The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) today confirmed the Campaspe River downstream of Lake Eppalock will receive environmental water releases during spring.  

The environmental water, held as part of The Living Murray Program, will be released from Lake Eppalock commencing 26 October 2011 by the North Central CMA in partnership with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) and Goulburn-Murray Water.

The main purpose of this water is to achieve environmental outcomes in the Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth in South Australia, as part of The Living Murray Program.  Commonwealth environmental water will be used to top up The Living Murray water to enhance environmental benefits while it is in transit, within the Campaspe River.

“The amount of water being delivered is well within the channel capacity of the river and will remain below the levels experienced in the river during pre-releases fromLake Eppalockin early October.Towns along the Campaspe will not be impacted, although local residents and visitors to these areas may notice the river level rise and fall along with changes to flow rates.  

“The environmental water will build upon the flows experienced in the Campaspe River over recent months and further benefit the river by cuing fish movement, mixing water within the river and inundating snag habitat.”

The release is being made in line with the VEWH Seasonal Watering Plan 2011-12, developed in collaboration with the North Central CMA in partnership with DPI Fisheries, Goulburn-Murray Water and community representatives.

The VEWH Seasonal Watering Plan 2011-12 is available for download from www.vewh.vic.gov.au

The Living Murray is an initiative of the Victorian, New South Wales, South Australian and ACT governments, coordinated by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

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