Short Oral Presentation 11th Australian Stream Management Conference 2024

Riverside Recreation: Assessing the effects of flow regulation on the bars and benches of the lower Goulburn River (#21)

Thom Gower 1 , Greg Peters 1 , Geoff Vietz 1 , Mark Wood 2
  1. Streamology, Carlton North, VIC, Australia
  2. DEECA, Melbourne, VIC
  • Why did you do it? Low-lying depositional features (bars and benches) along the lower Goulburn River are highly valued features for community recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and camping. The investigation sought to fill the knowledge gap on how different flow scenarios, including those from Inter-Valley Trade (IVT) operations, impact the accessibility and availability of these critical recreational resources.
  • What did you do? The investigation utilised a combination of lidar elevation data, aerial imagery, and hydrodynamic models to analyse the inundation patterns of bars and benches under various flow conditions. This approach allowed for a detailed evaluation of how IVT flow magnitude and duration influence the recreational use of these river features.
  • What have you learned? Findings indicate that bars and benches, integral to the river's recreational appeal, are readily impacted by flows within the range of past IVT operations (up to 3000 ML/d). The study highlighted that new operating rule restrictions on IVT delivery volumes could enhance the availability of these recreational spaces during summer, potentially increasing the number of days bars and benches remain predominantly dry and accessible (compared to the existing rules).
  • Why does it matter? The implications of this work underscore the critical balance between water resource management and the preservation of community-valued recreational spaces. By demonstrating the effects of managed flows on recreational access, the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of sustainable river management practices that can support community recreation while still meeting environmental and irrigation needs. The insights from this study offer a valuable perspective for the development of water management strategies that align ecological health with community recreational interests.
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