Environmental water delivery: Edward Wakool system
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population
and Communities
May 2011
Environmental Water Delivery: Edward Wakool system collates current knowledge of the operational and administrative arrangements for the delivery of environmental water to the Edward Wakool system and provides an overview of the environmental assets and potential environmental water use options for the catchment. This work has been undertaken to support the efficient and effective use of environmental water and to engage communities on how this may best be achieved. This aims to encourage community discussion and feedback on the use of environmental water, to identify future opportunities and recognise operational risks and constraints. Comments on the document are encouraged and can be provided to:ewater@environment.gov.au.
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Introduction
Increased volumes of environmental water are now becoming available in the Murray Darling Basin and this will allow a larger and broader program of environmental watering. It is particularly important that managers of environmental water seek regular input and suggestions from the community as to how we can achieve the best possible approach. As part of the consultation process for Commonwealth environmental water we will be seeking information on:
- community views on environmental assets and the health of these assets
- views on the prioritisation of environmental water use
- potential partnership arrangements for the management of environmental water; and
- possible arrangements for the monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) of environmental water use.
The attached document has been prepared to provide information on the environmental assets and potential environmental water use in the Edward-Wakool system.
The Edward-Wakool system supports important ecological values including twenty significant flora and fauna species. Potential water use options for the Edward-Wakool system include: providing base flows to Jimaringle and Cockrans Creeks to maintain in stream water quality; augmenting natural flows to improve connectivity between the river channel and floodplains within Werai Forest; and providing pulse flows in the Edward-Wakool rivers to promote ecosystem function for in-channel flora and fauna.
A key aim in undertaking this work was to prepare scalable water use strategies that maximise the efficiency of water use and anticipate different climatic circumstances. Operational opportunities and constraints have been identified and delivery options prepared. This has been done in a manner that will assist the community and environmental water managers in considering the issues and developing multi-year water use plans.
The work has been undertaken by consultants on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Previously prepared work has been drawn upon and discussions have occurred with organisations such as the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Office of Water, Murray Catchment Management Authority and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
Management of environmental water will be an adaptive process. There will always be areas of potential improvement. Comments and suggestions including on possible partnership arrangements are very welcome and can be provided directly to: ewater@environment.gov.au. Further information about Commonwealth environmental water can be found on Commonwealth Environmental Water website.
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