The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is coordinating environmental water releases to the Loddon River between Loddon Weir and Kerang Weir in the week commencing Monday 7 April 2014, for up to three weeks.

The water comes from an environmental water entitlement for the Loddon River established with savings from the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline.  The release is made in partnership with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) and Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW).

Mr Brad Drust, Executive Manager - Loddon and Avoca Catchments, said the water for an ‘autumn fresh’ is sourced from Waranga Basin and released into the Loddon River at Loddon Weir between Serpentine and Boort. 

“The peak daily flow of 100 ML per day will provide a fresh pulse of water to the river. The main purpose of the flow is to achieve environmental outcomes by triggering fish movement, watering vegetation within the river channel, and freshening up water quality after a period of low flows during a dry summer.

Mr Drust said that as the water is delivered, landholders adjacent to the Loddon River downstream of Loddon Weir may notice a rise in the water level. 

“The daily flow rates are similar to the managed flows in the river last winter and are well below the flood threshold” he said.

“At this point we expect to increase flows in the river again in May to maintain a 100ML/d flow over winter in this part of the river. This is consistent with our management in recent years, however it will be considered through an annual planning process that we are currently running in consultation with the Loddon Environmental Water Advisory Group”.

The environmental water release is authorised by the VEWH in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2013-14.  The Loddon system section of the plan was developed in collaboration with the North Central CMA in partnership with the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, GMW and community representatives.

The VEWH Seasonal Watering Plan 2013-14 is available for download from www.vewh.vic.gov.au, and regular updates are posted on the North Central CMA website www.nccma.vic.gov.au

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551

t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au