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Latest information about where, when and why environmental water may be delivered to the Coliban River and the environmental objectives being targeted is available in this year’s seasonal watering plan.
The seasonal watering plan also contains information about how environmental flows could support cultural, social, recreational and economic values in the Coliban River.
Watering data for the Coliban River and the wider northern region is updated quarterly. Visit current watering releases to find out more.
The VEWH does not hold an environmental entitlement in the Coliban River.
Waterway manager
North Central Catchment Management Authority
Storage manager
Environmental Water Holder
Victorian Environmental Water Holder (including the Living Murray program)
Traditional Owners
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation has a Recognition and Settlement Agreement with the Victorian Government and is the statutory authority for the management of Aboriginal heritage values and culture, under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
System overview
The Coliban River is the major tributary of the Campaspe River and flows into Lake Eppalock. It is highly regulated, with three storages harvesting water primarily for urban use.
The operation of the Malmsbury, Lauriston and Upper Coliban reservoirs regulates the flow in the Coliban River below Malmsbury Reservoir. An important distinction between the Coliban River and other regulated Victorian systems is the lack of irrigation demand that may be met by managed releases downstream of system storages. The flow in the river is influenced by the passing flow entitlement, which depends on catchment inflows and major flood events in the catchment.
The VEWH does not have any environmental entitlements in the Coliban system, but the passing flow can be managed — for example, it can be accumulated and released when most needed — to help mitigate some risks associated with a critically low summer/autumn flow, including low oxygen levels in the river between Malmsbury Reservoir and Lake Eppalock. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has a small entitlement in the Coliban system.
Environmental values
The Coliban River provides habitat for platypus, rakali (water rats) and small-bodied native fish (such as flat-headed gudgeon and mountain galaxias). The Coliban River also contains a diverse range of waterbugs supported by stands of emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation. It is bordered by remnant patches of streambank shrubland vegetation and woodland containing river red gum, Callistemon, woolly tea tree and inland wirilda, which provide habitat for terrestrial animals.
Page last updated: 05/12/24