Northern region << BACK TO CONTENTS The return of wet conditions to the Broken system in 2016–17 meant that most of the flows needed to keep the river healthy were provided naturally. Rain storms across the catchment in winter and spring 2016 resulted in bankfull and overbank flows along the Broken River and Broken Creek. These flows provided the floodplain and wetland habitats along these waterways with a much-needed drink, helping the many native plants and animals that call them home. Broken Creek showed itself to be remarkably resilient. The River Murray experienced major flooding, with a peak flow of over 196,000 megalitres a day from Yarrawonga Weir. As a result, poorquality water from the River Murray backed up the lower Broken Creek, lowering dissolved oxygen levels for about a week. The water quality improved once flows in the River Murray dropped and environmental flows were delivered down the creek. No reports of ill effects to aquatic animals or fish deaths were recorded. To try to reset the balance, water for the environment was delivered in winter to lower Broken Creek for the first time, to enable native fish to pass along the creek outside the irrigation season. Water for the environment is yielding excellent results: fish monitoring shows Murray cod numbers are at a 10-year high in the Broken River. Waterway manager: Goulburn Broken CMA Storage manager: Goulburn-Murray Water Site Lower Broken Creek Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) VEWH CEWH - 36,364 Total 36,364 Flood marks on trees in Broken Creek, by Keith Ward, Goulburn Broken CMA 63 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder
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