History and Development

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Prior to 1967 the Paiwalla Swamp of 116 hectares adjoined the Sunnyside Swamp of 34 hectares giving 150 hectares of continuous wetland, the largest wetland complex on the River Murray below Mannum.

In 1967 just over 60 hectares were reclaimed for dairy-farming and other agricultural activities. Levee banks and irrigation channels were constructed and areas fenced. Regulators and sluice gates at the river's edge controlled flooding of pastures.

By 1996 farming had ceased. In 1998 the water licence was sold and the Wetland Habitats Trust was formed with the aim of restoring the reclaimed area to temporary wetlands. Management plans were drawn up and an initial grant for rehabilitation was received from the Natural Heritage Trust.

In the years between 1998 and 2002 volunteers removed fencing and an earth-moving firm was employed to fill the irrigation channels, and create islands and basins.
Exclusion screens were placed over the two inlet regulators to prevent European Carp from entering the wetland from the river. After an extended delay approval to inundate the area was received. 
The regulator valves were opened on  22 September 2003 .