Narrung WMP 2006 Large

Narrung wetland
MANAGEMENT PLAN 2006
LAPS
Lower Murray Local Action Planning Groups
Kjartan Tumi Bjornsson
This management plan was written by Kjartan Tumi Bjornsson for the Coorong District Local
Action Plan Committee, and reviewed and endorsed by the SA River Murray Wetland Technical
Group.
Funding was provided by the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, the Natural
Heritage Trust, and the South Australian Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management
Board (SAMDBNRMB).
The management plan has been prepared according to the Guidelines for developing wetland
management plans for the River Murray in South Australia 2003 (River Murray Catchment Water
Management Board and Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation 2003) and as
such fulfils obligations under the Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed
Watercourse.
Disclaimer:
The Coorong District Local Action Plan Committee do not guarantee that the publication is without
flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaim all
liability for any error, loss or other consequences which may arise from you relying on any
information in this publication.
Cite as:
Bjornsson, K. T. (2006). Narrung Wetland Management Plan. Coorong District Local Action Plan
Committee, Tintinara.
Acknowledgements:
This wetland management plan has been developed with the support of a number of organisations,
community groups and individuals. Special thanks go to Adrienne Frears and Jem Tesoriero for
assistance with the development of the plan.
Thanks also go to those that contributed their knowledge including, Derek Walker and Steve
Walker both of the Ngarrindjeri nation (traditional landowner cultural values) the Narrung wetland
landowners, the SAMDBNRMB and the members of the South Australian River Murray Wetland
Technical Group.
For further details contact:
Coorong District LAP
PO Box 1021
Tintinara SA 5266
Phone: (08) 8757 2100
Fax: (08) 8757 2222
Photographs:
Cover photograph: Top Narrung wetland from the north (TB),
Bottom: Narrung wetland from the south (TB)
Photographs in document by Tumi Bjornsson (TB), Jem Tesoriero (JT)
© Coorong District Local Action Plan 2006

Narrung Wetland Management Plan 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................... i
LIST OF FIGURES...................................................................................................................... ii
LIST OF MAPS ........................................................................................................................... iii
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ iii
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1
Section 1.01 Environmental, Social and Cultural Significance of wetland ............................. 1
(a) History of Narrung wetland .......................................................................................... 1
Section 1.02 Why does Narrung wetland need a management plan? ................................... 2
(a) Mission Statement ....................................................................................................... 2
(b) Vision Statement ......................................................................................................... 2
(c) Broad Objectives ......................................................................................................... 2
(d) Current Achievements ................................................................................................. 3
Chapter 2. SITE DESCRIPTION OF NARRUNG WETLAND .................................................... 4
Section 2.01 Wetland Location and description .................................................................... 4
Section 2.02 Survey Sites, Dates & Locations ...................................................................... 6
Section 2.03 PHYSICAL FEATURES ................................................................................... 7
(a) Narrung wetland in Current State................................................................................. 7
(b) Geomorphology, Geology And Soils .......................................................................... 10
(c) Climate ...................................................................................................................... 10
(d) Wetland Volumes and Water Requirements for various filling stages ........................ 10
(e) Surface and Groundwater Features ........................................................................... 11
Section 2.04 ECOLOGICAL FEATURES ............................................................................ 17
(a) Flora .......................................................................................................................... 17
(b) Fauna ........................................................................................................................ 18
Chapter 3. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL VALUES ................................................. 24
Chapter 4. LAND TENURE, JURISDICTION AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS ......... 25
Section 4.01 LAND TENURE .............................................................................................. 25
Section 4.02 LAND AND WATER USE ............................................................................... 25
Section 4.03 JURISDICTION AND MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ...................................... 26
Chapter 5. THREATS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO NARRUNG WETLAND ................. 27
Chapter 6. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES .............................................................................. 30
Chapter 7. IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN ............................................................................... 33
Section 7.01 ON GROUND ACTION AND TIMETABLE ..................................................... 35
Section 7.02 WETLAND WATER OPERATIONAL PLAN ................................................... 37
(a) Water regime ............................................................................................................. 37
(b) Volume calculations ................................................................................................... 38
Chapter 8. MONITORING ....................................................................................................... 42
Chapter 9. EVALUATION, REVIEW AND REPORTING .......................................................... 44
i
Section 9.01 Evaluation and Review ................................................................................... 44
Section 9.02 Reporting ....................................................................................................... 44
Chapter 10. REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 45
Appendix A. Wetlands Atlas Data for Wetland Main Body .......................................................... 47
Appendix B. Surface Water Archive Graph ................................................................................ 48
Appendix C. Baseline Survey Locations (Source SKM (2004).................................................... 49
Appendix D. Baseline Survey DEM (Source SKM (2004) ........................................................... 50
Appendix E. Baseline Survey Groundwater ............................................................................... 52
Appendix F. Baseline Survey Vegetation Zones ........................................................................ 58
Appendix G. Species List for Narrung wetland ....................................................................... 59
Section G.01 FLORA ........................................................................................................... 59
Section G.02 WETLAND AND FLOODPLAIN FAUNA ......................................................... 61
(a) Birds of Narrung Surrounds and Lower Lakes ........................................................... 61
Appendix H. Evaporation and precipitation obtained using the Wetland Loss Calculator. ........... 64
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Very clear water in main lagoon (0 NTU) 25/11/05 (TB) ................................................... 8
Figure 2: Charophytes in main lagoon 25/11/05 (TB) ...................................................................... 8
Figure 3: Main lagoon from causeway 25/11/05 (TB) ...................................................................... 9
Figure 4: Causeway separating the south east and main lagoons 27/01/06 (TB) ............................ 9
Figure 5: Main lagoon with causeway and south east lagoon on right hand side of photo 27/01/06
(TB) ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 6: Lake Albert and south east lagoon (dry) divided by road causeway 27/01/06 (TB)........... 9
Figure 7: Narrung Inlet wetland 08/03/06 (AF) .............................................................................. 10
Figure 8: Narrung Inlet wetland connection to Narrung Narrows 08/03/06 (TB)............................. 10
Figure 9: Narrung Inlet wetland 08/03/06 (TB) .............................................................................. 10
Figure 10: Area of Narrung used for volume estimates (SKM 2004).............................................. 11
Figure 11: North channel seen from wetland 08/03/06 (TB) .......................................................... 14
Figure 12: North channel partially blocked 08/03/06 (TB) .............................................................. 14
Figure 13: North channel connection to Narrung Inlet wetland 08/03/06 (TB) ................................ 14
Figure 14: North channel blocked connection to Lake Alex. 08/03/06 (TB) ................................... 14
Figure 15: South channel leading up to pipe culvert 08/03/06 (TB) ............................................... 15
Figure 16: South channel pipe culvert under Alexandrina drive 08/03/06 (TB) .............................. 15
Figure 17: South channel connection to Narrung wetland 08/03/06 (TB) ....................................... 15
Figure 18: South channel connection to Lake Alexandrina 08/03/06 (TB) ..................................... 15
Figure 19: Juncus acutus (JT) ....................................................................................................... 27
Figure 20: Juncus acutus detail (JT) ............................................................................................. 27
Figure 21: Water regime scenario ................................................................................................. 38
Figure 22: Lake Alexandrina water level at Narrung Jetty (10 year period) ................................... 48
ii
LIST OF MAPS
Map 1: Narrung wetland fence ........................................................................................................ 3
Map 2: Narrung wetland location..................................................................................................... 5
Map 3: On ground work suggested by Woodward-Clyde (2000) to improve the connection of the
wetland with the lakes (adapted from (Woodward-Clyde 2000)) .............................................. 6
Map 4: Identification of the lagoons ................................................................................................. 8
Map 5: Current water movement into the wetland ......................................................................... 13
Map 6: Cadastral boundaries covering Narrung wetland and surrounds. ...................................... 25
Map 7: On ground work at Narrung wetland .................................................................................. 33
Map 8: Expected water movement within Narrung wetland ........................................................... 34
Map 9: Wetland Fences (current and future) ................................................................................. 35
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Baseline survey monitoring of following parameters .......................................................... 7
Table 2: Summary of wetland volumes within Narrung wetland (adapted from (SKM 2004)) ......... 11
Table 3: Water quality ................................................................................................................... 12
Table 4: Community monitored water quality (table provided by A. Frears (2006))........................ 13
Table 5: Groundwater monitoring locations (SKM 2004) ............................................................... 16
Table 6: Groundwater monitoring locations (SKM 2004) ............................................................... 16
Table 7: Groundwater salinity ms/cm ............................................................................................ 17
Table 8: Habitat features identified in Narrung wetland table adapted from (SKM 2004). .............. 19
Table 9: Birds identified during community survey ........................................................................ 21
Table 10: Native fish ..................................................................................................................... 22
Table 11: Introduced fish............................................................................................................... 22
Table 12: Community collected macroinvertebrates (table provided by A. Frears (2006)) ............. 23
Table 13: Narrung wetland responsible positions contact details .................................................. 26
Table 14: Existing and prospective threats to Narrung wetland ..................................................... 28
Table 15: Management objectives for Narrung wetland................................................................. 31
Table 16: Implementation plan for Narrung wetland land based activities. .................................... 36
Table 17: Water required over fill period of Narrung wetland ......................................................... 40
Table 18: Water use calculation .................................................................................................... 41
Table 19: Photopoint locations ...................................................................................................... 42
Table 20: Monitoring plan for Narrung wetland.............................................................................. 43
Table 21: Narrung wetland, Wetland atlas data (Jensen, Paton et al. 1996) ................................. 47
Table 22: Plant Associations at Narrung wetland (adapted from River Murray Wetlands Baseline
Survey (SKM 2004)) .............................................................................................................. 59
Table 23: Vegetation identified by the local community (table provided by A. Frears (2006)) ........ 60
iii
Table 24: Bird species identified at Narrung wetland (adapted from River Murray Wetlands
Baseline Survey (SKM 2004)) ............................................................................................... 61
Table 25: Water birds at 23 sites bordering Lakes Alexandrina and Albert (adapted from (Gosbell
2004)) ................................................................................................................................... 61
Table 26: Calculated water loss (evaporation – precipitation) from the Wetland Loss Calculator for
the main lagoon..................................................................................................................... 64
iv
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
Since the adoption of the Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray in 2002 the wetlands of South
Australia have an annual water allocation of 200GL. To access this water allocation for wetland
management, a licence is now required.
The allocation of water required for Narrung wetland is mainly in response to Section 5.1.
Objectives of the Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray (River Murray Catchment Water
Management Board 2002) Principle:
2 “Provide for the water needs of water-dependent ecosystems” and
6(e) “Provide for the allocation and use of water to prevent adverse impacts on the health,
biodiversity status of habitat value of floodplains, or wetlands of conservation significance”
Narrung wetland is listed in the Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray (River Murray
Catchment Water Management Board 2002) and has therefore a right to access the 200GL. This
wetland management plan is structured in accordance with the criteria set out in the Guidelines for
developing wetland management plans for the River Murray in South Australia (River Murray
Catchment Water Management Board and Department of Water Land and Biodiversity
Conservation 2003).
SECTION 1.01 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF

WETLAND
The Wetland Atlas of the South Australian Murray Valley (Jensen, Paton et al. 1996) listed Narrung
wetland as having a high conservation value and to be of international, national, basin and local
importance (see Appendix A). The Narrung wetland was identified by Woodward-Clyde (2000) as
being one of to six priority wetlands for restoration in the Goolwa to Wellington and Coorong
District LAP areas.
Australia is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of National and International
Significance and was the first nation to establish a Ramsar site. Ramsar listing recognises the
importance of wetlands on an international scale on the basis of ecological, botanical, zoological,
limnological or hydrological criteria with includes the role a wetland plays as a waterbird habitat
(National Wetlands Program 1998; Bjornsson, Brodie et al. 2002). Narrung is within the Ramsar
area “The Coorong, Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert” listed 1st November 1985 (National
Wetlands Program 1998), which provide habitats for a number of water birds including migratory
species (see box). A part of the vision statement for the Coorong, and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert
Ramsar Management Plan includes the protection and restoration of natural habitats and the
restoration of viable native species (2000). This management plan is a contribution towards this
vision.
“The Coorong, Lake Alexandrina & Lake Albert. 01/11/85; South Australia; 140,500 ha;
35º40’S 139º00’E. National Park, Game Reserves and Crown Land; Shorebird Network Site. A
saline to hypersaline lagoon separated from the ocean by a dune peninsula and connected to
two lakes forming a wetland system at the river’s mouth. The lakes contain fresh to brackish
water. The site is of international importance for migratory waterbirds, providing habitat for more
than 30% of the waders summering in Australia. The site includes important nesting colonies of
cormorants, herons, egrets, ibises and terns. The globally endangered Orange-bellied Parrot
(Neophema chrysogaster) over-winters on the reserve. Human activities include camping,
boating and regulated duck hunting. The area is noted for its extensive aboriginal, historic and
geological sites. Ramsar site no. 321.” (Peck 2000).
(a) HISTORY OF NARRUNG WETLAND

A short timeline of management at Narrung wetland (some data from local anecdotal evidence):
1
1980 Narrung Narrows in Australian Heritage data base (Register of the National Estate)
due to its breeding colonies of IBIS and suitability for waterbirds in general
The Narrung wetland was possibly used for town water supply, anecdotal information (Dadd
2006)
The area would have been cleared during settlement when grazing was first introduced to
the area.
2004 Wetland fenced off
2000 included in the survey of wetlands around the lower lakes Identification of Potential
Wetland Rehabilitation Sites (Woodward-Clyde 2000)
2003-2004 included in River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey (SKM 2004)
2004/2006 wetland monitoring days with Narrung primary school
SECTION 1.02 WHY DOES NARRUNG WETLAND NEED A MANAGEMENT PLAN?

