South Australia’s Ewens Ponds and Piccaninnie Ponds are currently both closed to snorkellers and divers.
The spring fed sinkhole systems are known for their amazing clarity and freshwater ecosystems but both are under environmental strain.
The water level in the channels connecting Ewens Ponds has become to shallow to swim along because of the dropping water table. Piccaninnie Ponds is closed due an algae outbreak.
Water flow through the pond systems has dropped by half since 2014 and reduced further since then.
“…It’s not a simple solution that we’ve been able to identify at this stage.”
Jason Higham – SA National Parks and Wildlife Service
Authorities are hopeful both systems will re-open to the public in time, but they face a range of complex issues.
Source: ABC News 14 July 2024
