Warm temperatures and low flows along the eastern arm of the Loddon River at Canary Island at this time of the year can impact water quality.

Laanecoorie, Cairn Curran, and Tullaroop reservoirs are capturing most of the recent upstream thunderstorms, which means lower sections of the Loddon River on the plains don’t get the flushes they need.

As a result, river flows can become low in sections, and oxygen levels can drop. Fish, plants, crustaceans, and waterbugs all need water and oxygen to survive, which is why we keep an eye on these sections of the river, especially over summer.

Water quality in the Loddon River at Canary Island has started to drop, so we’re planning a pre-emptive flow of water for the environment to freshen it up.

About 400 megalitres will be sent down the Loddon for this, taking about two days to get to the targeted area.

The flows will shandy any low-oxygen water and provide a flush to the areas of declining water quality.

The flow will It will increase water depth by at least 10-20 cm compared to the summer low flow to inundate low sections of the banks and and fallen wood.

It will also help adult fish and platypus access a diversity of habitat types and move between the deep pools