Gunbower forest environmental watering resource booklet.

Icon sites of the River Murray
Printed on 100% recycled paper. February 2007.
Barmah–Millewa Forest
Australia’s largest River Red Gum Forest.
The Barmah–Millewa Forest is the largest River
Red Gum forest in Australia, covering 66,000
hectares of floodplain.
Many threatened native plants, birds, fish
and reptiles make this wetland their home.
Spring floods keep River Red Gums healthy,
and provide habitat and breeding sites for vast
numbers of colonial waterbirds, including
threatened Egret species. Photo: Keith Ward.
Gunbower–Koondrook–
Perricoota Forest
Australia’s second largest River
Red Gum Forest.
The Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest
covers around 50,000 hectares and is home to
many threatened native plants and animals.
The forest wetlands are important breeding
places for waterbirds and native fish. The area is
also an essential destination for waterbirds listed
under treaties with Japan and China to protect
endangered migratory birds. Photo: North Central CMA.
Hattah Lakes
A unique collection of semi-permanent
freshwater lakes.
The 17 semi-permanent freshwater lakes form
the Hattah Lakes system support River Red Gum
communities and a variety of native plants and
animals. The lakes are also important breeding
places for waterbirds. Photo: Andy Wise.
Chowilla Floodplain and
Linsday–Wallpolla islands
A significant semi-arid floodplain ecosystem.
Chowilla Floodplain is one of the only reaches
of the lower Murray floodplain not used for
irrigation, preserving much of its natural
character. Covering 17,700 hectares, it is an area
of national significance because of the unique
occurrence of wetlands in the normally semi-dry
environment.
The Lindsay–Wallpolla islands cover almost
20,000 hectares of floodplain and support many
threatened plants and animals, and a number of
native fish. Photo: Caroline Fisher.
Lower Lakes,
Coorong and Murray Mouth
One of Australia’s most unique
and significant estuaries.
The Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth
include an area of approximately 140,000
hectares, covering 23 different wetland types,
from very fresh to more saline than the sea.
This icon site is where the River Murray meets
the sea, is one of the 10 major havens for large
concentrations of waterbirds in Australia, and is
one of the few havens found south of the Tropic of
Capricorn. Thirty-three of the bird species found
here are listed under international treaties to
protect endangered migratory birds.
The Coorong is 140 km long and ranked among
the top six waterbird sites in Australia based on
the diversity and number of species found there.
However, a lack of water flowing to this area has
severely impacted upon its health, with only one-quarter
of the ecological system still supporting its
native fish, birds and plants. Photo: John Baker.
River Murray Channel
The artery that connects
the whole River system.
The River Murray channel is the ‘main artery’
of the river and extends over 2,150 km (river
distance) from the Hume Dam to Wellington in
South Australia. It includes the River bed and
banks, in-stream habitat, and anabranches and
wetlands that are not part of other icon sites.
Photo: John Baker.
Murray-Darling Basin Commission
GPO Box 409, Canberra, ACT 2601
tel. 02 6279 0100
email. thelivingmurray@mdbc.gov.au
www.thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au
The Living Murray program was established in 2002 in response to
evidence that the health of the River Murray system was in decline.
The Living Murray’s first stage focuses on improving the environment
at six ‘icon sites’ along the River.
The sites were chosen for their high ecological value—
most are listed as internationally significant wetlands
under the Ramsar Convention—and also their cultural significance to
Indigenous people and the broader community.
Through The Living Murray program, action is underway to provide water
to these sites and support natural environments unique to the Australian
landscape.
3

Murray River Reserves
S
Gunbower State Forest and Torrumbarry to Echuca
E The Murray River, with its majestic River Red Gums, sandy beaches and a large variety of
wildlife, provides the ideal backdrop for camping and a range of water-based recreation.
T A haven for plants and animals
O The Murray River Parklands, with their majestic
River Red Gums and forests provide an important
habitat for a variety of plants and animals.
Kangaroos and emus are common along the
N reserve. Keep an eye out for some of the koalas
that have been released here.
Over 200 species of birds have been recorded
K and the river is one of the largest breeding
grounds for waterbirds in Victoria. The river is also
a breeding ground for native fish species such as
A rich human history
the Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
R Gunbower Island, near Cohuna, has a water
For thousands of years, local indigenous people
frontage of 130 kilometres and the 20,000ha state
have lived along the Murray River. When
forest covers about 80 percent of the island. Until
A exploring you may discover shell middens (kitchen
damming, the red gum and box forests were
hearths), burials and scar trees testifying to a rich
flooded every year and today still depend on the
human history spanning more than 10,000 years.
occasional inundation. The island supports
Please respect these Australian heritage sites –
protected populations of kangaroos, emus,
they are protected by law.
P goannas, possums, snakes and 160 different
Enjoying the park
species of birds. The island is a RAMSAR listed
wetland.
Fishing for Murray Cod, Golden Perch and Redfin
Hunting for pest animals on Gunbower Island is
is a popular pastime.
permitted only in areas outside of the sanctuary,
provided you have a current permit to hunt on
A current NSW Freshwater Recreation Fishing
Crown Land.
Licence is required for the Murray River. A
Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is required
Accommodation
for fishing in waters south of the Murray River.
Camping - There are designated camping areas
The nearby towns of Koondrook, Cohuna,
at Wills Bend near Echuca with toilets provided
Gunbower, Torrumbarry and Echuca all have
between Christmas and Easter. All other areas
caravan parks, motels and bed and breakfast
have basic bush camping.
accommodation options.
Boating and canoeing are popular on the Murray
How to get there
River. The canoe trail at Safes Lagoon is a great
spot for canoeing.
Gunbower State Forest and Torrumbarry to
Echuca are along the Murray River between
Swimming is a popular activity, particularly at the
Echuca and Koondrook around 250km north of
numerous sandy river bend beaches.
Melbourne. Access to the major entrances is via
Note: Take care when swimming - cold water and
the Murray Valley Highway.
fast currents can be hazardous and there may be
submerged logs. Diving or jumping into the water
can be dangerous.
Walking – There are many short and long walks
throughout the area. A circuit walk of Gunbower
Island will take 7-8 hours.
Scenic drives along the river are also popular.
Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper December 2006
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REGULATOR
ORIELLY'S RD
Yarran Creek
Reedy Lagoon

