Regional water and emergency agencies are working to help manage the impacts of record rainfalls across the North Central plains region, but warn the community that they may see some unexpected environmental impacts.

“Widespread flooding has occurred across the North Central region for the first time in more than 14 years,” said Brad Drust, Manager - NRM Delivery for the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

The September and November flood events so far this year - both generally at moderate or major levels through the Loddon system - have delivered significant amounts of water to the lower parts of the catchment around Kerang.

“We’re working round the clock with other agencies to help affected communities prepare for these flood events and to provide advice on the risks to key environmental assets,” Mr Drust said.

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) is also working closely with other agencies to help ease the impact of floods in this area with the KerangLakes region playing a key role in flood mitigation practices.

“It’s quite likely that with the expected Loddon catchment flows converging on the Kerang area, we will need to release flood flows into ReedyLake, Middle Lake and Third Reedy as part of our required flood operational procedures,” said Daniel Irwin, G-MW’s Manager, Central Murray Operations.

This situation coincides with the breeding event of various species of ibis which are currently nesting in the Kerang Lakes.  Depending on the level of flood flows, this nesting area could be disrupted and the nests and chicks directly impacted.  Every effort has been taken to cause as little impact to this colony as possible.

Senior wildlife officer with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Murray Rhode, said this would not be the first time floods have caused ibis to abandon their nests. 

“Floods in the early 1990s caused ibis to leave their nests, but the birds are opportunistic breeders and have the ability to respond to interruptions to breeding. As long as there is food around, and water conditions are suitable, they will most likely return to their breeding cycle,” he said.