Triple J radio run various Ord River cruises in 60-seat shallow-draft launches from a small harbour a few km west of town on Lake Kununurra. One can also bus to boat on Lake Argyle, and return down the gorge to town, or, as we did, boat 55km up to the Argyle wall and back. Only 5 people going up, one other S African. We covered the upstream quickly, stopping briefly a few times for Jeff the pilot to tell us about the dams, and nature. At the wall we were joined by 40 who had bussed up, and the return was slower, including a scone and tea on the bank half-way, timing it to be close to town at sunset (which was stunning).
The Argyle dam provides hydro power for the town, but mostly for Argyle Diamond mine. This day, the mine was in maintenance needing less power, so an overflow bypassed one generator releasing a massive water column. The lower Kununurra dam no longer fluctuates, since Argyle dam controls the flow as needed. Jeff gave figures for the annual and daily water flows that were staggering in winter, never mind the summer floods. Plans are in place to expand the irrigation.
Aquatic and bird life has increased by half in numbers as well as diversity since Argyle dam. Apart for the freshwater crocs, we saw several waders, hawks, egrets, jabiru, and others. The banks now have well established, variable vegetation – including pandanus, reed, and the yellow flowering kapok. Some homes have been built on relatively cheap west bank blocks.
The cruise was excellent.