Causeways cut the wetland into separate lagoons. One causeway separates the wetland from Lake
Albert and a second causeway splits the wetland into three separate lagoons. As a result the wetland
only receives inflowing water through channels and rain. Consequently there is a high salinity
content through evapoconcentration, which is additionally fed by saline groundwater. The wetland
is possibly slowly degrading into a saltpan with temporary inundation and little ecological and
aesthetic value.
(a) MISSION STATEMENT
The rehabilitation of Narrung wetland is aimed at reinforcing wetland ecological values, such as
habitat (wetland fringing and aquatic vegetation) for the benefit of waterbirds, native fish species
and native vegetation.
(b) VISION STATEMENT
The vision for Narrung wetland is a revitalised semi permanent wetland fulfilling a diversity of
habitat requirements for both water birds and native fish species. It is envisaged that the wetland
will be a „healthy‟ shallow clear wetland with a high diversity of macrophytes (emergent and
submerged) providing habitat for native fish and birds. The wetland will have regular visits by
water birds, including migratory species. The riparian area will be revegetated with local native
species, both through active involvement with the removal of weed species and through the
encouragement of the growth/reestablishment of native fringing vegetation.
(c) BROAD OBJECTIVES
The management of the wetland, due to a change in legislation, now requires a water licence for
which a detailed operational management plan needs to be developed. The objectives listed below,
and in detail in Chapter 6, fulfil a number of the water allocation criteria from Section 5.3 of the
Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray (River Murray Catchment Water Management Board
2002). Once the wetland restoration has been achieved through appropriate management of water
regime and on ground works, the wetland would need to be maintained. The maintenance of a
restored wetland, fulfilling the functions described above and without an adverse impact on adjacent
farming operations, wetland and lake salinity or fish habitat requirements would involve regular
monitoring and adequate timely response. The maintenance phase would require regular monitoring
of water quality, bird life, fish and other aquatic dependent species as well as aquatic and fringing
vegetation.
The broad objectives of the wetland restoration include:
Restore wetland (hydrological regime and water quality)
Restore native aquatic and fringing vegetation and therefore habitat for native fauna
2
Restore habitat diversity for water birds and aquatic wildlife:
o Birds, assist to maintain diversity in the Ramsar area
o Fish, increase diversity and abundance
o Frogs, increase abundance and diversity
Monitor the impact of restored hydrology regime for adaptive management
(d) CURRENT ACHIEVEMENTS
The surrounding land is grazed. The wetland shoreline has therefore been fenced off to exclude
stock as can be seen in Map 1.
Map 1: Narrung wetland fence
3
Chapter 2. SITE DESCRIPTION OF NARRUNG WETLAND

SECTION 2.01 WETLAND LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Narrung wetland is listed as wetland number S0020 in the Wetlands Atlas (Jensen, Paton et al.
1996) and is part of the Lake Albert fringing wetland complex. The wetland is located adjacent to
the town of Narrung within the Coorong District Council area (Map 2). AMG coordinates 333860 E
6068744 N (Grid Zone 54). Narrung can be found on the 1:50,000 Narrung map sheet number
6726-4. The wetland is found in the Hundred of Baker. See Appendix A for more information.
Seaman (2003), as part of the Coorong and Lower Lakes habitat-mapping program, classified the
habitat condition of Narrung wetland as good to degraded (see box).
The wetland is divided up into three separate lagoons each having a separate and distinct hydrology.
The wetland is listed as having an area of 32 ha with a temporary water regime (Jensen, Paton et al.
1996), of which 30.9 ha is to the west of the causeway and 3.3 ha to the east of the causeway.
Narrung is regarded as very shallow with most of the wetland lagoons having a depth of less than
0.5 m (SKM 2004). The large main lagoon is connected to Lake Alexandrina through a long man
made channel, a natural overflow sometimes contributes to the flow into the wetland. The wetland
complex is separated from Lake Albert by a causeway on which a road connecting the town to the
ferry was constructed. The Coorong District Council manages this road. A second causeway
separates the three lagoons from each other and contributes to blocking any connection of the two
smaller lagoons to the lakes or the large main lagoon. In 2000 Woodward-Clyde (2000) surveyed
the Lower Lakes area for potential wetland rehabilitation sites. Narrung wetland was identified as
one of the top 6 priority wetlands for rehabilitation. The report identified the flow channel, a natural
flow path (overflow), and a potential culvert site shown in Map 3.
“Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances.

Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to regenerate it (e.g. disturbance to vegetation
structure caused by very frequent grazing). Presence of aggressive weeds at high density (50 –
70%). Core habitat areas exist that are buffered by scattered remnants. Species use of habitats
is likely to be opportunistic. Structural diversity limited to isolated patches if at all, micro-habitats
presence low.
Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance. Scope for revegetation but not to a
state approaching good condition without intensive management. Disturbance to vegetation
structure caused by cropping, grazing or clearance, presence of very aggressive weeds, partial
clearing, dieback and livestock grazing. Weed presence greater than 70%. Habitats are
impacted by disturbances and are not connected with remnant buffers.” (Seaman 2003).
4
Map 2: Narrung wetland location
5
Map 3: On ground work suggested by Woodward-Clyde (2000) to improve the connection of

the wetland with the lakes (adapted from (Woodward-Clyde 2000))
The wetland sits to a large degree on privately held land with some owned by the Minister for
Environment and Heritage. The surrounding area being private ownership is used mainly for
grazing, with the town of Narrung along the eastern side of the wetland.
SECTION 2.02 SURVEY SITES, DATES & LOCATIONS

The River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey (SKM 2004) monitored different wetland parameters
(Table 1). Narrung wetland was not inundated for the entire time of the baseline survey, therefore
not all parameters could be considered for monitoring for a full year. The baseline survey did not
monitor the fish or macroinvertebrates in the wetland. The locations of the baseline survey sites can
be seen in Appendix C.
6
Table 1: Baseline survey monitoring of following parameters
Parameter Surveyed Date 1 Date 2 Date 3 Date 4 Date 5 Date 6 See
(BLS) (BLS) (BLS) (BLS) page
Other
BLS
Site physical Y 2004 4
Vegetation Y 2004 17
Fish N 21
Birds Y Spring Summer 18

Early Late
Frogs Y Spring
Summer Summer
Winter 21
Macroinvertebrates N 22
Water Quality Y Y 16/12/03 29/01/04 12/03/04 25/11/05 11
Groundwater Y 22/01/04 12/03/04 11/06/04 02/09/04 15
NR = Not Recorded, BLS = baseline survey (SKM 2004)
SECTION 2.03 PHYSICAL FEATURES

(a) NARRUNG WETLAND IN CURRENT STATE
Narrung has been grazed for an extended period of time, probably since the 1850‟s (State Library of
South Australia). As a result a lot of the native vegetation has been lost and weeds have been able to
spread throughout the complex. The past land use would account for the degradation of the
vegetation currently found in the wetland complex.
Map 4 identifies the lagoons of Narrung wetland. The wetland adjacent to Lake Alexandrina seen to
the north of Narrung wetland forms a part of an inlet to Narrung wetlands. This wetland has been
referred to as Narrung Inlet wetland and recommendations for its protection have been included in
this management plan. The main lagoon is shown as „wetland‟ in the map.
7
Map 4: Identification of the lagoons

Figure 1 through to Figure 6, show the wetland and its fringing vegetation in its current state. Figure
1 shows the very clear water of Narrung wetland, the high salinity and the charophytes, seen in
Figure 2, play a role in reducing the turbidity of the wetland, as the wetland is seasonally dry
sediment compaction could also contribute. At the same location during a dry autumn and a wet
spring Figure 3 shows the main lagoon in wet state. Figure 4 shows the causeway bisecting the
wetland into the east and main lagoons as seen from the town of Narrung whereas Figure 5 shows
the full view of the main lagoon from the town. The causeway, with Alexandrina Drive, separation
the wetland from Lake Albert can be seen in Figure 6.
Figure 1: Very clear water in main lagoon (0 Figure 2: Charophytes in main lagoon
NTU) 25/11/05 (TB) 25/11/05 (TB)
8
Figure 3: Main lagoon from causeway Figure 4: Causeway separating the south
25/11/05 (TB) east and main lagoons 27/01/06 (TB)
Figure 5: Main lagoon with causeway and south east lagoon on right hand side of photo
27/01/06 (TB)
Figure 6: Lake Albert and south east lagoon (dry) divided by road causeway 27/01/06 (TB)
Narrung Inlet wetland, which seems to have a good connection to the Narrung Narrows and is
therefore maintained as a fresh water wetland, can be seen in Figure 7 and Figure 8. The connection
to the Narrung Narrows can be seen in Figure 9.
9
Figure 7: Narrung Inlet wetland 08/03/06 Figure 8: Narrung Inlet wetland connection
(AF) to Narrung Narrows 08/03/06 (TB)
Figure 9: Narrung Inlet wetland 08/03/06 (TB)
(b) GEOMORPHOLOGY, GEOLOGY AND SOILS

The soil in the wetland was found to be mainly sand with some silt and clay in the upper layers
(SKM 2004). Copies of the soil logs from the baseline survey can be found in Appendix E locations
are also presented in Appendix E. Soil salinities increased slightly with depth showing a shallow
water table at 1.5 m depth. The wetland complex sits on the Bridgewater Formation from the
Pleistocene.
(c) CLIMATE
The following climatic conditions are taken from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Meningie
station (number 024518) (Latitude (deg S): -35.6904; Longitude (deg E): 139.3375) (BOM 2005).
The recording of data commenced at Meningie in 1864; the latest records used in the assessment of
the climatic condition of the area stemming from 2004.
Narrung wetland has a Mediterranean climate with warm dry summers and cool wet winters. The
median (5th decile) annual rainfall is 457 mm. The mean monthly maximum rainfall is in June (61.9
mm), the minimum in February (16.9 mm). The expected mean daily maximum temperature is
highest in February at 25.4 C, lowest in July at 14.9 C, and has an annual mean of 20.8 C. The
minimum daily temperature is at its maximum in January and February at 13.8 C, for both months,
and its minimum in July at 6.7 C. The annual mean daily minimum temperature is 10.3 C.
(d) WETLAND VOLUMES AND WATER REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIOUS FILLING STAGES
The wetland volume was calculated as part of the baseline survey. Table 2 summarises the wetland
water requirement for Narrung wetland as calculated for the area shown in Figure 10. A DEM was
developed for this area by the baseline survey (see Appendix D). The water requirement, including
evaporative loss, is covered in Section 7.02.
10
Figure 10: Area of Narrung used for volume estimates (SKM 2004)
Table 2: Summary of wetland volumes within Narrung wetland (adapted from (SKM 2004))
RLm Volume m3
Filling Stage Area (ha) Area (m2) Depth m (AHD)* (KL) Volume ML
Full 33.0 330,209 0.68 0.70 103,394 103
Three quarters full 26.3 263,441 0.50 0.52 48,478 48
Half full 12.7 127,479 0.32 0.34 13,351 13
Quarter full 2.3 22,799 0.14 0.16 866 0.87
Result Reliability 75% (SKM 2004); *Base of wetland is at --0.018 m AHD.
(e) SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER FEATURES
(i) Surface water