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2007/08 | 9
GUNBOWER FOREST
Gunbower Forest is a River Red Gum
floodplain ecosystem of the River Murray in
central northern Victoria. The forest is on an
island of about 20,000ha between the River
Murray and Gunbower Creek.
The Need for Water
River Red Gum forests provide unique
and important wetland habitats. The
forests’ deepest depressions also include
semi-permanent wetlands.
These wetlands are highly productive
habitats with diverse plant communities
and a variety of invertebrates, fish, frogs
and waterbirds. Because of their seclusion
and the food they provide, these wetlands
are the main breeding sites for colonial
nesting waterbirds on the River Murray.
During the prolonged drought, most
forest wetlands in Victoria and New South
Wales have dried out. Wetland animals
have fewer places to find food and breed.
Fish, turtles and waterbird populations
are declining and are relying on refuge
habitats to survive the drought.
In 2007, the number of waterbirds in
south-eastern Australia was less than
one third of that in an average year.
6

10 | Environmental Watering in Victoria 2007/08
Watering Aims
Environmental water was delivered to
Gunbower Forest in 2007/08 to protect
critical wetland refuge areas.
A small number of Gunbower Forest’s
diverse wetlands are close to their natural
state, making them an ecological reference
point for the condition of wetlands across
the whole River Murray floodplain.
Watering in the past has maintained these
important wetlands, keeping the River
Red Gum trees that fringe them healthy,
maintaining the plant communities and
supporting waterbird breeding events.
Watering in 2007/08 aimed to provide
feeding habitat and help maintain
waterbird populations during the drought.
If bird breeding occurred as a result of the
watering, it would be considered a major
bonus.
Watering Details
In 2007/08, 7708ML was provided to
Gunbower Forest.
It consisted of 5708ML from the Victorian
River Murray Flora and Fauna Bulk
Entitlement and 2000ML from The Living
Murray program.
The water was delivered between April
and May 2008.
The Little Gunbower Wetland Complex
received 2300ML over 12 days, released
from Gunbower Creek. This achieved
a depth of up to 1m in the complex
and inundated 310ha. The water lasted
throughout spring and into summer.
Releasing 5408ML from Gunbower Creek
to the Little Reedy Wetland Complex filled
the complex and spilled downstream
through the forest to inundate 543ha of
the Whistler Wetland Complex.
Left: Mel Tranter, North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Right: Sharada Ramamurthy, Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Opposite page, from top: Sharada Ramamurthy, Department of
Sustainability and Environment. Kathryn Stanislawski, North Central
Catchment Management Authority.
7

Environmental Watering in Victoria 2007/08 | 11
Outcomes
The watering provided a drought refuge
for important plants and animals.
Aquatic invertebrates
Aquatic invertebrates are one of the
first food sources to appear in flooded
wetlands. In June 2008, the wetlands
were quickly colonised by a range of
crustaceans and midge larvae. By
September, larger invertebrates were
common including diving beetles,
caddisfly and yabbies.
Frogs and turtles
Turtles started laying eggs soon after the
water was delivered. Six frog species have
been recorded in the forest in recent years
and all were recorded again following
the watering. Three species bred in
September: peron’s tree frogs, common
froglets and spotted marsh frogs.
Fish
Nine species of fish, including five native
species, were present in the wetlands
after the watering. Carp screens stopped
large carp entering the Little Gunbower
Wetland Complex, which would have
reduced the watering’s success.
Native fish were prominent in the
wetlands. Three native species bred after
the watering: carp gudgeon, Australian
smelt and unspecked hardyhead.
Birds
The wetlands attracted waterfowl, waders,
raptors and colonial nesting waterbirds.
Ducks and grebes were the most
abundant with more than 200 birds
counted, including mountain ducks and
hoary-headed grebes. These birds made
use of the open water in the wetlands and
the food provided by soft-leaved wetland
plants and aquatic invertebrates.
Breeding behaviour was initiated by
great egrets but did not continue through
to nesting, possibly because the area
watered was too small.
The Eagle Tree
A unique part of the Gunbower Forest
environmental watering program was
a public water donation to rescue the
Eagle Tree (pictured).
The tree is one of the largest and oldest
River Red Gums in the forest. It has a girth
of 11m and is 50m tall. It is believed to
be more than 1000 years old. In the past,
white-bellied sea eagles have nested there
and more recently the tree has been used
by wedge-tailed eagles for nesting.
The tree has shed most of its leaves
and is in danger of dying because
of the drought.
A concerned member of the public
donated 1ML and the community rallied
together to save the tree. Local State
Emergency Service members created a
bank with sandbags to hold the water
around the tree. The Gannawarra Shire
provided tankers to cart the water to the
tree between January and April 2008.
Before watering, the tree’s canopy
had declined to 20 per cent. After the
watering, the canopy increased to 40
per cent, giving the tree a much greater
chance of surviving the drought.
8

