Colin and Sally Grundy are constantly undertaking initiatives to preserve and improve the magnificent environment in which they live.

A number of problems that have arisen during the drought and no River Murray flow since 2007 have caused great concern and heartache.

The over-allocation of the Murray-Darling Basin resources for many years has resulted in the current, unprecedented environmental devastation. 


                   


The Grundys have had to install a private fresh water pipeline to water their stock, as the islands are no longer surrounded by the fresh water of the River Murray.

The River Murray no longer flows and the islands that are normally surrounded by fresh water are now in a desert state.

The carrying capacity has been greatly reduced and therefore the Grundys are under immense pressure to survive this unprecidented situation.


                      

Hundreds of tortoises have died due to the  encrustation of tubeworm on their shells as a result of the salt water leaking through the barrages.

Colin, Sally and their 2 children, Jessie and Jack, together with friends have rescued hundreds of tortoises.

Many tortoises have been collected whilst walking along the river's edge, shells cleaned of the bristleworm and saved from a certain death.



                          


The Southern Pygmy Perch and Murray hardyhead have suffered considerably in the Lower Lakes due to destruction of their habitat.

Colin and Sally had 2 sites on their property where they were nurturing both species but sadly the evaporation over Summer has destroyed both sites.

The University of SA are assisting with the monitoring of these important refuse sites.

Salinity levels have increased dramatically in remnant pools of water still present making fish survival almost impossible.


Click on the title of the Report below to read the results: 

Zooplankton response to watering of an off-channel site at the Lower Lakes and implications for Murray hardyhead recruitment:  August 2010

By Scotte Wedderburn, Russell Shiel, Karl Hillyard & Justin Brookes


                                 


There are many changes in nature as a result of no river flow and the resultant lack of fresh water.

Bees are swarming around the Mundoo Homestead and snakes are more prevalent in paddocks and around the homestead in search of fresh water.

Foxes are often seen scavenging for food during the day as the food stock is depleted.



                                


The normally picturesque Lake Alexandrina is now a deserted wasteland.

The usual 1.5m of freshwater has not been seen in the Lower Lakes of the River Murray since 2007.

The ecology has changed so drastically that it is unlikely to ever fully recover from this disaster.


                                  


Natural bioremediation is occuring in some areas of the sand exposed by the dry lakebed.

The government has aerial seeded many areas of the exposed sandy lakebed.

The seed has 'taken' in some areas and has stabilised the sand drifts.

The Lower Lakes and Coorong area has been a vital haven for migratory and native species.

Hopefully the environment will once again flourish and provide the habitat for so many species that are no longer present.


                       


The following photographs were taken  in June 2008 by Kelly Barnes from The Australian newspaper
and show the devastation of the Lower Lakes from the over allocation of water from the Murray-Darling Basin.


                   

August 2010:  Zooplankton response to watering of an off-channel site at the Lower Lakes and implications for Murray hardyhead recruitment

August 2010:  Zooplankton response to watering of an off-channel site at the Lower Lakes and implications for Murray hardyhead recruitment

by Scotte Wedderburn, Russell Shiel, Karl Hillyard & Justin Brookes