The Modewarre Salinity Province is one of the smaller provinces in the Corangamite CMA region at some 345,000 ha. It is underlain by intermediate scale sedimentary Pliocene sands Groundwater Flow Systems (GFSs) and local-intermediate scale fractured basalt plains GFSs.
Mapped high watertable and salinity occurrences total only about 100 ha and are found in lower, flat lying landscape positions and a few drainage lines. Causation results from high watertables arising from landscape clearance and wet periods, while relict natural features such as Lake Modewarre highlight the susceptibility of parts of this province to salinity hazard during wet climate phases.
Management approaches involve increasing plant water use within farming systems and re-treeing suitable locations. Low-lying areas at risk from rising or high watertables should be planted with suitable waterlogging and salt tolerant plants, or even returned to seasonal wetlands. Careful stock management is needed to minimise soil structure damage.
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