Ord River
Ord and Fitzroy Rivers: Fish benefit from natural flooding
Scientists say artificial flooding does not have the same ecological benefits as natural flooding.
They have studied the Fitzroy and Ord Rivers as part of a study of Australian natural and artificial flooding regimes.
They say natural flooding at the Fitzroy allows, for example, fish to feed on the floodplains and gain weight.
However water at the Ord River region stays within channels cut-off from the floodplain, and flooding is at the wrong time of the year to have the same benefits as natural flooding.
Science Network [read this story]
Ord River growers return to bananas
Two Ord River growers have ripped out grapefruit trees and returned to planting bananas.
Most farmers stopped growing bananas about 10 years ago.
East Kimberley: New flood details
A relocation point will be set up at Kununurra Leisure Centre from 5:00 pm today.
Very heavy rainfall has been recorded in the lower Ord catchment which is expected to lead to minor flooding.
Flooding in the King River is expected to be moderate to major, later today.
You can read DFES’ advice here:
Ord River catchment: Caution urged as flood warning cancelled
The BOM has cancelled the flood warning for the Ord River catchment.
However DFES urges people to take care as water levels rise in rivers and creeks.
You can read DFES advice here:
Bad year for Ord River mangoes
Ord River growers are reporting very low mango yields this year.
Market prices are good in Perth, but many growers are not bothering to pick their crops.
Kununurra: Missing men found
Two men reported missing after a fishing trip yesterday in the lower Ord River have been found.
They were downstream from Mambi Island and are said to have had motor trouble.
Police and State Emergency Service members conducted the search.
ninemsn [read this story]
Kununurra: Plan to lower lake scrapped
The Water Corporation has decided not to lower water levels in the Diversion Dam this year.
Photo - Water Corporation
A media release says lower rainfall predictions meant farmers would not have enough water in storage for the two-weeks needed to do maintenance works.
They will need to organise suitable supplies in time for next year’s scheduled dam maintenance.
You can read the corporation’s statement here:
Halls Creek: Tourists ‘run off road’
Tourists were allegedly run off the road by an oncoming vehicle at Great Northern Highway late this afternoon.
Wyndham identities Dick Daniel and Imelda Agars picked them up at the Ord River rest area, and drove them to Halls Creek hospital.
“Two Swiss tourists were involved,” Ms Agars said.
“They were shaken but not hurt.
“Their ‘Wicked’ van was a write-off.”
Halls Creek Police Sergeant Gary Fraser confirmed the tourists were unhurt.
“I won’t be releasing any details about this one because it has to come from our district officer,” he said.
“I haven’t been out there and I’m simply acting on information from a passer by.”