Part B: What effect does regulating the river
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under natural conditions? How does that
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to communities that depend on water for
their livelihood.
– Describe potential problems that these
developments may cause.
Flow (ML/day)
35,000 Natural conditions
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Current conditions
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
77 | The Murray-Darling Basin Balancing the priorities of agriculture and the environment
Courtesy Murray-Darling Basin Authority
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9

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throughout the year and from year to year. River regulation has altered the hydrology
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permanent. This has had serious ecological consequences, because permanent water is
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ǩ the duration of inundation of river red gum forests has reduced from an average of
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40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Natural Current
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Figure 2.5 Median monthly flows downstream of Torrumbarry Weir under natural and
current conditions
T H E L I V I N G M U R R A Y S T O R Y 23
2
10

Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest icon site
Waterbird monitoring in Gunbower Forest in January 2012 (photo by Anna Chatfield North Central CMA)
WATERING THE ICON SITES—A SNAPSHOT (2011–2012) 12
11

Murray–Darling Basin Authority
13
WATERING THE ICON SITES—A SNAPSHOT (2011–2012)
The Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest straddles
the River Murray and covers about 51,081 hectares.
Gunbower Forest is on the southern side in Victoria and
the Koondrook–Perricoota Forest is on the northern side
in New South Wales. The icon site is a highly significant
conservation area and is listed under the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands (Gunbower Forest and Central
Murray State Forests). It has a diverse range of habitats,
including permanent and semi-permanent wetlands,
creeks and open woodlands and is the second largest river
red gum forest in Australia.
Providing environmental water this year will build
on recent environmental and unregulated (natural)
flows to provide native fish with the opportunity to
access different habitats and food resources within
Gunbower Creek.
Seasonal watering proposal for the Gunbower
Forest, Gunbower Creek and Pyramid Creek
2012–13, North Central CMA
The Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota icon site depends on
floods to sustain the forest, as rainfall alone is not sufficient.
Under natural conditions, medium to high flows in the River
Murray enter Gunbower Forest through channels distributing
water into the wetlands of the forest. Under flood conditions,
when volumes of water in the River Murray flow over the banks,
large scale flooding occurs across the forest floodplain. River
regulation has reduced the frequency of medium-sized spring
floods by more than half.
Prior to the high inflows and floods of 2010–11 only small
areas of Gunbower Forest had been inundated since 2001,
and Koondrook–Perricoota forests had not been flooded since
1993. Relatively small volumes of environmental water had
been delivered via regulators on Gunbower Creek to create
critical drought refuge areas and maintain wetland vegetation
communities in Gunbower Forest. However, the condition of
eucalypts had steadily deteriorated since 2005.
The icon site received its first extensive natural flooding in
over ten years during 2010–11. Overbank flooding of the River
Murray occurred as three major flooding ‘peaks’ of above 45,000
megalitres a day inundated about 9,000 hectares of Gunbower
Forest, and 27,000 hectares of Koondrook–Perricoota Forest,
between September 2010 and January 2011. River Murray
Unregulated Flows were diverted through the Gunbower Creek
system to facilitate the recovery of native fish populations.
Natural flooding occurred again during winter to early spring
2011 and March 2012 refilling permanent and semi-permanent
wetlands. The March 2012 floods resulted in overbank
flows into the forest, watering about 14,700 hectares of
Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest and benefitting
the creeks, forests and wetlands which were still recovering
from the drought.
Progress of the works
New environmental regulators have been built, and older ones
upgraded, in the Gunbower Forest (Victoria) to enable water to be
delivered more efficiently to the lower forest. They will allow about
2,500 hectares of the forest to be watered.
Further construction, which will allow wide-scale watering of up to
4,800 hectares of the forest, will soon commence. This will involve
constructing a one kilometre channel by widening and depending
and existing irrigation channel. A large off-take regulator will also
be constructed to divert the flow of water from Gunbower Creek
into Gunbower Forest. These water management structures will be
used to shorten the gaps between natural floods and to ensure that
environmental water is used more efficiently. Construction is due
for completion in spring 2013.
In the Koondrook–Perricoota Forest (New South Wales) the
Torrumbarry Weir provides an opportunity for water to be diverted
into the upstream end of the Koondrook–Perricoota Forest.
Construction of a channel, levees and regulators has commenced
and is expected to be completed in mid 2013. The structures will
enable up to 16,000 hectares of the forest to be watered, as well as
allow water to be returned directly to the River Murray.
12

