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Flows for the Future program

Flows for the Future - restoring low flows

Landholders at more than 420 sites in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges (EMLR) have adopted solutions to allow low flows to continue downstream.

What is Flows for the Future?

The Flows for the Future program is re-establishing a critical portion of natural water flow patterns called 'low flows' to streams affected by water capture in the EMLR. This supports long-term sustainability for communities, industry and the environment.

One of the biggest causes of deteriorating catchment health is the absence of critical low flows.

Devices are installed to allow low flows of water (e.g. rainfall, runoff etc.) to pass around dams and into the downstream catchment during natural flow periods. When each landholder contributes and passes on a small proportion of their total flow, the cumulative effect on the environment is significant and helps to restore catchment ecosystems, which in turn supports sustainable agriculture and regional tourism.

The program is voluntary and the installation of low flow solutions is offered at no cost to landholders. The program works with landholders to find ways to restore low flows with minimal impact on water security.

By funding the design and restoration of low flows on dams and watercourse diversions, the program supports landholders to restore more natural flows throughout the stream systems that bring life to the EMLR.

The Flows for the Future program ensures there is an environmentally sustainable level of water usage and that the creeks and waterways leading to the River Murray and Lower Lakes can flow in accordance with the Basin Plan.

Why we need flows for the future

Why do we need the Flows for the Future program?

We all know how valuable water is. Without it, plants, animals, the land and sustainability of primary production suffer. By looking after the health of our catchments today, we can help ensure land managers can farm viably into the future.

The Flows for the Future program works towards ensuring the long-term viability of catchment health in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges (EMLR).

The EMLR is a major contributor to South Australia’s economy, generating $440 million in agricultural production each year. It is a prime tourism destination and home to many farmers and rural lifestyle properties. The EMLR are the traditional lands of the Ngadjuri, Kaurna, Peramangk and Ngarrindjeri people. Freshwater is core to culture and the identity of First Nations across the Murray-Darling Basin. The freshwater systems bring life to the EMLR and inextricably links people and culture to country and all living things.

Low flows are naturally occurring, regular, small flow events that are a vital part of the annual water flow pattern of a catchment.

These days, low flows are impeded until dams fill and spill, delaying water flows until later in the season. This change to flow patterns is a major driver of declining catchment health.

Many water catchments in the EMLR are in poor condition with some parts going without flowing water for longer periods than ever before. There are more than 8000 dams in the EMLR alone. Catchment dams generally fill during medium and high flow events. Low flow devices only pass ‘low flows’, i.e. flows up to a specific ‘threshold flow rate’. During medium and large events the majority of flow goes into the dam while the small proportion below the threshold flow rate is passed. Low flows are only passed when a dam is receiving flow or when there is flow past a watercourse diversion.

While dams are crucial because they provide water security, their combined impact along with watercourse diversions has changed the pattern and amount of water flowing through the EMLR. Click here for a summary of the science and analysis of catchment heath.

Productive and sustainable businesses need healthy catchments. The Flows for the Future program aims to improve the health and resilience of high priority catchments, including the Angas River, Bremer River, Finniss River, Currency Creek, Tookayerta Creek, Marne River and Saunders Creek.

Why are low flows important?

Allowing natural patterns of low flows to reach waterways throughout the year also supports the patterns and cycles of native fish, animals and plants which have evolved over thousands of years. Low flows provide and maintain aquatic refuges, support the life cycle of water dependent plants and animals and allow survival throughout the drier summer months.

Fish communities are now struggling and in decline due to altered flow patterns that favour introduced fish species. The Southern Pygmy Perch (Nannoperca australis) and River Blackfish (Gadopsis marmoratus) are now endangered. By restoring low flows, native fish will be able to move to spawning environments and juvenile fish will have a greater chance of surviving to adulthood, helping native fish populations to recover.

Passing low flows (allowing low flows to continue downstream uninhibited) will result in short and long-term environmental responses including:

longer periods of flow
a freshening of water pools and reduction in stagnant water
maintenance of permanent pools
re-colonisation of water-dependent plants
improvement in the diversity of bugs which in turn assists in nutrient cycling
help to control pest species such as mosquitoes
improved stability of water courses.

Returning low flows also helps maintain water quality in backwaters, wetlands and floodplains by flushing salt and pollutants that accumulate during dry periods.

What area does the program include?

The program is underway in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges Prescribed Water Resources Area. See map for more detail.

Based on community feedback the program is taking a strategic approach to site selection to achieve the best outcome for resources invested.

Some dam and watercourse diversions have more influence on the pattern of flow than others – these are ‘priority sites’ and are the most efficient places to pass low-flows.

Since the landscape, infrastructure and flow rates are unique at every property, there is no ‘one size fits all’ option to passing low flows. Each device is tailored to the priority dam, or watercourse diversion, in collaboration with landholders.

What are the device options?

Gravity low flow devices passively pass flows and require only basic maintenance. They are the preferred option to return low flows, due to their long-term functionality and the natural timing of flows. The design continues to improve through research and development, and using readily available materials.

If you have a low flow gravity device on your property, check out our maintenance guide. This step-by-step manual illustrates how to clean a typical device to ensure optimal function.

How does a gravity low flow device work?

How can I get involved?

If your property has been identified as a priority site, a field officer from the Department for Environment and Water will contact you to discuss options available and funding.

To learn more about low flows, and why they are important click here.

If you’d like to get in touch please use the feedback form below or contact us.