Use of water for the environment in NSW: Outcomes 2018–19

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 manage water on behalf of the NSW Government and partner with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and The Living Murray (TLM) program.

Water was used strategically to:

• support habitat health
• provide essential refuge sites as the system dried down
• 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.

By the end of 2018–19, water managers were again planning for dry conditions and low water availability. In consultation with community advisory groups, we put in place adaptive management plans. These plans aim to maintain critical refuge habitat and reduce the risk of irretrievable plant, animal and ecosystem losses. 

Murray and Lower Darling catchments

In 2018–19 we:

• delivered 142.7 gigalitres of water to rivers, creeks and wetlands on private and public land
• worked with state and federal partner agencies to connect rivers and floodplain wetlands on a landscape scale
• triggered breeding and movement of native fish
• boosted floodplain productivity and the aquatic food web
• supported habitat health and plant growth
• partnered with a private irrigation company to upgrade and improve infrastructure which will allow increased flows and result in better outcomes for the Tuppal and Thule creeks
• delivered water to 11 private wetlands using irrigation infrastructure and private pumping to support southern bell frog populations in the central Murray.

Murrumbidgee catchment

In 2018–19 we:

• delivered 195.4 gigalitres of water to rivers, creeks and wetlands on private and public land
• connected the river with floodplain wetlands to water core sites and provide habitat for threatened species including Australian bitterns and southern bell frogs
• enhanced the resilience of wetland habitats to persist through the extended dry period
• triggered breeding and movement of native fish
• boosted floodplain productivity and the aquatic food web
• supported habitat health and plant growth
• provided critical refuge habitat for native fish, turtles and frogs at sites throughout the catchment
• averted a fish kill by providing a flush of water for the environment that improved habitat conditions for native fish and reduced the risk of rapid destratification (when layers of water mix rapidly and reduce oxygen levels in the water)
• worked with a private irrigation company to deliver water to private property wetlands supporting southern bell frogs, waterbirds and native plant life.

Lachlan catchment

In 2018–19 we:

• delivered 36.1 gigalitres of water to rivers, creeks and wetlands on private and public land
• worked with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to provide a spring pulse, stabilising flow and winter flow to sections of the Lachlan River
• partnered with the mid-Lachlan Aboriginal community and Ngiyampaa Nation to support and access cultural values and practices associated with Booberoi Creek
• provided pulses of water in anabranch creeks and increased connectivity
• supported wetland plant establishment and provided roosting and foraging habitats
• boosted the aquatic food web.

Macquarie–Castlereagh catchment

In 2018–19 we:

• delivered, with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, 127.6 gigalitres of water to rivers, creeks and wetlands in the catchment
• inundated 15,000 hectares of the north, south and eastern marshes vegetation to encourage seed setting
• built resilience into the semi-permanent, mixed marsh and river red gum woodlands of the Macquarie Marshes
• supported key refuge pools for native fish in the Ewenmar Creek, Nyngan lower town weir pool on the Bogan River and Macquarie River
• contributed 2.7 gigalitres to the Barwon River from a connecting flow from the lower Macquarie.

Gwydir catchment

In 2018–19 we:

• delivered with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder 114.2 gigalitres of water to rivers, creeks and wetlands in the catchment
• contributed to a connection flow linking the Gwydir catchment with the Barwon–Darling river system with flows extending downstream of Brewarrina Weir
• managed flows into the Mallowa Creek and wetlands to support and preserve habitat
• protected priority refuge sites in the Carole Creek, Mehi and Gwydir rivers
• provided large-scale benefits to the Gingham and Lower Gwydir wetland vegetation.

Barwon–Darling catchment

In 2018–19 we:

• partnered with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to manage the release of 28.6 gigalitres of water from the environment from the Gwydir catchment to replenish pools in the Barwon River
• advised on the release of 7.4 gigalitres of Commonwealth water into the Border Rivers catchment, which replenished a section of the Barwon River downstream of Mungindi
• delivered 2.7 gigalitres from the Macquarie catchment, topping up fish refuge pools and the Brewarrina Weir
• reconnected refuge pools for native fish and other wildlife
• supported habitat health and boosted the aquatic food web
• provided connectivity and an opportunity for native fish to move and access additional habitat and food.

Border Rivers catchment

In 2018–19 we:

• advised on the delivery of 7.4 gigalitres of Commonwealth-owned water from Glenlyon Dam (Queensland Border Rivers catchment) to restore flows into the Barwon River, reconnect refuge pools, support habitat health, provide opportunities for native fish to move, refresh water quality and improve social, cultural and economic outcomes for river communities.

Namoi catchment

In 2018–19 we:

• along with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, chose not to request the release of 1900 megalitres of Environmental Contingency Allowance or 477 megalitres of held water for the environment – this decision followed rainfall in the catchment that provided adequate support to native fish populations in refuge pools along the Peel River
• the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder delivered 5.5 gigalitres of water for the environment to the Namoi River downstream of Gunidgera Weir to improve water quality and support refuge habitat for native fish survival.

Intersecting Streams catchment

In 2018–19 we:

• partnered with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder to manage a flow event from the Warrego River, through Toorale Station and into the Darling River
• detected a fish recruitment event in the Warrego River as a result of the flow as a part of long-term monitoring.