There is a residual surface runoff of fresh water into the lake from the sporadic rainfall from ephemeral streams; there are no defined streams in the catchment.
The sticky issue of ephemeral streams was dealt with by the regional council with a change to its fresh-water plan to allow for unprecedented environmental tradeoffs.
Once winter rains have soaked the soil and filled ephemeral streams, both males and females migrate up to 2 km to breeding ponds that exist only in winter.
According to the attorneys, the draft connectivity study obviates the need for conducting a significant nexus test on intermittent and ephemeral streams.