Author(s): A. R. Ladson; M. A. Hillimacher; S. A. Treadwell
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Keywords: Gippsland Lakes; Lake Wellington; Salinity; Estuarine processes
Abstract: The salinity regime in Lake Wellington depends on the relative contributions of freshwater from rivers, removal of freshwater water via evaporation and addition of saline water from Lake Victoria via McLennan Strait. At times of low inflows from rivers, salt is transported to Lake Wellington via McLennan Strait and salinity in Lake Wellington increases. The complex nature and combination of factors that influence salinity in Lake Wellington and the fringing wetlands requires a range of management options to achieve desired conditions. Management solutions, such as providing specific inflows to wetlands and constructing several smaller barriers to increase control of saline waters either at the wetlands or in McLennan Strait, is likely to be the answer to reducing the rate of change as well as protecting those areas of greatest ecological value.
Year: 2011