As one lakes region comes to life, another is saved from death

[depakid]

OUT at the Menindee Lakes, the drought-parched land is turning green, the pink-eared ducks and gray teal are arriving and the mammals are breeding. But the greatest benefit to come from the flooding rains that swept northwest NSW at the beginning of the year is happening almost 1000km away.

As NSW releases up to 450 gigalitres of water from the lakes in the state's far west to flow down to the Murray River, South Australia is releasing its 170GL environmental reserve supply to flow into the freshwater Lower Lakes, rescuing them from either catastrophic acidification or being inundated with seawater.

Since the rains hit northwestern NSW early last month, causing widespread flooding, 600GL have flowed into Menindee Lakes. The NSW Office of Water expects a total of between 850GL and 900GL. The flood peak passed through Wilcannia on Thursday, but the water will keep flowing for another month. Along the way, the floodwaters have brought fish breeding and birds, revived river red gums and revitalised communities...

...Naomi Callan, a regional ecologist with National Parks and Wildlife Service, said the region around the Menindee Lakes operated in a boom-and-bust environment. "We only have a small amount of rainfall each year but usually that rainfall will come all in one go," she said. The country that had dried out under drought is now greening up, and small mammals have begun breeding. "You will see lots of wildflowers starting to bloom in the coming weeks," she said.

Barney Stevens, from the Darling River Action Group, said "people are extremely pleased all the way down the system, including Broken Hill".

Richard Kingsford from the University of NSW said the Menindee Lakes were a significant wetland for bird breeding. He said some birds, such as ibis and herons, followed the flood front. As the water life built up, pink-eared ducks and gray teal arrived, along with black-tailed native hens. Once the fish population built up, the cormorants and pelicans fly in.

More: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/as-one-lakes-region-comes-to-life-another-is-saved-from-death/story-e6frg6nf-1225829867923

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Good news indeed

I knew most of Australia was in the midst of a terrible drought, so these rains were certainly a welcome sight.