A summer freshening flow is planned to be released to the Campaspe River downstream of the Campaspe Siphon, the North Central Catchment Management (CMA) and Goulburn Murray Water announced today.

The water allocated to the Murray System, which is traded from the Goulburn System, will be delivered via the lower Campaspe River providing environmental benefit to the lower Campaspe River.

"The use of this inter valley transfer ensures that limited available water resources achieve the maximum possible benefits for the region without impacting upon irrigation allocations or their delivery", said North Central CMA CEO, Mr Gavin Hanlon.

"The inter valley transfer commenced late last year, and this freshening flow follows on from a previous summer release provided in February this year. The current flow will be increased on temporarily basis for approximately two weeks to mimic the natural flow the river would receive after a summer storm".

Mr Hanlon added that the freshening flows are important for river health and the flow is in line with the scientific environmental flow recommendations for the Campaspe River to help maintain water quality.

At present all other environmental flows in the river have ceased due to the current water shortage. The North Central CMA, in conjunction with G-MW, DSE, DPI Fisheries, EPA and Coliban Water, have developed a plan to manage environmental risks within the Campaspe River during times of such limited water supply.

Delivering intermittent flushes under the environmental flow recommendations are a part of this plan and takes into account similar actions that have been undertaken in previous years.

North Central CMA and G-MW will continue to jointly monitor the water quality of the Campaspe system to ensure that common interests including water security, water availability and the protection of the river environments deliver maximum benefits to the river under the ongoing drought conditions.

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