The VEWH's water trading strategy 2017-18 provides a high level overview of the types of water trading activities that VEWH may undertake across Victoria in 2017-18.
They are a tiny little fish, but when they are found, they are big news. The magnificent-looking Murray Darling rainbow fish grows to about seven centimetres long and were once prevalent across the Murray Darling Basin. But not anymore.
After wet springs, irrigation demand can decrease over summer. When this happens, flows in the northern sections of the Loddon River, and its tributaries, can slow to a trickle.
Why have one brain when you can have two? The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) is making flexibility in the workplace work to its advantage by appointing Dr Sarina Loo and Trent Wallis as executive officers.
Surveys last month saved a juvenile female platypus from death, wildlife ecologist Josh Griffiths says. He discovered the female during the first night of Wimmera Catchment Management Authority surveys in the MacKenzie River with a hair tie wrapped around her neck.
The co-ordination of environmental flows in three rivers has been used to distribute Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua), Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) and other native fish across river networks throughout parts of the southern Murray-Darling Basin.
An early morning or evening walk around Lake Hawthorn at the moment is a treat for nature-lovers. Thousands of birds are in temporary residence at the lake in response to seasonal conditions and the availability of water at the saline wetland at Cabarita west of Mildura.
More water will flow through the Thomson River, with the Andrews Labor Government taking the next step in delivering an additional eight gigalitres of water.
A group of recreational anglers recently took the opportunity to learn first-hand how environmental water releases near Mathoura are boosting populations of one of their most prized catches - the Murray Cod.
There are lots of things that impact on the health of our rivers and wetlands, and it may be surprising to learn that land-based animals are high on the list.
Australians are accustomed to thinking that dry is bad, that drying out means death. However, when it comes to wetlands, the opposite can be true – drying out can mean life.
Considered being on a Victorian water or catchment board? DELWP is recruiting for appointments to the first Aboriginal Commissioner of the Victorian Environment Water Holder, catchment management authority boards and water corporation boards.
Melbourne Water, in partnership with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH), will commence an environmental water release to the lower Tarago River system on 1 March.
Where possible, environmental water managers mimic the wetting and drying phases of wetlands that happened naturally. Many wetlands will not thrive without wetting and drying phases, because each phase achieves different purposes at different times.
After a cooler than average summer, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is about to release the second environmental water flow in the Glenelg River for the 2016/ 2017 summer period.
Providing plants on the banks of the lower Goulburn River a well-needed late summer drink could also encourage golden perch to migrate from the Murray River to the Goulburn.
Large-bodied native fish such as Murray Cod in the Loddon River are being fitted with acoustic tags as part of a new monitoring program investigating fish responses to environmental flow deliveries across Victoria.
Additional water is being released from Goulburn Weir to help dilute debris-rich run-off from local creeks that has discoloured the Goulburn River downstream of Shepparton during the past couple of days.
The Campaspe River downstream of Rochester is a special part of the world. River red gums that pre-date European settlement line its banks and provide a safe home for the endangered sugar glider.
Environmental water is being released into Barmah Forest wetlands to support the waterbird breeding boom triggered by the recent high natural Murray River flows.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is kickstarting plans to mitigate against potential toxic blackwater outbreaks in parts of the Loddon River.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) says weeks of flooding in the Campaspe River has shown that when it comes to water, Mother Nature can be both cruel and kind.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) says recent flooding in the Campaspe and Loddon rivers is likely to have prevented the successful breeding this season of one of Australia's most iconic animals.
Due to recent flooding, the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA) says no environmental water has been released from Rocklands Reservoir into the Glenelg River since July.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority says river users may notice a darker water colour in parts of the River Murray and its tributaries over the coming weeks.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is carefully managing a series of key wetlands in the north of the state to both capitalise on the wet conditions and limit any damage from the recent floods.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is taking advantage of a rare opportunity to put floodwater into Lake Cullen, near Kerang, to provide food for the expected post-flood bird boom.
Environmental watering is underway at Hattah Lakes, taking advantage of high flows in the River Murray. For the past three weeks, river flows in the River Murray have been high enough to naturally enter Chalka Creek, giving native aquatic plants and animals the opportunity to move between the river and the lakes.
Melbourne Water is expecting a baby boom of threatened Australian Grayling having successfully mimicked ideal breeding conditions for the species through the release of environmental water in the Tarago River.
Science and Mother Nature have combined forces ensuring there is no need for August's scheduled environmental water release down the Campaspe River. Rainfall in late July and early August fell at the same time the 50ML-a-day winter low flow was heading down the river.
Good winter rain and an optimistic forecast means Victoria's environmental water holder is adjusting environmental water deliveries to rivers and wetlands for a wetter season in northern Victoria.
Above-average rainfall and flooding in Victoria's High Country is providing an unexpected boost to Gunbower Forest. Rainfall as much as 200 per cent above average in the Goulburn, Kiewa and Ovens river catchments in July has resulted in more water than expected entering the Murray River downstream of Lake Hume.
The water allocation trading strategy for 2016-17 scopes potential trade. It includes the possibility of selling water in northern Victoria and purchasing water in the Moorabool and Maribyrnong systems to maintain water quality and protect plants and animals.
