Lake Gusmo & Ianami at peak flows

[MattA]

Well I have been hoping for the last 2weeks that we would have enough rain to fill my lakes. Lake Gusmo in my back yard is approx 6x9mtrs and 1.5mtrs deep when full, Lake Ianami is a wet dry lake with a max depth of 30cm, designed for storm water retention and ground recharge, this includes a large soakage pit under Cubist Cove.

I awoke this morning to find both lakes full and overflowing, Lake Gusmo has not been full since being rebuilt and enlarged last August and this is the first test of the underground drainage system installed to carry water from Lake Gusmo to Lake Ianami, as expected at the time, works were carried out on this system are able to handle peak flows that occur approx 6-10times a year. Modifications have been planned and will be enacted now that the system has been fully tested. Lake Ianami's overflow will be raised another 2" to bring levels up to the original planned max.

Thought I would share the view. Please no comments about the weed currently infesting Lake Gusmo.

Matt

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[bodhidharma]

Had a little rain have we Matt Its looking good. Do you have fish? As i remember mossies were a problem when my In Laws lived in Newcastle and they were inner city. Fish would eat the larva.

[MattA]

Hey Bodhi.. yeah just a little rain, forget when I last had to water trees its been going on so long...

I have Gambusa (Mossie fish) and comets in the main pond, I was given several large koi but one of my dogs developed a love of fishing. He was so proud of himself that he had actually managed to catch one I really couldnt be too angry.

Matt

[Glenda]

Matt, I love your vision and artistic flair. Most people would whinge about having water lying around, you just turn it into beautiful ponds and waterways. Such inspiration!

Glenda

[Amanda]

Matt, I love your vision and artistic flair. Most people would whinge about having water lying around, you just turn it into beautiful ponds and waterways. Such inspiration!

Glenda

Couldn't have said it better

[Steven]

Matt, I love your vision and artistic flair. Most people would whinge about having water lying around, you just turn it into beautiful ponds and waterways. Such inspiration!

Glenda

Couldn't have said it better

Ditto

Nothing like using nature to your advantage rather than trying to obstruct it.
Thanks for sharing Matt!

Regards,
Steven

[kcpoole]

Verry nice Matt

[MattA]

I couldnt resist sharing this photo of my 2 and a friends dog playing in the pond. Now the proper overflow is in place (black box on far side) Bentonite is on the research list to source if anyone knows of somewhere in newcastle would be most appreciated.

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Matt

[MattA]

I was asked on another thread about my garden I thought I would post a couple of new pics. With most of the prebonsai finally moved out of the front yard the final native plantings have been made on the mountains. It needs a good weed but I like the slightly wild look

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The raisin trees are all back in leaf and now the basic frame has been established they should really fill out this year creating much needed shade on the western side of the house.

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Its been a very dry winter & the main pond is at its lowest ever having dropped about 12", exposing the waterlily... I am seriously wondering where to plant the lotus or if I keep it in a tub for the year.

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The overflow needs special treatment & today I picked up a ute load of material that should be perfect for the job, it needs to be solid to withstand a path being built over the edge & still allow full access for water & clearing debris.

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The path & wall from the shade house end are still in flux, I dont know if I like the first/second stepper.. I might have to see what I have in my stockpile...

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[Dario]

Looking really great Matt!
It must have taken a hell of a lot of work to accomplish! I imagine it must be very relaxing to be surrounded by such a beautiful garden
Do you ever get any ducks in your lake, or do the dogs scare them off? Also, are birds regular visitors to your garden?
Thanks for the update.
Cheers, Dario.

[MattA]

Thanks Dario, a garden is not work but a labour of love... having said that I couldnt even begin to estimate how much dirt has been moved, let alone concrete, soil & mulch that has been brought into the yard... maybe in the next 5yrs it should be close to completion

With bushland behind & surrounding my town, I get alot of birds in the garden, ducks in season, egrets for my goldfish, kookaburra's looking for snakes that come for the frogs and loads of others looking for a drink. Lots more come for the native grasses and once the grevillea & other shrubs fill out, hopefully even more birds will come. The dogs are really good about them, as long as its not magpies trying to steal their bones

When clearing the weeds earlier this year I also came across a series of Bandicoot tunnels, so I have wired off an area for them to go wild, it also gives them a bit of daytime protection from my dogs. At night the dogs are kept to the main housegarden so the bandicoots can forage freely.

[Booga]

Thats one cool natural habitat you are building Matt, It looks and sounds good

[Dario]

Sounds like a beatiful environment you have created Matt
Thanks for the update!
Cheers, Dario.