Environmental water delivered to
Gunbower–Koondrook–Perricoota Forest
in 2011–12
During the 2011–12 year, water was provided to both Gunbower
Creek and Gunbower Forest. Gunbower Creek provides an
important route for environmental water to enter the Gunbower
Forest and allows native fish to move into and out of the forest.
Environmental watering included a spring flush, to stimulate
fish spawning and migration, as well as summer watering to
increase the area available for juvenile fish to access food and habitat.
Water source Location Timing Volume (ML)
The Living Murray Gunbower Creek Nov–Mar 6,056
The Living Murray Gunbower Forest Dec–Feb 645
Victoria’s unregulated
Gunbower Creek Mar–May 4,935
entitlement1
TOTAL 11,636 ML
1 This water was not from The Living Murray portfolio, but from Victoria’s
environmental water unregulated entitlement and contributes to environmental
outcomes at Gunbower Forest
While environmental monitoring had shown that there was a
good diversity of fish species in Gunbower Creek the abundance
was low, indicating the potential for flows to improve the overall
number of fish in the creek (Victorian Environmental Water
Holder 2012–13). Further monitoring in early summer 2011
indicated that the environmental watering was successful in
stimulating the movement of a range of native fish species, in
particular golden perch.
The Living Murray environmental water was also delivered to
Gunbower Forest to top up wetlands. This was to sustain bird
breeding which had been triggered by natural high flows in
early spring.
Koondrook–Perricoota Forest received natural flows but was
not targeted for environmental watering due to the construction
of water management structures.
The Thule Creek regulator (Koondrook–Perricoota Forest) under construction in March 2012 (photo by Jamie Hearn, Murray CMA)
WATERING THE ICON SITES—A SNAPSHOT (2011–2012) 14
13

F l o o d p l a i n v e g e t a t i o n p r o c e s s e s d u r i n g d r y p h a s e (MD B C , 2 0 0 7 a )
Ri v e r R e d G um F o r e s t s
(S Q 1 S Q 2)
Inundation for no greater than
24 months, unseasonal (Summer-
Autumn) or prolonged flooding
leads to decline.
Ri v e r R e d G um Wo o d l a n d
(S Q 3)
Prolonged flooding leads to decline.
B l a c k B o x Wo o d l a n d
Less frequent rainfall favours Black Box
encroachment on River Red Gum
Woodlands.
F l o o d p l a i n D e pr e s s i o n
Ma r s h e s
Mo i r a G r a s s
P l a i n s
Minimum 2 months
dry in Summer-
Autumn to prevent
Giant Rush
Invasion.
F l o o d p l a i n f a u n a p r o c e s s e s d u r i n g d r y p h a s e
We t l a n d b i r d s
Dry phases allow nutrient accretion to support algae and macrophyte growth upon rewetting.
Essential for habitat value of marshes, especially for waterfowl. Remaining channels and marshes
provide drought refuge and support sedentary populations of wetland birds (DSE, 2005).
F i s h
Make refuge movements into deeper waters during low flow periods. Shelter amongst woody
debris provided by forests. Shelter and productivity of floodplain spawning grounds boosted by growth of
algae and terrestrial plants during dry phase (Jones, 2006).
G i a n t Ru s h
R e e d B e d s
Maintained in near-permanent
wetlands.
Persist through dry phase
as dormant rhizomes on
higher ground.
I d e a l Dr y i n g P h a s e
2-6 months dry in Summer-Autumn to
maintain Moira Grass, allow nutrient
accumulation in marshes and prevent
waterlogging and decline of River Red
Gums.
14

Flooding requirements of floodplain vegetation associations (MDBC, 2007a)
River Red Gum Forests
40-92% of years
for 5 months
SQ2
Flood tolerant
grass understorey
River Red Gum Woodland
(SQ3)
33-46% of years
for 1-2 months
Black Box Woodland
14-33% of years
1-4 months
Floodplain Depression
Marshes
Giant Rush
Reed Beds
75-92% of years
for 5 months
Moira Grass
Plains
75-92% of years
for 5 months
SQ1
Flood dependant
sedge understorey
Floodplain fauna processes during wet phase
Wetland birds
For breeding of colonial nesting waterbirds a flood pulse is required in Spring. High stable
water levels should continue for two months with a gradual recession. Flood duration must be greater
than four months. Suitable floods must occur within lifespan of species (DSE, 2005). Flooding
increases ecosystem productivity stimulating arrival of migrants and breeding of sedentary waterbirds.
Fish
Fish move into off-stream areas via anabranches on rising flows. Water temperature and river flow rates
provide cues for these movements. Flood extents and regulator design and operation must permit movement.
Floodplains provide high productivity environments and shelter for spawning activity and juvenile fish (Jones, 2006)
Mid Spring in ideal flood event
Flood pulse in late Winter, flood peak in River
Red Gum Woodland, receding after 2 months.
Marshes and lowest River Red Gum Forests
inundated for 5 months
allowing fish and wetland birds to breed.
15

