Northern region << BACK TO CONTENTS The planned environmental watering of many wetlands in the lower Murray was set aside in 2016, as large, natural floods moved through the region late in the year. The floods, which inundated the wetlands and the broader floodplains, highlighted the importance of keeping environmental water planning flexible and adaptable. Mallee CMA adjusted its plans to make the most of the natural flows. Only one wetland — Heywood Lake — received water for the environment in 2016–17. The lake received natural floodwater but not enough to fill it, so environmental water was used to inundate the fringing vegetation (such as blackbox trees). As the flood progressed, Mallee CMA removed obstacles to natural inflows entering the floodplain. This maximised the inundated area and connected most of the wetlands originally set to receive environmental water and areas to which environmental water cannot normally being delivered. The natural flood caused a flourish of plant growth as the water receded, providing waterbugs, fish and birds with food. Natural connections between the wetlands (such as Brickworks Billabong and Koorlong Lake near Mildura) provided an opportunity for endangered Murray hardyhead populations to move, complementing the work being done to protect and increase the populations of these native fish. Waterway manager: Mallee CMA Storage manager: Goulburn-Murray Water Site Heywood Lake Lock 15 wetlands1 Volume delivered in 2016–17 (ML) VEWH CEWH 3,000 - Water levels managed 1 Environmental watering at wetlands associated with lock 15 was facilitated by manipulating River Murray lock 15. There was no environmental water use attributed to this management in 2016–17. Total 3,000 69 | Victorian Environmental Water Holder
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