4.1.1 Meander belt below plain level, sometimes source-bordering dunes (Wimmera River, Yarriambiack Creek)

This grouping of geomorphological units describes the (generally) youngest spatial landscape feature; the current floodplain of major streams. These units are generally incised into an alluvial plain (unit 4.2) with or without terraces. They are defined as un-confined due to an absence of surrounding uplands, their formation from alluvial material (Coonambidgal Formation), or that they comprise the most recent alluvial landform complex of the WCMA region.

The Wimmera River floodplain is the major unit with a number of effluent streams with confined floodplains such as Yarriambiack Creek and Dunnmunkle Creek. The floodplain is more obviously unconfined downstream of Glenorchy and has diverted north-west adjacent to Grampians outwash material (unit 4.3), then aligned east-west before sharply turning north and being confined within the Lowan Salt Valley and masked by the Little Desert (unit 5.2) just south of Dimboola. The floodplain terminates at Lake Hindmarsh where it is surrounded by predominantly calcareous plains and dunes.

A channel with minor floodplain connects Lake Hindmarsh to Lake Albacutya. This floodplain is minor and intermittent amongst the calcareous dunes and plains (unit 5.1) and the siliceous dunes and plains of the Big Desert (unit 5.2). There are some other meanders in the mid Wimmera tract, particularly where tributary streams such as Mount William Creek confluence. Drainage across the plains varies from annabranching streams to meandering channels in form, with slopes very gently to gently inclined. Soil-landform units are relatively slender (generally less than 2 km across) and contain the entirety of the Wimmera River and Yarriambiack Creek within its extent.

Soils vary on the young unconsolidated regolith from sands to loams and clays where finer material has accumulated. There is a higher alkaline component (sodium and calcium) north of Quantong. Major soils include sodic, grey texture contrast soils (grey Sodosols) and cracking clay soils (Vertosols).

The texture contrast soils have slightly acidic sandy clay loam surfaces over grey light clays that increase in sodicity with depth. Minor carbonate occurs in the subsoil. The cracking clays are acidic at the surface with light clays clearly changing to heavy clay subsoils that can be more acidic at depth with very few carbonate nodules. Depths for all soils are generally in excess of 2 m.

Vegetation may also change with climate (drier to the north) though red gums are a major overstorey species. Vegetation communities along these floodplains include a variety of woodlands including Plains Woodland, Drainage-line Woodland, Salt Paperbark Woodland, Lignum Swampy Woodland, Riparian Woodland, Creekline Sedgy Woodland and Riverine Chenopod Woodland for example.

Flooding provides a significant hazard for this unit especially in urban areas along the rivers and creeks. Shrink-swell behaviour of cracking clays around these urban areas may also be a relevant factor in residential development and selection of footings that will accommodate clay expansion and contraction.

Soil-landform unit	Unit description	Area (km²)
Wimmera River	River	197
Yarriambiack / Dunnmunkle Creek	River	173

Page top