Full Title
Investigation of the role of Low Flow Events in the Ovens River
Contact Person
Helen Gigney
Project Team
Details
Funding Body
North East Catchment Management Authority
Duration
completed August 2006
Outcomes
Details
Summary
The Ovens River is a Victorian Heritage River due to its status as one of the last unregulated rivers in the State, its active floodplain, and healthy native fish community. The existing Stream Flow Management Plan identifies periods of low flows as being critical for protecting the health of the Ovens River. There is, however, little information available to determine the impact of changing the timing, duration or frequency of low flow periods in the Ovens River on either blackfish (used as an indicator species) or other components of the ecosystem. This project will provide important information on the management of flow regime within the Ovens River that will help ensure a healthy ecosystem. The aims of this project are to:
- Improve our knowledge of the ecology of low flow events.
- Facilitate adaptive improvement of stream flow management to deliver cost effective environmental improvement.
- Underpin the development of a monitoring program to determine the effectiveness of the Stream Flow Management Plan in achieving stated environmental objectives.
