EstuaryWatch Data Portal

On Monday February 5, Barwon Water increased releases from the Painkalac Reservoir into Painkalac Creek from 0.6-0.7 Mega Litres of water per day to  2 Mega Litres of water per day.  Releases will return to 0.6-0.7 Mega Litres of water per day on Thursday February 8.

This release of water is called a “Low Flow Fresh”.  A “Low Flow Fresh” is a small amount of water released over a short period of time (1-3 days).  This release of water mimics a localised rainfall event during a time when there is low freshwater flow (Dec-March).  The aim of the release is to maintain summer/autumn water quality, flush sediments from potential egg laying sites in the lead up to autumn fish breeding season and provide some depth variability on surfaces of large wood in the river channel.

If you would like to learn more about the water releases from the Painkalac Reservoir I suggest you  have a read of this report written in 2008

http://www.ccmaknowledgebase.vic.gov.au/resources/Painkalac_Creek_Recommendations_Paper_Final.pdf

The Victorian Environmental Water Holder also has some fantastic videos on the topic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n2_UtsRh6w&index=11&list=UUaG0oi6DPFnk2PjkOQYXV1g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6QLLNsc3nk&index=6&list=UUaG0oi6DPFnk2PjkOQYXV1g