A lot of science and community knowledge exists about the water needs of plants and animals in rivers and wetlands.
Using this knowledge, specific studies have identified the types of flows a particular river needs or the wetting and drying patterns needed by a wetland. This information tells us the timing, watering duration and amount of water needed by native plants and animals.
Monitoring programs and advice from experienced environmental water managers are also considered. Though there is still much to learn, these studies provide the best-available information about environmental watering.
Scientific and community knowledge is used to support key aspects of environmental water management such as understanding what environmental values exist in different regions, how these values can be supported with environmental water, and whether environmental watering is achieving its objectives. See the technical reports for flow studies and environmental water management plans.