The document discusses environmental watering in Victoria and the coordination required between different groups. It provides examples of how environmental watering benefits river and wetland health by increasing populations of native fish and birds through increased births, decreased deaths, and immigration. Coordinating environmental water releases with consumptive water and natural flows allows water to achieve multiple objectives across different sites. Trade-offs must be made between potential watering sites based on priority of the site, expected benefits, certainty of achieving benefits, and ability to provide ongoing benefits.

2. Wurundjeri camp (Source: aboriginalhistoryoftheyarra.com.au)Yarra River (Source: Melbourne Water)

6. pg. 6 of the
2014 EWMF
notes in
fewer
words!

7. Introduction and VEWH update
10.20am
Group
discussions
The
ecological
benefits
of enviro.
watering
11.00am
Introduction and
VEWH update
10.20am
Every drop
counts
12.50pm
Making
trade-offs
2.10pm
Group
discussions

8. Before the development of dams, weirs and channels
After the development of dams, weirs and channels
Increased
water use
Decreased river
and wetland
health

9. Government response to decline in river and wetland health:
Government capped water entitlements
(All water is now fully allocated)
Government invested $$ to recover water for the
environment
Environmental watering = a public policy response
because generally people care about healthy waterways.

10. • To ensure water for waterway health including in dry times
(Millennium drought experience)
• Independence, transparency, accountability, coordination
 Enshrined in legislation
 An entitlement holder like any other
Why were water holders like VEWH set up?
Drought-affected
Wimmera River at
Jeparit, 2009

12. What’s happened since Sept 2014?
Mapping engagement across Victoria
Shared benefits from environmental watering
• Cultural flows and Aboriginal
environmental outcomes
• Shared benefits for recreational groups

13. Water delivery and monitoring outcomes
Onset of drought conditions in some areas
Water trade
Focus on flow-on social
benefits of environmental watering
Emphasis of new government on
communities and engagement
Investment in monitoring

14. on environmental watering in Victoria

15. 15
Storage
managers
Water
holders
Waterway
managers Land
managers

16. 16

17. 17

18. Quiz – which two community segments are most
frequently engaged?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
18

19. 19
what is working well?
• Engagement on environmental watering across Victoria is
extensive
• Opportunities for shared benefits have been taken up
• There are good relationships with environmental
watering champions
• The relationships are generally very good between
agencies and with stakeholders

20. 20
what challenges are you facing?
• Challenges were often region-specific
e.g. particular groups were hard to engage
in particular regions
• Most common engagement gaps across Vic:
• Traditional Owners
• Younger people
• A very common theme:
• There is a low level of ‘water literacy’ in the community

21. • Strengthen engagement
at peak body level
• Take a greater role in
tackling the tough issues
• Developing region-wide
or program wide
engagement and
communication
approaches
• Improve transparency of
decision making processes
• Website redevelopment
• Be clearer about the
rationale and benefits of
environmental watering

22. 1. Intrinsic shared benefits from healthy waterways
Shared benefits of environmental watering

23. 2. Opportunistic shared benefits
Shared benefits of environmental watering
Horsham weir pool
Environmental water release
from Horsham weir pool
slightly delayed for waterskiing
event
Kayakers on the Thomson
Environmental water releases
provide a more connected trail
for kayakers

24. Different
goals
…but some overlap
Not the
same
thing

25. Not the
same
thing
…but some overlap
Different
knowledge

26. Not the
same
thing
…but some overlap?
Different
processes

27. Shared benefits of environmental watering

28. Many outcomes +
Aboriginal environmental outcomes
Shared benefits of environmental watering
Barapa Barapa
and North Central
CMA
Dhudhoroa and
Waywurru and the
Murray-Darling
Basin Authority
Wurundjeri and
Melbourne Water /
VEWH
Gunditj Mirring,
Barengi Gadjin,
Glenelg Hopkins
CMA and DELWP

29. Many outcomes +
Aboriginal environmental outcomes

33. • Setting the scene
• River systems have been modified by
dams, weirs and channels
• What we know
• Environmental watering works!
• It’s a dynamic field, and we are always learning
• Interesting learnings
• Questions / comments / dialogue
Case studies
• Native fish
• Vegetation
• Birds
Populations
processes are key

34. As we are watering in a highly modified environment…
…a solo aim of mimicking ‘natural’ events
doesn’t cut it…

35. So, the approach for environmental watering is more like…..
• Don’t always aim to mimic nature.
• Use environmental water to get the best
environmental outcome within modified systems.

