Widespread environmental benefits across the Basin
CEWO | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
We acknowledge Australia's Traditional Owners and pay respect to the Nations of the Murray-Darling Basin, their Elders past, present and emerging.
Artist: Commonwealth Environmental Water Office staff, under the guidance of Rebecca Salcole.
After years of drought in parts of the Murray-Darling Basin, wetter conditions and a record delivery of water for the environment have brought widespread benefits across the Basin in 2021-22.
Gunbower Forest. Photo: NCCMA.
Almost 2000 gigalitres of Commonwealth water was delivered for the environment in 2021-22, the largest annual volume delivered to date. This amount of water is equivalent to around 4 Sydney Harbours.
Hume Dam. Photo: CEWO.
This water was delivered alongside natural flows and other sources of water for the environment to support waterbird breeding, native fish spawning and migration, and get water to wetlands for the first time in 5 years.
Lower Goulburn at Shepparton. Photo: GBCMA.
Commonwealth water for the environment is delivered in partnership with state agencies, First Nations, Basin communities and scientists to get the most out of all the water available for the environment.
We are committed to continuously learning from First Nations peoples to care for Country and support important spiritual and cultural values.
CEWO Local Engagement Officer (middle) with scientists, Traditional Owners and NSW Government officials at Narran Lakes. Photo: CEWO.
It is important to put the positive outcomes over the last 12 months in perspective. Waterbird populations have declined over the last 35 years, and native fish populations are well below historical levels.
Egret in flight. Photo: CEWO.
While higher river flows have meant more wetlands and floodplains have received water...
Aerial view of the Great Darling Anabranch. Photo: Chris Locke.
...many have still missed out.
It is important that governments continue to implement projects that will help get more water onto the floodplains.
Lignum and Black box at Lindsay floodplain have not received flows for five years. Photo: Mallee CMA.
With consecutive wet years, it is critical that we improve the resilience of wetlands and floodplains, and support waterbird and native fish populations to rebuild while breeding conditions are good.
Pink-eared ducks at Macquarie Marshes. Photo: Nicola Brookhouse, NPWS.
Explore the 2021-22 highlights across the Basin in the map below.
Photos have been taken during approved scientific monitoring. Note on map markers: Outcomes are spread across multiple sites across the basin, including but not limited to the specific points on the map.
Dharriwaa (Narran Lakes)
Dharriwaa (Narran Lakes). Click to expand.
For the first time in 10 years, 10,000 pairs of colonial waterbirds (mainly straw-necked ibis) bred at the culturally and internationally significant Dharriwaa.
Warrego, Moonie and Condamine-Balonne Rivers
Warrego, Moonie and Condamine-Balonne Rivers. Click to expand.
Golden perch bred and moved down the rivers into the Barwon–Darling and Menindee Lakes.
Gwydir Wetlands
Gwydir Wetlands. Click to expand.
First large-scale colonial waterbird breeding since 2011–12. 30,000 pairs of waterbirds including Royal spoonbills, Cormorants, Egrets, Nankeen night herons, Glossy ibis and Straw-necked ibis in the Gwydir Wetlands.
Macquarie Marshes
Macquarie Marshes. Click to expand.
The internationally significant Macquarie Marshes Ramsar site has played host to large-scale colonial waterbird breeding. Waterbird colonies across the Marshes were estimated to include over 150,000 nests of Ibis, Egrets, Spoonbills and Night herons.
Gayini (Lower Murrumbidgee Wetlands)
Gayini (Lower Murrumbidgee Wetlands). Click to expand.
30,000 pairs of Ibis and Spoonbills, and over 10,000 pairs of pelicans were observed breeding. All supported by the work of the Nari Nari Tribal Council.
Victorian Tributaries
Victorian Tributaries. Click to expand.
Pulses of water for the environment were delivered to attract Silver and Golden perch into the Goulburn and Campaspe rivers and Lower Broken Creek.
Edward Kolety-Wakool River
Edward Kolety-Wakool River. Click to expand.
In response to low dissolved oxygen water (black water), water high in oxygen was provided to support fish and other aquatic animals.
Lower Lakes & Coorong
Lower Lakes & Coorong. Click to expand.
Both the Lower Lakes and the Coorong have benefited from higher flows, supporting waterbird breeding and vegetation growth. There was strong growth of Ruppia, including the best turion reproduction since before the Millenium Drought. Ruppia provides critical habitat for native fish and food for waterbirds.
Lower Murray
Lower Murray. Click to expand.
First significant successful Golden perch breeding event in 10 years. A breeding boom resulted in tens of thousands of endangered Murray hardyhead in a number of small wetlands in the Lower Murray.
Lower Darling-Baaka & Great Darling Anabranch
Lower Darling-Baaka & Great Darling Anabranch. Click to expand.
Menindee Lakes filled, resulting in the best flows to the Great Darling Anabranch and lower Darling-Baaka in years, helping Murray cod to breed and juvenile Golden perch to move from the north to the south.
Lachlan
Lachlan. Click to expand.
One of the largest pelican breeding events in the Murray-Darling Basin. Scientists observed up to 15,000 Pelican pairs at Lake Brewster, 25,000 ibis pairs at Lake Cowal and 25,000 Ibis pairs at Booligal Swamp in the Lachlan valley. Breeding was supported by water for the environment.
To find out more contact your local engagement officer:
