Protecting platypus burrows with early water transfer

“Platypus select nest sites based on river heights, so as the river operator, WaterNSW has an important role to play in helping protect platypus by making this early water release ahead of the irrigation season,” WaterNSW General Manager Water Planning and Delivery, Ashley Webb, said.

“By releasing some water now in late winter-early spring, just before nesting season, the higher river level will encourage platypus to build their nests higher up the banks.

“Then if we need to do a bulk transfer of irrigation water later in the year from Split Rock to Keepit, the water will slide past below the level of their nests, protecting the platypus and newborn puggles.”

A total of 7,850 megalitres of water from Split Rock Dam will be released over 8 days, starting on Monday 26 August. Flows will gradually increase from 250 ML/day, peaking at 2,500 ML/day on 29 August, and ending on 2 September.

Split Rock Dam is currently at 99% capacity, while Keepit Dam is at 56% capacity.

“The water we release next week from Split Rock will be captured and stored in Keepit Dam for use in the irrigation season from November to February,” Mr Webb said.

“Downstream landholders between Split Rock and Keepit will notice a rise in river levels by about one metre during the week, depending on their location.

“This WaterNSW initiative will not only reduce environmental impacts but also give downstream landholders an indication of changed river conditions they can expect later in the year, if a bulk water transfer is required.”

Split Rock Dam has a capacity of 397,370 megalitres and is situated on the Manilla River about 28 kilometres upstream of Manilla and 70 kilometres north-west of Tamworth. It was built in the 1980s to supplement supplies from Keepit Dam and meet increased agricultural demand for water in the Namoi Valley.

Keepit Dam has a capacity of 425,000 and is on the Namoi River about 40 kilometres upstream of Gunnedah. Completed in 1960, Keepit was built to increase the availability of water for irrigation, leading to increased agricultural production of cotton, lucerne, cereals, oilseed, wheat and vegetables in the region, and driving the growth of downstream towns including Gunnedah, Narrabri, Wee Waa and Walgett.