Waterway Health -Condition Monitoring
The East Gippsland CMA undertakes an annual monitoring program of the condition of parts of our rivers where landholder agreements and stock exclusion fencing has been constructed.
Landholder agreements are partnerships between the East Gippsland CMA and private landholders. With some financial assistance, landholders agree to keep stock out of areas next to waterways (riparian areas) on their property, generally by constructing fences.
The monitoring we complete follows an industry standard method (the ‘Victorian River Health Industry – Works Monitoring Method’ (WMM)). This collects a range of data relating to the condition and extent of riparian vegetation, bank form and stability, extent of weed threat and potential for natural recruitment of indigenous plant species on completion of restoration works.
Data is collected at intervals of three, six and ten years, to measure the impact of restoration works overtime. More frequent assessments at newer sites.
As well as Photo Points, the WMM records the following information:
- extent and nature of vegetation (ground cover, indigenous cover, natural recruitment, weed cover and presence of high threat weeds) compared to that which would be expected to occur there naturally
- the slope, and height of the bank, including its stability and stream width
- the type of sediment that the bed and banks of the stream are made up of
- presence of erosion
- presence of in-stream vegetation and large wood
- presence of fish barriers
The East Gippsland CMA has developed a method to convert the data collected through the WMM, to a Good, Fair or Poor condition rating. This conversion has allowed the data to be displayed spatially, in a useable and assessable format. Click on the river below to see the health scoring for that basin.
Mitchell River basin
Tambo River basin (includes Nicholson River)
Snowy River basin
Far East River Basin
Waterway Health Projects
The East Gippsland CMA undertakes a variety of projects, working with partner agencies, local organisations and community groups throughout the region. Click the pins to view works currently underway.
