Annual Water Outlook

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Apollo Bay: Stage 1 or 2 water restrictions possible in March 2021.

Apollo Bay: Stage 1 or 2 water restrictions possible in January 2021.

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Broadford and Kilmore: transfers may be required from the Regulated Goulburn System for Broadford and from Yarra Valley Water for Kilmore from June 2021.

Longwood, Strathbogie, Merrijig, Sawmill settlement and Pyalong: water carting possible in next 12 months.

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Fish Creek: Stage 1 water restrictions possible in February 2021.

Leongatha and Koonwarra: Stage 1 water restrictions possible in September 2021.

Toora, Welshpool, Port Welshpool and Port Franklin: Stage 1 water restrictions possible in February 2021, increasing to Stage 4 briefly in March before restrictions lifting completely in April 2021.

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Water restrictions not expected.

Corryong: Stage 1 water restrictions possible from February 2021 to June 2021.

Benalla: Stage 1 water restrictions possible from May 2021 to June 2021.

Myrtleford: Stage 2 water restrictions possible in April 2021.

Water restrictions not expected.

Mitchell River (towns include Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale): Stage 2 water restrictions possible in February 2021 to April 2021.

Mitchell River (towns include Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale): Stage 2 water restrictions possible in December 2020.

Regulated Goulburn System: Seasonal determinations are 100% HRWS, and GMW will be able to set aside water to build reserves for next years’ opening allocation.

Regulated Goulburn System: Seasonal determinations are already 100% HRWS, however if dry conditions persist in summer GMW may not be able to set aside additional water for next years’ allocations.

Regulated Goulburn System: Seasonal determinations are already 100% HRWS, however if very dry conditions persist in summer GMW may not be able to set aside additional water for next years’ allocations.

Unregulated Northern Systems: Diversion restrictions in the larger streams are unlikely this summer, while diverters in the smaller tributary streams may experience some restrictions.

Unregulated Northern Systems: Diversion restrictions on streams would be expected over summer, with diversion restrictions possible on major tributaries.

Unregulated Northern Systems: Diversion restrictions in the tributaries and the main branches of rivers and streams are likely this summer.

Coliban Rural Water Users: Will have access to their full licence volume.

Regulated Werribee Irrigation District: Seasonal determinations will reach 100% HRWS, and seasonal determinations for LRWS may be issued before the end of the season.

Regulated Werribee Irrigation District: Seasonal determinations remain at 90% HRWS and customers continue to have access to recycled water.

Regulated Werribee Irrigation District: Seasonal determinations will not reach 100% HRWS, and high water users likely to rely on recycled water to meet full demand.

Thomson Macalister Irrigation District: Seasonal determinations are already 100% HRWS, and seasonal determinations for LRWS may be issued before the end of the season.

Thomson Macalister Irrigation District: Seasonal determinations are already 100% HRWS, but seasonal determinations for LRWS may not be issued before the end of the season.

Thomson Macalister Irrigation District: Seasonal determinations are already 100% HRWS, but seasonal determinations unlikely to be issued to LRWS.

Unregulated Southern Systems: Where diversion bans or restrictions are typically applied over the summer period, they are likely to come into effect later this season, or not at all.

Unregulated Southern Systems: Diversion bans or restrictions for waterways would be needed over the summer.

Unregulated Southern Systems: Diversion bans or restrictions for streams and rivers would be needed for significant periods over summer.

Greater Melbourne Region Unregulated Waterways: Melbourne Water's unregulated waterway customers should not expect extended periods of diversion bans and restrictions in the coming summer irrigation period.

Greater Melbourne Region Unregulated Waterways: Melbourne Water's unregulated waterway customers will likely be placed on diversion bans or restrictions for periods during summer.

Greater Melbourne Region Unregulated Waterways: Melbourne Water's unregulated waterway customers would be placed on diversion bans, including the mainstem of the Yarra River.

Freshes* will be provided to trigger migration and spawning of Australian grayling and to encourage juvenile Australian grayling to move into the river from the sea.

Delivery to internationally important wetlands: Sale Common, Dowd Morass and Heart Morass.

The first watering of Annulus Billabong on the Yarra River floodplain near Heidelberg occurred during October 2020. The watering action was planned and delivered in conjunction with the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. The environment will continue to respond to this watering event over coming months as the water levels draw down.

Extend duration of low flows to maintain habitat for fish, waterbugs and platypus through summer and autumn.

Maintain water quality and streamside vegetation and provide opportunities for fish movement in summer and autumn. During September 2020 a spring high flow was delivered to Pyrites Creek and spring fresh was delivered to the lower Werribee River for the first time since 2017.

Delivery to protect critical refuges for native fish and platypus over summer and autumn and ensure there are sufficient reserves to support priority watering in 2021-22.

Coordinated release in the Murray River is providing spring floodplain inundation at Barmah Forest. Water will be re-used at downstream sites in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.

In the Goulburn River, environmental water may be used in spring to trigger spawning of golden perch, and in summer if it is needed to minimum recommended low flows for fish, plants and microorganisms.

In the absence of a natural flood, delivery of environmental water to Hattah Lakes will be a high priority during autumn/winter 2021 to stimulate growth of aquatic vegetation in wetlands that are currently dry and provide refuge and feeding habitat for waterbirds.

Taungurung Land and Waters Council may consider using their water entitlement in the King River system to support environmental objectives as part of their goal of healing Country.