Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Protecting a seasonal lake
The Sommerfield family has only seen Lake Dartmouth completely full once in the 23 years they've had a property bordering this key wetland west of Charleville.
But despite the drought they've been active in trying to protect the fragile land which surrounds the lake and the creeks running into it.
The seasonal Lake Dartmouth and the neighbouring Ambathala Creek wetland are an ecologically important drought refuge for native animals and are listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia.
"After the recent rains, Ambathala Creek has run three times in the past four weeks and there's water in the lake now," said Lindy Sommerfield in March 2007. "As soon as the water comes, the birds arrive - ducks and long-legged waders like egrets, herons, spoonbills and ibis, as well as smaller birds like budgerigars. It's wonderful to see."
The Sommerfields own 'Canegrass' which borders the southern third of Lake Dartmouth. Over the past 15 years they have been working to reduce the total grazing pressure around the edge of the lake.
Funding
The Australian Government has provided more than $80,000 to support this effort. The landholders made a major contribution to the project and support has also come from South West NRM Ltd and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Devine Agribusiness and Conservation Volunteers Australia.
Activities
The first phase of their work involved fencing off approximately 1,500 hectares of the southern section of Lake Dartmouth.
"This worked for us in two ways, both as a step to protecting the lake and by reducing the size of one large paddock, enabling us to manage stock better," said Lindy.
However, without extra watering places away from the lake, stock and native animals still congregated in the wetland, compacting and damaging the land.
Initial plans for pipelines and troughs were thwarted by the soaring cost of polythene pipe and by disruptions to management schedules caused by the drought. But with funding assistance, pipes were eventually put in allowing water to be pumped nine kilometres to three tanks and troughs.
Achievements
Lindy said it was still too early to tell just how effective the fencing and piping has been in protecting Lake Dartmouth. However, now that the troughs are in, not only are stock kept off the lake edge, but native animals like grey and red kangaroos have a choice of where to drink and total grazing impact is reduced.
More information
- Lindy & John Sommerfield, property owners: (07) 4654 0130
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