Current water releases for the environment

Upcoming Autumn flows

Two environmental flows are planned for this autumn in the Thomson and Macalister rivers.

The April fresh is intended to trigger the downstream spawning migration of adult native fish species, particularly Australian grayling (EPBC-listed species), eel species and Australian Bass and the May fresh is intended to trigger the upstream migration and recruitment of juvenile native fish species, particularly Australian grayling, eel species, Tupong, Australian Bass, lamprey and galaxiid species. 

All details regarding these autumn flows that will occur in the Thomson River and the Macalister River, from Monday 17 April, 2023 are listed below.

Thomson River – (Carran Carran)

April fresh

Start and end of water release*
Monday 17 April to Saturday 29 April, 2023

Highest flow expected
800 megalitres per day between Wednesday 19 and Tuesday 25 April, 2023

Estimated water level in river during highest flow *
~0.6m at Coopers Creek  

May Fresh

Start and end of water release*
Sunday 21 May to Tuesday 2 June, 2023

Highest flow expected
800 megalitres per day between Monday 22 and Sunday 28 May, 2023

Estimated water level in river during highest flow *
~0.6m at Coopers Creek  

Latrobe River – (Durt-Yowan)

No upcoming flows scheduled.

Macalister River – (Wirn wirndook Yeerung)

April fresh

Start and end of water release*
Friday 21 April to Saturday 29 April, 2023

Highest flow expected
350 megalitres per day between Saturday 22 and Wednesday 26 April, 2023

Estimated water level in river during highest flow *
~<0.6m below Lake Glenmaggie

May Fresh

Start and end of water release*
Tuesday 30 May to Saturday 10 June, 2023

Highest flow expected
700 megalitres per day between Friday 2 and Tuesday 6 June, 2023

Estimated water level in river during highest flow *
~<0.7m below Lake Glenmaggie

Tanjil River

No upcoming flows scheduled.

Tyers River

No upcoming flows scheduled.

* Please note: Flow rates and heights are estimates, and actual heights on the day may vary due to rainfall or irrigation water orders being delivered. Also, environmental flow deliveries may be offset or replaced by natural rainfall/flow events. In the case of a large rainfall event meeting our flow targets, an environmental flow may not be delivered.

If flows are cancelled or modified, our email list will be notified and a SMS sent to subscribers who have opted in for that feature.
This page will be updated if any changes occur or you can email  eflows@wgcma.vic.gov.au if you have any further queries.

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Page updated 4 April, 2023

Swing Bridge Drive, Lower Latrobe Wetlands 📷 Elly Harrington
Woman sitting on picnic rug at Cowwarr weir
Picnic at Cowwarr Weir 📷 James Kettner
Group of kayakers receiving a briefing before paddling Macalister River.
Preparing to kayak down Macalister River) downstream from Glenmaggie 📷 Claire Jobling