Waterwatch - Port Phillip & Westernport

Lower Yarra River (north side)

The lower section of the Yarra River has a number of significant flora and fauna species including the threatened Australian grayling and Australian mudfish. The Lower Yarra has excellent walking trails and is a popular spot for tourists hosting a number of important events including the Moomba festival. Prior to European settlement the area where Merri Creek joins the Yarra River was a meeting place and became an Aboriginal mission post settlement. Key risks to the lower Yarra River include:

• changes in hydrology
• reduced water quality (as a result of stormwater),
• partial barriers to fish migration; and
• the prevalence of exotic weeds and pests.

Melbourne Water has developed the Index of River Condition (IRC) program to provide an overall integrated measure of the environmental condition of rivers.  To find out more about the health of this river visit Melbourne Water’s website or request Waterwatch data.