Practical Watercourse Management Advice

Caring for a creek or river is not free of cost, but many benefits can be derived from it and problems avoided. In many cases, these easily outweigh the costs incurred over the medium to longer-term.

Start with good planning

Across South Australia there is growing enthusiasm for restoring and rehabilitating local creeks and rivers. Unfortunately however, many projects often fail to produce the dramatic improvements in stream health that the enthusiastic participants hoped for.

The main reason for this failure is a lack of planning, resulting in poorly defined project objectives and restoration strategies. Often the project did not solve the correct problem.

By planning your project carefully and setting clear, measurable objectives that are shared by all those involved in the project, you can greatly improve the chances of achieving your river restoration goals.

The following fact sheet, which has been prepared by Land and Water Australia, can assist you to establish a planning process for your river restoration projects. It provides an introduction to why planning is important, outlines the key steps to be followed in any planning process, and provides information about where to go for further assistance. Download the factsheet No9 PDF.(543kb). (Visit the Land and Water Australia website at www.rivers.gov.au)

Key Activities

While each watercourse restoration project will have different issues that will require specific attention, the following is a list of activities that are commonly involved in rehabilitation works:

Retention of existing natural riparian vegetation and revegetation.

• Read about revegetation
• Read about managing soils and pastures

Removal of weeds and pest species.

• Read about weeds
• Read about feral animals

Stabilisation and revegetation of degraded riparian areas.

• Read about erosion
• Read about bank stabilisation

Control and management of stock access to riparian zones.

• Read about stock management
• Read about fences

Managing dams

• Read about farm dams

See also the section:

• Revegation Hints for more practical tips on caring for your watercourse.

Are you on our mailing list to receive "Creek speak"?

Creek speak is a regular newsletter produced by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board which provides landholders with tips and hints on managing their watercourse.

• E-mail us now to be placed on our mailing list - it is free!

Top

Acknowledgement Information used in compiling this page was sourced from the following Land and Water Australia publication:

• Planning for River Restoration - Factsheet No 9.

Special thanks to Land and Water Australia for their assistance. Visit their website www.rivers.gov.au

Top