How healthy is the water quality of the Barwon Basin?​

Corangamite citizen science data provides insight into current water quality and observed changes at long term monitoring sites since last reported in 2020.​

Data has been gathered from ​

• 51 WaterWatch and 3 EstuaryWatch sites, in​

• 5 landscape zones, by​

• 45 volunteers.​

Water quality indicators including pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, phosphorus and dissolved oxygen levels were interpreted using objectives in the Victorian Environmental Reference Standards.

2021-24 data has been compared with the Barwon River Water Quality Summary (2011-20) report to help measure change over time.

Barwon Basin​ Water Quality 2021-24

Citizen scientists' data has been compared with the Barwon River Water Quality Summary (2011-20) report to help measure change over time.

Highlights of the report include:

Upper Barwon - Monitoring of water quality and macroinvertebrates at targeted sites not only provides long term data sets but helps evaluate the benefits of water for the environment. eDNA surveys show good distribution of platypus.

Yarrowee Leigh - Stewardship of Williamsons Creek is seen through fencing, revegetation and 30 years of continuous monitoring. At the time of the 2005-20 report, the creek had been impacted by drought and fire. Now, water quality is maintained or improved.

Moorabool ​- Citizen science data has been collected by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and community members. In reaches 3B and 4 where there have been targeted watering actions in the Moorabool River water quality is generally good and comparison with previous data reports showed maintained or improved condition in water quality.

Bellarine - Waterway improvement works underway at Deakin University Waurn Ponds campus is an example where students have become WaterWatch citizen scientists and are actively monitoring constructed wetlands through water quality tests and macroinvertebrate surveys.

The Barwon River Water Quality Summary presents citizen science data from Leigh, Moorabool and Barwon River catchments (2021-2024). ​

Conclusions:

When compared with 2020 environmental values in the Moorabool River have been maintained or improved. Higher than average rainfall and the implementation of environmental flows contributed to improved overall water quality and health of the macroinvertebrate community in the Moorabool River. ​

But on the other hand, the turbidity of the Barwon River in the lower catchment was in marginal condition and has declined since 2020 highlighting the importance of a whole of catchment approach to protect water quality and environmental values.