The Wimmera River between Polkemmet (10km north-west of Horsham) and Wirrengren Plain has been proclaimed a Victorian Heritage River due to its significant environmental and social values (Heritage Rivers Act 1992).
One notable feature of the system is the distributaries – Yarriambiack and Dunmunkle Creeks – which carry water from the Wimmera River. Yarriambiack Creek, during floods, flows from Longerenong through Warracknabeal, Brim and Beulah into Lake Coorong near Hopetoun. The Dunmunkle Creek, a highly modified stream, carries water north from Glenorchy through Rupanyup dissipating in the southern Mallee during floods.
The Millicent Coast Basin, within the Wimmera catchment boundary, is characterised by a number of streams that flow west into South Australia. Management of these streams, including Mosquito, Koijak, Morambro, Tatiara, and Thompson Creeks, is also important given that rivers, streams, floodplains, and wetlands do not end at the State border. Mosquito Creek is a high priority as it flows through to Ramsar-listed Bool Lagoon. There are also stand-alone streams that feed other wetlands, for example Natimuk Creek.
A large variety of wildlife rely on local rivers and streams for habitat, which act as natural corridors in a largely agricultural landscape. These include waterway dependant species such as freshwater catfish and platypus.
Most population centres are located adjacent to rivers and streams for historic water supply and aesthetic purposes. Many of which have weir pools including Horsham, Warracknabeal, Dimboola, Jeparit, Jung, Glenorchy, Great Western, Brim, and Elmhurst. Camping, fishing, walking, canoeing, rowing, bird watching, and swimming are popular activities that local residents enjoy.
There is a rich cultural history associated with the region’s rivers and streams. The local indigenous community retains a strong connection to rivers and streams. Sites of cultural significance abound along riverbanks and floodplains, with a successful native title claim along much of the lower Wimmera River.
The Wimmera’s rivers and streams provide much of the water needs for towns and farms, especially via the Wimmera-Mallee pipeline. As well as supporting some irrigation of vines, pasture, and annual crops. Water is also supplied to local industry and mining enterprises. Rivers and streams underpin local tourism and recreation; people come from afar to enjoy the fishing, rowing, water skiing, and bird watching opportunities afforded, bringing significant tourism dollars.
Wimmera River 'A Flowing Tale'
The Wimmera River links the upper catchment communities like Elmhurst with ones many kilometres away in the lower catchment like Jeparit and Dimboola and underpinning many of the cultural, social, economic, and environmental values the region possesses. Much of the region bore witness to the changes the river underwent from the grips of record drought to the risks posed by massive floods. Amongst these events were milestones such as the completion of the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline and the return of the Dimboola Rowing Regatta. This six-part series provides a fantastic insight into the Wimmera River itself and the people who want to see it continue to improve in its condition and significance.
Working with other NRM partners
MDBA
The Wimmera catchment falls within the Murray-Darling Basin and therefore, Wimmera CMA works closely with Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
The MDBA was established under the federal Water Act 2007, as an independent, expertise based statutory agency. Their role includes advising a six-member Authority, of which the MDBA Chief Executive is a member, about Basin-wide strategy, policy, and planning. The MDBA undertakes activities that support the sustainable and integrated management of the water resources of the Murray-Darling Basin in a way that best meets the social, economic, and environmental needs of the Basin and its communities.
See the latest plan and amendments of the Basin Plan 2012.
Find out more about the Murray Darling Basin Plan, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and how the the plan is tracking see: www.mdba.gov.au
Connecting the Catchments
Wimmera CMA is also part of a cross-border partnership between Victorian and South Australian water resource management agencies called 'Connecting the Catchments.'
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 to live, relax, swim, and work
- good water quality for stock and domestic animals
- investment opportunities for environmentally-based tourism
- recreational and commercial fishing opportunities
- support flora and fauna that rely on water.
Challenges
- 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
- carp
- climate change.
How the CMA improves the health of Wimmera waterways
Wimmera Waterway Strategy 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:
- weed and rabbit control to prevent bank erosion and increase native biodiversity
- riparian fencing and revegetation to stabilise banks from eroding and provide natural filtering of water runoff
- waterway restoration works and programs to stabilise bank and streambed erosion and improve water quality
- education initiatives to teach others ways they can help look after our waterways and why we do certain things a particular way
- returning of water to the waterways through environmental water releases helps improve water quality and provide a better habitat for plants and animals. People can also enjoy water activities with better water quality
- monitoring and reporting on waterway health to track conditions and activities that are helping to improve water quality
- working with other NRM agencies for integrated management of the catchments, including other catchment management authorities Murray- Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and within the Connecting the Catchments partnership
Monitoring and recording health
Wimmera CMA also undertakes a detailed, comprehensive monitoring program to provide information to maximise the effect of riparian and wetland works as well as environmental flows. It also enables the Wimmera CMA to monitor overall condition of environmental assets and track progress against goals and targets in strategies and plans.