Colonially nesting in flooded River Red Gums (Pied Cormorant other Cormorants, Egrets)
Colonially nesting in flooded reed beds in Drainage Depression Marshes (Australian White Ibis other Ibis, Spoonbills)
Nesting in a Large River Red Gum (Stag) (White-bellied Sea-Eagle)
Waterfowl, Coot and Grebes (Paci!c Black Duck) Shallow or deeper open water foragers either vegetarian, omnivorous or feeding on !sh and crustaceans
Pelican, Cormorants, Darter (Australian Pelican, Pied Cormorant) Deeper open waters feeding mainly on !sh
Ibis, Spoonbills (Royal Spoonbill , Australian White Ibis) Shallow water mudats or wet grasslands, feeding mainly on animals (!sh and invertebrates)
Egrets, Herons, Bitterns, Cranes (Australian Bittern*) Shallow water, bare mud and reedbeds, feeding on animals (large invertebrates, crustaceans, frogs and !sh)
Crakes, Rails, Water Hens, Snipe (Australian Painted Snipe)* In shallow water, within cover of dense emergent vegetation or wet grassland. Some vegetarian, others mainly take invertebrates, some are omnivores
Shorebirds (Black-fronted Dotterel) Shallow water, bare mud and salt marsh Feeding mainly on animals (invertebrates and some !sh)
Gulls, Terns (Silver Gull ) Terns, over open water feeding on !sh; gulls, opportunistic feeders over a wide range of habitats.
Raptors (White-bellied Sea-Eagle) Feed on !sh, carrion and water birds within large home ranges centred on aquatic habitat
Songbirds (Australian Reed Warbler) Feed on invertebrates and nest in dense reed beds
Kingfishers (Azure King!sher) Feed on terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates and large invertebrates. + 2 species less dependent on aquatic habitat.
Bush Birds (Galah, Kookaburra) Roost, forage and nest in River Red Gums but not truly wetland-dependant
* threatened species.
- increase the area of foraging habitat
- maintain flloodplain vegetation (foraging roosting habitat)
- release nutrients accumulated in dry phase into aquatic
food webs
- trigger breeding of prey species (fish and invertebrates)
- trigger migration
- trigger colonial nesting, provide extra food resources
and protect nest sites
River Red Gum Woodlands
River Red Gum Forests
Floodplain Depression Marshes
In Stream Habitats
Nesting Habitat
Foraging Habitat
Flood Events
16

TYPES OF WATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES
Regulators: water-controlling structures that can be opened or closed to produce
FRQWUROOHGȍRRGLQJDQGGULQJRIZHWODQGVWRUHLQVWDWHPRUHQDWXUDOȍRRGFFOHV
Channels: excavated creeks or waterways, sometimes with containment banks,
used to direct water in or out of an area.
Levee banks: earthen embankments that keep water inside a site that is being
watered and enable placement of regulators for improved management. Levees
SURWHFWQHLJKERXULQJSURSHUWLHVIURPȍRRGLQJDQGHQDEOHFRQWURORIWKHZDWHU
GHSWKLQXQGDWLRQSHULRGDQGUDWHRIGUDZGRZQRIDȍRRGLQJHYHQW
Fishways:VLWHVSHFLȌFVWUXFWXUHVWKDWDOORZȌVKWRSDVVWKURXJKRUDURXQG
physical barriers such as dams, weirs and road crossings. Four types are being
used in the Murray:
ǩ YHUWLFDOVORWȌVKZDVZKLFKFRQVLVWRIDVHULHVRILQWHUFRQQHFWHGSRROV
bypassing an obstruction such as a weir
ǩ ORFNȌVKZDVZKLFKDWWUDFWȌVKWRDKROGLQJDUHDDWWKHEDVHRIWKHORFNZKLFK
LVWKHQVHDOHGDQGȌOOHGZLWKZDWHUWRUHDFKWKHKHLJKWRIWKHZDWHUXSVWUHDPRI
WKHEDUULHUVRWKDWȌVKFDQVZLPRXWRIWKHORFN
ǩ URFNUDPSȌVKZDVDUWLȌFLDOUDSLGVPDGHIURPURFNVZKLFKSURYLGHDGLYHUVH
ȍRZSDWKDQGDOORZȌVKWRSDVVRYHUORZZHLUV
ǩ 'HQLOȌVKZDVZKLFKXVHDVHULHVRIEDIȍHVWRUHGXFHWKHȍRZRIZDWHU
DOORZLQJȌVKWRVZLPDURXQGWKHEDUULHU
Progress so far
The initial focus of the program was mainly on identifying and testing feasible options
IRUZRUNVDQGPHDVXUHVSURMHFWVWKDWZRXOGPHHWRUPDNHDELJFRQWULEXWLRQWR
WKHHQYLURQPHQWDOZDWHUUHTXLUHPHQWVRIWKHVLWHV7KLVZDVDVLJQLȌFDQWH[HUFLVH
ZKLFKbWRRNWKUHHWRIRXUHDUV
The significance of The Living Murray has been identifying and having the
chance to complete a range of water management works for improving the
efficiency of water management. The budgets just weren’t around to even dare
to design or think big. The Living Murray has enabled resource managers at all
the icon sites to have a clean slate — ‘What do we actually require?’ — rather
than being constrained by minuscule budgets.
Keith Ward
T H E L I V I N G M U R R A Y S T O R Y 59
17

4mactoss
rop of levee
Compacted till from
channel excavation
or local borrow area.
Pool created by inflows
from Torrumbarry Weir
Natural floodplain
18