For a some time, at the commencement of the baseline survey monitoring, the wetland was
inundated, this water was monitored for water quality (see Table 3), adapted from the baseline
survey report (SKM 2004)). The high and increasing salinity within the lagoon indicates
evapoconcentration and saline groundwater intrusion (SKM 2004). The lagoons of the wetland
complex are not permanently connected with the lake and are only rarely flushed. This condition
would contribute to the high salt concentrations within the lagoons due to the repeated
evapoconcentration. The concentration within the wetland rises as it dries to more than double that
of the EC expected in seawater, which is approximately 50,000 μS/cm. In comparison the
monitored Lake Alexandrina salinity obtained from the, DWLBC Surface Water Archive
(Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation 2005), has a median (calculated from
mean daily readings between 16/01/2004 and 27/04/2004) EC of 1364 μS/cm. The monitoring
location from which the DWLBC Surface Water Archive is derived is at Narrung Jetty (Zone 54,
335275 E and 6068331 N).
11
The dissolved oxygen concentrations were variable, SKM (2004) attributed this to the
photosynthetic activity of algae followed by low concentration as the salinity concentration
increased. The pH was alkaline possibly due to the limestone sediments or due to the consumption
of carbon dioxide by benthic and pelagic algae (SKM 2004). The turbidity measurements of the
wetland were low; this can potentially be contributed the high salinity promoting sediment
aggregation and sedimentation, other contributing factors could be the large numbers of
charophytes seen to grow in the wetland. Lake Alexandrina water temperature on the day of
wetland monitoring was slightly below the wetland water temperature (see Table 3) (Department of
Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation 2005). The temperatures of the wetland reflected the
ambient summer air temperatures (SKM 2004). The median water levels within Lake Alexandrina
for a 10-year period (1994 to 2004) is 0.774 m AHD (calculated from the daily mean water level
obtained from the, DWLBC Surface Water Archive (Department of Water Land and Biodiversity
Conservation 2005)). For a description of the implications of water quality in wetlands refer to Your
Wetland: Supporting Information (Tucker, Dominelli et al. 2003).
Table 3: Water quality
Parameters 16/12/03 29/01/04 12/03/04 25/11/05 (NAR01)
EC μS/cm Mean 33275 ± 58125 ± N/A 27300
2108 5162
Min. 30900 54200 > 100, 000
Max. 35100 65700 > 100, 000
Jetty* 1256.2 1337.7
-1
DO mg/L Mean 12.6 ± 1.1 11.4 ± 0.9 1.1 ± 0.2
Min. 9.9 9.2 0.5
Max. 15.2 13.6 1.6
pH Mean 10.78 ± 8.92 ± 0.2 8.2 ± 0.05
0.17
Min. 10.38 8.57 8.06
Max. 11.11 9.33 8.3
Turbidity NTU Mean 13 ± 3 14 ± 0 73 ± 19 0 (20cm deep)
Min. 10 13 30
Max. 20 15 123
Water Temperature C Mean 31.1 ± 1.1 24.6 ± 1 22.4 ± 1
Min. 29.1 23 20.7
Max. 33.9 27.3 25.4
Jetty* 20.6 21.9 18.7
Lake height* Jetty* 0.778 0.679 0.582
n 4 4 4 1
N = sample size: NAR01 is at 334453 E 6068645 N (10.1 m accuracy), WGS 84 zone 54: * = from DWLBC
Surface Water Archive (Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation 2005)
The local community has undertaken further water quality monitoring, see Table 4. Over a 5-month
period (Spring „03 to late Summer ‟04) the pH did not change. The salinity increased as a result of
evapoconcentration. The turbidity reduced either due to high salinity or sediment trapping by
Charophytes and Ruppia sp. The nutrient load also increased within the wetland. The nutrient
increase could be due to evapoconcentration and/or due to a reduction in uptake as algae growth
would be restricted at the higher salinity levels (Frears 2006).
12
Table 4: Community monitored water quality (table provided by A. Frears (2006))
Parameter 14/9/03 (early Spring) 12/2/04 (late Summer)
pH 8.5 8.5
Electrical Conductivity (Salinity) 24.3 mS/cm (24,300 EC) 65.5 mS/cm (65,500 EC)
Turbidity 80-100 NTU 40 NTU
Nitrate <0.05 0.1
Phosphate <0.025 0.1
The Flood Inundation Model (FIM III) does not extend downstream beyond Mannum and is
therefore unavailable for this region. No simulations were therefore performed for Narrung wetland
based on the Flood Inundation Model.
The current water flow into the wetland is mainly through Narrung Inlet wetland then down through
the northern channel, as seen in Map 5 and Figure 11. The north channel is slowly blocking up
through debris and sedimentation see Figure 12. The channel was previously connected directly to
the lake and is now blocked by fore dune build up see Figure 14. The current connection with
Narrung Inlet wetland can be seen in Figure 13. A second connection the southern channel (Figure
17), which seems to have a higher commence to flow level, runs parallel with Narrung road (Figure
15), and passes through a pipe culvert under Alexandrina drive, see Figure 16. The south channel
connects up with Lake Albert, see Map 5 and Figure 18. Both channels would allow minimal
exchange between the wetland and the lakes with a distance of 400 and 500 metres respectively.
The temperature within both channels could fluctuate extremely as both channels are shallow and
there is minimal shade. Fish passage along these channels would therefore be hampered.
Map 5: Current water movement into the wetland
13
Figure 11: North channel seen from Figure 12: North channel partially blocked
wetland 08/03/06 (TB) 08/03/06 (TB)
Figure 13: North channel connection to Figure 14: North channel blocked
Narrung Inlet wetland 08/03/06 (TB) connection to Lake Alex. 08/03/06 (TB)
14
Figure 15: South channel leading up to Figure 16: South channel pipe culvert
pipe culvert 08/03/06 (TB) under Alexandrina drive 08/03/06 (TB)
Figure 17: South channel connection to Figure 18: South channel connection to
Narrung wetland 08/03/06 (TB) Lake Alexandrina 08/03/06 (TB)
15
(ii) Groundwater
The baseline survey installed 5 groundwater wells within Narrung wetland. These wells were
monitored 5 times during the survey period (22nd January, 12th March, 11th June, 21st July and 2nd
September 2004). The locations of the wells are presented in Table 5 and a map of the groundwater
flow direction in Appendix E. Two more wells were installed through Community monitoring those
labelled NAR01 and NAR02.
Table 5: Groundwater monitoring locations (SKM 2004)
Elevation of
Bore Hole Ground
casing Elevation Benchmark
Name Easting Northing (m-AHD) (m-AHD) (m-AHD)
NA1 334572.514 6068717.220 2.492 1.508
NA2 334787.601 6068562.547 2.226 1.238 1.288
NA3 334289.412 6069101.858 3.059 1.987 3.172
NA4 334097.782 6069409.431 2.123 1.075 1.136
NA5 334112.113 6069238.219 3.135 2.122 3.394
NAR01 334101.626 6068669.566 2.822 1.312
NAR02 334112.618 6068703.589 2.132 0.753
The groundwater seems to flow from the lake towards the floodplain, with additional groundwater
flow from the high ground (SKM 2004). The wetland depressions are therefore terminal points of
groundwater flow and therefore collection points for the salinity of the groundwater exacerbated by
evapoconcentration. The measured depths of the ground water, both during the baseline survey and
since, can be seen in Table 6.
Table 6: Groundwater monitoring locations (SKM 2004)
Depth to Water Table Reduced Standing Water
(mbgl) Level (RSWL mAHD)*
Elevation of
22/01/04
12/03/04
11/06/04
02/09/04
08/03/06
22/01/04
12/03/04
11/06/04
02/09/04
08/03/06
Bore Hole Ground
casing Elevation Benchmark
Name (m-AHD) (m-AHD) (m-AHD)
NA1 2.492 1.508 1.161 1.501 1.323 0.726 1.39 0.347 0.007 0.185 0.782 0.118
NA2 2.226 1.238 1.288 0.786 0.939 0.663 0.220 1.16 0.037 -0.012 0.16 0.603 0.078
NA3 3.059 1.987 3.172 1.498 1.668 1.642 1.397 1.61 0.489 0.319 0.345 0.59 0.377
NA4 2.123 1.075 1.136 0.662 0.754 0.687 0.432 0.7 0.413 0.321 0.388 0.643 0.375
NA5 3.135 2.122 3.394 1.587 1.776 1.792 1.491 1.63 0.535 0.346 0.33 0.631 0.492
NAR01 2.822 1.312 0.695 0.778 0.716 0.522 0.78 0.617 0.534 0.596 0.790
NAR02 2.132 0.753 0.141 0.236 1.149 -0.015 0.33 0.612 0.517 -0.396 0.768
* Level of ground water in relation to sea level
The groundwater salinity was found to be relatively high, see Table 7. The high salinity of the
groundwater and the shallow groundwater table, with a range between 0.14 and 1.59 mbgl, has
probably been contributing to the surface salinity of the complex through evapoconcentration (SKM
2004). The ground water levels were found to fluctuate with the seasonal climatic change, with the
16
depth to groundwater (mbgl) increasing towards March and then decreasing with the onset of winter
(SKM 2004) (see Appendix E).
Table 7: Groundwater salinity ms/cm
NAME 14/09/03 22/01/04 12/02/04 11/06/04 08/03/06
NA1 39.70 50.20 66.2
NA2 9.58 12.20 11.1
NA3 30.70 42.00 42.8
NA4 20.39 29.40 30.2
NA5 24.22 35.30 32.8
NAR0101 29 31
NAR0102 26 26.1 35.4
Surface water near
pump shed 65.0
Surface water north
channel near photopoint 3.69
SECTION 2.04 ECOLOGICAL FEATURES

(a) FLORA
There is not much remnant native vegetation remaining within the Narrung wetland (Woodward-
Clyde 2000). The baseline survey identified 17 native species; see Appendix F.
Within the main lagoon there were extensive areas of the Charophyte Nitella sp. Other submerged
aquatic species included widgeon grass/water tassel Ruppia polycarpa and Lepilaena sp. Although
dry, R. polycarpa was identified in the smaller lagoons (SKM 2004). Ruppia polycarpa is a high
salt tolerant species that often inhabits temporary water bodies (Nicol 2005). The channel
connecting the main lagoon to Lake Alexandrina had salt club rush Bolboschoenus caldwellii and
saltwater couch *Paspalum vaginatum (SKM 2004).
In the wetland area some native grasses were identified including Emu grass Distichlis
distichophylla interspersed among pasture grasses. In the lower lying land around the wetland there
were samphire areas containing black-seed samphire Halosarcia pergranulata ssp. pergranulata
and beaded samphire Sarcocornia quinqueflora. Other herbs found within the wetter areas of the
samphire included Sea heath Frankenia pauciflora var. gunnii, streaked arrow-grass Triglochin
striatum and widgeon grass/water tassel R. polycarpa (SKM 2004). Interspersed were also weeds
including common brass buttons *Cotula coronopifolia and pasture grasses. On the higher ground
were lignum Muehlenbeckia florulenta with a invasive grass understorey including saltwater couch
*P. vaginatum and kikuyu *Pennisetum clandestinum (SKM 2004).
Outside of the immediate wetland area to the east and south, small depressions with a permanent
connection to the lakes had different plant associations including a water ribbon Triglochin
procerum herbland which was invaded by Kikuyu *P. clandestinum. The wetland fringing the lakes
to the north had water milfoil Myriophyllum sp. and Azolla sp. and fringed by common spike-rush
Eleocharis acuta and salt club rush Bolboschoenus caldwellii sedgeland with a herb understorey.
These areas were still accessed by stock.
The four plant associations were surveyed by the baseline survey were:
Eleocharis acuta / Bolboschoenus caldwellii Closed Sedgeland
Myriophyllum caput-medusae Herbland over Azolla filiculoides
Ruppia polycarpa Herbland; and
17
Sarcocornia quinqueflora Low Closed Shrubland over Triglochin striatum and Ruppia
polycarpa
A detailed list of species found within the plant associations can be found in Appendix G Section
G.01. Vegetation collected and identified by community members, with professional assistance, is
also listed in the Appendix. During this collection some exotic weeds were identified including the
African boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum. Weed removal should include the removal of this weed as a
priority. For a description of the function of vegetation in wetlands refer to Your Wetland:
Supporting Information (Tucker, Dominelli et al. 2003). In the northern wetland fringing Lake
Alexandrina, the Myriophyllum caput-medusae herbland had coarse milfoil M. caput-medusae and
lake milfoil M. salsugineum, both species of conservation significance, see Appendix G Section
G.01. M. caput-medusae and Lilaeopsis polyantha, with a listing of rare regional conservation
significance, were in the Eleocharis acuta/Bolboschoenus caldwellii closed sedgeland also in the
northern wetland (SKM 2004).
(i) Implications for management

