THE Loddon River will receive a welcomed flow from tomorrow amid a dry start to Autumn.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority is managing the four-day long release of up to 400 megalitres per day between the Loddon and Kerang weirs to help the waterway cope with the current dry conditions
The authority’s environmental water manager, Andrew Sharpe said the water will be released from the Loddon Weir, between Serpentine and Boort.
“The main purpose of these freshening flows is to water vegetation in the river channel and freshen up water quality. This will help the river and surrounding vegetation cope with the ongoing dry summer,” he said.
“Healthy vegetation provides important habitat for native fish and the waterbugs that fish, waterbirds, water rats and platypus feed on.
Dr Sharpe said increasing water quality doesn’t just benefit the river, it also helps with the efficiency and quality of irrigation flows.”
He said despite the dry conditions, it is shaping up to be another good year for the Loddon.
“We are on track to deliver all flow recommendations suitable to match climatic conditions, and maintain significant environmental improvements made over the past three years,” he said.
“In response we are seeing the river’s red gums showing signs of improved health, and instream vegetation is recovering well.”
Dr Sharpe said as the water is delivered, landholders adjacent to the Loddon River and Twelve Mile Creek below Loddon Weir may notice a rise in the water level.
“The target flow rates are well below the flood threshold,” he said.
