There's something tranquil about water and waterways. Perhaps it's the life it supports, which is particularly appealing when you live in the driest state in the driest country. Here and there, you can come across little oases in the suburbs and one of these is Wynn Vale Dam.

It seems a popular spot for the locals, but it's rarely busy at any one time. You're bound to encounter dog walkers, the odd angler and some out to enjoy the walk and nature. Judging by the hoof tracks and horse droppings, riders like the area too.

The muscovy poop inspector?

I was there with my husband while he fished, but couldn't resist a bit of exploring. We parked up on Shearwater Place and as we turned towards the dam it felt like walking from suburbia into a little woodland.

Passing some shrubs, we emerged at the bank of the dam opposite an island. According to a nearby information board, the island is a safe haven for native wildlife and also acts as a buffer when heavy rains bring large volumes of water in, slowing the flow to help prevent erosion.

While my husband set up his fishing gear, I went for a stroll. It's a good sized dam and it quickly became apparent that it was quite a haven for wildlife, which is a good sign that the water health is good. Wynn Vale Dam collects storm water runoff and one of the measures they have put in to avoid pollution is a fountain to help with aeration and oxygenation of the water in the hot weather. It wasn’t running while we were there, but a white float marks it so anglers can avoid getting caught up on it. Unfortunately, the appearance of this float was rather like pollution in an otherwise picturesque landscape.

Judging by the photo on the information board, it looks much more attractive when the fountain is actually running.

There are a few bridges to take you over some dry creek beds which are some of the storm water intakes. They are picturesque where they haven't accumulated rubbish and some of the bridges are rather quaint, at least as quaint as a metal bridge can get. In a country with termites, wood as a construction material isn't a great idea.

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At one end of the reservoir is Elder Green Farm, apparently. It's likely a private residence as I couldn't really make out the actual buildings pictured on the information board as the area was fenced off. There are horses kept in the paddocks there and I was amused to see a makeshift sign warning that the white horse bites!

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Continuing along from the farm I reached the boardwalk. Completed in 2009, this is a fairly recent addition. It takes you out over the water to see it in a way that you can't really do from the bank.

The water fowl seem attracted to this area, probably because they know people bring food, despite it being discouraged.

Another area nearby which attracts the birds is where the picnic table is located.

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At one end of the boardwalk is another information board. On one side is simplistic information labeling the sort of aquatic bugs that might be found in the water.

Continuing on I reached the outlet end of the reservoir. Here a not so picturesque overflow sluices the water out...

...perhaps to the storm water treatment plant on the other side of the slope.

Divine dog walking?

One of the information boards talks about the problems that the introduced willow brings to the lake. They look lovely, but are thirsty and their leaves drop into the water, rotting and causing pollution. Many places have been making moves back to native plants and this seems to be happening here too. South Australian natives generally reflect the harsh climate they survive in and are often parched, scrawny looking plants, but they can have some amazing looking flowers.

The nasturtiums aren't native, but the native bottlebrush tree adds some colour too.

Another bottlebrush.

As I returned towards my starting point I was greeted by a duck family. The ducklings were heading towards me, but stopped short when they must have realised I had no food for them.

Past some drowning trees.

Back at hubby's fishing spot I took a seat and enjoyed looking out across the water. There was plenty of birdlife. Ibises nest on the island and as dusk approached sulphur crested cockatoos came in with their raucous calls. We watched them getting mobbed by the smaller birds when they came too near their nests. Unfortunately, they were too distant for me to capture them on my camera, but I did capture some of our brave little visitors, a crested dove and a Pacific black duck.

These two would come and go. I'd like to say they were fond of us, but they were really trying to get some of the fishing bait. The dove was bravest and came the closest, which seemed to make the duck jealous, because it would chase it away!

Eventually it did brave a taste of my shoe.

As dusk fell, the mosquitoes started to appear and that was our cue to leave. We said goodbye to the peaceful oasis and headed back to city life.

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