Environmental watering: South Australian Murray River catchment
Watering sitesThe sites were selected by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) based on proposals put forward by jurisdictions and after receiving advice from the Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Committee.
South Australia will manage the watering at each of the sites and undertake the monitoring of the ecological responses and provide the information to the Commonwealth.
Chowilla Floodplain
Chowilla Horseshoe, Chowilla Floodplain
Photo: M. Mohell
| Source | Volume (ML) |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth | 1786 |
| State | 350 |
| Total | 2,136 |
The Chowilla floodplain is north of Renmark and on the SA/NSW border. Chowilla is an icon site of The Living Murray program and part of the Riverland Ramsar site. It contains large areas of River Red Gum, Black Box woodland and diverse wetland habitats.
The drought and reduced River Murray flows have resulted in the decline in ecological health and the death of mature River Red Gums. The remaining River Red Gums and understorey vegetation are threatened by depletion of soil moisture and underlying saline groundwater, jeopardising habitats for a diverse range of animals.
The Commonwealth allocated 286 ML (megalitres, i.e. million litres) to Brandybottle Waterhole, Chowilla Horseshoe, Lock 6 Depression and Slaney's Billabong on the Chowilla floodplain in March 2009. In addition, the South Australian Government provided 350 ML to Pilby Creek and Bunyip Hole.
In May 2009, Gum Flat on the Chowilla Floodplain was allocated 1,500 ML of water.
Carpark Lagoons, Katarapko Floodplain
Carpark Lagoons, Katarapko Floodplain
Photo: M. Mohell
| Source | Volume (ML) |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth | 200 |
| Total | 200 |
The Commonwealth provided water to the Carpark Lagoons on the Katarapko floodplain which is located in the River Murray National Park, near Berri. Katarapko is a diverse floodplain and wetland habitat for a range of aquatic and terrestrial animals. It is also the site of a river rehabilitation project, known as Katfish reach, a collaborative project between the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the local community and South Australian Government agencies.
The Carpark Lagoons was allocated 200 ML of Commonwealth water. The Carpark Lagoons are some of the last wetlands in the area with living mature Red Gums. Watering will aim to prevent the death of these trees.
Paiwalla Wetland
Paiwalla Wetland
Photo: M. Mohell
| Source | Volume (ML) |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth | 606 |
| Total | 606 |
Paiwalla Wetland is between Lock 1 and Wellington, near Murray Bridge. The wetland is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia. The site contains rare and nationally listed species and is frequented by significant populations of migratory waterbirds.
Paiwalla Wetland was allocated 475 ML of Commonwealth water in March/April 2009 and a further 131 ML in June 2009. Commonwealth watering will help maintain the aquatic habitat and avoid threats from salinity and decline in water quality.
Paiwalla Wetland is owned and managed by Wetland Habitats Trust (a local community group), which over the past 10 years has restored the former dairy property to wetlands.
Rocky Gully
Rocky Gully
Photo: M. Mohell
| Source | Volume (ML) |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth | 80 |
| Total | 80 |
Rocky Gully is in the Mannum-Wellington region of the River Murray. Rocky Gully is one of the last remaining refuge sites in the Murray-Darling Basin for the Murray hardyhead, a threatened species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. It is also an important habitat for waterbirds, frogs, macro invertebrates and other native fish.
The site was allocated 80 ML of Commonwealth water to help maintain the wetland and the fish and wildlife populations.
Markaranka Floodplain
Markaranka Floodplain
Photo: M. Mohell
| Source | Volume (ML) |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth | 2,236 |
| Total | 2,236 |
The Markaranka Floodplain is one of four priority floodplain areas along the River Murray in South Australia. Watering at this site aims to avoid irretrievable loss of River Red Gum Communities and to provide drought refuge for species including the Southern Bell Frog, listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and six rare duck species.
The Markaranka wetland complex was allocated 2,236 ML of water in May/June 2009.
Overland Corner Floodplain
Overland Corner
Photo: M. Mohell
| Source | Volume (ML) |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth | 500 |
| Total | 500 |
The Overland Corner Floodplain, near Kingston-on-Murray consists of large areas of River Red Gum, and is a habitat known to support the nationally threatened Regent Parrot. Overland Corner also supports the Great Egret listed under Australia's bilateral agreement with China on the protection of migratory birds (CAMBA) and the nationally threatened Southern Bell Frog. Watering was aimed at preventing permanent environmental damage including significant loss of mature River Red Gums and other flood-dependent vegetation and to provide a critical drought refuge for aquatic species.
The Overland Corner Floodplain was allocated 500 ML of water in May/June 2009.
Murbpook Lagoon
Murbpook Lagoon
Photo: South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board
| Source | Volume (ML) |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth | 1,400 |
| Total | 1,400 |
Murbpook Lagoon, between locks 1 and 2 on the River Murray, is approximately 17km north of Blanchetown.
The watering aimed to maintain the health of the River Red Gums and Coobahs and halt further salinisation of the wetland bed. Murbpook Lagoon is a known refuge site for species such as the Regent Parrot (listed as vulnerable under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) and a number of migratory bird species.
The Murbpook Lagoon was allocated 1,400 ML of water in June 2009.
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