Katarapko Floodplain, South Australia
Katarapko Floodplain is located in the River Murray National Park near Berri in South Australia. The Carpark Lagoons are important for long-lived river red gums.
In March 2009, Commonwealth environmental water was delivered to the lagoons. This water improved the health of many stressed river red gums and surrounding vegetation from the dry conditions being experienced.
Environmental watering helped to reduce the risk that the vegetation would die in the Carpark Lagoons. The water maintained river red gums that are important for nesting by the nationally vulnerable regent parrot. Red-water Milfoil (Myriophyllum verrucosum) can be seen growing as the water recedes.This is a positive sign that plant-life is recovering and returning to the drought stricken area.
Before and after photos
These images demonstrate the dramatic effects environmental watering has had on the Katarapko Floodplain throughout March, April and November 2009.