Plenty River
Source:Good |
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| Water quality | Aquatic life | Habitat & stability | Vegetation | Flow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent |  |
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| Good | |
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| Moderate | |
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| Poor | |||||
| Very Poor | |||||
Lower Sections:Poor |
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| Water quality | Aquatic life | Habitat & stability | Vegetation | Flow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | |||||
| Good | |
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| Moderate | |
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| Poor | |
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| Very Poor | |
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Originating in the forested slopes of Mount Disappointment, the Plenty River is the source of Melbourne's first major water supply. Below the forests, where the river is in good condition and has an excellent rating for aquatic life and water quality, the river has a largely rural catchment with two major towns at Mernda and Whittlesea. Downstream of South Morang, the catchment becomes fully urbanised. Flows are a serious issue in terms of waterway health.
Improvement works: During the last five years, there has been a major program to remove willows and replant the river banks. Works have also been carried out to stabilise the river's bed and banks, including strategically placing old logs and branches in the waterway that will naturally break down and help maintain the shape of the bank.
Recent surveys have found the migratory fish species Spotted Galaxias and Short-headed Lamprey in the waterway, probably as a result of works to improve fish movement at Dights Falls in Alphington.
Willows have been removed and the banks of the river have been stabilised at the Heidelberg Golf Course, and major replanting is being carried out. Upstream on Barbers Creek, nearly 2.5 kilometres of the river's east branch will be stabilised and replanted.