Video shows March flows in the Gwydir (location: the Lower Gwydir Floodplain, covering the Mehi and Lower Gwydir rivers and the Gingham watercourse)
Over the summer of 2020-21, around 23 GL of water for the environment was delivered across the Lower Gwydir, Gingham and Mallowa Creek systems within the Gwydir Valley and downstream.
In combination with natural flows, water for the environment helped improve the condition of the Gwydir Wetlands Ramsar sites located on ‘Old Dromana’ and ‘Goddard’s Lease’. They also provided habitat for a range of waterbirds, fish, frogs, and turtles after an extended dry period.
In January, natural flows triggered a waterbird nesting event. Water for the environment was used to help several colonial nesting species finish their breeding. Waterbird surveys undertaken in February recorded around 1,000 magpie geese in the Gingham watercourse, gathering in flocks of 80-100, with some establishing nests in the area.
In late March, the Gwydir Valley received significant inflows from widespread rainfall. This led to major flooding across much of the Lower Gwydir Floodplain. This had a significant impact on communities across the Gwydir.
Following the floods, NPWS and DPIE EES staff observed several large (100+) groups of straw-necked and white ibis, great egrets, intermediate and little egrets. Mixed flocks of ducks and lots of cootes and grebes were also spotted.
