Central region << BACK TO CONTENTS Animals that live in the Moorabool River, like fish and platypus, are thriving after water for the environment deliveries in summer and autumn 2016–17 added to the flows of a wet spring to improve the river’s health. Following the end of dry conditions, river flows increased and the Lal Lal Reservoir overflowed with high rainfall in spring 2016. Waterway managers capitalised on the wet conditions by delivering water to the environment during summer and into autumn. This protected refuge pools and helped plants and animals recover from the dry period in 2015–16. Refuge pools are deep pools in a river channel that provide habitat for fish, frogs, waterbirds and aquatic plants. These pools often hold water through long, dry periods and provide somewhere for aquatic animals to live until flows return, connecting the river again. Deep pools along a river are often the last refuge for river life when flows are low. Research this year helped us better understand how refuge pools in the river function and how they provide sanctuary for plants and animals when the river stops flowing. The research identified and prioritised which pools to target with environmental water deliveries, to maximise their effectiveness as places of refuge. “This new information is particularly important for waterway managers when we are in drought and have only a very limited amount of water available to protect environmental values,” Corangamite CMA Environmental Water Coordinator Saul Vermeeren said. “Conditions were very dry in the Moorabool River in 2015–16, which meant we aimed to maintain water quality and top-up habitat refuge pools. This year the river reconnected due to the wetter conditions and we’re working to keep it as connected as possible with the limited water we have available. The research carried out this year has also confirmed just how important the refuge pools are in helping plants and animals survive during dry times so they can flourish in wet times.” Waterway manager: Corangamite CMA Storage manager: Central Highlands Water Site Moorabool River Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) 1,965 Water for the environment this year helped plants and animals recover from the dry period in 2015–16. 35 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder
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