Significance of region The mid-Murray River has a number of anabranches and distributary creeks of significant ecological value (Figure 22). Of these, the largest and most well-known is the Edward-Wakool River system, which is a complex region covering more than 1,000 square kilometres of rivers, creeks, floodrunners and wetlands. The Edward-Wakool system supports large areas of flood dependent vegetation communities and is considered to be a significant breeding and recruitment ground for many aquatic species in the broader Murray River. In particular, it supports large populations of Murray cod and silver perch (MDBA 2012k). There are many other smaller anabranches and creeks of note throughout the mid-Murray region. These systems have the potential to carry a diverse assemblage of aquatic species and can provide a valuable alternative habitat to the main Murray River channel. Some of these creeks can be classified as ephemeral streams, which are watercourses that do not have surface water flow for the entire year. The transfer of sediment, nutrient, salt and organic matter through these small creeks into larger river systems such as the Murray River is important for overall ecosystem function (LWA 2008). The mid-Murray region also contains an abundance of wetlands adjacent to the main river channel (Figure 22). This includes large icon sites recognised through The Living Murray program as well as hundreds of other smaller off-channel wetlands and billabongs. These wetlands are of ecological value as they retain remnants of the natural character and attributes of the ancient Murray River floodplain, including the capacity to support a number of threatened species under state and federal legislation (Vic. Mallee CMA 2013). Whilst some of the larger wetland complexes throughout the mid-Murray are on public land, many others are located on private property. In recognition of its high environmental value, the entire ecological community in the ‘aquatic natural drainage system of the lower Murray River is listed as an catchment’ ‘Endangered Ecological under the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994. This listing includes all Community’ natural creeks, rivers and associated lagoons, billabongs and lakes of the Murray River downstream of Hume along with the Edward-Wakool (FSC 2001).
Significance of region The mid-Murray River has a number of anabranches and distributary creeks of significant ecological value (Figure 22). Of these, the largest and most well-known is the Edward-Wakool River system, which is a complex region covering more than 1,000 square kilometres of rivers, creeks, floodrunners and wetlands. The Edward-Wakool system supports large areas of flood dependent vegetation communities and is considered to be a significant breeding and recruitment ground for many aquatic species in the broader Murray River. In particular, it supports large populations of Murray cod and silver perch (MDBA 2012k). There are many other smaller anabranches and creeks of note throughout the mid-Murray region. These systems have the potential to carry a diverse assemblage of aquatic species and can provide a valuable alternative habitat to the main Murray River channel. Some of these creeks can be classified as ephemeral streams, which are watercourses that do not have surface water flow for the entire year. The transfer of sediment, nutrient, salt and organic matter through these small creeks into larger river systems such as the Murray River is important for overall ecosystem function (LWA 2008). The mid-Murray region also contains an abundance of wetlands adjacent to the main river channel (Figure 22). This includes large icon sites recognised through The Living Murray program as well as hundreds of other smaller off-channel wetlands and billabongs. These wetlands are of ecological value as they retain remnants of the natural character and attributes of the ancient Murray River floodplain, including the capacity to support a number of threatened species under state and federal legislation (Vic. Mallee CMA 2013). Whilst some of the larger wetland complexes throughout the mid-Murray are on public land, many others are located on private property. In recognition of its high environmental value, the entire ‘aquatic ecological community in the natural drainage system of the lower Murray River catchment’ is listed as an ‘Endangered Ecological Community’ under the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994. This listing includes all natural creeks, rivers and associated lagoons, billabongs and lakes of the Murray River downstream of Hume along with the Edward-Wakool (FSC 2001).