Upper Yarra
Source:Excellent |
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| Water quality | Aquatic life | Habitat & stability | Vegetation | Flow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent |  |
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| Good | |||||
| Moderate | |||||
| Poor | |||||
| Very Poor | |||||
Rural Sections:Moderate |
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| Water quality | Aquatic life | Habitat & stability | Vegetation | Flow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | |||||
| Good | |
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| Moderate | |||||
| Poor | |
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| Very Poor | |||||
The Upper Yarra River and its tributaries are located upstream from Warrandyte. The catchment here is dominated by native forests contained within protected water supply areas and is essentially in pristine condition. Environmentally, the area is of high quality and home to a wide range of aquatic species, including the Mt Donna Buang Wingless Stonefly, which is only found in the small area of alpine catchment around the source of the river.
From Warburton to Warrandyte, the river passes through several gorges broken up by wider floodplains dotted with wetlands and billabongs, through which a slower river meanders. Land use in the surrounding area is mainly rural, with some native forest in tributary headwaters. The Yarra Valley forms a green wedge protected from the more closely settled urban areas that dominate the valley below Warrandyte. There are number of townships throughout the upper river valley, including Coldstream, Healesville, Lilydale and Yarra Glen.
Over recent years, much traditional grazing has given way to more intensive cultivation such as horticulture and vines, and this has raised demands for water from the river and its tributaries. The expansion of urban Melbourne has also contributed to increased water demands on the Yarra system. Flow-related stresses have become a significant issue for the Yarra, together with other long standing impacts caused by changes to the waterway, clearing of trees and other plants, stock access and intensive farming. The condition of the river varies from moderate to poor in this section despite the presence of indigenous vegetation and reasonably healthy stream communities including fish.
Improvement works: Waterways are being fenced and replanted in this region through the Stream Frontage Management Program, and gradually weeds and willows are being removed and replaced with indigenous plants. The beds and banks of the river are being stabilised, and material, for example logs that provide suitable habitat, are being put back into key streams. Environmental management systems are being developed for farms and businesses in the area that will help to reduce the run-off of nutrients and other chemicals into waterways.