Greening farm dams: spring update
Food & Fibre Gippsland has partnered with South Gippsland Landcare Network to deliver the Green Farm Dams project, an initiative that will address a gap in knowledge related to dam management in temperate climates.
Jillian Staton and Bruce Whittaker's beef farm at Tarwin Lower is the site for this project, where practical strategies for drought preparedness - such as fencing and revegetation - are also creating enhanced habitat for birds, wildlife and aquatic species. Outcomes are being measured throughout the project's lifespan, including water quality monitoring which is being applied across three of the property's dams. As a component of the project, one of the dams has had a concrete ramp constructed, restricting access to cattle but enabling them to drink from the dam via the ramp itself.
In late August, 100 silver pygmy perch and 100 dwarf galaxias were released into the farm's large dam and 50 of each into the three smaller dams. The fish were mostly juveniles that were expected to spawn in September if the conditions were suitable.
Each dam contains varying amounts of aquatic vegetation, a challenge the project team addressed by adding tree trunks to protect the fish from predators. The dam with the least amount of aquatic vegetation is the newly-ramped dam, which recently had seedlings planted around its periphery. Jillian, who is the chair of South Gippsland Landcare Network, said the group found a solution to the temporary aquatic vegetation shortfall by making a floating island, offering the fish some protection as the surrounding vegetation establishes. Students from Deakin University recently monitored the fish species' progress in October.
Following on from the field day held at the farm in May this year, a second field day will be hosted in April. This event will mark the conclusion of the project and will see the outcomes presented, along with a farm walk to view the dams. We'll keep you posted with dates.
Jillian has suggested that anyone who wants to look into adding native fish to their own dams could contact Chris at Middle Creek Farm for more information: middlecreekfarm@wideband.net.au.
A case study about the Green Dams project can be found on our website here. Please get in touch with us for more information: info@foodandfibregippsland.com.au.
The ‘Green Dams’ initiative is sponsored by Food & Fibre Gippsland through funding received by the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. The project is being delivered in partnership with Bass Coast LGA and Agriculture Victoria.
Images: An innovative structure gives protection to native fish species in the ramped dam.
