Examination of Fish and Invertebrate Fauna in Seven Lakes in the Swan Hill - Kerang Region, Northern Victoria

The seven lakes surveyed during this study were Round, Golf Course, Tutchewop, Elizabeth, Wandella and North and South Woorinen. These lakes are located in the Kerang - Swan Hill Salinity Management Plan (KSHSMP) area, north-central Victoria.

Previous studies have recorded abundant populations of Murray hardyhead (Craterocephalus fluviatilis) within the KSHSMP area. Recently changes to horticulture irrigation systems in the KSHSMP area from surface/flood irrigation to micro-drip irrigation has altered the demand for water. This has caused changes to the hydrological regimes of several waterbodies, which in turn have altered conductivity levels. The biological communities of some lakes and wetlands in the study area are thought to have been changed as a result of changes to conductivity levels since they were last studied. Therefore knowledge of the fish and invertebrate fauna currently inhabiting waterbodies within the KSHSMP area requires updating.