Northern river community members are encouraged to come along to one of many community information drop-in sessions being held from next week, to find out more about what's happening with the Northern Fish Flow.
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Environmental water releases from Copeton Dam and Glenlyon Dam began in April, with up to 36 gigalitres of water being released until June to help fish survive the drought.
The flow will top up waterholes along the Dumaresq, Macintyre, Gwdyir, Mehi and Barwon rivers. Up to 7.4GL from Glenlyon Dam will flow through to Collarenebri, joining up to 28.6GL from Copeton Dam at the junction of the Barwon and Mehi rivers. It is hoped the flow will make it to Brewarrina.
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Jody Swirepik said the flows will provide significant support for five endangered native fish, including Murray cod, silver perch and eel-tailed catfish, which are struggling in the dry conditions.
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Ms Swirepik said the flows have passed Moree and Goondiwindi and are now heading towards the Barwon River.
"Over 1,000 kilometres of river habitat will benefit from the Northern Fish Flow along the Dumaresq, Macintyre, Gwydir, Mehi and Barwon rivers," she said.
"Depending on things like rainfall, the flows should enter the Barwon River in late May.
"The exact distance the water will reach down the Barwon is hard to predict due to the extremely dry conditions, but we expect the flow will reach the junction of the Macquarie and Barwon rivers.
"We hope the flow will reach Brewarrina, and go further if there is more rain in the northern basin catchments.
"The flow is a great example of people working together to support our rivers and river communities during these difficult dry times. I would like to acknowledge the support we have received in planning and delivering this flow from NSW and QLD government agencies, local councils, irrigators, Aboriginal communities and landholders all along the river system."
Water flows along the Mehi River have reached Bullarah, west of Moree, just over three quarters of the way down the river system towards Collarenebri, according to Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association executive officer Zara Lowien who did a flyover on Wednesday, May 8 to check where the water is at.
"The Mehi River has not had natural flows since spring 2017, water flowing down the river since has been either for stock and domestic, irrigation or environmental deliveries like this current release," she said.
"The last of the irrigation deliveries, which were in large bulk blocks this season finished up in mid-summer, so parts of the river has been drying down since then and west of Moree, the river was a series of pools with little water in between.
"These flows will re-start the river and re-connect these pools whilst also providing fresher water to continue to support fish and other species relying on those pools.
"Providing small flows for these purposes are one of the key planning objectives for use of environmental water in our region, similar flows have already occurred on the other effluent streams like the Carole Creek."
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office (CEWO) is organising community information sessions about the Northern Fish Flow over the next few weeks and months to talk about how the flow is helping native fish and supporting river communities.
"The community information sessions are a great opportunity for locals to talk to us about the Northern Fish Flow and how water for the environment can help fish survive a drought," CEWO local engagement officer, Mr Jason Wilson said.
"We encourage people to drop-in for a chat and meet local staff from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, the Murray Darling Basin Authority and other agencies involved in the flow. We are really excited to talk to locals about the Northern Fish Flow and to hear what they think."
Sessions will be in Goondiwindi (at Apex Park from 2pm to 4pm) on Tuesday, May 14; Toomelah (at Susan McGrady Hall from 10am to 12pm) and Boggabilla (Town and Country Club 2pm to 4pm) on Wednesday, May 15; Mungindi (Barwon River Park 9am to 11am) on Wednesday, May 16; Boomi (Boomi Hall Park from 9am to 11am) and Moree (Lyle Houlahan Park near the Tourist Information Centre from 2pm to 4pm) on Thursday, May 17; Collarenebri (Boat Ramp on Barwon River from 2pm to 4pm) on May 22 and Walgett (Sporting Club from 10am to 12pm) on June 6.
For more information contact CEWO local engagement officer Jason Wilson on 0418 210 389 or ewater@environment.gov.au.
More information on the Northern Fish Flow is available at www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo/catchment/northern-fish-flow-2019.
