This e-newsletter has been established to keep community members updated on information and actions relating to flooding along the lower Barwon River upstream of the lower Barwon barrage, as well as other activities relevant to landholders within this area.

Lower Barwon River flooding update

Corangamite CMA is aware of recent flooding of properties adjacent to the lower Barwon River.

The recent increase in water levels in the lower Barwon River closely follows the increase in water levels upstream, in the upper Barwon River, Moorabool River and Leigh River, all which flows into the lower Barwon.

The below graphs show the data from permanent water monitoring gauges in the lower Barwon (upstream of the lower barrage), the mid Barwon (at Winchelsea), the Moorabool River (at Morrisons) and the Leigh River (at Mt Mercer). All the gauges show a significant increase in water levels over the last week, commencing from 13 August in the Moorabool and Leigh Rivers and from 17 August in the Barwon River.

The Reedy outlet gate has been fully open since June, and remains so, in line with the watering regime.

You can view water data from the permanent water gauges at Water Measurement Information System or via the Corangamite CMA website. 
 

233269 BARWON RIVER U/S LOWER BARRAGE OF GEELONG WETLANDS 

Barwon River @ Winchelsea 

233201 BARWON RIVER @ WINCHELSEA 

Moorabool River 

232204 MOORABOOL RIVER @ MORRISONS  

233215 LEIGH RIVER @ MOUNT MERCER 

Barwon Water Media release

23 August, 2022

REF: 042/22

West Barwon Reservoir expected to spill

Following 110mm of rain in the headwaters of the West Barwon catchment over the past week and a half, the West Barwon Reservoir began spilling this morning.

Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter said recent rainfall in the catchment had increased the storage levels by 2.2 billion litres of water.  

“With storage levels now 100 per cent, the reservoir spilled morning. A small amount of water is going down the spillway with future spilling volumes dependent on localised rainfall.”

Recent rainfall in the catchment combined with a wet winter has led to ongoing high levels at the reservoir.

“Given the high winter rainfall and high storage levels and likelihood of wet weather over spring, it is anticipated that further spill events will occur at the West Barwon Reservoir this year.  We will continue to monitor storage levels and weather forecasts closely,” Ms Slatter said.

Under Barwon Water’s bulk entitlement to use water from the Upper Barwon catchment for drinking supplies, transfers from the West Barwon Reservoir to the Wurdee Boluc Reservoir have ceased. Barwon Water will recommence these transfers as soon as the flows in the East Barwon River subside.

“We will continue to monitor the reservoir levels and weather closely, and work with local agencies to share information and plan for any possible impacts with this current forecasted spilling and any future spill events for the rest of the year,” Ms Slatter said.  

Barwon Water is in the process of contacting landholders who could be affected by a spill.  

Barwon Water strongly encourages any visitors to the West Barwon Reservoir over the coming days and weeks to take care and observe all safety advice and signage.  This includes sticking to designated walking paths and tracks, observing permitted reservoir recreation activities including bird watching, fishing from the bank, bike riding and bushwalking. Swimming or any on water activities are not permitted at the reservoir.

Phone 1300 656 007 or visit https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/community-and-education/recreational-areas for more information.

Ends 

Understanding current and future management requirements for the lower Barwon River catchment

As previosuly communicated, CCMA has commissioned Alluvium to undertake this study, which aims to:

• Establish an understanding of the past and current operation requirements of the lower Barwon tidal barrage and lower Barwon Wetland Infrastructure and objectives for management.  

• Understand current and future changes in river hydrology in response to catchment changes.  

• Define current and future management requirements for the lower Barwon River in response to catchment changes and test the sensitivity of alternative management arrangements for managing flows and water levels. 

• Develop recommendations for the future management of lower Barwon River flows and water levels that account for the current and future needs and values of the system. 

Alluvium has begun reviewing the management requirements for the lower Barwon River. These are linked to water security, environmental and statutory requirements (e.g. Ramsar site requirements) and consider requirements for the lower Barwon River, the wetlands and the tidal barrage.  

In conjunction with these investigations, Alluvium is developing the foundations of the hydrological model that will be used to investigate the implications of the range of catchment changes and management decisions.   

We will continue to update community as this work progresses, including an end of project report and any major updates or changes to the project method. 

Further information

Corangamite CMA is committed to keeping the community updated on progress and responding to community questions and concerns. 

If you have any further questions or for further information, please email info@ccma.vic.gov.au