Site: Coongie Lakes

Designation date: 15-06-1987

Coordinates: 27°27'S 140°00'E

Elevation: 25 m - 120 m

Area: 1,980,000 ha

Location: The site is located near the town of Innamincka, in the far northeast of South Australia.

Criteria: 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6

Importance: Coongie Lakes is one of the larger freshwater sites in the world listed under the Ramsar Convention. The Cooper Creek is part of the Lake Eyre Basin, one of the largest endorheic drainage systems in the world. The area holds a diverse flora and fauna. The threatened duck Stictonetta naevosa is recorded in the site. The wetland contains an undescribed and probably endemic species of freshwater tortoise Emydura sp. Large numbers of waterbirds congregate in the site to feed and breed. As floodwaters retreat, species such as Stictonetta naevosa, Malacorhynchus membranaceus and Gallinula ventralis disperse widely through southern and eastern Australia.

Wetland Types: Ts ,Tp ,Sp ,P ,N ,M (dominant types shown in bold)

The site is a complex and extensive freshwater wetland system comprising channels, waterholes, lakes and numerous shallow floodout plains, interdune corridors and swamps.

Biological/Ecological notes: Coongie Lakes occurs on the Cooper Creek floodplain. Cooper Creek has a large catchment in the high rainfall region of central Queensland that carries water into the wetland during winter. Water rarely moves farther south to reach Lake Eyre except during major floods. Then the creek and its tributaries can spread across the floodplain to a width of 30 km. Many lakes and waterholes rarely fill, others hold water for a limited period following flooding, and others such as Lake Coongie are almost permanent. During a major flood, plant growth flourishes and an influx of wildlife into the wetland occurs. A biological survey of the Cooper Creek Environmental Association was carried out by the Department of Environment and Planning in 1984. Due the remoteness of the area and the water input variability, accurate records of wildlife are not available for all water regime conditions. Little is known about the tortoise Emydura sp., but the animal is confined to the Coongie Lakes area. During drought, large numbers concentrate in the permanent waterholes and during floods they presumably spread widely throughout the wetland. Coongie Lakes seems to be critical for the survival of the tortoise. Common species of waterbirds include Anas gibberifrons, A superciliosa, Ardea novaehollandiae, Aythya australis, Calidris acuminata, C. ruficollis, Charadrius ruficapillus, C. melanops, Chenonetta jubata, Chlidonias hybrida, Circus aeruginosus, Cygnus atratus, Erythrogonys cinctus, Fulica atra, Gallinula ventralis, Gelochelidon nilotica, Grus rubicunda, Himantopus himantopus, Hydroprogne caspia, Larus novaehollandiae, Malacorhynchus membranaceus, Oxyura australis, Pelecanus conspicillatus, Peltohyas australis, Phalacrocorax carbo, P. sulcirostris, Platalea regia, P. flavipes, Plegadis falcinellus, Poliocephalus poliocephalus, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae, Stiltia isabella, Tadorna tadornoides, Threskiornis aethiopica, T. spinicollis, Tringa glareola, Vanellus miles and V. tricolor.

Hydrological/Physical notes: Cooper Creek is recognised as one of the largest rivers in the world that is still in a natural state. It originates in Queensland on the Great Divide and flows into Lake Eyre in South Australia. The river drains an area of some 296,000 sq km, flowing through areas of dunefields and gibber plains. The main channel carries in water in the upper part of Coongie Lakes, but water flows less frequently in the lower reaches. Coongie Lakes forms an exceptional mosaic of lakes (over 100 lakes) with varying flood frequencies, from near-permanent to rarely flooded. Wetlands specifically included are Lake Coongie, Lake Marroocoolcannie, Lake Tontoowaranie, Lake Goyder, Lake Marra Dibba Dibba, Lake Apanburra, Lake Hope together with a large number of small lakes, and a section of Cooper Creek and its anabranches.

Human Uses: Approximately one-half of the area is designated as National Park Reserve and the rest is held as Pastoral Lease area. The site is state-owned and is managed by the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service. The catchment is also Crown Land Pastoral Lease area. Coongie Lakes is used primarily for cattle grazing. The area is becoming increasingly important for recreation and tourism as access roads are upgraded. It is estimated that up to 30,000 people visit the area annually on a seasonal basis with activities centering along the river frontage, adjacent to the township of Innamincka and to a lesser extent, the Coongie Lakes. The wetland area contains extensive aboriginal archaeological sites and a number of important European historical sites. Also, the largest mainland oil and gas production field in Australia lies within the area. The South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service has an ongoing program to provide for inventory, assessment and monitoring of the area including detailed mapping of the wetland habitats. The service has pre-visit and on-site information and education material available, including access routes and guides, and descriptions of the habitats and wildlife. A visitor centre is scheduled to be placed at Innamincka.

Conservation Measures: A significant portion of the wetlands, including Coongie Lakes has been reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. A draft management plan has been prepared and the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service is developing a monitoring program for the area. Most of the area held as Pastoral Lease Area is under review for inclusion into the National Park Reserve system. In addition, a program has been initiated to map and establish long-term monitoring sites throughout the wetland.

Adverse Factors: Rabbit grazing is a growing concern in Coongie Lakes. The area contains extremely high numbers of this pest animal. So far, the impact of the rodent includes loss of vegetation, lack of plant recruitment and increased soil erosion. Because of the remoteness and size of the area, the development of biological controls is required.

Site Management: South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, GPO Box 1782, Adelaide, South Australia 5001.

External Link:

Based on the 1998 Ramsar Information Sheet.