36. Environmental watering works!

37. Benefits from different types of environmental flows

38. Reedy Lagoon, Gunbower Forest Great Egret on Murray River near Barmah Lake

39. Now that we know environmental watering works,
the science is now at the stage of focusing on how to use
the water we have most effectively
This aim is the same for environmental water holders
and managers as it is for producers / farmers
“If we can’t water everything,
how do we get the most
bang for our buck?”

40. That is, how a population goes up or down over time …
Births, deaths, immigation, emigration!

41. These processes work the same
for any population
In rivers and
wetlands, water is a
key driver of all of
these processes

42. Case study 1: Golden perch and
environmental watering

43. • Whether golden perch undertake long-distance movements to
specific areas during the spawning season
• Whether the long-distance movements happen at the same time as
spawning
• Whether environmental conditions (particularly hydrology)
influenced movement and spawning of golden perch
What did we want to know?

44. Peak egg abundances on rising limb/peak of hydrograph
Densityofeggs/larvaeper1000m3
DischargeMLd-1
Watertemperature°C
Discharge
Temperature
E-water
Eggs
Larvae
What did we find?

45. DistanceupstreamfromMurrayjunction(km)
DischargeMLd-1
Watertemperature°C
Flow
Temperature
Detection
Eggs collected
Fish 1
Fish 2
Fish movement (Fish were tagged in 2010)
Fish 2
What did we find?

46. • In the Goulburn, we are getting more precise
about how to deliver water in the most efficient
way to reach our objective
• We are aiming to increase births
• We need also to look at other ways to
strengthen the population, i.e. through
increased immigration
What does it mean?
Population
processes

47. Case study 2 : Gunbower Forest
Native vegetation response to environmental watering
2014-2015

48. Hipwell Rd channel
National Channel offtake
Torrumbarry Weir
Chinaman Bend
Yarran Ck regulator
Shillinglaws regulator

49. Environmental watering in Gunbower Forest
May – December 2014

50. Monitoring water quality – between 15 and 20 readings taken eac

52. “The footprint of the environmental water in the forest is very clear.
There is fresh new growth on the river red gums, and lush tall sedges
across much of the forest floor, even after summer, creating important
habitat for ground-dwelling animals.”
- Anna Parker, NCCMA (2014)

53. What does it mean?
• We can optimise environmental benefits if
we also ‘piggy back’ on consumptive
(irrigation, household, industry) water
i.e decreased deaths of floodplain
vegetation
• This water also benefited Murray cod in
Gunbower creek (increased births)
• Further work now to determine how often
watering is needed to maintain ecological
values
Population
processes

54. Case study 3 : Edward-Wakool river system
Native fish responses to environmental watering
2010 - 2012

55. How did the scientists track movements of
native fish in response to environmental flows?
Acoustic tracking
Case study 3 : Edward-Wakool river system, NSW
Native fish responses to environmental watering
1. Fish are caught, put to sleep and a
tag is inserted.
2. When back in the river, acoustic
‘listening posts’ on the side of the
river track where that fish swims
and how far it goes!

56. How did the Murray cod respond to
environmental watering in the Edward-Wakool?
VIDEO EMBEDDED

57. • In this system, for fish to reach spawning sites,
environmental watering is essential
• increased births and
increased immigration
• Work is now focussing on getting more
efficient in this delivery of water
Population
processes
What does it mean?

