Restoring water into Ryans Lagoon, a culturally significant wetland, has frogs singing and Traditional Owners and water managers excited.
Around 185 megalitres of Commonwealth environmental water has been pumped into the Ryans Lagoon wetland near Wodonga downstream of Hume Dam to support plants and animals.
In the past, the wetlands would have been naturally filled by overbank flows from the Murray River. However, regulation of the river has meant flows don’t always reach these wetlands unless flooding or unregulated conditions occur.
To effectively deliver water for the environment when and where it is needed in an area like Ryans Lagoon, partnerships are crucial. The Ryans Lagoon wetland water release is a partnership between the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, the Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation (DDAC), North East Catchment Management Authority (North East CMA) and North East Water.
The Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation is caring for the Ryans Lagoon landscape through a management and restoration project and identified that Country needed water following wet years. The area is culturally significant for Traditional Owners who have cared for the upper Murray floodplain for tens of thousands of years.
Important totemic species including the wedge-tailed eagle (Bungil) and the eastern long-necked turtle can be found at Ryans Lagoon wetland. Management and restoration of the area’s plants and animals is important to the DDAC and provides a site for cultural education of First Nations people and the broader community.
Wetlands are also critical for reducing the impacts of floods, improving water quality and providing unique habitat types for animals and plants that are often not found elsewhere.
The Ryans Lagoon wetland complex, listed as a nationally significant wetland, is home to at least 29 species of waterbirds.
The endangered Sloanes Froglet was detected at the Ryans Lagoon wetland complex after flooding in 2022. North East CMA Environmental Water Officers are once again listening out for the distinct calls of Sloanes Froglets and other frogs that are benefiting from the increased water in Ryans Lagoons using acoustic recorders set up in the wetland.
Working meaningfully with First Nations people in the planning, delivery, and monitoring of water for the environment is key to achieving the best environmental and cultural outcomes for all. The collaboration with the Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation, who identified and supported the facilitation of this watering action, is a great example of what is possible when First Nations people are empowered to care for Country in their own ways.
