Major Projects
Establishing artificial fish habitats in the Cotter
ACTEW Corporation is working to establish artificial fish habitats in the Cotter reservoir as part of the Enlarged Cotter Dam project.
In partnership with ActewAGL, University of Canberra and the ACT Environment Protection Authority, this operation is the major part of a series of important studies to facilitate the survival of the Macquarie Perch, which is a nationally endangered species.
In 2007 ACTEW committed to increasing the capacity of the Cotter reservoir from 4 gigalitres to 78 gigalitres, as part of a suite of water security measures.
By increasing the dam size, the largest environmental concern is the effect this would have on several endangered and vulnerable fish species, such as the Macquarie Perch.
ACTEW and ActewAGL have worked closely with the Environmental Protection Authority, Territory and Municipal Services and the University of Canberra to ensure that environmental and water quality concerns are addressed to protect the ecology of the area.
The project is investigating whether Macquarie Perch will utilise artificial habitats, which could be included in the construction of the Enlarged Cotter Dam. A series of pilot artificial habitats will be constructed to test which is most effective.
The timing of these studies however, are absolutely imperative, to delay such studies could put this species at considerable risk.
It is a requirement of our Environmental Impact Statement and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act that we address environmental issues such as ensuring the survival of endangered fish.
To install and monitor the fish habitats, the water level in the Cotter Reservoir will be lowered at periods of time in 2008 and 2009. Most of the water for the drawdowns will be used for supply-purposes in Canberra. The drawdowns are done through a combination of reduced releases from Bendora reservoir and abstracting water from the Cotter reservoir.
This fish project is one of five projects aimed at developing a comprehensive fish management strategy which will provide procedures for the design, construction and operational phases of the Enlarged Cotter Dam project, to help ensure the survival of these and other vulnerable fish species.