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Yarnel Lagoon and Burrawang West Lagoon are known to support breeding populations of a number of frog species including the Barking Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes fletcheri), Peron’s Tree Frog (Litoria peronii), the Inland Banjo Frog (Lymnodynastes interioris) and the Desert Tree Frog (Litoria rubella) (Wassens et al. 2007, Wassens and Maher 2010). The delivery of appropriate flows to these wetlands is essential to maintaining these important frog populations.

More recent information on the occurrence of frog species found the distribution of Littlejohn’s Tree Frog (Litoria littlejohni), listed as vulnerable (EPBC and NSW TSC), included the upper Lachlan. However, there is little information on how flows might be better managed to ensure frog survival. Information on the abundance, species composition, richness and diversity of frog communities is needed, as well as information about the factors that influence populations, such as time since last flood, inundation frequency, habitat structure, and water quality.

This small wetland (around 21 ha) located near the junctions of Goobang and Yarrabandai creeks has become a relocation site for (Mogurnda adspersa). It has been selected as a regionally significant wetland as important habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles, and provides a refuge when adverse conditions such as drought prevail. It also supports an animal taxa considered endangered or vulnerable at the national level including the Barking Owl (Ninox connivens), Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) and Brolga (Grus rubicunda). A regulator has been constructed on the off-take to the lagoon from the Bumbuggan Creek which now enables more variable and natural water levels in the lagoon. It is currently considered in good condition, the lagoon area has been fenced and is under covenant and a willow removal program has been conducted.