The River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey (SKM 2004) recommends the revegetation around the
wetland lagoons with local natives now absent from the wetland. The suggested native vegetation
included swamp paper-bark Melaleuca halmaturorum smooth cutting grass/chaffy saw sedge
Gahnia filum. The baseline survey also recommends the fencing off of wetlands fringing Lake
Alexandrina, to avoid further grazing damage to the species of conservation significance and to be
able to address the threat of invasive weeds (SKM 2004). The control of kikuyu * P. clandestinum
is required throughout the wetland area including herbland and lignum shrublands (SKM 2004).
With the introduction of hydrological management the water salinity within the wetland will reduce,
through flushing of the system during inundation. Maintaining the wetland at or above 5000 μS/cm
will ensure that the current submerged aquatic species Nitella sp. Ruppia polycarpa and Lepilaena
sp. can survive (Nicol 2006).
(b) FAUNA
The River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey (SKM 2004) conducted a number of surveys on fauna
in the wetland environment. These surveys are described below.
(i) Birds
The bird assessment of the baseline survey was located at three sites with complex shorelines (SKM
2004), the habitat included herb and samphire areas as well as wet and dry mud. Thirteen species of
waterbird were observed in the wetland with 467 individuals in total. Twelve of these species were
EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) listed as migratory
species (SKM 2004). Table 24 in Appendix G Section G.02(a) contains a list of the birds observed
at the Narrung wetland.
The three most abundant birds observed were the masked lapwing with 91 individuals, the Caspian
tern with 80 individuals and the crested tern with 86 individuals only observed in the spring
monitoring period (SKM 2004). The overall abundance and diversity at each site was low, but seen
as a whole and compared to other sites of the same survey Narrung wetland was above the mean.
Foraging activity was low, with only 4 species observed foraging in spring and 1 in summer (SKM
2004).
The limited habitat conditions in the surrounding floodplain were considered to have influenced the
diversity and abundance of bird populations in Narrung wetland. The habitat availability identified
by the baseline survey (SKM 2004) are listed in Table 8. The revegetation of the floodplain
surrounding the wetland should contribute to the development of more diverse habitats than
presently available. However, the maintenance of the open water and wet mud areas is
recommended by the baseline survey to maintain the bird diversity and abundance (SKM 2004).
18
The development of a more diverse habitat surrounding the Narrung wetland should consequently
benefit the birds found in the surrounding Ramsar area.
Table 8: Habitat features identified in Narrung wetland table adapted from (SKM 2004).
Habitat features Spring Summer
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Shoreline Complex Complex Complex Complex Complex Complex
Fringing Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous Continuous
vegetation low cover low cover low cover low cover low cover low cover
Reeds Absent Absent Absent Absent Occasional Absent
Sedges Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent
Herbs Extensive Extensive Extensive Extensive Extensive Extensive
Wet mud Occasional Occasional Absent Absent Extensive Extensive
Dry mud Occasional Occasional Extensive Extensive Extensive Extensive
Hollow bearing Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent
trees
Perching trees Occasional Absent Occasional Occasional Absent Absent
Water’s edge In/above 1–10 m In/above NA 10 – 100 m 10 – 100 m
veg from veg veg from veg from veg
Fringing River Red Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent Absent
Gums
Water depth (m) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0 0.1 0.05
Water level Stable Stable Stable NA Falling Falling
A survey of bird species found in the area of the Lower Lakes from the period of January 2003 and
February 2004 was preformed (Gosbell 2004). This survey was conducted at 23 sites over a period
of twelve months; Table 25 in Appendix G Section G.02(a) contains a list of the water birds seen as
part of this survey. The findings of the survey were that waterfowl made up 94% of all observations
with 45 species, compared to 17 species of waders. It is anticipated that some of these species
would take advantage of the increased habitat availability at a restored Narrung wetland. Of the 17
waders, 8 were migratory. The scarcity of waders may indicate a lack of suitable habitat or habitat
quality. Further, a steady decline in waterbirds over the past 30-40 years may be due to a loss of
habitat and habitat diversity (Gosbell 2004).
Narrung wetland is listed by Seaman (2003) as a potential habitat for:
The painted snipe Rostratula benghalensis (IUCN: Vulnerable A1b, NPW Act: Vulnerable,
CAMBA),
Australasian bittern Ibotaurus poiciloptilus (IUCN: Vulnerable C2a, NPW Act:
Vulnerable),
Lewin‟s rail Rallus pectoralis (IUCN: Near Threatened c, NPW Act: Vulnerable),
Orange bellied parrot Neophema chrysogaster (IUCN: Critically Endangered C2b, NPW
Act: Endangered),
Migratory wadders (CAMBA and JAMBA listed) including:
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata,
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea,
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis,
19
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia and
Waterbirds listed in schedules 8 and 9 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972
Freckled duck Stictonetta naevosa
Musk duck Biziura lobata
Baillon‟s crake Porzana pusilla
Golden headed cisticola Cistiola exillis
Great-crested grebe Podiceps cristatus
The CAMBA (China Australia Migratory Birds Agreement) and JAMBA (Japan Australia
Migratory Birds Agreement) listed species were taken from (1986b; 1986a). CAMBA and JAMBA
are intergovernmental agreements for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. Further, a
duck hunter has reportedly, seen a painted snipe Rostratula benghalensis (CAMBA listed & listed
as vulnerable in the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972) in samphire area close to Narrung,
however this sighting was not been confirmed by D. Dadd (2005). The following list of birds has
been observed at Narrung wetland by David Dadd (Dadd 2006);
Swan Cygnus spp. (black swan Cygnus atratus)
Australian shelduck Tadorna tadornoides (which need tree hollows for breeding and
therefore wander)
Black duck Anas superciliosa
Grey teal Anas gracilis
Chestnut teal Anas castanea – seen mainly in winter, however not as many as the grey teal
Australasian shoveler Anas rhynchotis
Pink-eared duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus
Freckled duck Stictonetta naevosa (also seen at nearby Poltalloch wetland in numbers of
300 plus)
Crested Tern Sterna bergii
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (seasonal)
Great egret Ardea alba
White faced heron Egretta (Ardea) novaehollandiae
Wading birds, which have been observed at Narrung wetland by David Dadd, include:
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata (CAMBA/JAMBA listed)
Red-Necked stint Calidris ruficollis (CAMBA/JAMBA listed)
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis (CAMBA listed)
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (CAMBA/ JAMBA listed). (not seen at Narrung but
seen at Poltalloch wetland close by and could therefore use Narrung wetland)
Red capped plover Charadrius ruficapillus (which also nest at Narrung wetland)
Masked lapwing Vanellus miles.
D. Dadd (2006) observed the sharp tailed sandpiper, a migratory wader, foraging in the samphire
areas between the wetland and Lake Alexandrina. This foraging activity was observed shortly after
20
the arrival of the species in September. D. Dadd assumes the choice of foraging at this site at this
time of the year could be due to the high water levels of the Coorong.
There were a number of birds identified during a community survey assisted by D. Dadd, foraging
at the wetland, see in Table 9. As there was a limited amount of macroinvertebrates identified at the
wetland, the birds were assumed to be foraging on the submerged aquatic plants and algae (Frears
2006).
Table 9: Birds identified during community survey
No. Species Scientific Name Note
16 Black Swan Cygnus atratus
30 Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides membranaceus Flying
2 Swamp Harrier Circus approximans Flying
1 Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles
3 Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus Dependent
young (2)
15 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata
16 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
40 Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus leucocephalus
14 Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae
40 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
1 Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
2 Crested Tern Sterna bergii
(ii) Frogs
No frog species were recorded at Narrung during the survey. The lack of frogs is presumably due to
the shallow and saline nature of the wetland. The lack of suitable frog habitat would have a large
role in the lack of frogs in the wetland (SKM 2004).
(iii) Fish
The baseline survey did not include a fish survey for Narrung wetland due to the lack of water
during the survey. As no fish were collected within the wetland, the Lower Lakes Fish Inventory
(Wedderburn and Hammer 2003), provides the best available data as to the fish that may potentially
migrate into the wetland complex. Within the Lower Lakes Fish Inventory (Wedderburn and
Hammer 2003) the fish species and relative abundance presented in Table 10 and Table 11 were
recorded for Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert on either side of the Narrung Narrows (tables were
adapted from (Wedderburn and Hammer 2003)) which is close to the Narrung wetland. The
sampling points of the Lower Lakes Fish Inventory for Narrung wetland were located (coordinates
in GDA 94 zone 54):
R 24 (Lake) - Next to the Narrung Jetty (335348 E 6068542 N)
R 26 (Wetland) - In the Narrung narrows wetland close to where a culvert to Narrung
wetland will be located (334874 E 6068214 N)
S 1 (Swamp) - On the east side of the Narrung Narrows in Lake Alexandrina (336000 E
6069000 N)
Wedderburn and Hammer (2003) recommend the protection and restoration of sheltered fish habitat
around the lake. However, flow control structures can have an impact on the movement of fish in
and out of wetland environments, due to changes in water quality and/or water flow (velocities,
21
turbulence) (see Your Wetland: Supporting Information (Tucker, Dominelli et al. 2003)). This will
be taken into account when considering flow management and flow control structure design.
Table 10: Native fish
Abundance Status
Common Name Scientific Name SA Australia
17/02/03
18/02/03
17/09/01
Albert
Lake
R 24
R 26
S1
Bony herring Nematalosa erebi 3 1 30
Common galaxias Galaxias maculatus 5 72 1 579
Dwarf flathead Philypnodon sp. 2 2 R (C)
gudgeon
Flathead gudgeon Philypnodon 17 48 90
grandiceps
Flyspecked Craterocephalus 2 3
hardyhead stercusmuscarum
fulvus
Golden perch Macquaria ambigua 1 1
Lagoon goby Tasmanogobius lasti 91 239
Smallmouthed Atherinosoma 8 17 189
hardyhead microstoma
Western blue spot Pseudogobius olorum 18 251
goby
Number of Species 5 8 1
C = provisional State conservation concern under the draft Threatened Species Schedule NPWSA (National Parks and
Wildlife Council and Department for Environment and Heritage 2003)
Table 11: Introduced fish
Abundance Status
Common Name Scientific Name SA Australia
17/02/03
18/02/03
17/09/01
Albert
Lake
R 24
R 26
S1
Gambusia Gambusia holbrooki 51 1 71

Goldfish Carassius auratus 4 4
Redfin Perca fluviatilis 4 128
Number of Species 0 3 1
(iv) Macroinvertebrates
The River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey (SKM 2004) did not monitor macroinvertebrates at
Narrung wetland.
However, the local community monitored macroinvertebrates on 2 separate occasions using
waterwatch techniques over a 5-month period (from spring 2003 to late summer 2005). The overall
abundance of macroinvertebrates collected at the late summer monitoring session was significantly
less than in the early spring session. The reducing water levels and high salinities have significantly
reduced the diversity of species. Only adult forms of species were found (Frears 2006). For a
description of the function of macroinvertebrates in wetlands refer to Your Wetland: Supporting
Information (Tucker, Dominelli et al. 2003).
22
Table 12: Community collected macroinvertebrates (table provided by A. Frears (2006))
Common Name Sensitivity 14/9/03 12/2/04
Rating (early spring) (late Summer)
Freshwater snail 6  
Water flea 6 
Mosquito larvae 5 
Predacious diving beetle (adult) 5 
Scavenger beetle larvae 5 
Scavenger beetle adult 5  
Scud/side swimmer 5  
Whirligig beetle larvae 5 
Whirligig beetle adult 5 
Seed shrimp 4  
Water boatman 4 
Non-biting midge larvae 3 
(v) Implications for management

The SKM (2004) bird survey found the abundance and diversity of birds at Narrung to be above the
mean of all wetlands included in the survey. The birds were seen on the open water and wet mud.
Their recommendations aimed at increasing waterbird diversity and numbers within the wetland
with the development of more diverse habitat. However, it was seen as important to maintain the
open water and mud areas for the birds presently using the wetland. The lack of frogs was probably
due to the saline nature of the wetland and the lack of suitable habitat. No fish were found in the
wetland, however, with the construction of a culvert connecting the wetland with Lake Albert a
large potential exists for the migration of fish into the wetland. This would need to be monitored
and the water quality and volume balanced between the needs of the fish and the waterbirds. No
information exists on the macroinvertebrates of the wetland. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the
possible impacts on the macroinvertebrate population following a reduction in surface water salinity
within the wetland. This may increase the food source for fish and water birds. The future
monitoring and assessment will therefore need to assess the implications of the freshening of the
wetland on not only vegetation and water quality but also on the species diversity and abundance of
the birds using the wetland.
Therefore, to manage the wetland with an aim of increasing bird habitat availability, the diversity of
habitat must be increased and the existing habitat of open water and mud maintained. With the
establishment of more diverse and healthy aquatic habitats, the abundance of frogs within Narrung
wetland itself should potentially also increase. The improvement in connection between the wetland
and the lakes should provide fish habitat. The movement of fish in and out of the wetland should
play a role in contributing to their reproduction in the lakes as well as serving as an additional food
source for water birds.
23
Chapter 3. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL VALUES

The wetland is of importance to the local residents and the traditional owners the Ngarrindjeri
nation.
The wetland is inherently of importance to the Ngarrindjeri as is the case for all wetlands along
the River Murray. Some of the cultural significant aspects include through past uses such as
food gathering, gathering the reed Cyperus gymnocaulos for basket weaving. This important
tradition is still practiced and the presence of Cyperus gymnocaulos is an important cultural
resource. Other cultural reasons for wetland rehabilitation include the importance of wetlands as
part of its role in the environment such as the complex food web including fish nurseries and
bird habitat. Narrung wetland is a significant area for the Ngarrindjeri community and they are
very supportive of its restoration, not only for the ecological benefits but also for cultural
values.
For the residents of Narrung the wetland is a major feature of the town landscape as it spans the
length of the town. The wetlands value is both through its aesthetics and ecological importance.
The local residents take pride in the diversity and abundance of waterbirds and waders, which
use Narrung wetland. The structural improvement of the wetland flow structures, the potential
improvement for native fish species and the revegetation considered as a part of the restoration
works, receiving unanimous approval at a community meeting organised by the town progress
association and held at the town hall. Due to the wetlands importance to the town and its highly
visible nature, interest in participation in monitoring, management, and revegetation of the
wetland environment was high with many committing to specific roles of the wetland
management.
Further values of Narrung wetland in a broader context include its role in regional tourism. The
Narrung Narrows attracts a number of tourists who camp adjacent to the ferry crossing at the
edge of Narrung town. The rehabilitation of the wetland will therefore contribute to the increase
in regional tourism value.
24
Chapter 4. LAND TENURE, JURISDICTION AND

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
SECTION 4.01 LAND TENURE
There are multiple properties that encompass Narrung wetland and the surrounding land. The
wetland lagoons themselves are on four of these properties, three in private ownership, freehold (fee
simple entirety), and one unallotted crown land in the ownership of the Minister for Environment
and Heritage. Some of the surrounding properties are residential, these encompassing the Narrung
town. A large part of the land to the east of the wetland is in the ownership of Point McLeay
Community Council Inc. with the shoreline owned by the Coorong District Council and the
Minister for Environment and Heritage. The property boundaries and the key ownership details can
be seen in Map 6.
Map 6: Cadastral boundaries covering Narrung wetland and surrounds.
SECTION 4.02 LAND AND WATER USE

The main land use in the surrounding area is cattle grazing. In the past Narrung wetland was open to
stock access. Most of the wetland is now fenced off to exclude all stock. See Map 1 for fence
locations. However, evidence of stock grazing impact was evident for both the baseline survey
(SKM 2004) and the report complied by Woodward-Clyde (2000), which had the aim of identifying
potential wetland rehabilitation sites. Therefore the River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey (SKM
2004) recommends the exclusion of stock from sensitive areas to promote the value and diversity of
natural habitats this recommendation is echoed in the report by Woodward-Clyde (2000). The
social, economic and environmental benefits of stock exclusion from sensitive areas, identified by
Woodward-Clyde (2000) are;
25
Improved wetland water quality
Increased aquatic invertebrate diversity and abundance
Promotion of wading bird habitat
Promotion of waterbird habitat
The restoration of areas culturally significant to the Ngarrindjeri
Of significance currently is the lack of fencing around the northern wetland bordering Lake
Alexandrina. This wetland has three plants of conservation significance, identified by the baseline
survey; see Section 2.04(a).
SECTION 4.03 JURISDICTION AND MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

