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Snags return life to the Glenelg River
Snags deposited in the Glenelg River near Casterton in south-west Victoria
Snags are being heaved back into the Glenelg River in southwest Victoria in a bid to recreate vital habitat for many native aquatic plants and animals.
In the 1960s and 70s logs and branches were removed from the 400-kilometre waterway, particularly in the reach flowing through the rural town of Casterton, off the Hamilton Highway near the South Australian border.
It was thought this would prevent flooding of the town by flushing out a build-up of sand in the river. Instead, the riverbed levelled out to what has been described as a 'flat highway of sand.'
Funding
In 2004 the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA) initiated a project to restore in-stream habitat in the Glenelg River. The project received funding from the Australian and State Governments.
Activities
Glenelg Hopkins CMA's River Health Project Officer Lucy Cameron said over the past three years snags had been reinstated along a three-and-a-half kilometre stretch of river near Casterton.
"Large woody debris is an important natural component of most river systems," Lucy said.
"When tree trunks and limbs fall into the stream, they can slow the flow to create a deeper pool that supplies vital habitat for river plants and animals during drought. Debris also creates crevices and niches for invertebrates which in turn supply food for larger animals and fish."
Snags are sourced from a mineral sands mine operated by Iluka Resources at Douglas, about 20 kilometres from Balmoral. The company supplies the CMA with eucalypts such as Red Gum and Yellow Gum left over from its logging operations.
Woody debris is deposited near holes created where sand has been extracted. The combination of removing the sand build-up in the river, which was partially caused by a massive flood in 1946, and reinstating snags helps to create holes deep enough for species such as the Yarra Pygmy Perch to shelter from currents and predators.
Awareness-raising events have helped garner support from the local community, which has put its weight behind the re-snagging effort. Many residents of Casterton who remembered endorsing de-snagging now see the value of snags.
Achievements
"Seeing the scour pools created by those pieces of wood is very gratifying," Lucy said.
"Native fish that suffered as a result of habitat loss, such as River Blackfish, will be better off as they rely on these pools and hollow logs to lay their eggs."
More information
- Lucy Cameron, River Health Project Officer, Glenelg Hopkins CMA: (03) 5571 2526 or l.cameron@ghcma.vic.gov.au
- Glenelg Hopkins CMA
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