Murray River Fish (spawning, South University of Lower Murray channel, assemblage, Australia Adelaide, Lower Lakes, recruitment, movement Research University of Coorong and natal origin); water and Western quality (salt and nutrient Development Australia, CSIRO, export); fringing wetland Institute South Australian connectivity; and frogs. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Gwydir Gwydir River Fish, frog and turtle University of NSW Office of system diversity and abundance, New Environment and hydrological connectivity, England Heritage, NSW native vegetation, water Department of quality, Primary microinvertebrates, Industries, Border macroinvertebrates. Local Land Services Table 3: Some early outcomes of Commonwealth environmental water based on monitoring and interpreted using rigorous science Catchment Examples Murray River Heavy rainfall during March and April 2012 led to significant concerns that a and blackwater event in the Murrumbidgee River could potentially severely impact Murrumbidgee on fish and other aquatic animals where the Murrumbidgee flows into the Murray River. Commonwealth environmental water was provided in the Murrumbidgee and Murray rivers to improve water quality by diluting blackwater and providing freshwater refuge for fish. In 2011–12 and 2012–13 Commonwealth environmental watering in the Edward–Wakool system contributed to the environmental objectives of the Basin Plan, including: Biodiversity—environmental water contributed to species diversity of native fish populations by supporting their reproduction and food chains. Resilience—environmental water provided refuges for fish during a natural widespread blackwater event in a native fish rich area; refuges contributed to population resilience of native fish. Local outcomes for the Edward–Wakool include: Fish reproduction—environmental watering assisted reproduction of the native carp gudgeon.
Lower Murray Murray River channel, Lower Lakes, Coorong Fish (spawning, assemblage, recruitment, movement and natal origin); water quality (salt and nutrient export); fringing wetland connectivity; and frogs. South Australia Research and Development Institute University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia, CSIRO, South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Gwydir Gwydir River system Fish, frog and turtle diversity and abundance, hydrological connectivity, native vegetation, water quality, microinvertebrates, macroinvertebrates. University of New England NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Border Local Land Services Table 3: Some early outcomes of Commonwealth environmental water based on monitoring and interpreted using rigorous science Catchment Examples Murray River and Murrumbidgee Heavy rainfall during March and April 2012 led to significant concerns that a blackwater event in the Murrumbidgee River could potentially severely impact on fish and other aquatic animals where the Murrumbidgee flows into the Murray River. Commonwealth environmental water was provided in the Murrumbidgee and Murray rivers to improve water quality by diluting blackwater and providing freshwater refuge for fish. In 2011–12 and 2012–13 Commonwealth environmental watering in the Edward–Wakool system contributed to the environmental objectives of the Basin Plan, including: Biodiversity—environmental water contributed to species diversity of native fish populations by supporting their reproduction and food chains. Resilience—environmental water provided refuges for fish during a natural widespread blackwater event in a native fish rich area; refuges contributed to population resilience of native fish. Local outcomes for the Edward–Wakool include: Fish reproduction—environmental watering assisted reproduction of the native carp gudgeon.
environment-annual-report-2013-14.docx