The Narrung community members with support from the Coorong District LAP and the SA MDB
NRM Board will be responsible for the management of the wetland in consultation with the
principal landholder.
Contact persons for Narrung wetland management will be Coorong District LAP Officers, Wetland
Management Planning Officer or SA MDB NRM BOARD Wetland Project Officer, see Table 13
for contact details. Access to the wetland will need to be arranged through consultation with the
relevant landowner.
Table 13: Narrung wetland responsible positions contact details
Position Present Organisation Mailing Address Phone
Officers number
Coorong District Graham Coorong District LAP PO Box 1021 Tintinara SA 5266 (08)
LAP Project Gates 8757 2100
Officer
Lower Lakes Jem Coorong District LAP PO Box 2056 Murray SA 5253 (08)
Project Officer Tesoriero & Goolwa to Bridge 8532 5262
Wellington LAP 2100
Wetland Tumi Lower LAPS Mt. Lofty Ranges Mount SA 5251 (08)
Management Bjornsson Catchment Centre Barker 8391 7515
Planning Officer Upper Level, Cnr
Mann and Walker St's
Wetland Project Adrienne SA MDB NRM PO Box 2056 Murray SA 5253 (08)
Officer, Lower Frears BOARD Bridge 8532 6753
Murray
26
Chapter 5. THREATS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO

NARRUNG WETLAND
There are a number of existing and potential threats to Narrung wetland, some of which have
become apparent in the description of the wetland and available data in the chapters above. The
identification of these threats is essential for appropriate adaptive management of the wetland. Their
early recognition allows for an appropriate monitoring strategy for early identification of adverse
impacts of management and therefore rapid response through altered management.
The major current threat to the wetland is the infrequent inundation and associated groundwater
salinity intrusion and the loss of biodiversity such as the surrounding vegetation and therefore
habitat. The lack of exchange compounds the impact of saline groundwater intrusion through
evapoconcentration leading to salinisation of the wetland soil with saltpans evident. This threat, a
lack of water exchange, is being addressed by this management plan. The past clearing of the
wetland area has degraded native habitat leaving few native flora and fauna species. The
disconnection from the Lake Albert also limits the use of the wetland by native fish. However, the
altered management of a wetland will in itself bring with it potential threats that need to be
identified, these and other threats identified so far have been listed in Table 14.
One threat recently identified in the Lower Lakes area is the invasive weed sharp rush Juncus
acutus Figure 19 and Figure 20. It should be included in future weed removal strategies as part of
the wetland surrounding area restoration work. Other weeds of potential concern include the
African boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum and saltwater couch Paspalum vaginatum.
Figure 19: Juncus acutus (JT) Figure 20: Juncus acutus detail (JT)
27
Table 14: Existing and prospective threats to Narrung wetland
THREATS SYMPTOM CAUSE IMPACT CATEGORY EXTENT (IF POTENTIAL SOLUTION
KNOWN)
Altered hydrology Dry wetland Causeway road (Alexandrina Dieback of native vegetation (Aquatic Regional & Local Wetland proper and Addressed in this management plan
Saline ground Drive) and riparian) Local management fringing low lying Introduce “natural” water regime allowing the
water intrusion Drop in Lake Level/ Barrage Loss of habitat variability for fauna response areas wetland not only to fill but to flush out into the
Loss of Operation (birds, fish, frogs, turtles & adjacent lakes
Existing
vegetation/habitat macroinvertebrates) Clearing/maintenance of flow channels

Saltpans on dry lagoon beds between wetland and lakes
Hypersaline wetland when inundated Installation of culvert/flow control structures
through causeway
Removal of part of causeway between main
lagoon and south east lagoon
Salinisation of the Increasing EC Lack of exchange with lakes Degradation of wetland water quality Local Wetland proper and Flushing through installation of a culvert
ABIOTIC
wetland of wetland water Saline seepage from (hypersaline, long term degradation of fringing low lying under road connecting the wetland with Lake
body groundwater (particularly in the wetland) areas Albert
Increasing east lagoon) Degradation of wetland environment Adaptive management to maintain wader
salinity in wetland Evapoconcentration Reduced biodiversity habitat, restore vegetation and improve fish, frog
base/soil No culvert therefore no Degradation of habitat quality for and water bird habitat
Existing
Saline water in flushing native fish Not connect the east lagoon or inundate
wetland Wetland maintained at a dry Degradation of bird habitat wetland for extended period of time to develop
Only salt phase for to long leading to a (increased fish and macroinivertebrates freshwater lens under wetland
tolerant species loss of freshwater lens may improve bird habitat for water Do not allow wetland to remain dry more than
present Hydraulic pressure from lake birds) 6 months
Salt pan Alexandrina (pushes saline Only salt tolerant species present
Saline wetland groundwater toward southern Wetland turned into a hypersaline
base/soil end of wetland) swamp
Loss of native riparian Few native Clearing Loss of habitat/breeding hollows Local Surrounding area. Revegetate with local native species
vegetation vegetation species Grazing (birds) Extensive. Freshen wetland
in the area Lack of water (inundation) Loss of snags in water body Revegetation option
No large native Weed infestation Loss of windbreak for riparian area.
Existing
trees in the area Mismanagement of wetland

Invasive hydrology
species present
Impact on
native fauna
species diversity
and abundance
Reduction in biodiversity Low species Loss of natural variability of Extensive degradation of wetland Local and Regional Wetland and Rehabilitate wetland/freshen/revegetate
diversity following inundation ecosystem (Domino effect on food wetland influenced Addressed in this management plan and
BIOTIC
clearing (State Loss of native species (fish, chain) surrounding area future revegetation plan
Library of South riparian and aquatic vegetation)
Australia) Grazing – reduction of
Existing
biodiversity
Grazing – introduction of
weeds (introduction of seed,
aiding invasion)
Mismanagement of wetland
hydrology
Mismanagement of wetland
environment
Weeds (e.g. kikuyu) Their presence Degradation of native Exotic species Local Floodplain Active removal – poisoning
Existing
vegetation Competition with native vegetation

Loss of habitat (food source?)
28
THREATS SYMPTOM CAUSE IMPACT CATEGORY EXTENT (IF POTENTIAL SOLUTION
KNOWN)
Lack of habitat (birds) Less bird Degradation of wetland Loss of bird habitat Local and Regional Wetland and Restore wetland ecology/habitat availability
species observed ecosystem wetland surrounding Restore hydrology/Freshen wetland
Existing
during survey than Lack of fish and area Revegetate

potentially could macroinvertebrates as food Increase habitat availability
use wetland source
Lack of floodplain vegetation
(habitat)
Lack of frogs Lack of frogs Possibly due to lack of Loss/reduction of frogs in ecosystem Local Wetland and Restore wetland ecology/habitat availability
Existing
suitable habitat wetland surrounding Restore hydrology/Freshen wetland

Degradation of wetland area Revegetate
ecosystem Increase habitat availability
Lack of native fish No fish in Blockage of flow channels Reduction in available breeding Local and Regional Wetland and lake Restore wetland ecology/habitat availability
habitat wetland into wetland areas (nurseries) fringe Restore hydrology/Freshen wetland
No connection to Lake Albert Revegetate (provide shade and snags)
Saline wetland Allow fish passage between wetland and lake
Existing
Channel to Lake Alexandrina

not appropriate for fish
migration
Invasive fish species Turbid wetlands Well known environmental Competition for habitat. (domination Regional and local Wetland water body If carp exclusion trials are successful in other
(carp, gambusia, problem in region (large pest of available habitat) (Managed locally) (when wet) wetlands it could be considered for Narrung
goldfish and redfin) population) Predation/aggressive interaction Monitor abundance of invasive species with
Potential
Rapid breeding cycles (carp on/with small and young native fish comparative monitoring of abundance of native
~2/year), live bearing (redfin/gambusia) species
(gambusia), unpalatable eggs Damage to aquatic vegetation Removal of carp following drawdown
(redfin) Decrease in water quality (Turbidity Instillation of carp (large fish) screens
increase)
Predation on native fish (redfin)
Loss/reduction of Less birds Change in habitat suitability Loss of wading bird habitat Regional and local Wetland/regional Adaptive management (monitor bird
wading birds observed - Depth to mud/ Loss of value of wetland in respect to (Managed locally) (bird habitat) population and habitat use
macroinvertebrates changed wading bird population If the reduction in bird numbers is due to a
Potential
- Change in macroinvertebrate loss in mudflats, then change the hydrology

population composition regime appropriately
If the reduction in bird numbers is due to a
change in the macroinvertebrate community,
consider reversing wetland water freshening.
Spread of reeds Loss of open Perfect growing environment Loss of open water habitat (for water Local Wetland water body Dry wetland before reeds establish (i.e. at the
into/throughout wetland water (shallow fresh wetland) birds, waders, fish etc.) end of every year)
Monoculture of Earthworks (fresh soil) Loss of mudflats (wet & dry mud) Allow salinity to increase during drying event
Potential
reeds Complete change in wetland type to prevent their spread

Loss of and habitat offered to native fauna
significant habitat
Loss of plant species Loss of plant Grazing impact Severe impact on habitat of the Regional and local Wetland fringing Consider fencing of this wetland area from
considered to be of species species (Managed locally) Lake Alexandrina grazing (would need landholder agreement/
Potential
conservation Loss of plant species (outside of Narrung cooperation)

significance currently wetland proper)
found in wetland area
adjacent to lake
Alexandrina
29
Chapter 6. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

The main management objective is the rehabilitation of the ecology of Narrung wetland and
therefore the restoration of the cultural and aesthetic values of the wetland to the local community
and the Ngarrindjeri nation. Based on the objectives presented in Section 1.02(c) and the threats to
the wetland discussed in Chapter 5, more detailed ecology based management objectives can now
be developed. The objectives, including solutions, actions needed, and priorities are detailed in
Table 15.
Adaptive management will drive the actions undertaken to achieve the objectives. Due to the
complexity of the habitat requirements of waders, water birds, native fish, macroinvertebrates and
frogs and identified potential threats to the wetland (see Chapter 5) the management and therefore
detailed objectives will need to be flexible. A minor review of the objectives and the wetland
management plan is recommended at the end of each year, community groups can achieve this by
reviewing their monitored data. A major review should follow after 5 years.
30
Table 15: Management objectives for Narrung wetland.
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES SOLUTIONS ACTIONS (Management (M) or QUANTIFIABLE MONITOR LEGISLATION PRIORITY
Engineering or structural (ES)) /MEASURE OF ACHIEVEMENT (TIMING)*
Regeneration of riparian Manage water regime to restore Establish a water regime which Re-establishment and survival of Photo point (Q) WAP (water license) High
vegetation vegetation (woodland, sedgeland includes flushing and draw down (ES) missing species (e.g. Melaleuca Vegetation
Native
and herbland plant communities) Actively revegetate using locally halmaturorum and Gahnia filum) survey (Y)
Establish native re-vegetation collected seed Numbers based on expert
projects recommendation
Regeneration/maintain Management of Open flow control gates (ES) Diversity of aquatic species, Photo point (Q) WAP (water license) Medium
wetland aquatic species inundation/drying periods to Control hydraulic regime adaptively continued presence of Ruppia Vegetation
(maintain water plant maintain a salinity level within the (see Section 7.02) polycarpa, Lepilaena sp. and Nitella sp. survey (Y)
communities) wetland not below 5000 EC, as this Slow drying of wetland Establishment of fringing reeds Monitor water
Native
may detrimentally impact on Ruppia Monitor water levels and salinity Maintain clear wetland (Turbidity quality (M)
VEGETATION
polycarpa growing in the wetland and respond adaptively to maintain NTU 70 100% of time)
Manage water regime to shallow water and mud flats and EC
trigger/induce aquatic and riparian of around 5000
vegetation regeneration
Removal of weeds from Establish weed removal projects Weed control as per revegetation Reduction of weeds (as per Vegetation N/A High
Invasive
wetland area in the wetland area (boxthorn, plan revegetation plan) survey (Y)
artichoke thistle etc.)
Prevent spread of reeds Allow wetland to increase in salt Close culvert at the end of late Reeds establish only on wetland Photo point (Q) WAP (water license) Medium
etc. throughout wetland concentration as it dries summer/Autumn to allow wetland to fringe Vegetation
Native
(maintain open water) dry out survey (Y)

Actively remove if necessary Monitor water
Adaptive management (increase quality (M)
salinity for a season if necessary)
Ease movement of fish Establish open connection Construct culvert under Visible migration during open Fish survey (Y) WAP (water license) Medium
between wetland and through culvert between the wetland Alexandrina Drive (ES) Culvert to connection Development Act
Lake Albert and Lake Albert have rough base to ease fish passage Monitor in wetland Agreement by landowner
Native
Connect Main and south east Open up causeway between main Occupation of crown
lagoon and south east lagoons (ES) lands (in process)
Make sure culvert is as fish
friendly as possible
Restore native fish Reconnect wetland and Lake Construct culvert under Presence of 3 or more native fish Fish survey (Y) WAP (water license) High
habitat Albert Alexandrina Drive (ES) species found outside of wetland (see Development Act
Improved fish habitat through Open up causeway between main Table 10) Agreement by landowner
improved and more diverse and south east lagoons (ES) Occupation of crown
ecological niches, such as Restore riparian vegetation lands (in process)
macrophytes (emergent and Manage culvert to allow both a
submerged), snags (therefore need slowly fluctuating water level and
Native
riparian vegetation) and open water. occasional open connection for fish
FISH
As well as more food sources, passage

biofilms etc. This would lead to an Manage second culvert (north
increased diversity and abundance of small channel) to allow fish passage out of
native fish, which are prayed upon by larger
native fish. Both are in turn prayed upon by the wetland prior to drying
waterbirds who also obtain a more diverse
habitat though the development of aquatic
and riparian vegetation
Maximise fish passage Construct the culvert in a fish Use up to date fish friendly culvert Monitored movement of fish in and Fish survey (Y) WAP (water license) High
into and out of the friendly fashion construction out of the wetlnad Development Act
wetland Agreement by landowner
Native
Occupation of crown
lands (in process)
Minimise impact of carp Install carp grills at culvert Part of culvert construction No large carp in wetland Fish survey (Y) Medium
Invasive
31
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES SOLUTIONS ACTIONS (Management (M) or QUANTIFIABLE MONITOR LEGISLATION PRIORITY
Engineering or structural (ES)) /MEASURE OF ACHIEVEMENT (TIMING)*
Restore native frog Manage water regime to restore Construct culvert under Presence of native frog species in Frog survey (Q) Low
habitat habitat values for frogs and Alexandrina Drive (ES) wetland
therefore enhance their breeding. Open up causeway between main
Improved frog habitat through and south east lagoons (ES)
FROGS
Native
improved and more diverse Control refilling speed to optimize

ecological niches (habitat) for aquatic vegetation germination
Decrease surface water salinity and growth
Restore riparian vegetation
(revegetate)
Maintained/Improved Manage water regime to restore Restoration of wetland habitat and Increase in bird abundance and Bird survey (M) High
habitat for water birds habitat values for water birds and conditions for native fish species, diversity using wetland (more water Vegetation
(waterfowl, waders and therefore enhance their breeding migratory water birds, native water birds, no reduction in waders) survey (Y)
Native/Migratory
shorebirds) (where appropriate) (All habitat birds and fringing species, and Increase in habitat diversity (fringing Observation
including open water, shallow water, aquatic and riparian plant species. vegetation)
BIRDS
wet and dry mud) (See vegetation objectives & Section

