The Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020 saw mass destruction of thousands of hectares of land in South-eastern Australia. Riparian zones were not exempt from the fall out. The Upper Murrumbidgee River sustained immense damage, with the rains in February 2020 washing large amounts of sediment into the waterway. Although the rain was a much-needed relief for exhausted fire-fighting communities, it created other problems for the environment.
The consequences of the fires left fish habitat choked, water quality tainted and risking pre-existing river restoration works. The Rivers of Carbon program – Restoring our Rivers ‘After the Fire’ – set out to support local landholders through the installation of erosion structures, willow removal and revegetation, and provision of fish habitat. The area chosen to undertake these activities are known sites for Platypus and the endangered Macquarie Perch. This project was funded by the Caterpillar Foundation and the works were undertaken as a joint effort by Greening Australia, the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach and the Australian River Restoration Centre.
The catchments suffered intense burning, changing the chemistry of the soil and becoming water resistant. This factor, along with the lack of remaining vegetation, left the infiltration capacity of the soil at an all-time low. This lack of ground cover and heavy rains saw the Upper Murrumbidgee river run black with ash and sediment.
The project was unfortunately delayed by COVID-19 and wet weather events, leading to the extension of the project timeframe. Despite the delays, the project was a success. In total, six landholders worked on emergency erosion control and sixteen landholders in the Murrells Crossing area targeted the protecting and restoring riparian habitat with benefits to native species.
Emergency erosion control structures
● 21476 tonnes of sediment reduced
● 3 erosion control structures established
Strategic willow control
● 1 tonnes of sediment removed per willow – 100 willows = 100 tonnes
● 57 hectares of habitat protected along river and 303 ha adjoining land
● 30 hectares of willows removed (crown canopy)
● 4 kms of vegetation managed
Fish hotels and habitat structures
● One fish hotel created- fish hotel consists of 2 logs with rootballs to make up one habitat structure.
Here at Rivers of Carbon, we feel extremely grateful to have worked together with the support of Caterpillar Foundation and are thankful for their contribution to the project.
All images are courtesy of Antia Brademann
Follow the full journey of the project in the links below.
You’ll receive emails about every 3 months packed full of updates on Rivers of Carbon projects, events and other news.
Browse information-packed resources on managing riparian areas for improved water quality, stock health and sustainable farm management.
