Wimmera waterways

The Wimmera catchment comprises the Wimmera River and Millicent Coast basins. The Wimmera River is the region’s largest waterway, rising on the north-western slopes of Mount Buangor in the south-east Wimmera and terminating in Lakes Hindmarsh and Albacutya in the northern Wimmera.

A large number of tributary streams drain into the river from sections of the Pyrenees and Grampians ranges. Under periods of higher flow, the Wimmera River feeds Dunmunkle and Yarriambiack creeks which flow north into the Mallee.

The Millicent Coast Basin in the west of the region contains most of the Wimmera’s 3000 wetlands and a number of small streams that flow west into South Australia.

Why it is important to keep our rivers and streams healthy

It is important to keep Wimmera rivers and streams healthy because they provide:

• A healthy environment to enjoy and in which to live, relax, swim and work,
• Good water quality for stock and domestic needs and for irrigators and other users,
• An attractive and enjoyable destination for relaxation and sport,
• Investment opportunities for environmentally-based tourism,
  Recreational and commercial fishing opportunities,
• Natural processes for breaking down sewage and agricultural runoff, and
• Reduced need for pesticides in crops by supporting insect-eating waterbirds.

Unfortunately, many Wimmera rivers, creeks and wetlands are under threat from reduced flows, sedimentation and erosion, invasion by pest plants and animals and declining water quality.

Gully and land erosion occurs extensively throughout the catchment, particularly in the upper Wimmera, and is contributing significant sediment to waterways. The associated decline in water quality is further exacerbated by grazing pressure on the bed and banks of waterways.

Changes in flow regimes and increasing sedimentation are leading to significant changes in aquatic vegetation growth and, combined with a history of snag removal, are having a significant impact on aquatic habitats.

How the CMA improves the health of Wimmera waterways

The  Wimmera Waterway Health Strategy Summary (4.53 MB) is the guiding document for the long-term management of the region’s waterways. The strategy sets out actions for improving the health of the region’s rivers, creeks and wetlands and aims to achieve this through the following key methods and activities:

• Riparian fencing and revegetation,
• Waterway restoration works,
• Waterway restoration programs,
• Education initiatives and,
• Returning of water to the waterways through environmental water releases.

Click below to find out more about Wimmera CMA priorities that improve the condition and management of the region’s waterways :
Healthy River & Streams
Wetlands
Flood Management

If you would like a copy of the full Wimmera Waterway Health Strategy document on CD, please contact the Wimmera CMA

Connecting the Catchments

Wimmera CMA is part of a cross-border partnership between Victorian and South Australian water resource management agencies called 'Connecting the Catchments'.

• To find out more visit www.senrm.sa.gov.au and follow the links to Our Projects/Connecting the Catchments or download the following document:  Connecting the Catchments (1.02 MB)