October 6th, 2024Environmental flows for three significant waterways: CMA

A “spring carnival of a different kind” is set to take off in the Loddon River system during October, according to the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

While punters look to find the best bets on racecourses across the state, the perfect trifecta could be within the banks of three northern Victorian waterways, the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) reckons.

Water for the environment will flow down the Loddon River, Serpentine Creek, and Pyramid Creek this month, to provide local native fish with “a party of their own” the CMA said in a recent media statement.

Environmental water releases from Laanecoorie Reservoir will begin in early October, targeting flows of 400 megalitres a day.

These flows will continue downstream and will combine with environmental flows from Ghow Swamp down Pyramid Creek which is targeting a flow rate of 650 ML a day at Kerang Loddon Weir.

At the same time, a smaller flow of up to 120 ML a day will head down Serpentine Creek for two days.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Environmental Water Project Officer Peter O’Toole said the flows are designed to improve water quality and get local fish on the move.

“For native fish, spring is their time to shine. It’s when they move around the system, searching for food andfor breeding partners,” he said.

“It does sound like a big party, but it’s really important to ensure they get access to new areas.“

These flows will help them do that, by connecting the Murray River with hundreds of kilometres of the Loddon River, as well as some of the best feeding spots in the country at Ghow Swamp.

”The flows will also help improve water quality in Serpentine Creek by refreshing any stagnant pools.

“If you’re a Murray cod, silver perch, or golden perch, this is celebration time,” he said.

“Monitoring has shown us that almost three-times as many fish move up the Loddon when flows such as these are on.

“That movement allows for a greater diversity of fish and healthier populations. It will also make for great fishing in the future.

”The flows are authorised by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan2024-25.

The Plan is available for download from www.vewh.vic.gov.au, with regular watering updatesposted on the North Central CMA website www.nccma.vic.gov.au