Across the central region of Victoria, water for the environment is helping to improve the health of river and wetland systems throughout the greater Geelong and Melbourne area. Watch our video to see how environmental flows allow native fish and waterbirds to move about, and more!
Across the western region of Victoria, water for the environment helps improve the health of the Wimmera River, Glenelg River and Wimmera-Mallee wetlands. Healthy rivers means happy fish and a great catch for all! Watch our video to find out about more benefits.
Across the northern region of Victoria, water for the environment is released to rivers, floodplains and wetlands, including the internationally recognised Gunbower Forest, Barmah Forest and Hattah Lakes. Watch our video to learn more about environmental flows in northern Victoria.
Across Gippsland, water for the environment is helping plants and animals in the Thomson, Macalister, Snowy and Latrobe rivers and the Latrobe wetlands. Environmental flows provide habitat for waterbirds, including threatened species, and timed flows can provide perfect conditions for paddlers. Watch our video to see that water for the environment is for everyone!
Native fish are being lost from our rivers and creeks down irrigation channels. To stop this, irrigation diversion screens are being trialed between the Gunbower Creek and Cohuna Channel. Watch the video about this amazing project, the first of its kind in Australia, that is saving our native fish.
What a year 2016-17 was for Victoria's rivers, wetlands and floodplains that were kept healthy and thriving through the water for the environment program. This video launches Reflections, an annual publication from the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, which provides a snapshot of how water for the environment is helping plants, animals and communities.
Angling identity Rex Hunt is the voice of a new film touting the angling virtues of the Wimmera River.
Lots of different 'types' of water is released into rivers and not all of it does the job of environmental water. This quick video shows you why environmental water is a little different.
Toxic blackwater is something that happens in rivers around Victoria and it's expected to increase in a drying climate. Here's a simple explanation of what causes it.
An example of six Australian grayling moving in response to higher flows in the Bunyip and Tarago Rivers in autumn 2015. Native fish need the right river flow to feed, mature, move and breed. The animation is based on data collected by the Arthur Rylah Institute and Melbourne Water.
Environmental water is playing a critical role in fighting the decline of waterbirds in eastern Australia. The water is particularly critical for birds in dry times, ensuring they have somewhere to go for food, nesting and raising young. BirdLife Australia helps us explain why.
An example of eight tagged golden perch moving in response to high River Murray levels in spring 2010. Environmental water was released to maintain higher levels between natural flood peaks. Native fish need the right river flow and water temperature to feed, mature, move and breed. The animation is based on data collected by the Arthur Rylah Institute.
An example of seven tagged Murray cod moving in response to high River Murray levels in spring 2010. Environmental water was released to maintain levels between natural flood peaks. Native fish need the right river flow and water temperature to feed, mature, move and breed. The animation is based on data collected by the Arthur Rylah Institute.
Why do we need 'environmental water'? Juliet Le Feuvre (Healthy Rivers Campaigner, Environment Victoria), Tom Chick (Deputy Chair of Field and Game Australia ) and Steven Threlfall (leading Victorian recreational fisherman, TV host and businessman) explain all.
The Barmah-Millewa Forest covers 66,000 hectares in northern Victoria and boasts so many waterbirds and other animals and diverse plants. It's an icon site of The Living Murray and environmental watering is key to ensuring the continued survival of this important ecosystem on the Murray River.
It increases opportunities for recreational activities such as bushwalking, kayaking and fishing. It also sustains healthy country for Indigenous communities. Find out why these people value environmental water in central Victoria.
An example of one Murray cod – affectionately known as 'CASANOVA COD' – moving in response to higher flows in the Ovens river - at a temperature that was right for cod to breed and lay eggs. The higher flows prompted Casanova to swim to same location to breed with the same female cod three years in a row! Casanova is about one metre long, weighs about 25kg, and is estimated to be 25 years old
Page last updated: 12/12/19