In November, Dan Brindley from Wetland and Wildlife Creations filled us with information around effective wetland design, construction, management and planting in order to achieve an area of habitat above and below the water line in an aesthetically pleasing way.
We visited a property in Balnarring with a significant wetland area in several sections that had been established for 25 years. We were able to see the difference in the habitat as a result of different construction methods and learned that after clay compaction it is imperative to line the base of the wetland with some precious top soil preventing a turbid outcome.
Visually we could identify the appeal of a nicely shaped body of water compared to a basic oval.
Dan explained that overflow points are an important part of the design and steep sides were likely to cause problems with erosion. We were able to see a fish ladder as an overflow point as well as a culvert pipe under a driveway.
Vegetation is an important part of any wetland construction. Different depths of water will suit different aquatic species and care should be taken to encourage the right species on the banks.
It is important that the dam bank incline at the waterlevel is not too great because gradual changes of water level are important so that fringe vegetation is not drowned.
Large trees such as gums located on the waters edge are likely to cause a dam leak over time which can be a very challenging and costly exercise to fix.
Dan discussed the merits of dam liners as an option to prevent leaks which can be used with great success, but safety concerns must be considered. It can be very difficult for animals and people to climb out of dams that have steep, slippery artificial liners .
Birds, fish, frogs and plenty of other creatures all enjoy what a well designed and constructed wetland offers in terms of a place to breed and live, drink and feed. And we humans get to watch and listen to them doing it.
It doesn’t get better than that!
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