58. Case study 4:
The relationship between flows and
trout cod growth (Murray River)

59. Setting the scene again:
River regulation and environmental watering
River regulation
• Disrupted natural flooding & drying cycles
reducing overall variability of flows.
• Major impacts on ecological integrity of rivers,
including fish populations
Environmental watering
• Restore aspects of natural flow regime
• Success reliant on good understanding between
biota and flows
• Fish outcomes are increasingly a key objective for
environmental watering

60. Whether trout cod respond to
flows by looking at trout cod
ear bones (Otoliths)
Ear bone collections were gathered from long
term monitoring & stocking assessments
Each year, a new
line appears on
the ear bone
What did we want to know?
FISH SIZE (x axis)
OTOLITHSIZE(yaxis)

61. • Flows are a good predictor of growth
• Strong positive relationship between flow variability and growth
 We used the best flow variables for predicting growth
What did we find out about trout cod in the
Murray River?

62. What did we find out about trout cod in the
Murray River?

63. • Flow variability is really important for fish growth
• Bigger fish are less likely to die (decreased deaths)
• Sometimes we cant get that variability
without environmental watering
• Environmental watering in winter and
summer/autumn is likely to produce conditions
conducive to increasing native fish biomass in rivers
What does it mean?

64. Case study 4 : Barmah Forest (Boals Deadwood)
Colonial nesting bird responses to environmental watering
2015 - 2016

65. Case study 4 : Barmah Forest (Boals Deadwood)
Colonial nesting bird responses to environmental watering
Water was diverted to Boals Deadwood (wetland)
between November 2015 and January 2016.
A relatively large proportion of the flows diverted into the wetland were noted to
return to the river via forest waterways.

66. Approx. 750 nests of three species were assisted by the provision of
environmental water
~20 Royal Spoonbill (vulnerable listed species in Victoria)
~365 White ibis
~365 Straw-necked ibis
Royal spoonbill
Straw-necked ibisWhite ibis
Monitoring at Boals Deadwood has shown:

67. An estimated 5 - 10% failure rate, and the reason for nest abandonment
/ chick death is unknown but is considered within normal rates for
colonial nesting events.
Most nests appeared to have successfully fledged an average of two
chicks. So, at least 36 Royal Spoonbills, 660 White ibis and 660
straw-necked ibis are expected to have been produced.
Monitoring at Boals Deadwood has shown:

68. Monitoring at Boals Deadwood has shown:
Regularly heard calling in the wetland (and expected to have bred)
• Australasian bittern (Endangered nationally and in Victoria)
• Australasian Little Bittern (threatened species in Victoria)
Calling activity by at least four Australasian bittern males could indicate
up to a dozen nests given that several females will nest within one
male’s territory.

69. Monitoring at Boals Deadwood has shown:
“Numerous Crakes, Rails, Reed Warblers, Grassbirds, Swamphens, and some
Swamp Harriers were also frequently noted as occurring in the wetland and
hence also suspected to have bred during the event. A strong response was
also noted from vegetation, terrestrial birds, mammals, frogs, reptiles and
insects.”
Keith Ward, Goulburn-Broken CMA

70. • Without this watering, these birds would not
have fledged
(Increased births)
• To maintain these populations, environmental
watering and smart water delivery is essential
• How often do we need these events to occur?
and at what scale?
– e.g. what do we need for Basin scale outcomes?
What does it mean?
Population
processes

71. • We’re working with modified systems
• Not always trying to mimic nature
• Environmental watering works
• Interesting learnings
Understanding
populations
processes is key

77. • Setting the scene
• Environmental watering in the context of a
modified and regulated river system
• Coordination is key
• Making every drop count
• Bringing it all together
• Coordinated releases
• Return flows
• Consumptive (irrigation, household,
industry) water en route

78. Unregulated flows
System operating water
78
Consumptive water
Natural flow
(pre-regulation)
Environmental water

79. • Highly connected system,
particularly in northern Victoria
• One release of water can
contribute to or achieve several
environmental targets in
different locations
• Achieved through:
– coordination with consumptive
water releases
– use of return flows
– use of consumptive water en route
79
Hattah Lakes, Kerry WhiteleggA

80. 80
Ecologists

81. • Combining environmental releases with other water in the system
to achieve greater results
– Consumptive (irrigation, household, industry) water – achieve larger flows
– Unregulated flows – slowing the recession of flows
81
Campaspe River at Runnymede, North Central CMA Goulburn River at Mooroopna, Goulburn Broken CMA