Manage water regime to restore 7.02)
habitat values for migratory bird Maintain hydrology regime/refresh
species e.g. migratory waders water
Revegetate surrounding area Revegetate as per revegetation
with native vegetation plan (to be developed)
Minimise groundwater Keep wetland regularly Inundate wetland for an extended Monitor wetland salinity (Significant Monitor water High
impact on wetland inundated time period reduction in the first year with a steady quality (M)
Allow increased exchange Establish a hydrological regime improvement over the following years.
GW
between wetland and Lake Albert to based on best knowledge of past Not below 5000 EC as this may
freshen wetland wetland hydrology detrimentally impact on Ruppia
Monitor effect of restored hydrology polycarpa growing in the wetland)
and adapt management accordingly
Reduce/manage wetland Manage water regime to flush Keep structure open for a month to Rapid initial decrease in salinity Monitor water High
salinity wetland allow for water exchange between Ongoing long term decrease of water quality (M)
Allow slow drying of wetland with lake and wetland salinity
development of wet and dry mud. Close structure to reintroduce the
WQ
Slow increase in water salinity minimal connection between the

acceptable as per expected for wetland and lakes allowing the slow
MANAGEMENT
Evapoconcentration of dissolved drying of the wetland (existing

salts hydrology regime)
Turbidity Maintain aquatic and restore Revegetate riparian vegetation Visibly clear water Monitor water Medium
riparian vegetation Maintain periodic/annual wetland Turbidity of wetland water below 70 quality (M)
WQ
Manage water regime to dry phase NTU for majority of time (100%) Observation
minimise turbidity of wetland water
Improve connectivity of Restore flow paths into wetland Construct culvert under Culvert Photo point (Q) WAP (water license) High/paramount
Structural
wetland with Lake Albert Alexandrina Drive (ES) Open causeway Observation Development Act to restoration
Open up causeway between main Agreement by landowner
and south east lagoons (ES) Occupation of crown
lands (in process)
Control stock in wetland Fence of stock for entire wetland Fence of area (ES) Fence around lake Alexandrina Observation High
area area including wetland fringing Lake fringing wetland
Structural
Alexandrina
* see Chapter 8; WAP, water allocation plan; GW, Ground Water; WQ, Water Quality; W, Weekly; M, Monthly; Y, Yearly
32
Chapter 7. IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN

The essential restoration of Narrung wetland involves the freshening of the wetland water by
managing the water flow into the wetland. This will be accomplished in two stages. The restoration
was split into two stages to ensure the first stage is successfully completed before further
investment in resources and funding is made, and to allow adequate time to accomplish the first
stage without being delayed by the work of organising stage two.
Stage one involves the reconnection of the main and south east lagoons to each other and then to
Lake Albert. This involves the removal of the causeway between the two lagoons or in the least
broken through, followed by the construction of a culvert with stop logs (flow control) under
Alexandrina drive from the south east lagoon to Lake Albert. A second culvert with stop logs (flow
control) is to be constructed across the North Channel between the main lagoon and Lake
Alexandrina to allow better water level manipulation during hydrology management. The spill form
the removal of the causeway can be used to block the redundant South Channel between the main
lagoon and Lake Albert. The location of the on ground work including culverts and causeways can
be seen in Map 7. This connection follows in part the recommendations made by Woodward-Clyde
(2000), which can be seen in Map 3. The inclusion of the east lagoon as recommended by
Woodward-Clyde (2000) was deemed to have a risk of increasing saline groundwater intrusion.
This increased risk compared with the potential value of the 5 ha wetland area in an approximately
34 ha wetland was deemed to be inappropriate, particularly considering the added expense of on
groundwork, the return on investment, and the potential necessity to re-separate this lagoon should
the groundwater salinity have an adverse impact on the larger restored wetland.
Map 7: On ground work at Narrung wetland
33
Map 8 shows the current and the anticipated flow direction of water following on-ground works.
This map should provide some understanding of the anticipated flow following management within
Narrung wetland and the potential for freshening of the wetland.
Map 8: Expected water movement within Narrung wetland

As discussed in Section 1.02(d), stock has been excluded from the main lagoon and south east
lagoon. This will protect both future revegetation efforts and the wetlands from hoof and grazing
damage.
Stage two involves the protection of the Narrung inlet wetland. This would involve fencing off of
this wetland and adjacent vegetation, which includes three conservation significant species
identified by the baseline survey, see Section 2.04(a)(i). The location of the existing stock fence and
the approximate location of a fence around Narrung inlet wetland are shown in Map 9. A short
fence between the two wetland fences would separate the samphire and east lagoon from the rest of
the property allowing added options for control of grazing. Excluding grazing from the samphire
area during early spring would provide a less disturbed foraging area for the sharp-tailed sandpiper
(Dadd 2006).
34
Map 9: Wetland Fences (current and future)
SECTION 7.01 ON GROUND ACTION AND TIMETABLE

Table 16 provides a timetable and prioritisation for the on ground works in Narrung wetland. The
table does not address monitoring which is discussed in Chapter 8. A log of all activities should be
maintained. This log would assist in the review process of the wetland management plan discussed
in Chapter 9.
35
Table 16: Implementation plan for Narrung wetland land based activities.
ACTIVITY PRIORITY RESOURCES TIMETABLE RESPONSIBILITY

Install permanent photo points High 2 persons 1 hrs Completed SAMDBNRMB/LAP (Adrienne Frears, Tumi
Materials and tools (available) Bjornsson, Jem Tesoriero)
PRIOR TO WETLAND INUNDATION
Reconnect main and south east lagoons (use High Funding Winter 2006 Council
some of the spill to block southern flow channel,
possibly leave centre of causeway standing as
an island for waterbirds.
Construction of culverts (with carp screens) High Funding Winter 2006 Council
Materials and tools (available)
Clear flow path between Lake Alexandrina and Medium Funding As required LAP/Community group/Council
the main lagoon
Install gauge board in lagoons Medium Gauge board Completed SAMDBNRMB/LAP (Adrienne Frears, Tumi
2 person/ ~1hrs Bjornsson, Jem Tesoriero)
Install piezometers (2 or more) (to assess Low Funding Winter 2006 SAMDBNRMB/LAP (Adrienne Frears, Tumi
whether a freshwater lens develops below the Materials and tools Bjornsson, Jem Tesoriero)
wetland following freshening of the wetland)
Block southern flow channel between Lake High Spill from causeway Winter 2006 Council
Albert and the wetland
Allow slow filling Medium Installed culvert etc. (OGW completed) Spring (September) Community group
Maintain open flow path for initial month to flush
INUNDATION
FLOODING)
(WETLAND
wetland
DURING
Maintain wet and dry mud High 1 person 1 hour/week (15 minutes four times Continual as per wetland water operational plan Community group
Wetland connection opened and closed per week) see Section 7.02 below
regularly to induce slow drying, and therefore
INUNDATION
expose wet/dry mud, and slow refill open

AFTER
connection for fish passage

Maintain clear flow path Medium As appropriate As required Community group with assistance from LAP
Funding
Monitor as per monitoring plan High See Chapter 8 below See Chapter 8 below See Chapter 8 below
Weed removal kikuyu Pennisetum clandestinum Medium Funding As appropriate. As per expert recommendation. LAP/Community group
and saltwater couch Paspalum vaginatum
AS APPROPRIATE
Revegetation High Funding As appropriate for seed collection and LAP/Community group
Seed collection revegetation works. As per expert
recommendation.
Fence of separate Narrung Inlet wetland Medium Funding When funding becomes available LAP/landowner
Develop appropriate grazing regime in Narrung Medium Funding When funding becomes available LAP/landowner
Inlet wetland area
Annual review of monitored data High Monitored data End of each inundation year (End of Summer) Community group with assistance from LAP
36
SECTION 7.02 WETLAND WATER OPERATIONAL PLAN

The strongest tool in managing a wetland is the control of the wetland hydrology. Hydrology
controls the germination and growth of aquatic and riparian vegetation. The healthy vegetation and
appropriate inundation leads to the growth of biofilms, the vegetation and biofilms being a food
source for macroinvertebrates and small native fish. The vegetation and appropriate water regime
also provide a more diverse habitat for waterbirds and fish. The restoration of Narrung wetland and
fulfilment of the major objectives is therefore reliant upon the establishment of a better flow
connection between the wetland and the Lakes.
(a) WATER REGIME
The wetland currently receives water from Lake Alexandrina when the lake levels are high, by
flowing through the north inlet channel and through the south inlet channel connecting to Lake
Albert, both shown in Map 8. Following onground works, i.e. the clearing of the flow channel
connecting the wetland to Lake Alexandrina, the instillation of culverts where appropriate (see
Section 7.01), the inflow into the wetland should be achievable even at low lake levels allowing full
control of the wetland hydrology and therefore the freshening of the wetland. The median water
levels within Lake Alexandrina for a 10-year period (1994 to 2004) is 0.774 m AHD (calculated
from the daily mean water level obtained from the DWLBC Surface Water Archive (Department of
Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation 2005)) and would have had a great influence on the
wetland water levels. The new water regime will to some degree rely on the lake levels at the time
of inundation, i.e. spring. The spring median lake levels (September and October), 0.83 m AHD,
were therefore used to set the maximal depth the wetland would reach, during initial flooding.
The levels within the wetland will be manipulated to provide a similar slow drawdown and
therefore provide shallow water and wet mud areas for waders that frequent the wetland, see Figure
21 for a representation of the water level fluctuations. This water regime is dependent on Lake
Levels being operated @ approximately 0.83 m AHD during September. The culvert connecting the
wetland to Lake Albert will therefore be opened to allow a slow filling of the wetland of 2 cm/day.
The wetland will then be left open to the lake for close on a month to allow water exchange and
freshening of the wetland. Thereafter a slow drawdown with occasional freshening (refilling) will
allow the development of wed mud and shallow areas. During the times when the wetland is being
refilled, to account for evaporative loss and partial refilling, native fish will have free movement
between the wetland and Lake Albert. An extended draw down will follow in December with a
reconnection with the lake in late January or when the wetland is at 0.5 m (whichever occurs
sooner) through the channel inlet culvert to allow the last opportunity for fish to vacate the drying
and slowly salinising wetland.
37
0 .9
0 .8
0 .7
W e tla n d D e p th (m )
0 .6
0 .5
0 .4
0 .3
0 .2
0 .1
0
N o ve m b e r
S e p te m b e r
Ja n u a ry
Ju ly
F e b ru a ry
O cto b e r
D e ce m b e r
A p ril
A u g u st
Ju n e
M a rch
May
Figure 21: Water regime scenario
(b) VOLUME CALCULATIONS
The baseline survey provided estimates of the volume within the wetland at four different depths.
These depths did not include all the depths required for this wetland. Therefore, to obtain the water
volume required at the main lagoon at the depth expected during filling, a polynomial relationship
was established between the depth of the water in the wetland and the volume (both given in the
SKM baseline survey data for 4 different depths). This polynomial relationship was based on the
data from the DEM of the main lagoon. Equation 1, established to calculate the volume at a given
depth for the main lagoon, where volume is in ML and depth in metres, had an R2 of 0.9999.
2
Equation 1: Volume 328 . 31 depth 103 . 68 depth 8 . 7441
The DEM was complete for the main lagoon only, not for the smaller lagoons the east and south
east lagoons (see Map 7). Therefore, as little data existed for the south east lagoon the area of
probable inundation was identified, the probable extent of inundation can be seen in Map 7. Based
on this identified area and the assumption that the morphology of the lagoons in the wetland
complex would be very similar, given the same soil structure and historically being the same
wetland, an estimation of the volume of water within the smaller lagoons could be extrapolated
from the main lagoon data. For this purpose, Equation 2 was established to calculate the volume at a
given area, where volume is in ML and area in ha, the equation had an R 2 of 0.9875. Compared
with the alternate option of calculating the volume within the basins, surface area multiplied by
depth, this equation delivered a better fit when tested on the available main lagoon data. Given the
lack of information on the accurate volumes of the south east and east lagoons the depth and surface
areas are only estimates, the depth and the volume are based on the data from the main lagoon. The
volume of the south east lagoon is however less than 10% of the volume of the total wetland once
the main and south east lagoons have been re-joined. The inaccuracy, especially in such a small
lagoon is therefore negligible.
1 . 4748
Equation 2: Volume 0.3957 Area
The evaporation rates were attained using the Wetland Loss Calculator obtained from RMWCMB.
Equation 3 with an R2 of 0.9909 was used to estimate the surface area of the wetland exposed to
38
evaporation in each month when the wetland was inundated based on the expected wetland depth
(wetland depth will be used to control the development of mudflats in the wetland lagoons). The
details of the estimated volume of evaporation used for the calculation of water requirements can be
seen in Appendix H along with the calculated surface area based on Equation 3.
2
Equation 3: Area 2 93344 Depth 852260 xDepth 125422
The total annual water requirements were calculated following Equation 5. As the wetland will be
drawn down to facilitate the production of mud flats in the wetland the surface area of the wetland
will change throughout the management period. To account for the change in evaporation with the
reducing wetland surface area evaporation rates were calculated for each months targeted wetland
depth. The change in evaporation and the change in wetland volume will change the water
requirements to maintain the appropriate wetland volume, for this purpose Equation 4 was
developed. In Equation 4 ΔWWR is the monthly change in wetland water requirement due to slow
drawdown i.e. wet mud development, ΔWV is the change in wetland volume, which is based on the
OGWV (original wetland water volume) and the NWV (the new wetland volume), and the
Evaporation is calculated for each month.
Equation 4: WWR Evaporatio n WV ( OGWV NWV )
The total annual water requirements were calculated following Equation 5.

