Reedy Lagoon during drying phase in March 2025. Photos show cracked soil and residual pool soon to dry.
Photo by
Contributed
Internationally-significant permanent and semi-permanent Gunbower Island wetlands will get a much-needed drink in the coming months, with a flow focussed on efficiency and helping the area recover from the 2022 floods.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
About 20 wetlands, including priority permanent wetlands such as Reedy Lagoon and Barapa Swamp, will begin receiving water for the environment in early July.
The 2022 and 2023 floods provided the Gunbower Forest’s trees and understorey with the long drink they needed, however compared to other years, the wetland plants did not respond as well.
The unregulated flooding filled the wetlands and held them full for two consecutive years, preventing the usual wetting and drying regime. This prolonged inundation reduced the establishment of wetland aquatic plants.
North Central Catchment Management Authority chief executive Brad Drust said the 2025 wetland flow would focus on efficiency and effectiveness.
“This flow is not a full floodplain watering. It’s a flow designed to connect and fill the wetland complexes, some of which would have had water in them nine out of every 10 years before river regulation,’’ he said.
“This flow will give the plants the ideal conditions to germinate, flower and set seed, while also supporting frogs, waterbirds and other animals after a dry summer and autumn.”
The flow will initially come through the Hipwell Rd regulator and channel off Gunbower Creek, along the natural creeks and flood runners, and into the wetlands.
“We have an opportunity this year to use the Hipwell Rd regulator and channel to reach these wetlands, especially during the off-irrigation season, which will give us great bang for our buck,” Mr Drust said.
Little Reedy Lagoon in April.
Photo by
Contributed
Mr Drust said the wetland flow was a chance to ensure the resilience of the wetlands as they face the challenges of climate change and provide vital food and habitat for a range of waterbirds and native fish.
“The whole region loves these wetlands. They are a vital part of the landscape, and the plants and animals they support are the envy of a lot of places around the world.’’
For more information about the flow, go to www.nccma.vic.gov.au/wetlandflow
