Water flows secured in Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges

Through the installation of devices that pass small volumes of water when there is flow in catchments, the program aims to establish a more natural waterflow pattern in and between streams and waterbodies in the area.

Acting program leader Andy Harrison said the initiative had been successful.

"We're really excited to see the program progressing so well, and to be really seeing those benefits of a more connected system," he said.

Mr Harrison said hydrological modelling had been carried out in the area to understand the most efficient way to secure low flows, and to determine where devices should be installed.

"We're targeting priority sites, based on landscape and flows in the catchment," he said.

About 300 site-specific low flow devices have already been installed out of a projected total of 1100, with more landholders constantly becoming involved.

"We're seeing a great deal of understanding from the community about the importance of these connected catchments in order to ensure resilient and sustainable systems," Mr Harrison said.

Paris Creek sheep producer Anne Williams had a bypass device installed on her property in January, and was very pleased with the overall implementation process.

"Everyone who was involved was really respectful of the property and the final result was very neat and had a very low impact on the soil and land around it," Ms Williams said.

She said only a small amount of water would be passed as a result of the bypass, meaning water security on her property would not be negatively impacted.

The lack of rain since the device was installed meant Ms Williams had not yet seen the full effect of the device, but she was looking forward to a secured flow through her property for the benefit of the wider catchment.

"It is about making a significant difference to the river system, which then makes a difference to insect life, it's about getting the whole system working better," she said.

Temple Bruer Wines deputy chief executive officer Mike Bruer is supportive of the Flows For the Future initiative, but believes the issue of water availability and movement throughout the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges and the wider region could be resolved in a more effective way.

"I think the program is desperately needed, but I'm not convinced that this is the right way of going about dealing with the problem," he said.

While a bypass has been installed on Mr Bruer's Eden Valley property, diverting a small amount of runoff away from a dam and into a lower lying creek, he believed a directional bore would have been a better choice for ensuring flows.

"You effectively push a slightly angled bore through the base of the dam, and then just rely on gravity to divert some of the water," he said.