Equation 5: TotalAnnua lWater Re quirements Volume PotenialEv aporation
39
Table 17: Water required over fill period of Narrung wetland
Month Average Depth Wetland Volume Difference in Fill volume (Less Volume required Alternate Description
Lakes aimed surface ML from wetland required per difference (ML) (+10 for (6)
Level (1) for area (ha) depth m volume month (ML) in wetland water level
at a given (3) based on Including volume) manipulations)
depth (2) surface area evaporation (5)
(4)
0.83 148+25+5= Open culvert to allow
Sept 0.848 38 149 N/A 150 N/A 150 inundation at 2 cm/day
(filling) (178)
Oct 0.829 0.83 38 149 N/A 23 N/A 23 23+2 Maintain open
Start slow drawdown and
slow water level
Nov 0.802 0.73 34 108 41 41 0 0 (+10) 46+2 fluctuations (Opening
culvert intermittently will
allow passage of fish)
Late in Dec. start
extended drying period
Dec 0.755 0.63 30 74 34 46 12 (+10) 58+4 down to 0.6 m AHD.
Water level fluctuations
as required will continue.
Reconnect for a short
Jan 0.707 0.53 24 46 28 37 9 (+10) 59+5 time in late January
Feb 0.651 Drying N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Start drying
Mar 0.61 Drying N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Drying
Apr 0.695 Dry N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Dry
Total (7) 224 336

(1) Calculated from the daily mean water level obtained from the, DWLBC Surface Water Archive (Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation 2005)
(2) Obtained using Equation 3;
(3) Obtained using Equation 1
(4) OGWV-FWV
(6) If change in wetland volume is not considered and therefore evaporation is as per 38 ha the following would be the water requirement
40
Using the above equations an estimated water use calculation for Narrung wetland, including
evaporation loss, could be developed. This water use calculation can be seen in both Table 17 and
Table 18. The total annual allocation requirements for Narrung wetland annually amounts to 240
ML (or 240,000 kL). At the end of each inundation season a review of monitored data is required to
assess the impact of the changed hydrology, this would be part of an annual review of the wetland
management plan. An annual review of the WMP is essential for best practice management to guide
efforts according to the vision and objectives. This will assist to assess whether the current
management of lowered sill level is an effective hydrology management strategy or whether a
revision of the wetland management plan is required.
Table 18: Water use calculation
Lagoon Surface Volume Potential Evaporation Total Annual Water
area (ha) (ML) (ML) (1) Requirement (ML)
Main 38 to 24 148 to 46 23 to 46 224 (3) (336 ML if we don’t

account for a change in
evaporation due to draw
down)
South east 3.3 2.3 16.3 18.6 (4)
(Equation 2)
Total (2) 240 (or 380 ML)
(1) Obtained using Wetland Loss Calculator (Oct., Nov., Dec. & Jan. only) & Equation 3
(2) Rounded to nearest 10 ML
(3) Obtained from Table 17
The salinity impact of wetland management was to be estimated using the SIWM model. However
the Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) has withdrawn the use of
the SIWM model. Some inherent difficulties were found in developing and finalising this model for
general use leading to a new modelling approach to be undertaken. DWLBC is presently developing
a new model for the simulation of, the impact wetland management will have on salt accumulation
within wetlands, as well as, the potential impacts to the river (Croucher 2005). A salinity
assessment will be conducted on Narrung wetland once the model is available for use, a brief report
outlining the results of this modelling will be included in the plan in the future.
41
Chapter 8. MONITORING
For the development of a wetland management plan, Narrung wetland was included in the River
Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey (SKM 2004). The data collected during this survey provided a
basis by which objectives for wetland management could be refined, hydrology guidelines could be
developed and review procedures scheduled. However this data did not cover all the issues related
to managing the Narrung wetland. Partly as a consequence, but also as part of adaptive management
and best practise wetland management, monitoring of the wetland has been devised to answer some
of the unknowns to the changed hydrological regime and water quality, the monitoring schedule can
be seen in Table 20. That is, ongoing monitoring during wetland management plays a role in
adaptive management by providing managers with information on how the wetland is responding to
management strategies, whether the objectives are being met, whether there are off-target
implications (wetland in regional context) or (as per Your Wetland: Monitoring Manual (Tucker
2004)) whether the Golden Rules are being broken. The Golden Rules being:
Don‟t salinise your wetland.
Don‟t kill long lived vegetation.
Don‟t destroy threatened communities or habitats of threatened species.
To ensure that monitored data is available for evaluation, review and reporting, a log of all
activities, monitoring and site descriptions should be maintained at an accessible and convenient
location. The data will ultimately be stored in the appropriate state government databases. See
report by Hydro Tasmania (2003). The purpose of such a log is to maintain a record of management
steps undertaken, their justification and observed impacts/implications. The maintenance of a log is
both good management practice, allowing future reference to potential impacts of management, and
a requirement of the Wetland Water License.
Photopoints have been installed at the wetland to monitor impacts of wetland rehabilitation. The
locations of the photopoints can be seen in Table 19. Refer to Your Wetland: Monitoring Manual
(Tucker 2004) for examples of data log sheets and further description of monitoring methods.
Table 19: Photopoint locations
Date
Site Name installed Directions Zone Easting Northing Datum Description
Near pump
NARPP01 1 54 WGS 84
shed
Along causeway
NARPP02 08/03/06 4 54 334575 6068691 WGS 84
separating two lagoons
Near inlet channel,

NARPP03 08/03/06 4 54 334083 6069255 WGS 84
far side of wetland
42
Table 20: Monitoring plan for Narrung wetland.
Parameter Method Priority SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG Time Required Responsible
Community
Groundwater Level and MODERATE 1 monitoring day Group/Wetla
Conductivity     event nd Officer
Water quality Community

monitoring (cond, HIGH 1 monitoring day Group/Wetla
turb, temp)     event nd Officer
Surface Water
Surface level
(using gauge HIGH
boards) Weekly during filling and maintenance NA NA NA NA NA NA 0.5 hour Dan Pratt
Seine net, dip net Community

Fish* (and fyke nets if HIGH 1 monitoring day Group/Wetla
deep enough)   event nd Officer
Community
Photopoint MODERATE Group/Wetla
monitoring     2 hours nd Officer
Vegetation
Community
Quadrat/line LOW 1 monitoring day Group/Wetla
intercept  event nd Officer
Charles and
Frogs HIGH
Recording Calls   0.5 hour Jo Andre
Birds Fixed area search HIGH 0.5 hour David Dadd

           
Dip net survey 1 monitoring day
Macro- event (not Community
LOW
invertebrates including Group/Wetla
  identification) nd Officer
* fish can be monitored both during connection to the wetland and once the wetland has been drawn down sufficiently to block movement of fish i.e. are there any
threatened species the management may be having an impact on.
43
Chapter 9. EVALUATION, REVIEW AND REPORTING

SECTION 9.01 EVALUATION AND REVIEW
A review, of the implications of changed management of Narrung wetland, needs to be an ongoing
process. For the wetland management plan to be an adaptive and complete document, periodic
reviews have been scheduled in the monitoring and evaluation framework.
The full impact of a changed hydrology and water quality and the effectiveness of the new regime
cannot be fully predicted. Therefore, the data obtained through monitoring need to be regularly
reviewed to respond to impacts of the management strategy. An annual review of the monitored
data and the condition of the wetland should be conducted by the Community group with assistance
from the Coorong District LAP and the SA MDB NRM BOARD. This review should be scheduled
following the drawdown/drying of the wetland prior to the following season of inundation. A full
review of the wetland management plan should be scheduled in 5 years.
For the annual review to be effective it needs to include an upgrade of the;
Hydrological regime based on new knowledge and understanding, e.g. whether the
freshening of the wetland has occurred and its implications to the wading birds population
Monitoring schedule to reflect changes in the wetland management plan.
SECTION 9.02 REPORTING

The wetland management plan for Narrung wetland is comprehensive and includes an estimation of
the water requirements over the period covered in this plan. The initial volume applied for will be
for stage one which covers the main lagoon and the south east lagoon. A second water requirement
application will need to be made following completion/finance of stage 2 on ground work. Should
the volume used deviate substantially from the plan the Department of Water Land and Biodiversity
Conservation (DWLBC) will need to be notified. The records noted in the activity and monitoring
logs will assist in reporting to DWLBC. Further as part of the requirements of the water license, any
substantial change in the wetland management plan, e.g. objectives, monitoring timetable or
hydrology regime change, also needs to be reported to DWLBC.
44
Chapter 10. REFERENCES

(1986a). Australian Treaty Series 1981 No 6 (Jamba). Accessed 16 June 2005,
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1981/6.html.
(1986b). Australian Treaty Series 1988 No 22 (Camba). Accessed 16 June 2005,

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treties/1988/22.html.
(2000). Coorong, and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Ramsar Management Plan. Adelaide, South
Australian Department for Environment and Heritage.
Bjornsson, K. T., A. Brodie, et al. (2002). Riparian Areas and on-Farm Wetlands in the Australian
Sugar Industry. Townsville, CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production.
BOM (2005). Climate Averages. Accessed 18 March 2005,

www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_024518.shtml.
Croucher, D. (2005). Personal Communication.
Dadd, D. (2005). Personal Communication.
Dadd, D. (2006). Personal Communication.
Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation (2005). Surface Water Archive.
Accessed 3 August 2005,
http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/subs/surface_water_archive/a1pgs/mapindex.htm.
Frears, A. (2006). Personal Communication. Wetland Project Officer, Lower Murray

South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board.
Gosbell, K. (2004). Waterbird Surveys around the Shoreline of Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert
January 2003 to February 2004 in Response to a Drawdown in Water Levels. South East Region,
South Australia, Department for Environment and Heritage. Draft Report 14-4-04
Hydro Tasmania (2003). River Murray Wetlands Data Management Project Final Report. River
Murray Catchment Water Management Board.
Jensen, A., P. Paton, et al. (1996). Wetlands Atlas of the South Australian Murray Valley.
ADELAIDE, South Australian River Murray Wetlands Management Committee. South Australian
Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
National Parks and Wildlife Council and Department for Environment and Heritage (2003). 2003
Review of the Status of Threatened Species in South Australia: Proposed Schedules under the South
Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Government of South Australia. Discussion Paper
National Wetlands Program (1998). Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Convention on Wetlands of

International Importance). Accessed 7 October 1999,
http://www.anca.gov.au/environm/wetlands/ramindex.html.
Nicol, J. (2005). The Ecology of Ruppia Spp. In South Australia, with Reference to the Coorong.
Adelaide, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences): 44p. SARDI
Aquatic Sciences Publication Number RD04/0247-2
45
Nicol, J. (2006). Personal Communication. Senior Research Officer Wetland & Riparian Plant
Ecology Inland Waters Sub-Program: Sardi Aquatic Sciences.
Peck, D. (2000). The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: The Annotated Ramsar List: Australia.
Accessed 27 April 2005, http://www.ramsar.org/profiles_australia.htm.
River Murray Catchment Water Management Board (2002). Water Allocation Plan for the River
Murray Prescribed Watercourse. Berri, South Australia, Government of South Australia.
River Murray Catchment Water Management Board and Department of Water Land and
Biodiversity Conservation (2003). Guidelines for Development of Wetland Management Plans for
the River Murray in South Australia.
Seaman, R. L. (2003). Coorong and Lower Lakes Habitat-Mapping Program. South Australia,
Department for Environment and Heritage. Conservation Programs
SKM (2004). River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey. South Australian Murray Darling Basin
Natural Resources Management Board.
State Library of South Australia River Murray Timeline. Accessed 23 February 2006,
http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/murray/timeline.htm.
Tucker, P. (2004). Your Wetland: Monitoring Manual - Data Collection. Renmark SA, River
Murray Catchment Water Management Board
Australian Landscape Trust.
Tucker, P., S. Dominelli, et al. (2003). Your Wetland: Supporting Information. Renmark SA,
Australian Landscape Trust.
Wedderburn, S. and M. Hammer (2003). The Lower Lakes Fish Inventory:Distribution and
Conservation of Freshwater Fishes of the Rasmar Convention Wetland at the Terminus of the
Murray Darling Basin, South Australia. Adelaide, Native Fish Australia (SA) Inc.
Woodward-Clyde (2000). Identification of Potential Wetland Rehabilitation Sites.
46
Appendix A. Wetlands Atlas Data for Wetland Main Body

