Community Support Needed to Keep Ramco Lagoon Healthy

The landscape board’s wetlands team closed the inlet regulator on 12 January to begin the partial drying out of the lagoon, an annual process that is essential to improve water quality, reduce carp numbers and support the regeneration of native vegetation. Stop boards were installed to halt river inflows, and the fish screens were opened to allow aquatic fauna underneath the structure to return to the river. Unfortunately, recent tampering of the inlet regulator has disrupted the lagoon’s annual drying cycle.

Wetlands Ecologist Steph Robinson said the drying phase had been progressing well in late February, with refilling originally expected in March.

“Unfortunately, the regulating structure was recently tampered with, allowing water to flow back into the lagoon and enabled carp to re-enter.”

“This setback has resulted in refilling being pushed back to April or May.” Steph said.

The wetlands team has since secured the structure and is asking the public to leave it untouched throughout the drying phase.

Steph acknowledged “We understand that the smelly odour coming from Ramco can be a bit much at times while the wetland is drying out, we hope that people will be patient as this temporary drying phase is vital to maintaining the health of the wetland.”

Why drying matters

Wetlands Project Officer Emily Reynolds said “Because locks and weirs have altered the natural ebb and flow of water, actively drawing down the lagoon in summer provides important ecological benefits, plus the process can be shortened to about two months, compared to the much slower evaporation rates seen over winter.”

“Drying helps remove large carp and allows the muddy bed of the wetland to firm up and stabilise. When it is refilled, the water is generally much clearer because large carp can’t re-enter through the fish screens and disturb the wetland bed.” Emily added.

The return of water also encourages the growth of fringing and aquatic vegetation, providing food and habitat for native birds, fish and frogs.

”Summer and early-autumn water variability is particularly important for waders and migratory birds. Species such as the curlew sandpiper rely on the exposed mudflats created during the  
drying phase, using Ramco Lagoon as a feeding ground to rebuild fat stocks before returning to Siberia in autumn.” Emily said.

What the community may notice

During the drying period, the fish screens remain open to allow native fish and aquatic fauna to move back into the river system and will be closed when the lagoons refills to prevent carp re-entry.

Over the coming weeks, the public may notice a temporary odour at the site due to acid sulphate soils present in the lagoon. This will pass once the lagoon is refilled.

The wetlands team appreciates the community’s cooperation in protecting Ramco Lagoon. If you would like to be involved in the ongoing conservation and monitoring of Ramco lagoon, please contact the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board on (08) 8580 1800 and they will put you in touch with the Hart and Ramco Lagoon Community Group.