Environmental flows for the Tarago River

Australian grayling in the Tarago River will get a boost this week, with an environmental water release set to begin from the Tarago Reservoir.

Australian grayling in the Tarago River will get a boost this week, with an environmental water release set to begin from the Tarago Reservoir.

The environmental release beginning on Thursday 29 November will gradually increase over three days until a peak flow rate of 280 ML a day is reached. This rate will be maintained for one day and will then gradually be reduced.

This release is aiming to trigger the migration of Australian grayling from the estuary to the upper reaches of the river, and will build on the recovery aquatic plants and other fish populations are showing after a prolonged drought period.

Australian grayling are a native migratory fish whose population has declined significantly since European settlement and is still recovering after the recent drought. The species is now listed under both state and federal threatened species acts.

Monitoring results from this release will be used to inform future management of the Tarago River.

The amount of water released will be managed to ensure the Tarago River below Tarago Reservoir is the primary beneficiary. Volumes being released are well within the channel capacity of the river and will not flood private land. Weather conditions will be monitored during the release and flows adjusted or ceased, depending on rainfall amounts.

This release is in line with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder's Seasonal Watering Plan 2011-12.