Table 21: Narrung wetland, Wetland atlas data (Jensen, Paton et al. 1996)
South East
Lagoon (not from East Lagoon (not
Main lagoon atlas) from atlas)
AREA 309613.135 33010 53811
PERIMETER 3367.51452 786 909
WETLANDS_ 1116
WETLANDS_I 1115
AS2482 44190
AUS_WETNR S0020
AUSDIRNO_9
AUSDIR_NO
THOM_WETNR L019
NAME NARRUNG
LAKE ALBERT FRINGING
COMPLEX WETLAND
WATERCOURS 1
MDBC_DISTN 2
WATER_REGI TEMPORARY Temporary Temporary
INTERNATIO 1
NATIONAL 1
BASIN 1
VALLEY 1
SHOULD_REA
ConsValue 1
ConsCode
DataSource Wetland atlas Drawn polygon Drawn polygon
47
Appendix B. Surface Water Archive Graph
DWLBC, Surface Water Archive HYPLOT V128 Output 13/10/2004
Period 11 Year Plot Start 00:00_01/01/1994 1994-05

Interval 1 Month Plot End 00:00_01/01/2005
AW426583 LAKE ALEXANDRINA @ Narrung Jetty
102.00 Max & Min Lake Level (m) Recording
1.2
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Figure 22: Lake Alexandrina water level at Narrung Jetty (10 year period)
48
Appendix C. Baseline Survey Locations (Source SKM (2004)
49
Appendix D. Baseline Survey DEM (Source SKM (2004)
50
51
Appendix E. Baseline Survey Groundwater
52
53
54
55
56
57
Appendix F. Baseline Survey Vegetation Zones
58
Appendix G. Species List for Narrung wetland

SECTION G.01 FLORA
Table 22: Plant Associations at Narrung wetland (adapted from River Murray Wetlands Baseline
Survey (SKM 2004))
Species Common Name Conservati Plant Association
on Rating *
Introduced
1 2 3 4
AUS
MU
SA
Azolla filiculoides Pacific azolla X X
Bolboschoenus caldwellii Salt club-rush X
*Cotula coronopifolia Water buttons X X
Crassula helmsii Swamp Crassula X
Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-rush X
Frankenia pauciflora var. Southern sea-heath X
gunnii
Halosarcia pergranulata ssp. Black-seed samphire X
pergranulata
Lepilaena ?cylindrocarpa X
Lilaeopsis polyantha Australian Lilaeopsis R X
*Ludwigia peploides ssp. Water primrose X X X
montevidensis
Mimulus repens Creeping monkey-flower X
Myriophyllum caput-medusae Coarse milfoil K X X
Myriophyllum salsugineum Lake milfoil Q X
*Paspalum vaginatum Salt-water couch X X X
Phragmites australis Common reed X
*Polypogon monspeliensis Annual beard-grass X X
Ruppia polycarpa Widgeon grass X X
Samolus repens Creeping brookweed X
Sarcocornia quinqueflora Beaded samphire X
*Spergularia marina Salt sand-spurrey X X
Suaeda australis Austral seablite X
*Trifolium repens White Clover X X
Triglochin striatum Streaked arrowgrass X
Total species 6 12 5 2 9
% introduced 26 33 40 0 11
Q = possible regional conservation significance; K = uncertain regional conservation status; R = rare regional conservation
rating.
* Plant association:
1. Eleocharis acuta / Bolboschoenus caldwellii Closed Sedgeland
2. Myriophyllum caput-medusae Herbland over Azolla filiculoides
59
3. Lepilaena ?cylindrocarpa / Ruppia polycarpa Herbland
4. Sarcocornia quinqueflora Low Closed Shrubland over Triglochin striatum and Ruppia polycarpa
Narrung Primary students collected the plants in Table 23, from the wetland. The majority of the exotic
species were collected closer to the roadside. All species collected closer to the wetland (in more saline
conditions) were native species.
Table 23: Vegetation identified by the local community (table provided by A. Frears (2006))
ID Common Name Scientific Name Native/Exotic Description

Name
NAR 01* Native Submerged aquatic
plant
NAR 02 Emu Grass Distichlis distichophylla Native Small, spiky grass
NAR 03 Common Reed Phragmites australis Native Tall green reed
NAR 04 Austral Sea Blite Sueda australis Native Purple/green and
shrubby
NAR 05 Buckshore Plantain Plantago coronopus Exotic Toothed leaves and
long seed-head
NAR 06 African Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum Exotic Prickly bush
NAR 07 Wild Sage Salvia verbenaceae Exotic Purple flowers, small
black seeds (Bad
Weed!)
NAR 08 Scabious (purple flower) Scabiosa atropurpurea Exotic Purple flower on end
of long stem
(roadside weed)
NAR 09 Southern Sea-Heath Frankenia pauciflora Native Groundcover with tiny
leaves and purple
flowers
NAR 10 Scabious (yellow flower) Scabiosa atropurpurea Exotic Yellow flower on end
of long stem
(roadside weed)
NAR 11 Hares Tail Grass Lagurus ovatus Exotic Grass with fluffy seed
head
NAR 12 Beaded Glasswort Halosarcia sp. Native Stumpy green or
purple stems
NAR 13 Tall Wheatgrass Elymus elongatus Exotic Long cylindrical
leaves, long seed
heads
NAR 14 Samphire Sarcocornia quinqueflora Native Long green turgid
stems
NAR 15 Lignum Muehlenbeckia florulenta Native Large bush, long thin
green spindly stems
* Note specimen NAR 01 (submerged aquatic plant tolerant of high salinity) is yet to be id’d.
60
SECTION G.02 WETLAND AND FLOODPLAIN FAUNA

(a) BIRDS OF NARRUNG SURROUNDS AND LOWER LAKES
Table 24: Bird species identified at Narrung wetland (adapted from River Murray Wetlands
Baseline Survey (SKM 2004))
Common Scientific Name Spring Summer Total Conservation
Name abundance status
Site 1
Site 2
Site 3
Site 1
Site 2
Site 3
Australian Tadorna 59 0 0 0 0 0 59 EPBC -
shelduck tadornoides Migratory
Australian white Threskiornis 0 1 3 0 0 0 4 NA
ibis molucca
Black swan Cygnus atratus 63 0 0 0 0 0 63 EPBC -
Migratory
Black-fronted Elseyornis 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 EPBC -
Dotterel melanops Migratory
Caspian tern Sterna caspia 1 0 4 0 75 0 80 EPBC -
Migratory
Crested tern Sterna bergii 2 0 66 0 0 0 68 EPBC -
Migratory
Great egret Ardea alba 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 EPBC -
Migratory
Masked lapwing Vanellus miles 0 0 3 0 2 86 91 EPBC -
Migratory
Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 EPBC -
membranaceus Migratory
Red-kneed Erythrogonys 0 5 0 0 0 0 5 EPBC -
dotterel cinctus Migratory
Red-necked stint Calidris ruficollis 2 43 0 0 0 0 45 EPBC -
Migratory
Silver gull Larus 7 0 1 0 0 0 8 EPBC -
novaehollandiae Migratory
Whiskered tern Chlidonias 5 0 32 0 0 0 37 EPBC -
hybridus Migratory
Total Individuals 139 51 110 0 81 86 467
Species 7 4 7 0 3 1 13
Table 25: Water birds at 23 sites bordering Lakes Alexandrina and Albert (adapted from (Gosbell
2004))
Number Number
WATERFOWL Observed WADERS Observed
Hoary head Grebe 200 Latham's Snipe 0
Australasian Grebe 14 Black-tailed Godwit 1
Great Crested Grebe 990 Bar-tailed Godwit 0
Little Pied Cormorant 551 Godwit Spp. 0
61
Little Black Cormorant 3306 Little Curlew 0
Great Black Cormorant 20839 Whimbrel 0
Pied Cormorant 7736 Eastern Curlew 0
Black Faced Cormorant 77 Marsh Sandpiper 132
Australian Darter 64 Common Greenshank 173
Australian Pelican 9869 Wood Sandpiper 32
Little Egret 11 Terek Sandpiper 0
Intermediate Egret 36 Common Sandpiper 0
Great Egret 344 Grey-tailed Tattler 0
White Faced Heron 153 Wandering Tattler 0
Australasian Bittern 2 Great Knot 0
Royal Spoonbill 202 Red Knot 0
Yellow -billed Spoonbill 311 Knot spp. 0
Straw-necked Ibis 3250 Sanderling 0
Australian White Ibis 1114 Red-Necked Stint 5498
Glossy Ibis 256 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 2533
Cape Barren Goose 1921 Curlew Sandpiper 195
Black swan 10011 Bush-stone Curlew 0
Australian Shelduck 26890 Beach-stone Curlew 0
Freckled Duck 716 Pied Oystercatcher 0
Wood Duck 127 Sooty Oystercatcher 0
Hardhead 941 Black-winged Stilt 1460
Pacific Black Duck 8520 Banded Stilt 345
Australasian Shoveler 1400 Red-necked Avocet 635
Grey Teal 28478 Pacific Golden Plover 3
Chestnut Teal 962 Grey Plover 0
Pink- eared Duck 921 Double-Banded Plover 152
Blue-billed Duck 0 Lesser Sand Plover 0
Musk Duck 6 Sand Plover Spp. 0
Spotless Crake 2 Oriental Plover 0
Australian Crake 3 Black-Fronted Dotterel 6
Baillon's Crake 0 Hooded Plover 0
Buff-banded Rail 0 Red-Kneed Dotterel 64
Eurasian Coot 64325 Banded Lapwing 49
Dusky Moorhen 7 Red-capped Plover 256
Purple Swamphen 1080 Masked Lapwing 2576
Blacktailed Native hen 2 Unidentified Large 0
Pacific Gull 0 Unidentified Meduim 0
Silver Gull 5155 Unidentified Small 192
Gull-billed Tern 7 Unidentified WaderSpecies 0
Crested Tern 1424 Other Wader Species 7
62
Caspian Tern 2001
Little Tern 164
Fairy Tern 6
Whiskered Tern 18704
TOTAL
WATERFOWL 223,165 TOTAL WADERS 14,945
TOTAL
WATERBIRDS 238,110
63
Appendix H. Evaporation and precipitation obtained using the Wetland Loss Calculator.
Table 26: Calculated water loss (evaporation – precipitation) from the Wetland Loss Calculator for the main lagoon
TOTAL
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC (ML)
Area used in calculation (ha) 38 38 38 38 38
Net Loss (ML) Year 1 59 25 23 46 58 381
TOTAL
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC (ML)
Area used in calculation (ha) 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3
Net Loss (ML) Year 1 5 2 2 4 5 33
64

Narrung WMP 2006 Large

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Narrung WMP 2006 Large

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Narrung wetland

MANAGEMENT PLAN 2006

© Coorong District Local Action Plan 2006

SECTION 1.01 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF

(a) HISTORY OF NARRUNG WETLAND

SECTION 1.02 WHY DOES NARRUNG WETLAND NEED A MANAGEMENT PLAN?

Map 1: Narrung wetland fence

Chapter 2. SITE DESCRIPTION OF NARRUNG WETLAND

“Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of multiple disturbances.

Map 2: Narrung wetland location

Map 3: On ground work suggested by Woodward-Clyde (2000) to improve the connection of

SECTION 2.02 SURVEY SITES, DATES & LOCATIONS

Birds Y Spring Summer 18

Water Quality Y Y 16/12/03 29/01/04 12/03/04 25/11/05 11

Groundwater Y 22/01/04 12/03/04 11/06/04 02/09/04 15

NR = Not Recorded, BLS = baseline survey (SKM 2004)

SECTION 2.03 PHYSICAL FEATURES

Map 4: Identification of the lagoons

Figure 9: Narrung Inlet wetland 08/03/06 (TB)

(b) GEOMORPHOLOGY, GEOLOGY AND SOILS

(i) Surface water

Map 5: Current water movement into the wetland

SECTION 2.04 ECOLOGICAL FEATURES

(i) Implications for management

Gambusia Gambusia holbrooki 51 1 71

(v) Implications for management

Chapter 3. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL VALUES

Chapter 4. LAND TENURE, JURISDICTION AND

Map 6: Cadastral boundaries covering Narrung wetland and surrounds.

SECTION 4.02 LAND AND WATER USE

SECTION 4.03 JURISDICTION AND MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Chapter 5. THREATS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO

vegetation/habitat macroinvertebrates) Clearing/maintenance of flow channels

trees in the area Mismanagement of wetland

vegetation Competition with native vegetation

during survey than Lack of fish and area Revegetate

suitable habitat wetland surrounding Restore hydrology/Freshen wetland

Channel to Lake Alexandrina

- Change in macroinvertebrate loss in mudflats, then change the hydrology

reeds Complete change in wetland type to prevent their spread

conservation Loss of plant species (outside of Narrung cooperation)

Chapter 6. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

(maintain open water) dry out survey (Y)

As well as more food sources, passage

improved and more diverse Control refilling speed to optimize

wet and dry mud) (See vegetation objectives & Section

Slow increase in water salinity minimal connection between the

Evapoconcentration of dissolved drying of the wetland (existing

Chapter 7. IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN

Map 7: On ground work at Narrung wetland

Map 8: Expected water movement within Narrung wetland

Map 9: Wetland Fences (current and future)

SECTION 7.01 ON GROUND ACTION AND TIMETABLE

ACTIVITY PRIORITY RESOURCES TIMETABLE RESPONSIBILITY

expose wet/dry mud, and slow refill open

connection for fish passage

SECTION 7.02 WETLAND WATER OPERATIONAL PLAN

The total annual water requirements were calculated following Equation 5.

Total (7) 224 336

Main 38 to 24 148 to 46 23 to 46 224 (3) (336 ML if we don’t

Total (2) 240 (or 380 ML)

Near inlet channel,

Water quality Community

Seine net, dip net Community