Up to 200 Ml a day will flow from Lake Eppalock through to November, making it easier for fish and platypus to forage for food and find new habitats.
North Central Catchment Management Authority environmental flows project manager Darren White said the flow will also provide the right conditions for aquatic vegetation growth later in the year.
“Victorian rivers have evolved to flow in winter and spring, which means waterways with large reservoirs on them, such as the Campaspe River, need a bit of help from time to time,” he said.
“Water for environment is that help. A connected river is a healthy river.
“These flows provide the right conditions for everything from vegetation and water bugs through to larger animals such as fish and platypus.”
Mr White said the flows will sit well within the river channel.
“The Campaspe River can hold between 9000 and 11,000 Ml a day in its banks, and these flows will be a maximum of 200 Ml a day,” he said.
“If heavy rain is forecast at any time during the flows, we’ll reassess and adjust accordingly.”
The maximum amount of water released from Lake Eppalock for the environmental flow over the next six months will be about 12 per cent of the reservoir’s current level.
“These flows are business-as-usual, and they help to both repair the river and protect it from the impacts of climate change,” Mr White said.
The flows are authorised by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2023-24. The Plan is available for download from https://www.vewh.vic.gov.au, with regular watering updates posted on the North Central CMA website at: https:// www.nccma.vic.gov.au
