Rain - both good and bad

Over the last month, we have received much rain in the Mulloon Catchment which has had both positive and some less desirable effects.

On the good side of the equation, we have seen some very decent rain, particularly over fire affected areas, but also more broadly and especially in regions that have been experiencing drought for many years. The ‘flow-on’ effect of that is certainly welcomed. At Mulloon Creek Natural Farms (MCNF) we have also recorded some very good rain falls with strong flows along Mulloon Creek and all leaky weir structures holding up well within the Mulloon Community Landscape Rehydration Project (MCLRP). 

In addition, it was pleasing to see just how well the paddocks have bounced back so quickly after such a long dry period. Such a strong response being further evidence of the flow-on benefit of our rehydration work and of practicing regenerative agriculture.

The Home Farm at Mulloon Creek Natural Farms is looking much greener now

On the bad side of the equation has been the increased turbidity recorded on our monitoring equipment caused by the flow from severely burnt areas higher in the Mulloon catchment. The North Black Range fire started in Tallaganda National Park at the top end of the Mulloon catchment and also burnt substantial parts of the property Landtasia situated between MCNF Home Farm and the national park. Landtasia is part of the MCLRP but works have not been approved for that section as yet, so there was substantial sediment and other debris flowing from that property and from further up the catchment into Mulloon Creek. That flow would have been the cause of the increased turbidity readings further down the catchment.

Bad water flowing down a section of Mulloon Creek after the intense February rains

Fortunately, those sections of the creek that have been repaired from the Home Farm to Palerang acted as filters so the effect of the debris on the water flow diminished further down the system. All good news for Sydney residents as Mulloon Creek runs into the Shoalhaven and ultimately into the Sydney water supply.

You can read a more detailed report from MCLRP Project Coordinator Peter Hazell on how the February flows impacted the Mulloon Creek here:
https://themullooninstitute.org/blog/2020/3/3/drought-fire-and-then-flood