Golden, silver and spangled perch, Murray cod, trout cod and other native fish populations of the Macquarie River are set to benefit from water delivered to the environment following heavy rainfall and warm weather in the Dubbo Regional Council area.
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This managed environmental water is a highly practical rehabilitation measure in which Commonwealth and State governments are working together with the local community to improve the health of the river system. It was designed to increase fish numbers in the Macquarie River.
Increased flows from tributary creeks following rain (more than four times the long-term average rainfall for the month of March) combined with warm weather made this the ideal time for environmental water to be delivered to help generate a short and sharp flow to encourage fish movement throughout the system.
Sam Davis from NSW DPI said episodic rainfall events kick start the food chain, introducing natural sources of carbon from leaves and sticks in to the river.
“Part of our challenge is to dovetail natural events with managed water to get good stuff happening for fish on their terms.
“We know we can’t just turn a valve on a dam and release water into the river and expect fish to get on with it,” Ms Davis said.
“We know that if we release a quantity of environmental water in conjunction with a natural flow event such as this one, we can give native fish a helping hand to move out of their comfort zones and find new food spots to hang out or to breed when there is a change in the flow.”
“This watering action is based on the best available information gathered over time. Based on what we know has worked and what hasn’t, we’re able to predict the outcomes of different watering options and decide which will give the best outcome, while considering the water availability, operational and community issues,” she said.
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder David Papps said the identification of natural cues allows water managers to deliver the right amount of water at the right time and in the right place.
Mr Papps also said identification also allows to help native species such as golden, silver and spangled perch, to move into newly accessible habitat to survive and thrive.
“This event is good news for local fishers as it is helping to ensure populations of large bodied fish remain viable into the future.
“It’s also good news for the local environment with the water providing additional benefit to the vegetation in the river channel as well as in the internationally significant Macquarie Marshes,” Mr Papps said.