The state's holder of environmental water has released a plan to ensure water in rivers and wetlands in 2016-17 provides for native fish, birds and plants.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has purchased 5 gigalitres (5,000 megalitres) of water to help protect habitat, water quality and animals in Wimmera and Glenelg waterways.
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville released the booklet, Reflections – Environmental Watering in Victoria 2014-15, at Healesville Sanctuary highlighting the importance of environmental watering to the state's platypus population.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has delayed a planned wetland watering in the north of the state on the back of the prolonged blue-green algae (BGA) outbreak in the Murray River system.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has authorised the
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority to deliver up to 10 GL of
Victorian environmental water to the Goulburn River to 'wet' and support the
recovery of river bank vegetation while also increasing habitat for water bugs
and fish.
The VEWH has approved a request from the Goulburn Broken Catchment
Management Authority to re-allocate 300 ML of environmental water from
Reedy Swamp to Kinnairds Wetland in the Goulburn and Broken wetlands.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) is seeking to buy up
to 10,000 ML of water allocation to protect drying Wimmera and Glenelg
waterways from irreversible environmental loss.
When you're sitting on the banks of the
Murray River, it's easy to forget that the water flowing past might not
be there due to recent rain. Chances are it's there because it's been
intentionally released from upstream to benefit plants and animals.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has
released its annual watering plan to support the health of the state's rivers
and wetlands and the wildlife that depends on them.
The work to restore the ecological
significance of Gunbower Forest has been recognised overseas. Crew from a
Brazilian media outlet, TV
Globo visited Gunbower Forest in early March 2015, as part of a
documentary and to learn more about approaches to drought and water
management.
The benefits of Victoria's environmental watering program have
been unveiled in the VEWH's Statewide annual watering booklet, Reflections –
environmental watering in Victoria 2013-14.
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Victorian
Environmental Water Holder have planned for a large-scale environmental
watering event in Barmah Forest, which is now underway and will continue
throughout the remainder of spring.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder
(VEWH) is currently undertaking a review of management arrangements
under the shared Wimmera and Glenelg Rivers environmental water
entitlement, to determine if these arrangements are achieving optimum
environmental benefits across the two systems.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has announced it intends
to sell a small amount of its available water in the northern Victorian
water market in the near future.
Melbourne's Yarra River will benefit from a fresh flow of water over the
next two weeks as 2,200 ML of environmental water is released to
enhance the river's health.
World Wetlands Day provides a great chance to highlight how important
healthy, well-managed wetlands are to our natural environment and local
communities
Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH)
released its third Seasonal Watering Plan today, providing the blueprint
for Victoria's environmental watering program in 2013-14.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) took a moment to reflect
on 2011-12 today, with the release of Reflections – environmental
watering in Victoria 2011-12.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), in
partnership with Goulburn-Murray Water and Parks Victoria, is currently
providing water to two key wetlands in the North Central region.
Fish in the lower Broken Creek are set to receive a welcome surprise
as the creek receives its first environmental flows in spring to improve
habitat during their migration and breeding season.
Melbourne Water is releasing 400 million litres from Merrimu Reservoir
over the coming weeks to help improve the health of the Werribee River
and the animals and plants that live there.
You're invited to celebrate the launch of Reflections - environmental
watering in Victoria 2011-12 and witness the first environmental
release specifically targeting environmental values in the Werribee
Estuary, including juvenile black bream and platypus.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) released its second
Seasonal Watering Plan today, providing the blueprint for Victoria's
environmental watering program in 2012-13.
The Yarra River is this week receiving the first flows of its reinstated
environmental water entitlement, helping improve the health of one of
Melbourne's natural icons.
Local residents and visitors to the Campaspe River, north of Rochester,
may notice the river level rise and fall along with changes to water
flow rate and colour as water makes its way from the Campaspe Siphon to
the Murray River.
The second in a series of three summer
freshes will be released to freshen habitat pools for fish and platypus
in the Moorabool River at the end of February.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has authorised the
release of environmental flows in the Latrobe, Thomson, Macalister,
Yarra, Tarago, Werribee, Moorabool, Wimmera, Glenelg and Loddon systems.
Melbourne Water is delivering an environmental water release, or 'summer
fresh', to the Yarra River over the next two weeks to improve habitat
for aquatic life and enhance the river's health.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has announced it intends
to sell a small amount of water allocation in the northern Victorian
water market over the coming months.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has contributed 10
billion litres, known as gigalitres (GL) as part of a larger
environmental watering event currently underway in the Barmah–Millewa
Forest, an icon site of the Living Murray program.
The VEWH has approved the delivery of environmental water, held as part
of the Living Murray program, for the Campaspe River downstream of Lake
Eppalock during spring.
Use of Victoria's environmental water entitlements will become more
efficient, transparent and accountable thanks to the creation of the
Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH).
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) has authorised the
continued release of environmental flows in the Wimmera, Campaspe and
Loddon systems.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith has appointed
Commissioners to Victoria's first independent body for holding and
managing environmental water – the Victorian Environmental Water Holder
(VEWH).
The VEWH has approved the delivery of environmental water from its Water Holdings to boost the environmental health of three Murray River wetlands in the Victorian Mallee.