Victoria’s rivers and wetlands provide water for towns, industry and food production. This means we remove a large part of the water that would normally flow into these ecosystems.
Because of this, the health of our rivers and wetlands is under threat. This means they may not be able to support the animals and plants that depend on them.
To limit this impact, Victoria has ‘water for the environment’ in water storages. This water is stored and released to support the animals and plants that live in rivers and wetlands.
Water releases are planned each year, based on climate forecasts, past flows and current science.
Watch the videos below to learn more about water for the environment, or visit the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) to learn about:
- why water for the environment is important
- what it aims to achieve, and
- how we measure success.
Useful information
- The 2022-23 Seasonal Watering Proposal and summary will be coming soon. Read the 2022-23 Water for the environment snapshot and the 2021-22 Seasonal Watering Proposal.
- The VEWH Seasonal Watering Plan, informed by our Seasonal Watering Proposal, guides environmental watering decisions in Gippsland. It provides program partners, stakeholders and communities with a sense of what to expect during the year.
- See publications from the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH), including the Celebrating 10 years of achievements and Reflections publications.
- You can read more and find previous plans on our water for the environment publications and latest news page.
Watch these awesome videos to learn more about Water for the Environment
Water for environment in West Gippsland
The systems in the Gippsland region that can receive water for the environment are Durt-Yowan (Latrobe River), lower Latrobe wetlands, Carran Carran (Thomson River), Heyfield wetlands and Wirn wirndook Yeerung (Macalister River).
We are responsible for the management of water for the environment. Learn more in our fact sheet “Water for the environment in West Gippsland – why it matters.” The water releases planned for the coming year are outlined in the latest Seasonal Watering Plan.
Please note:
Water releases do not impact on the security of water supply or access to irrigation water. They are also below minor flood levels. They will not impact on properties or assets next to the river or wetland.
You can subscribe to receive notifications on future water releases in the form below or learn more about current water releases.
Macalister River at Bellbird Corner before the winter high flow
Macalister River at Bellbird Corner during a winter high flow
Page updated 4 October, 2022