<< BACK TO CONTENTS Despite meteorologists predicting that 2016–17 might see a repeat of the prolonged dry conditions of the previous year, the heavens opened across the state, bringing flooding across western and northern Victoria. 2016 was Victoria’s wettest year since the flood year of 2011, with rainfall 19 percent above average. We experienced our wettest September on record, with the Glenelg, Wimmera and Loddon rivers experiencing major flooding. Later, most of December’s rain fell in one day —29 December 2016 — which delivered the highest summer rainfall on record and triggered flash flooding in several places across the state. While Victorian communities struggled with the floods, a great deal of water that was planned to be released for the environment in spring and summer was not delivered, either to reduce the flood risk or because it was not needed as sites had been watered naturally. Sometimes, river and wetland managers were able to make the most of the wet weather and add water to natural flows, creating the deep, long drinks that some of our wetlands and waterways need every few years. These soakings replenished trees (such as red gum and black box), rejuvenated floodplain lands and returned food and nutrients to the river for fish and other water animals like platypus and turtles. We know our climate varies naturally over seasonal, annual and longer cycles. The effect of climate change is now magnifying this variability, increasing the frequency of extreme weather — flood and drought — and with it the degree of uncertainty facing Victorian communities. The increasing variability of our weather means that those of us who manage water for Victoria’s environment must continue to plan ahead each year for all climate scenarios — from drought through to very wet — to provide the best-possible waterway environments for Victorian communities. The stories in Reflections this year show the many benefits of water for the environment. There are stories of fish species returning to rivers in which they were previously extinct, birds flocking to watered wetlands, trees thriving, river banks stabilising and the landscape coming to life. Waterways are being restored in the heart of Victorian communities, delighting anglers, kayakers, birdwatchers and even remote-control boaters! Some of these Victorians tell their stories in the following pages, reminding us that water for the environment is ultimately water for everyone. Denis Flett Chairperson A plains tree frog at Kialla, by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 2
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