Monitoring and evaluating the use of water for the environment is helping to build knowledge about the best way to improve the health of the rivers and wetlands of the Basin, based on what works and what doesn’t work.
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder works with Basin states, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, scientists and the local community to build this knowledge. There are a number of programs currently underway in the Mid-Murray.
Some recent examples of learnings include:
- Environmental water supported the establishment of aquatic vegetation communities in the mid-Murray over 2014-18.
- The increase in longitudinal connectivity in the Yallakool Creek, mid and lower Wakool River and Colligen creek created by the winter watering action provided opportunities for fish movement, dispersal of seeds and vegetation, and maintained critical habitat for animals that have small home ranges.
- Increasing the extent and duration of lateral connectivity can play an important role in river productivity, increasing the opportunity for dissolved carbon inputs to the stream from the sediment or organic materials, such as leaves, biofilms, grasses and other inundated vegetation. The slower recession also provides opportunities for growth and increased cover of submerged and amphibious macrophytes which can increase habitat for invertebrates, frogs and fish. Slower recessions can also minimise the stranding of invertebrates, tadpoles and small fish in backwaters.
Some recent examples of learnings include:
An integrated research and community engagement project to address physical, ecological, and social questions about the Edward/Kolety River. The research is being undertaken in partnership with Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre, the Edward-Wakool Angling Association and the Western Murray Land Improvement Group. Researchers will examine how flows influence physical and ecological processes in the Edward/Kolety River. The research will help answer questions on the following themes:
- lateral connectivity under operational and environmental flows
- changes in the condition of riverbanks under operational and environmental flows
- river productivity under operational and environmental flows
- wetland plant emergence and survival in Werai Forest
- turtle movement and condition
- fish spawning in the Edward/Kolety River
Social research will be integrated with the biophysical research to explore stakeholder perceptions and their involvement in monitoring and water management.
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Monitoring and Evaluation Plan - 2019
Edward-Kolety-Wakool river system monitoring and evaluation report: 2018-19
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Monitoring and Evaluation Plan - 2018
Edward-Kolety-Wakool river system monitoring and evaluation report: 2017-18
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Monitoring and Evaluation Plan - 2017
Edward-Wakool river system monitoring and evaluation report: 2016-17
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Monitoring and Evaluation Plan - 2016
Edward-Wakool river system monitoring and evaluation report: 2015-16
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Monitoring and Evaluation Plan - 2015
Edward-Wakool river system monitoring and evaluation report: 2014-15
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Monitoring and Evaluation Plan - 2014
Schedule of on-ground monitoring and evaluation activities in the Edward Wakool 2014-2019
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Article
Hypoxic blackwater Report
Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the Edward-Wakool Selected Area
Prepared by: Watts, R.J., McCasker, N., Baumgartner, L., Bond, N., Bowen, P., Conallin, A., Grace, M., Healy, S., Howitt, J.A., Kopf, R.K., Scott, N., Thiem,...
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Article
Ecosystem responses to environmental water 2013-14
Monitoring the ecosystem responses to Commonwealth environmental water delivered to the Edward-Wakool river system, 2013-14 - Final report
Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Final Report. Prepared for Commonwealth Environmental Water. As part of our commitment to adaptive management, the...
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Article
Ecosystem responses to environmental water 2012 - 13
Monitoring of ecosystem responses to the delivery of Commonwealth environmental water in the Edward-Wakool river system 2012-13 - Report No. 2
Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University for Commonwealth Environmental Water Office As part of our commitment to adaptive management, the Commonwealth Environmental...
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Ecosystem responses to environmental water 2011 - 12
Monitoring of ecosystem responses to the delivery of environmental water in the Edward-Wakool river system 2011-12 - report 2
Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University for Commonwealth Environmental Water Office The Commonwealth Environmental Water Office engaged Charles Sturt University to monitor...
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