Weeds whacked in water works

GOULBURN-Murray Water’s annual winter works program is currently underway while irrigation channels are shutdown from May to August.

The $10-million project encompasses general maintenance of the network including removing obstructions from channels and weed treatment.

This year’s project follows on from a successful 2022 program which saw 230 kilometres treated with a new herbicide shown to have a lower toxicity to fish.

“Last irrigation season, we saw the benefits of this, with flowrates improving in many of the channels we had treated,” said GMW environmental maintenance coordinator Daniela McMillan.

“We are subsequently looking to undertake an even more extensive weed treatment program this year, with about 300 kilometres of channel identified for treatment.”

Approximately 100 kilometres of channels in the east, west and central of the GMW network have already been treated for weeds such as hornwort, ribbon weed, and other unwanted aquatic plants.

Submerged weeds can impact water flow, promote silt, and cause issues with automatic regulators.

More information about which sections of channel will be affected by the works can be found on the GMW website.