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Ral Ral Bridge Floodplain

The Ral Ral Bridge Floodplain site follows the dredged embankment of Bookmark Creek, to the north east of Ral Ral Bridge in Renmark. In the initial survey done in 2018, the floodplain vegetation consisted of KI tea tree, black box and swamp oak. There was also an abundance of samphire, which is commonly found in soil that has a high level of salt. The area has been degraded by saline ground water and inappropriate inundation from storm water from the 1920s until the 1980s. In the last few decades, channels have been built to take away the saline irrigation water to Disher Creek and from there to the Noora Basin near Loxton. 

Environmental water was first delivered to the site in spring 2021. The site was inundated during the 2022-23 flood and then was subsequently dry for three years due to the construction of the Bookmark Creek Regulator adjacent to the site. Environmental water was delivered in spring 2026, and return flows into Bookmark Creek are planned following a 16 week inundation period. It is hoped delivering environmental water will halt the decline of long-lived species such as black box. In time, the reduction in soil salinity will eventually promote the regeneration of less salt tolerant plant species. Monitoring at the site has recorded 15 waterbird species, 10 woodland bird species, and 4 frog species.

The site during the flood in December 2022
Ral Ral Bridge Floodplain before watering in June 2021.
Ral Ral Bridge Floodplain during initial watering in July 2021.
Ral Ral Bridge Floodplain during spring environmental water delivery in August 2026
Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead, and Grey Teal at Ral Ral Bridge Floodplain in August 2026