The grove of Black Box saplings along the track at this point The Hattah Lakes System was created by the record floods of 1956. Black Box trees grow higher up the slopes than River Red Gums and indicate Beyond the post you can see the channel connecting Lake the height of floodwaters in the past. Only one or two of Hattah with Lake Bulla. In 1956, a small weir was built at the these seedlings need to survive to maturity to ensure the northern end of Lake Hattah to prevent water from flowing continuation of the forest here. back into the Murray River when flood waters receded. Further the track, on the right, are smaller Black Box. The lakes in the Hattah‐Kulkyne system fill via Chalka Creek These trees germinated here after the 1973 flood. when there is a major flood in the Murray River. This has only occurred a few times since the record flood levels of 1956 and include the years 1960, 1964, 1966 and on several occasions in the 1970s and late 1980s. Box flower The Hattah Lakes system needs both wet and dry periods to be healthy, but river regulation and a changing climate have reduced the frequency and extent of natural floods and the environment has suffered as a result. With the completion Tolerating salt of the new permanent pump station, regulators and environmental levees it is now possible to top up natural To the right of the track grow Glassworts and other low‐lying floods to increase water levels in the lakes system or, when succulents that store water in their fleshy leaves. Glassworts river flows are not able to naturally reach the lakes, water are salt‐tolerant and play an important role in minimising can be pumped into the system to maintain watering soil erosion. Over time the Glassworts and other soil regimes. stabilising plants help to improve soil fertility by adding nutrients through decomposition. Eventually soil condition is improved allowing less salt‐tolerant plants to establish. Among the few plants that thrive here is the rounded Noonflower (Pigface), a staple food of the Shingleback Lizard. After summer rains this area is a sea of pink flowers. Messengers Pump Station Flood Noonflower (Pigface)
The Hattah Lakes System Beyond the post you can see the channel connecting Lake Hattah with Lake Bulla. In 1956, a small weir was built at the northern end of Lake Hattah to prevent water from flowing back into the Murray River when flood waters receded. The lakes in the Hattah‐Kulkyne system fill via Chalka Creek when there is a major flood in the Murray River. This has only occurred a few times since the record flood levels of 1956 and include the years 1960, 1964, 1966 and on several occasions in the 1970s and late 1980s. The Hattah Lakes system needs both wet and dry periods to be healthy, but river regulation and a changing climate have reduced the frequency and extent of natural floods and the environment has suffered as a result. With the completion of the new permanent pump station, regulators and environmental levees it is now possible to top up natural floods to increase water levels in the lakes system or, when river flows are not able to naturally reach the lakes, water can be pumped into the system to maintain watering regimes. Messengers Pump Station Flood The grove of Black Box saplings along the track at this point was created by the record floods of 1956. Black Box trees grow higher up the slopes than River Red Gums and indicate the height of floodwaters in the past. Only one or two of these seedlings need to survive to maturity to ensure the continuation of the forest here. Further the track, on the right, are smaller Black Box. These trees germinated here after the 1973 flood. Box flower Tolerating salt To the right of the track grow Glassworts and other low‐lying succulents that store water in their fleshy leaves. Glassworts are salt‐tolerant and play an important role in minimising soil erosion. Over time the Glassworts and other soil stabilising plants help to improve soil fertility by adding nutrients through decomposition. Eventually soil condition is improved allowing less salt‐tolerant plants to establish. Among the few plants that thrive here is the rounded Noonflower (Pigface), a staple food of the Shingleback Lizard. After summer rains this area is a sea of pink flowers. Noonflower (Pigface)