Original story at ABC News
A new surface drain will catch irrigation water in Berri and deliver it to a nearby floodplain, to protect an endangered fish species.
The endangered Murray Hardyhead, Craterocephalus fluviatilis. Source: ACF
The Katarapko Floodplain is home to one of seven remaining populations of Murray hardyhead in the Murray-Darling Basin system.
A 2.5 kilometre long drain has been constructed to take irrigation drainage from Berri to the floodplain.
Wetlands ecologist Lara Suitor says the mixture of irrigation water will create ideal conditions for the fish, which thrive in saline conditions.
“Obviously the irrigation water entering the site is quite saline and the drain is also intercepting a fair amount of groundwater as well, so the idea is to connect the surface drain up with this particular creek to create an ideal salinity range for this particular species,” she said.
She says the additional water will improve the health of the fish.
“Currently, the population within the Berri saline disposal basin is the largest and healthiest population of this fish species that currently exists in the Murray-Darling Basin and what we’re doing is creating additional habitat for this fish species for drought refuge,” she said.
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