Water saving through wetland drying Seven part test and ecological assessment – Euston Lakes

"October 2007".

Project Number: Monitoring of Wetlands Disconnection in New South Wales/DD247/M-BUS-247.

MDFRC item.

Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) was contracted by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) to undertake an ecological assessment of flora and fauna of Euston Lakes. Euston Lakes have been identified as potential sites for water saving by the Murray Wetland Working Group (MWWG) and NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), by either installing temporary regulators or block-banks to prevent the wetlands filling. Prior to works commencing there is a requirement to undertake a Review of Environmental Factors to identify any adverse effects of drying on either water quality or threatened flora and fauna. The four wetlands at Euston Lakes identified for water saving are: This report contains the following information: Flora and fauna assessments (including macrophytes, birds, amphibians and fish), with particular interest in threatened species, populations and/or ecological communities; 7-part test for all threatened species, populations and ecological communities identified; and Site assessment for potential adverse impacts (e.g. potential for acidification) and recommend options to ameliorate potential impacts.