NW Bay River Environmental Flows: An evaluation for Kingborough Council

Abstract

An evaluation of the environmental flow needs of the NW Bay River was required by Kingborough Council. This evaluation is focussed on the amount, likely environmental benefits and practicalities of delivery of enhanced flows downstream of the Hobart Water takes in upper NW Bay River. An initial environmental flow assessment for NW Bay River was conducted by the Department of Primary Industry Water and Environment's Water Assessment and Planning Branch (Krasnicki and Graham 2001). This assessment focussed on minimum environmental flow requirements (i.e. excluding flood/high flows which are not significantly altered in the upper-middle reaches of the NW Bay River) for instream life - fish, macroinvertebrates and platypus.