Monitoring River Health

The Victorian Government River Health Program restores and protects rivers and catchments. Information on River Health can be found on the DSE website (external link).

Index of Stream Condition
The Index of Stream Condition has been developed as a tool to aid waterway managers, by measuring a stream's change from natural or ideal conditions.

The Victorian Government is committed to protecting and restoring our rivers and catchments and safeguarding the regional economies that are dependent on them. The Victorian River Health Strategy (VRHS) outlines the Government's long-term direction for the management of Victoria's rivers. It provides va clear vision for the management of rivers in Victoria, a comprehensive policy direction on issues affecting river health, and a blueprint for integrating efforts on rivers and ensuring the most effective river health benefits for the effort and resources invested.
Photo: James Creek, Campaspe Basin
Channel deepening, bankerosion and sedimentation,
James Creek, Campaspe Basin, 1989.
Photo: State of the Streams Survey, DWR, 1990

Collecting water samples,
North Central Catchment
Management Area
Photo: Waterwatch Victoria Community Monitoring
This page describes some of Victoria's community water quality monitoring programs.

Saltwatch (external link)
Each year, approximately 300 groups from around Victoria register with the Saltwatch program. On average each group collects 20 samples from their local rivers, creeks, dams and bores.

Waterwatch Victoria (external link)
A national program bringing together schools, community groups, Landcare groups, landholders, councils and Water Authorities to test the quality of their local stream or water source so that practical actions can be taken to maintain and improve water quality.

Fishcare Volunteer Program (external link)
Fosters stewardship and personal responsibility by Victorian recreational fishers to fish resources and the aquatic environment.

Related Links
Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse (external link)
This site provides monitoring data on water quality, stream flow, river health and water quality trends.

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