Riparian vegetation narrow and consisting of a few native gum trees over introduced grasses.
Moderate bank erosion and fine sediment deposits in the channel.
Area map
About the location
Tatiara Creek is a moderately sized stream in the upper South East with a catchment area over 430 km2. It rises in western Victoria in the Lillimur area and flows in a westerly direction through Bordertown and Poocher Swamp before disappearing underground several kilometres west of Bordertown. The major land uses are grazing and cropping.
The monitoring site was located on the northeastern outskirts of Bordertown on Winter Road, near the Tolmer Racecourse.
The creek was given a Fair rating because the site sampled showed moderate changes in ecosystem structure and some changes to the way the ecosystem functions. There was evidence of human disturbance, including poor riparian habitat, bank erosion and fine sediment deposition.
Findings
The creek was dry in autumn and spring 2009, so macroinvertebrate and water quality data were not available for the site inspected.
The sediments were dominated by sand, detritus, clay, gravel and silt; samples taken from below the surface were not obviously blackened and appeared to be well aerated sands. A moderate amount (10–50 metres) of bank erosion was noted in autumn and a small amount of fine silt was deposited in the channel.
The only aquatic plant growing in the channel was a type of sedge (probably Carex).
The riparian zone was narrow and less than five metres in extent, and comprised a few gum trees over introduced grasses. The surrounding vegetation at the site was native woodland consisting of gums, wattles and sheoaks over introduced grasses.
Special environmental features
None detected.
Pressures and management responses
Pressures
Management responses
Drought
Through ground and surface water allocation planning and the South East Regional NRM Plan water affecting activity permit process the NRM Board seeks to manage water for environmental, social and economic purposes in a range of climatic scenarios.
Livestock have direct access at the site and upstream, causing sediment erosion and adding excessive nutrients (which leads to habitat disturbance, algal growth and aquatic weeds).
The South East NRM Board supports targeted projects that provide opportunities for landholders to access grants for fencing for stock exclusion from time to time for priority catchments.
Limited riparian zone vegetation at the site and upstream, providing minimal buffer protection from catchment landuses (reducing habitat quality).
The South East NRM Board assists landholders to access targeted grant opportunities for revegetation and ecosystem protection when funding is available. The Board also works closely with landholders consistent with the Board’s Regional Pest Management Plan to control weeds on their property and to assist in halting their spread to other properties.