Primary salinity is a feature of the coastal and estuarine environments of the Connewarre Lakes Salinity Province which is located on the lower Barwon River.
Local Groundwater Flow Systems in the surficial quaternary sediments and slightly older Pliocene sands sediments are strongly influenced by coastal salinity processes and contain groundwater which typically ranges from 1000 to 10,000 mg/l. The lower Barwon river and associated lakes are tidal so any flat land close to sea level elevation near the lakes and wetlands has a high probability of having a watertable close to the surface, hence the threat of salinity will always remain a part of this province.
Management needs to focus on protecting naturally wet and saline areas from disturbance and leaving waterlogging tolerant vegetation in place to protect their significant biodiversity value. Surface drainage works should also be avoided as they can result in acid sulphate drainage problems.
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