Full Title
Implications of pumping and ponding water on water quality and development of diverse aquatic systems
Contact Person
Bernard McCarthy
Project Team
Details
Funding Body
Murray Darling Basin Commission
Duration
September 2006 to October 2007 - initial project
2007/2008 - continuation project
Outcomes
- Understanding of whether pumping and ponding can lead to development of adequate habitat conditions, in terms of water quality, invertebrates, macrophytes and riparian River Red Gum, to support achievement of MC objectives for the lakes.
- Identify whether water quality is a limiting factor and if so, development of recommendations to manage its impacts.
- Better understanding of the potential for achieving the macrophyte objective listed in the Hattah Lakes Asset Plan (i.e. seed bank).
- Improved understanding of the potential to promote development of a diverse and healthy ecological community (including invertebrates, vegetation and suitable conditions for fish and birds).
- Quantitative assessment of River Red Gum response to water with before/after comparisons.
Summary
This project will assess ecological risks and benefits of pumping water to icon sites. Pumping is currently being undertaken at a large number of sites as an emergency measure to maintain existing river red gums and is also expected to be a long-term management measure at Hattah Lakes.
