<< BACK TO CONTENTS Carryover and trade The VEWH uses carryover (saved, unused, allocated water to use the following season) and water trade (buying, selling or exchanging water) to enable water for the environment to be used when and where it is most needed. The success of environmental watering in a waterway relies on the timing, magnitude and frequency of flow – just as agriculture requires water to be applied at the right time and in the right amount. For benefits to occur – such as triggering fish to move to feed and breed – water must be released at a particular time, in a certain amount, for an adequate number of days. Carryover is an essential tool to maximise the outcomes of water for the environment. Carryover rules allow for the flexible management of water between seasons. Irrigators and environmental water holders rely on carryover to manage differences between water supply and demand in wet years versus dry years. At the end of 2016–17, there were 336,230 megalitres carried over for potential use in 2017–18, subject to carryover rules and conditions (for example, evaporation and potential loss to storage spills) for winter and spring environmental watering actions. In 2016–17, the VEWH used water trades to effectively and efficiently manage its environmental water portfolio. Left to right: Birdwatchers at Lake Powell, by Mallee CMA; A pelican and its reflection on the river, by Emma Coats For example: • in the Central region, Melbourne Water and the VEWH jointly funded the purchase of 304 megalitres to allow the Maribyrnong system to receive water for the environment • in the Northern region, the VEWH sold 20,000 megalitres of water in the Murray and Goulburn systems • in the Western region, the VEWH purchased 5,000 megalitres in the Wimmera–Glenelg water supply system. Water donations In 2016–17, there were no donations of water into the VEWH accounts. Partnerships The efficient and effective delivery of the water for the environment program requires the VEWH to work closely with our program partners. Waterway managers — Victoria’s catchment management authorities (CMAs) and Melbourne Water — and storage managers are central to the local planning and implementation of environmental watering. The VEWH also works with other water holders including the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) (through The Living Murray program) to negotiate and coordinate the use of water for the environment in Victorian waterways. Reflections – Environmental watering in Victoria 2016–17 | 6
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