Drought Monitoring
This pool on Deep Creek in Lancefield is an important refuge for the endangered Yarra Pygmy Perch.
Drought Monitoring is an initiative of the Healthy Waterways Waterwatch Program, with volunteer monitors helping Melbourne Water to keep an eye on important and endangered species including growling grass frogs, platypus and dwarf galaxias.
Despite rainfall over the 09/10 summer, the region continues to record lower than average long-term rainfall and this can affect the amount and quality of water in our rivers and creeks.
During periods of low rainfall rivers and creeks may cease to flow and animals such as fish seek refuge in pools. These pools are known as refuge pools. They enable species to survive through droughts and recolonise waterways when better conditions return.
We’re monitoring the condition of refuge pools because the region has been experiencing the longest dry period in history and pools which may have been good refuges in the past could now be threatened.
Healthy Waterways Waterwatch Program has been working closely with the River Health and Environmental Flows teams at Melbourne Water to assess the health of refuge pools, using data gathered by volunteer monitors.
A variety of techniques have been used to monitor the refuge pools, depending on the location of the waterway and species utilising the pool, techniques included:
- Recording water level data
- Using photopoint photographs to demonstrate change
- Water testing, with a focus on dissolved oxygen and temperature; parameters critical for the survival of aquatic life.
Drought Monitoring has led to some fantastic success stories, including:
- Discovery of a blue-green algae outbreak
- Tracking an environmental flow
- Data verification to assess trigger points for environmental flows
- Top-ups of refuge pools for the endangered dwarf galaxias
To find out more about how we’re working to protect the habitat of important species, please contact us.
