Water

Ornithologists monitor the bird numbers in the Coorong

Ornithologists monitor the bird numbers in the Coorong and Lakes on a fortnightly basis between October and May, when the migratory waders are resident in the area. The survey results give us a better idea of how many birds there are, what species are present and which parts of the Ramsar site they find most valuable, for roosting and foraging.

The Coorong and lakes Alexandrina and Albert are a wetland of international importance, also known as a Ramsar site. They are also one of the six significant ecological assets of the Murray Darling Basin. The site is valuable internationally because it provides a home to tens of thousands of migratory waders who fly from Siberia to Australia each spring, to feed and fatten up before returning to Siberia in the northern summer to breed. The major issue for the Ramsar site is the lack of flows down the River Murray, which is depriving the Coorong of much needed fresh water, mud and other detritus. It is also causing severe constriction of the Murray Mouth, which is only prevented from closing by a non-stop sand dredging program. In the long term the Coorong and Lakes Ramsar site needs environmental flows to keep the Murray Mouth open naturally and to improve the health of the Coorong.

Fishways on the Goolwa barrage

Management of the Ramsar site isn't just about birds. Fishways have been installed on the barrages to improve the connection between the Coorong and estuary and the Lakes, allowing fish to move between the Coorong and the Lakes, as happened before the barrages were installed.

The Coorong and lakes Alexandrina and Albert are a wetland of international importance, also known as a Ramsar site. They are also one of the six significant ecological assets of the Murray Darling Basin. The site is valuable internationally because it provides a home to tens of thousands of migratory waders who fly from Siberia to Australia each spring, to feed and fatten up before returning to Siberia in the northern summer to breed. The major issue for the Ramsar site is the lack of flows down the River Murray, which is depriving the Coorong of much needed fresh water, mud and other detritus. It is also causing severe constriction of the Murray Mouth, which is only prevented from closing by a non-stop sand dredging program. In the long term the Coorong and Lakes Ramsar site needs environmental flows to keep the Murray Mouth open naturally and to improve the health of the Coorong.

Boats moored near reeds

The Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar site is used for a variety of purposes other than nature conservation. Boating and other forms of water recreation are a popular pastime. Responsible boating ensures that dedicated mooring sites are used, which minimises disturbance to the reds and shoreline.

The Coorong and lakes Alexandrina and Albert are a wetland of international importance, also known as a Ramsar site. They are also one of the six significant ecological assets of the Murray Darling Basin. The site is valuable internationally because it provides a home to tens of thousands of migratory waders who fly from Siberia to Australia each spring, to feed and fatten up before returning to Siberia in the northern summer to breed. The major issue for the Ramsar site is the lack of flows down the River Murray, which is depriving the Coorong of much needed fresh water, mud and other detritus. It is also causing severe constriction of the Murray Mouth, which is only prevented from closing by a non-stop sand dredging program. In the long term the Coorong and Lakes Ramsar site needs environmental flows to keep the Murray Mouth open naturally and to improve the health of the Coorong.

The Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar site, around Goolwa

The Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar site, particularly around Goolwa, is experiencing a boom in urban development. Development needs to be well designed to ensure that the ecological character of the Ramsar site is not degraded.

The Coorong and lakes Alexandrina and Albert are a wetland of international importance, also known as a Ramsar site. They are also one of the six significant ecological assets of the Murray Darling Basin. The site is valuable internationally because it provides a home to tens of thousands of migratory waders who fly from Siberia to Australia each spring, to feed and fatten up before returning to Siberia in the northern summer to breed. The major issue for the Ramsar site is the lack of flows down the River Murray, which is depriving the Coorong of much needed fresh water, mud and other detritus. It is also causing severe constriction of the Murray Mouth, which is only prevented from closing by a non-stop sand dredging program. In the long term the Coorong and Lakes Ramsar site needs environmental flows to keep the Murray Mouth open naturally and to improve the health of the Coorong.

Aerial shot of mudflats and samphire

This aerial photo shows (in purple) the low shrub land called samphire which is great roosting and feeding habitat for birds. The light blue areas are submerged mudflats which become exposed at low tide.

The Coorong and lakes Alexandrina and Albert are a wetland of international importance, also known as a Ramsar site. They are also one of the six significant ecological assets of the Murray Darling Basin. The site is valuable internationally because it provides a home to tens of thousands of migratory waders who fly from Siberia to Australia each spring, to feed and fatten up before returning to Siberia in the northern summer to breed. The major issue for the Ramsar site is the lack of flows down the River Murray, which is depriving the Coorong of much needed fresh water, mud and other detritus. It is also causing severe constriction of the Murray Mouth, which is only prevented from closing by a non-stop sand dredging program. In the long term the Coorong and Lakes Ramsar site needs environmental flows to keep the Murray Mouth open naturally and to improve the health of the Coorong.

Members of the Angas Bremer Water Management Committee (ABWMC)