OF VICTORIA
Spotted Dove
length 30 cm
(Introduced Species)
Pied Currawong
length 45 cm
House Sparrow
length 15 cm
Eastern Rosella
length 30 cm
Crimson Rosella
length 35 cm
Yellow-tailed
Black-Cockatoo
length 60 cm
Grey Butcherbird
length 30 cm
Red Wattlebird
length 35 cm
Red-browed Finch
length 12 cm Noisy Miner
length 25 cm
Rainbow Lorikeet
length 30 cm
Willie Wagtail
length 20 cm
Tawny Frogmouth
length 44 cm
Laughing
Kookaburra
length 45 cm
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
length 50 cm
Common Blackbird
length 27 cm
Common (Indian) Myna
length 25 cm
Magpie-lark
(Pee-wee)
length 25 cm
New Holland
Honeyeater
length 20 cm
Australian
Magpie
length 40 cm
Galah
length 35 cm
Eastern Spinebill
length 15 cm
Silvereye
length 12 cm
White-plumed
Honeyeater
length 16 cm
Yellow-rumped
Thornbill
length 11 cm
Superb Fairy-wren
(female and male)
length 14 cm
For inquiries about birds and domestic gardens, contact:
BIRDS IN BACKYARDS www.birdsinbackyards.net t (02) 9647 1875
BIRDS AUSTRALIA www.birdsaustralia.com.au t 1300 730 075 21
Printed on recycled paper.

Birds of our waterways and wetlands
The birdlife of our waterscapes is full of variety and fascination. Over 100 different
species use our wetlands and waterways for an important part of their life, perfectly
adapted to the different habitats within those environments. Herons stalk in the
shallows, swamphens feed on new shoots among the reeds, ducks and cormorants
dive in deeper water, while large flocks of small wading birds scurry across the
mudflats picking at tiny crustaceans.
24
22

Birds of our wetlands and waterways
Name(s):____________________________________________________________
Record the birds you find at your waterbody (with a tick), add notes about what it is doing or
where it is (e.g. perched in reeds, wading in shallow water).
25
Waterbirds
Black swan
Black Swans are very large birds with a long slender neck
and red bill. They are usually seen gracefully gliding on the
water or walking on the bank.
□_________________________________
Grey teal
These small birds are quick flyers and they can be found in
pairs or large flocks feeding on aquatic plants in shallow
water. The male’s call is a loud ‘pip’ while the female’s is a
long laughing cackle.
□_________________________________
Pacific black duck
These ducks can be found on all types of water. They
mainly eat seeds of aquatic plants but may also eat small
crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic insects.
□_________________________________
Hardhead
Hardheads are dark brown ducks with a distinctive white
eye and light blue tipped bill. They inhabit well vegetated
swamps and open water areas. They dabble and dive for
food such as invertebrates
□_________________________________
23

Musk duck* (photo Rohan Clarke)
Musk ducks have dark feathers and a short bill. They float
low in the water so the tail is often under water. The male
has a large lobe beneath the bill. They use their feet to
make loud splashing noises when attracting a mate. They
are often seen in deeper water where they dive for
invertebrates, plants, frogs and fish.
□_________________________________
Australian wood duck
Wood ducks have a dark brown head with a short black
beak and their call is a nasal ‘mnow’. They are often seen
looking for food on grassy areas away from wetlands.
□_________________________________
Eurasian coot
Coots are easily recognised by their small dumpy dark
bodies and pronounced white bill. They feed in shallow to
deep water, diving for plant material, and when they swim
their lobed feet cause jerky movements in the water. Their
call can vary but is very sharp and noisy.
□_________________________________
Dusky moorhen
The Dusky moorhen is another small bird although very
shy. When walking it jerks its tail and has a squawky call
resembling a ‘kerrk’. They can be seen out in the open,
however small flocks are sometimes seen on the open
water.
□_________________________________
Purple swamphen
Purple swamphens are black on their back and wings with
a purple-blue breast, belly and neck and a white under tail.
They have a bright red bill and large red legs and feet.
They feed on the shoots of reeds (and sometimes frogs
and snails) in shallow water or on land.
□_________________________________
26
24

Swamp harrier* (photo Rohan Clarke)
Harriers are related to eagles and hawks, which all have a
hooked bill, long wings and strong talons. They are a
greyish brown colour and lighter outer wing feathers. They
glide low over wetlands watching for movements of any
small animal to eat (small birds, frogs, fish, small
mammals).
□_________________________________
Osprey
The Osprey is a medium-sized fish-eating bird of prey. It
has dark brown upperparts and pale underparts. Ospreys
are found on the coast and estuaries / wetlands near the
coast. The Osprey feeds mainly on medium-sized live fish,
which it does not swallow whole, but rips apart to eat.
□_________________________________
Hoary-Headed grebe
The Hoary-headed grebe is usually found away from the
shoreline in large open waters, which may be estuarine,
brackish or freshwater. The Hoary-headed Grebe feeds on
aquatic invertebrates, mostly caught by deep diving.
□_________________________________
Darter
The Darter is a large, slim water bird with a long snake-like
neck, sharp pointed bill, and long, rounded tail. It prefers
smooth, open waters, for feeding, with tree trunks,
branches, stumps or posts fringing the water, for resting
and drying its wings. The Darter catches fish with its sharp
bill partly open while diving in water deeper than 60 cm..
□_________________________________
Pied cormorant
Pied cormorants have black feathers on their back, wings,
tail and top of the head, with white underneath. They feed
by diving for fish and invertebrates.
□_________________________________
27
25

