Narran Lake Nature Reserve

Narran Lake from the air
Sunset and ripples over Narran Lake
Clear Lake, in dry state
Lignum at Long Arm, recovering after wetting by flows
Crinum Flacidum at Narran Lake, note sea eagle nest

Narran Lake Nature Reserve

  • Country: 
    Australia
  • Site number: 
    995
  • Area: 
    8,447 ha
  • Designation date: 
    14-06-1999
  • Coordinates: 
    29°43'S 147°25'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Site is unique within the Murray-Darling Drainage Division bioregion for its juxtaposition of highly channelized floodplain with open water wetland habitat, spanning over 8,400 hectares. As part of a large terminal wetland system it plays an important hydrological role in the natural functioning of the Narran River. The vast floodplain is dominated by lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta): it represents one of the largest expanses of relatively intact lignum in New South Wales. The Site provides critical habitat for large colonial waterbird breeding events for nine colonial species such as straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca), glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) and royal spoonbill (Platalea regia), and is listed as an Important Bird Area by Birds Australia. The Site also supports the globally endangered Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus). The fish population has a high proportion of native species. The Site is part of an area that holds great significance for local Aboriginal people.

Administrative region: 
New South Wales

  • National legal designation: 
    • State Protected Area (NSW) - Narran Lake nature Reserve
  • Last publication date: 
    01-07-2022