Fivebough Swamp is 400 ha of the 689 ha Ramsar site. The swamp was once full of trees, a relic lake
depression that was greatly degraded by excessive flooding, fire and clearing. Heavy grazing led to
much of the wetland becoming an open mud flat and a prime habitat for migratory waterbirds, while
another section where grazing had ceased to became dense reeds and habitat for rare waterbird species.
This public land was leased by the state (provincial government) for grazing and to the local
government for sewage treatment. The swamp is surrounded by extensive irrigation farm developments
so that water management is now highly regulated.