Little black cormorant
Often seen with pelicans they often herd fish in groups,
diving down to catch them. Unlike most water birds their
bodies are not water resistant and so must dry their
plumage frequently. They nest in low trees in wetlands and
have a hoarse croaking call.
□_________________________________
Australian pelican*(photo Jen Mitchell)
Pelicans are very large birds which are mainly white with
black and have a long pink bill used for catching fish.
Found in both fresh and salt water environments.
□_________________________________
White-faced heron* (photo Jen Mitchell)
White-faced heron have a grey body and white face. They
are good flyers but not good swimmers as they don’t have
webbed feet. They have a long slender beak, perfect for
catching small fish, and are perched atop their long slender
legs, enabling them to peer through the water.
□_________________________________
Great egret
Egrets are large bids with unwebbed feet, long legs and
bills. Great egrets have white feathers, a yellow bill and
dark legs. They wade in shallow water to feed on fish,
frogs, invertebrates and reptiles.
□_________________________________
Yellow-billed spoonbill* (photo Michael Taylor)
Yellow-Billed spoonbills are found throughout Australia’s
freshwater environments which is their ideal habitat. They
have a long, yellow, spoon-shaped bill which they use to
catch prey by ‘swishing’ it from side to side in the water.
□_________________________________
28
26

White ibis
They have a white body with a black upper neck and
unfeathered head. They often feed in large groups and
mostly eat invertebrates, but also eat fish, frogs and
garbage. Ibis can be found feeding in pastures, built up
areas and garbage tips, as well as wetlands.
□_________________________________
Black winged stilt
Black-winged stilts are mainly white except for the black
neck and wings. They have a long straight bill and long
pink legs. They are usually seen in shallow water or on
mud picking invertebrates from the surface.
□_________________________________
Greenshank
Greenshank are a mix of brown and white on the back and
white underneath. They have a long slightly up-turned bill.
They feed in shallow water for invertebrates or fish.
Greenshank breed in northern Asia (Siberia) and migrate
to southern Australia in our spring / summer.
□_________________________________
Silver gull*
Normally considered a coastal bird they’re often spotted
around wetlands and rivers. Gulls can be very vocal
making a variety of loud and soft calls.
□_________________________________
Crested tern
Crested terns have a pale yellow bill, scruffy black crest,
grey wings and back, and a white neck and underparts.
They are aerial feeders that dive into the water to catch
their prey.
□_________________________________
29
27

Grey fantail
Grey fantails are very similar to Willy wagtails in that they
are very active and continuously wave their tails. The Grey
fantail feeds on flying insects, which it catches by chasing
them from the edge of foliage at all levels in the canopy.
□_________________________________
30
Bush birds often found near waterbodies
Sacred kingfisher
Sacred Kingfishers are related to Kookaburras. They are
mainly turquoise, with off-white underparts and a cream
collar. They feed on crustaceans, reptiles, insects and their
larvae and, occasionally, fish. The birds perch on low
exposed branch on the lookout for prey.
□_________________________________
Magpie lark (Mudlarks)
These birds build their nest from mud, bound and lined with
grasses. They mainly feed on insects and other small
invertebrates and have a clear ringing “pee-wit” or “pee-o-wit”
call which is heard particularly early in the morning.
□_________________________________
Australian ringneck (Twenty eight)
The Australian ringneck is a large green parrot with a
yellow hind collar. They whistle and make a call that
sounds like ‘twenty eight’, hence their common name.
When they fly they rise and fall and their food includes
eucalypt seeds, flowers and fruits and grasses.
□_________________________________
Galah
Galahs are well known for their pink and grey colouring
and loud screeches. Galahs form huge, noisy flocks which
feed on seeds, mostly from the ground. They mostly nest in
tree hollows and form permanent pair bonds.
□_________________________________
There are many other types of birds that are found in and near wetlands, creeks and rivers. If you see a bird
that is not covered here, write or sketch a description and use a website or bird field guide to help you
identify it. Try: http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/
28

