Deliveries of Commonwealth Environmental Water in the Border Rivers and the Gwydir are being coordinated to support local environmental outcomes and connection to the Barwon-Darling River.
The Barwon-Darling summer refresh flows began in late December 2025 and are planned to continue to around early February.
There are a number of benefits as a result of the summer refresh. These include:
- increasing flows to connect rivers and creeks
- providing deeper pools for native fish in the Dumaresq, Macintyre, Gwydir and Barwon-Darling
- improving water quality
- wetting creek and riverbanks for healthier vegetation.
The delivery was particularly welcome as water had ceased to flow in the Barwon River near Mungindi for almost a week over the end of December and the start of January.
Water quality conditions were also declining in the Barwon as summer temperatures increased.
Approximately 4,960 megalitres are being delivered from Glenlyon Dam in the Border Rivers catchment.
Two further water deliveries from Copeton Dam in the Gwydir valley are flowing along the Gil Gil Creek and the Mehi River. This environmental water supports native fish and helps connect these waterways to the Barwon River.
Approximately 17,980 megalitres will be delivered from the Gwydir catchment.
The three water deliveries will continue for about a month in the Border Rivers, Gwydir and Barwon-Darling catchments.
Pleasingly, the environmental flows have been bolstered by a recent localised storm in the upper Barwon catchment - near Collarenebri.
The environmental flow is being protected as it makes its way downstream in the Barwon-Darling system.
CEWH staff are working with relevant Queensland and New South Wales Government environmental water and fisheries managers to plan and deliver the water for the environment releases.
During 2025, parts of the northern Murray-Darling Basin received above-average rainfall. However, drying conditions began in November and are so far continuing into 2026.
CEWH staff and other agencies are continuing to check conditions through summer and will deliver more water before autumn if needed.
