In the coming weeks, the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) will finalise its 2009-10 environmental water delivery program to important Boort district wetlands as the water year draws to a close.

North Central CMA Chief Executive Officer Damian Wells explains that environmental water deliveries will flow into Little Lake Boort and LakeLeaghur next week. “Little Lake Boort has received environmental water over the past three years. It has been an environmental priority for North Central CMA as drought refuge habitat for waterbirds in dry years.”

“Water secured for Little Lake Boort in 2009–10 has been successfully delivered by both the North Central CMA and the Little Lake Boort Committee of Management.  The current delivery of 150 ML is likely to be the last environmental water delivery to the lake for the foreseeable future as we focus on some of the other wetlands in the district that haven’t received water for some time,” noted Mr Wells.

In addition to this final delivery to Little Lake Boort, further environmental water that has become available for autumn has enabled the North Central CMA to secure much-needed water for Lake Leaghur.

Mr Wells said “Lake Leaghur is another high-value wetland in the Boort area which will receive 800 megalitres from the Murray system to support its significant flora and fauna values. The lake has been identified as a priority environmental water target in the North Central CMA’s annual environmental water planning.

“To maintain a healthy environment, Lake Leaghur should be wet every third year; however, it has now been dry for eight years, so this is a great opportunity to give the Lake a much needed drink,” concluded Mr Wells.

This water will provide an autumn prime for the Lake. Subject to the availability of water next year, a top-up flow will be provided during spring 2010, in preparation for waterbird activities which peak during spring and summer.

In addition to the good results at Little Lake Boort and those expected at Lake Leaghur, this year also saw a flush of life at Lake Yando. Bridie Velik-Lord, Environmental Flows Officer at the North Central CMA has been watching the changes there since late last year and has recorded amazing results.

“Following the delivery of environmental water to Lake Yando thousands of waterbirds, including rare and threatened species, flocked to the Lake. Additionally, there has been promising revegetation on the lake bed, with recruitment of both river red gum and black box trees. The bed of the wetland is no longer dominated by terrestrial annual grasses, but shows coverings of herbaceous species such as Chenopodium (goosefoot).”