NATIVE FISHES
OF THE MURRAY!DARLING BASIN
There are 46 species of native fish in the Murray–Darling Basin,
ranging from tiny gudgeons and pygmy perch to the Murray cod
which can reach 1.8 m and 113.5 kg.
Populations of many native fish species in the Basin have
declined over the past 50 years, mainly due to habitat loss
or modification, barriers to fish movement and the effects of
introduced species.
Murray cod
(Maccullochella peelii)
Endangered. Commonly 45-65 cm.
Australia’s largest freshwater fish; it has
been recorded up to 1.8 m and 113.5 kg.
Found throughout most of the Basin,
except for upper reaches of the southern
tributaries. Has been introduced into many
lakes and dams.
Un-specked hardyhead
(Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus)
Commonly 5-7 cm. Formerly widespread, but
has declined and is now threatened. More
common in the northern Basin and patchily
found in the middle and lowland sections of
rivers and some tributaries in the south.
Australian smelt (Retropinna semoni)
Commonly 4-7 cm. Has been recorded in most
lowland streams of the Basin, preferring slow-moving
or still water in a variety of habitats.
Murray–Darling rainbowfish
(Melanotaenia fluviatilis) Commonly
5-7 cm. Generally restricted to
backwaters, billabongs and slow-flowing
areas throughout the Basin.
Macquarie perch
(Macquaria australasica)
Threatened. Commonly 25-35 cm. Typically
found in the cool, upper reaches of the
River Murray system in Vic, NSW and the
ACT. Most remaining populations small
and isolated.
Trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis)
Commonly 40-50 cm. Endangered. Once
widespread but now reduced to only small
breeding populations, the largest of which
is in the River Murray between Yarrawonga
and Barmah.
Western carp gudgeon (Hypseleotris klunzingeri)
Commonly 3-5 cm. As a group, carp gudgeons are
widespread and common at mid-to-lower altitudes in
the central and southern Basin.
Short-finned eel (Anguilla australis)
Commonly 70 cm. Primarily a fish of
coastal streams outside of the Basin,
although occasionally recorded in
inland streams.
Purple-spotted gudgeon
(Mogurnda adspersa)
Commonly 4-5 cm. A threatened
species mostly found in the upper
eastern reaches of the Basin.
Olive perchlet
(Ambassis agassizii)
Commonly 4-6 cm. Formerly
widespread in the Murray–
Darling Basin, now largely
restricted to the northern Basin.
Golden perch
(Macquaria ambigua)
Commonly 25-45 cm.
Widespread throughout
lowland, slow flowing
rivers of the Basin.
Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus)
Threatened. Commonly 30-45 cm. Formerly widespread
over much of the Basin excluding the most upper reaches,
it has declined over most of its range to occasional
populations in the mid-Murray.
Spangled perch (Leiopotherapon unicolour)
Commonly 10-20 cm. Australia’s most
widespread native freshwater fish. In the Basin
it occurs in the north and west, primarly north
of Condoblin.
Bony herring (Nematalosa erebi)
Commonly 10-20 cm. Widespread
in the majority of Basin’s lowland
rivers, where they are often the most
abundant native species. Largely
absent from upland rivers.
Freshwater catfish
(Tandanus tandanus)
Commonly 30-45 cm.
Widespread throughout the
Murray–Darling Basin, but
generally in the lower, slow-flowing
rivers.
Images:
Gunther Schmida, Neil Armstrong
29

INTRODUCED FISHES
OF THE MURRAY!DARLING BASIN
Eleven introduced or alien species of fish have
been recorded in the Murray–Darling Basin.
The range and impacts of each species on the
environment and on native fish varies. Some
fish were introduced for recreational angling
while others were introduced through the
aquarium trade.
Redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Commonly 40 cm and 1-2 kg. Widely
distributed throughout the southern part of
the Basin, mainly occurring in slow-flowing or
still water habitats such as lakes, billabongs
and swamps. Redfin are voracious predators
of other fish and invertebrates. They carry a
virus that affects many native fish.
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Commonly 4-5 kg. Widely distributed in slopes
and lowland rivers and creeks as well as upland
streams. Carp often comprise between 70-90%
of the fish biomass in lakes and streams. Carp
can tolerate low oxygen levels and higher levels
of pollutants and turbidity than many native
fish. Their feeding behaviour affects water
quality.
Tench (Tinca tinca)
Usually 10-30 cm. Primarily
restricted to Victoria. Often
abundant in off-channel habitats
such as backwaters and lagoons
and in deep, sheltered holes.
Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Commonly 20 cm. Widespread
in the Murray–Darling Basin.
Eastern gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki)
Females usually 6 cm, males smaller.
Widely distributed throughout the Basin,
commonly found in farm dams, slow-flowing
waters and shallow wetlands.
A high reproductive rate means it often
greatly outnumbers native species.
Oriental weatherloach
(Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
Usually 16-19 cm. Now established throughout
the entire Basin. The oriental weatherloach can
burrow to escape predators and move overland
to disperse, giving it a competitive edge over
native species.
Atlantic salmon
(Salmo salar)
Commonly 1-3 kg. Only found in
areas where the species has been
stocked for recreational fishing.
Brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Commonly 1-4 kg. Forms the basis
of important recreational fisheries in
south-eastern Australia and is widely
distributed in the cool upland streams
and lakes of the Murray–Darling Basin.
Roach (Rutilus rutilus)
Commonly 15-20 cm.
Occasionally recorded in the
Victorian waters of the Murray–
Darling Basin.
Rainbow trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Commonly 1-4 kg. Popular
species for recreational
fishing. Widely distributed
in the cooler upland
streams of the Basin.
Brook char
(Salvelinus fontinalis)
Commonly 80-85 cm. Not
common in the Murray–
Darling Basin.
Images:
Gunther Schmida,
Neil Armstrong
Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
Commonly 20 cm. A hardy, adaptable
and rapid breeder, Tilapia thrives in
even highly disturbed watercourses.
With several established breeding
populations in southern Queensland,
spread into the Basin is a high risk. NEW THREAT
30

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