Live Oral Presentation delivered remotely as part of National Virtual Conference AFSS Conference 2020

Development of flow release rules to mitigate against elevated water temperatures in a northern Tasmanian river system. (#32)

Andy AT Taylor 1 , David Di Ikedife 1
  1. Hydro Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia

Hydro Tasmania are currently trialling flow releases from an impoundment in northern Tasmania to mitigate against climate extremes and elevated temperatures negatively impacting on fish populations following severe floods decimating riparian vegetation along one of Tasmania’s most valued river systems for trout fishing. This extreme weather event altered normal river flow dynamics and has called for the development of flow release rules off climate thresholds including the monitoring of changes to the temperature profile longitudinally down the river. During periods where discharge is minimal, water temperature and weather forecasts are closely monitored. A flow increase is requested if specific climate thresholds are reached in attempt to reduce the risk of a fish kill. What is the efficacy of an increased flow discharge and how far down the river do we have the ability to influence water temperature?