82. 82
When water is used in one system, then ‘re-credited’
and used again further downstream
Goulburn River at Hurricane Bend,
By Keith Ward
Hattah Lakes,
By Mallee CMA
Lower
Lakes,
Coorong
and
Murray
Mouth
In South
Australia

83. 83
• Storage managers release water for irrigation, household
and industry demands downstream
– sometimes its possible to divert this water on the way
– or deliver in a way that meets environmental needs
• Environmental water is used to account for losses
Gunbower Forest outfall, North Central CMA Mulcra Island, Mallee CMA

84. Gunbower Forest
Inundated over 3,750 ha floodplain
forest and wetlands
96 GL consumptive water delivered
37 GL environmental use (losses)
Goulburn River
309 GL of environmental use
Lower Broken Creek
34 GL environmental use/loss
Mulcra Island
Inundated ~440 ha floodplain
6.3 GL environmental use (losses)
Campaspe River
30 GL environmental use
Gunbower Creek
0.8 GL environmental use (losses)
Hattah Lakes
Inundated 6,100 ha floodplain
76 GL environmental use
0.4 GL return flows
1 GL return flows
29 GL return flow recredit
304 GL return flow recredit
18 GL return flow recredit
<0.1 GL return flows (losses)
0.2 GL return flows (losses)
South
Australia
20 GL return flows
39 GL return flow recredit
284 GL
29 GL
17 GL
39 GL
River Murray
24 GL environmental use
24 GL return flow recredit
24 GL

86. Water for this or that:
making trade-offs

87. 1. What are the priority sites for watering?
2. How much water do we need?
3. How much water do we have?
Three questions dominate

88. The process each year
Waterway managers (CMAs) develop
seasonal watering proposals (essentially
‘bids for water’) drawing on scientific
flow studies, local knowledge and
recent monitoring results…
VEWH incorporates proposals into
Statewide seasonal watering plan
scoping all potential environmental
watering across the state
VEWH commits water through seasonal
watering statements

89. Where is water most needed? How can it be used
most efficiently to achieve the best for Victoria’s
environment?

90. Most trade-
offs happen
when
demand is
higher than
supply.

91. • Within a single waterway
Should we deliver the spring fresh now, or save water for summer base flows
when water quality is a risk?
• Within a river basin
Should we use water in those wetlands or that creek?
• Between river basins
Should we trade this basin’s water to a different basin to use?
• Between years
Should we keep water for next year, instead of using it this year?
• Should we buy water to meet a demand?

92. Should we sell
water or save it
for later?
What provides
the greatest
benefit?

93. Extent and significance of benefit expected from
environmental watering
• Is the watering to protect or enhance a threatened species?
• Is the site recognised under international
agreements (e.g. Ramsar) or
national/state legislation as being a
high value site?
• Is it aiming to trigger a bird or fish
breeding event that hasn’t occurred
recently?

94. Certainty of achieving environmental benefit and
ability to manage other threats
• Have we done this before and seen that it works?
• Are there measures in place (e.g. pest control) to manage risks and
support the target outcome?

95. Ability to provide ongoing benefits at the site at
which the watering action is to take place
• Can we feasibly maintain the outcomes over the longer term?

96. Watering history of the site, and the implications
of not watering
• Are we putting
previous gains at risk if
we don’t provide
water?
• Is this year’s action
supporting the
outcomes of previous
years?

97. We think about the feasibility of watering
• Can it be done?
• Are the requirements of the watering feasible within the
constraints of infrastructure, capacity, resourcing and levels of risk?

98. Cost effectiveness of the watering action
• Do we have sufficient funds (and water) to deliver the event?
• Are the expected benefits sufficient to warrant the cost?
=

99. Can we meet needs of others,
AND achieve our objectives?
Other considerations

100. Challenges
• Dynamic context - uncertainty
• Developing knowledge, information availability
• The number of communities, interest groups
and opinions involved
• Trying to compare ‘values’
• The interconnected nature of our decisions with
other problems.

101. We operate in a dynamic context.
Decisions are made at a point in time,
based on the best information available.
• These considerations are factored into every
decision.
• Often the decision is clear, but there are times
when tough calls must be made.