main channel weirs between Hume Dam and the Sea. “The fishways have already been a success. The project has monitored the passage of tens of thousands of native fish resulting in an increase in populations of some species at several points along the Murray River,” Dr Craik said. For more information on the Native Fish Strategy go to www.mdbc.gov.au/NFS Latest
climate science on show at Greenhouse 2007
Organised by the CSIRO, the World Climate Research Programme, the International Geosphere–Biosphere Program and the Global Climate Observing System, Greenhouse 2007 features about 50 of the world's leading climate researchers, including John Church, Ann Henderson-Sellers, Phil Jones, Jerry Meehl and Kevin Trenberth. Presenters also include Dr Jim Peacock, Australia's Chief Scientist and Prof. Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government. The conference will focus on:
The event, which includes a trade show, is designed for representatives from industry, research organisations, government and the community. For more information and to register, go to: http://www.greenhouse2007.com/ Bright Future
for Lake Talbot Wetland
The half million dollar project, funded through the Australian and NSW Governments National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, was recently launched by the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority (CMA). Narrandera Shire Council and Murrumbidgee Irrigation are partnering the Murrumbidgee CMA in efforts to restore the Lake’s wetlands, with project works to include planting native vegetation and willow control. “Willows surrounding the shores, and central parts of the Lake are inhibiting a healthy flow of water and reducing its level,” said Mr Lee O’Brien, Chair of the Murrumbidgee CMA. “The removal of this exotic species and planting native vegetation will allow for improved water quality and enhance habitat for native fish and birds,” Mr O’Brien said. To ensure the restoration works are maintained, Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to a 10 year maintenance schedule with the Murrumbidgee CMA. The Murrumbidgee CMA has produced a series of brochures containing tips on how to improve the health of waterways and information on the work being done to improve the health of the Murrumbidgee River. For more information go to www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au Applications
for dam engineering scholarships open
Recipients receive an allowance to support an international study tour in their chosen field and report back to ANCOLD members at the following Annual General Meeting. The scholarship, which is awarded annually, is open to qualified professionals currently practising in the Australian dams industry. They need to be under 35 years of age at the time of the award and Australian citizens or hold permanent residency status. The selection process includes an application, interview and references. Applications close 14 September 2007 For more information contact David Stewart on (03) 5833 5640 or email davids@g-mwater.com.au Taking the ouch!
out of rangelands cacti
The campaign may provide potential incentive funding for on-ground management to landholders who have an infestation of Cylindropuntia cacti on their properties. The campaign is an important and necessary step in mapping and developing opportunities for funding to control this noxious weed. “If left untreated the infestations of cacti may threaten biodiversity, natural values and agricultural production of affected areas,” said Noel Hayward, Projects Team Leader LMD CMA. “This is a great opportunity for landholders to contain the potentially harmful spread of cacti throughout both catchment regions,” he said. The main cacti targeted with the program are devil’s rope, tiger pear and boxing-glove cholla, although landholders are urged to report any other new threats. For more information or to report an infestation contact: Matt Goulton, WCMA on 08 8082 5206 or 0431 280 321 or Noel Hayward, LMD CMA on 03 5021 9460 3rd Annual
Water Pricing Conference studies policies, structures
The program will examine issues surrounding water pricing, including:
Organisers say water pricing structures that promote the sustainable use of water resources had become an integral part of managing our water supply. Governments and regulatory authorities must take into consideration many prevailing issues within the water industry and the community when determining water prices. The program includes case studies and presentations from leading policy-makers and industry experts, such as:
Here’s
the key to protecting farming systems
The free 47-page publication, Change in the Catchment: A Guide to Revegetation Design and Incentives for Catchment Management Bodies, encourages managers to consider various forms of incentives available to them to encourage landowners to provide effective revegetation strategies. It also helps natural resource management bodies find their own answer to the following questions:
For more information contact Dr Wendy Proctor on 6246 5955, to www.csiro.au/resources/MotivatingChange To download a copy of the book go to www.csiro.au/files/files/pf5f.pdf Dealing with
the risk and uncertainty of floods
The Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority and the Warrnambool City Council who are hosting the conference say flooding costs Australia $100 million a year in damages. The social impact on communities and individuals can also last for many years following a flood. They said the recent events in Gippsland and Newcastle illustrated just how damaging floods can be and the need for support strategies. Building on previous years, this year’s conference will feature:
Speakers include Trevor Budge, Ms Mary Bary, Associate Professor James Bal, Dr Penny Wheton and Mr Rob Gel. For more information go to www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/floodconference ends |
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