2002 – Environmental Flows-The South Australian Water Corporation Perspective

G.W. Ashman, C.M. Hamilton and N.J. Hall

Consideration of the need to accommodate environmental flows in the operation of major dams is a relatively new requirement in South Australia. Recognition of environmental water requirements has been promoted through the COAG water industry reforms and the State Water Resources Act. The South Australian Water Corporation is working with other Government agencies on environmental flow projects that will potentially involve three of the Corporation’s large dams. This presentation will summarise the work done to date on establishing environmental flow releases from these storages. The presentation will give the SA Water perspective on the regulatory, environmental, social and operational aspects of the environmental flow issue.