The Murray River runs high along the Barmah Choke, bordering the Barmah-Millewa Forest.
Photo by
Geoff Adams
The massive sand slug in the Barmah-Millewa reach of the Murray River is moving downstream, could change the course of the river and may end up choking the ability to deliver water downstream, water conference delegates heard last week.
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The Barmah Choke is the narrowest section of the river that runs through the Barmah-Millewa Forest near Echuca and Deniliquin.
Murray-Darling Basin Authority director of Murray River operations Tyson Milne told delegates at the River Reflections conference in Mildura on June 1 that the sand was largely caused by land-use practices and mining in the rivers upstream centuries ago.
Capacity through the Barmah-Millewa reach has reduced from 11,300 Ml/day in the 1980s to 9200 Ml/day today.
Independent experts in fluvial geomorphology, stream management and river research have been gradually surveying the riverbed over the past 18 months and estimate 20 million cubic metres of sand is on the riverbed between Yarrawonga and Picnic Point.
Murray-Darling Basin Authority director of Murray River operations Tyson Milne addresses the River Reflections conference in Mildura.
“We are talking about 13 Melbourne Cricket Grounds full of sand, which is quite phenomenal,” Mr Milne said.
“There is no silver bullet to this complex problem and the ecological, cultural, economic and community implications of any course of action are being considered.”
Mr Milne said doing nothing wasn’t an option because the build-up of sand was getting worse.
Studies show the sand is continuing to move downstream, and into the Ramsar-listed national parks, increasing erosion and impacting cultural sites and access to recreational areas.
The build-up of sand is also increasing the risk of the Murray River changing its course.
“Within 10 years, the build-up of sand in the Barmah-Millewa reach will have a major impact on our ability to deliver water downstream,” Mr Milne said.
“Over the past 12 months we have been talking with the community, First Nations groups, irrigators, government and councils to get their perspectives and input on how this problem could be addressed.”
The six options being explored are:
A five-year project to stabilise banks and reduce degradation to prevent further losses into the Barmah-Millewa Forest.
Selectively removing the sand from key locations where riverbank erosion is accelerating, causing environmental and cultural loss.
Making changes to timings of water transfers to Lake Victoria.
Using Goulburn Murray Irrigation District’s existing and new infrastructure to relieve pressure on the Barmah-Millewa reach.
Using the Murray Irrigation Limited system to deliver water to natural ephemeral creeks of the Edward/Kolety–Wakool–Niemur river system.
Assessing the potential to transfer Snowy releases to the Murrumbidgee River for delivery to the Murray River.
A preliminary scoping report will be published by July 30, with a business case due in late September and final report in December.
The options will be considered by water ministers at their next Ministerial Council meeting.
