Lake Tabourie walking the green mile

Lake Tabourie 26 January 2010 note the extremely low water levels. Records state the water level at 0.15m on the 26/1/10.





Without intervention the next heavy rainfall may very well transform Lake Tabourie from a saltwater lake into a seething fresh water swamp. Life within the lake relies on salt water and with the lake being less than half full the dilution factor of salt to water will be very high, if the water become too salty or too fresh the impact is significant on the wild life.
The catchment area for Lake Tabourie is recorded to be 43Km2 as such it is highly susceptible to siltation. Heavy rains will see masses of silt from the exposed dry lake banks and flats entering the lake, making it's way into what's left of the deep channels. The already stressed sea grass beds may simple perish under a blanket of slit destroying the vital feeding and breading grounds of many aquatic creatures.

Council identified, silting as a major concern to the ecology of the lake, as well as water quality and dilution capacity a concern to public health from increased levels of bacteria via runoff. [details can be found in the "Tabourie Lake Entrance Management Policy and Review of Environmental Factors" published by Shoalhaven City Council 23/01/01, I have a copy and can email it should anyone want one]

Knowing this,

Why are they not installing simple anti-siltation devices now, before any rainfall washes sediment into the lake.

Why are they not preparing the entrance so that a breach can be easily achieved before flooding occurs.

The lakes current level provides the perfect opportunity to clear out the entrance. The extraordinary low water levels would allow easy access for excavators and tippers to remove the massive sand build up at the entrance and deposit it further down the beach at a minimal cost and minimal affect on traditional wild life.