<< BACK TO CONTENTS The recovery of the Macalister River and its native fish was helped along by water for the environment and rainfall in 2016–17, following two years of lower than average rainfall. Heavy rainfall in winter and spring 2016 resulted in spills from Lake Glenmaggie from July to November, with two bankfull flows into the Macalister River for the first time in four years. High river flows in winter are important to trigger the movement of Australian bass and tupong to breed. “It was fantastic to see, because the high flows of water are so important for plants on the river bank,” said West Gippsland CMA’s Minna Tom. The floods also inundated floodplains, providing food and breeding opportunities for turtles, frogs and waterbirds. In autumn 2017, water for the environment was used to increase success of breeding among important native fish species. Left to right: The Macalister River at Lanigans Bridge in winter, by West Gippsland CMA; Lake Glenmaggie, by West Gippsland CMA A maintenance of low flows throughout the year provided connectivity between waterways for fish movement. Waterway manager: West Gippsland CMA Storage manager: Southern Rural Water Site Macalister River Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 6,599 Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 20
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