Chowilla Regional Reserve

For other uses, see Chowilla.

Chowilla Regional Reserve
South Australia
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)[1]
Chowilla Regional Reserve is located in South Australia
Chowilla Regional Reserve
Chowilla Regional Reserve
Nearest town or cityBerri[2]
Coordinates33°41′47.7″S 140°51′48.9″E / 33.696583°S 140.863583°E / -33.696583; 140.863583[1]
Established8 April 1993[3]
Area752.21 km2 (290.4 sq mi)[2]
Managing authoritiesDepartment for Environment and Water
Robertson Chowilla Pty Ltd[4]
WebsiteChowilla Regional Reserve
See alsoProtected areas of South Australia

Chowilla Regional Reserve is protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located in the gazetted locality of Chowilla about 250 kilometres (160 miles) north-east of the state capital of Adelaide.

The reserve was proclaimed on 8 April 1993 in conjunction with the Chowilla Game Reserve and covers an area of 75,221 hectares (185,880 acres). "It protects and conserves a semi-arid environment adjacent to the Murray River. The dominant land uses of the reserve are pastoral production, conservation of natural and historic features and tourism/recreation."[5] The reserve is also classified as a Category VI protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[1]

It is situated on the Chowilla floodplain,[6] which is protected as part of the Riverland Ramsar site,[7] designated by the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance.[8]

The area includes several lakes and wetland areas which provide habitat for native flora and fauna, but since the area has been affected by drought and the use of water from the Murray regulated, much of the plain has remained dry for long periods. Lake Limbra, situated at the northern end of the reserve, is regarded as a sacred site by the local Aboriginal peoples, who used it as a burial site. The lake's geographical location on the eastern end of the floodplain as well as its low-lying altitude meant that in the past, it was first to be filed during flood events.[6]

In March 2021, a three-month project to pump water into Lake Limbra from the Murray River was undertaken by the state Department for Environment and Water, SA Water and a group of First Nations people, using a system of water pumps and cranes. By June, much wildlife was observed in and around the lake, including wetland birds such as ducks, and also shield shrimp, a tiny crustacean adapted to living in desert areas and was able to cope with periodic drying of muddy lakes.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Terrestrial Protected Areas of South Australia (refer 'DETAIL' tab )". CAPAD 2016. Australian Government, Department of the Environment (DoE). 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Protected Areas Information System - reserve list (as of 17 Feb 2014)" (PDF). Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  3. ^ Blevins, F.T. (8 April 1993). "NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE ACT 1972 SECTION 34a(l): CONSTITUTION OF CHOWILLA REGIONAL RESERVE" (PDF). The South Australian Government Gazette. Government of South Australia. p. 1254. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Fire Management Plan, Bookmark Mallee 2009-2019" (PDF). Department for Environment and Heritage. p. 54. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Regional reserves". Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Bradbrook, Sam (1 June 2021). "Chowilla Regional Reserve water, native wildlife returns to important site for First Nations people". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Riverland Ramsar site". Department for Environment and Water, Government of South Australia. 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  8. ^ "New partnership to restore Riverland Ramsar site (Commonwealth Environmental Water Office media release)". Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australia. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2021.