Revegetation for streambank erosion control
NRM NEWS – MAY 2020 – AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
By Josh Campbell
Land Services Officer P: 03 5881 9935 | M: 0427 104 874 | E: josh.campbell@lls.nsw.gov.au
Vegetation along our river systems is vital for numerous reasons including, providing habitat for aquatic species, filtering sediment, reducing turbidity and reducing bank erosion. In the Deniliquin area, loss of vegetation along the riverbank started with grazing by pastoral stock waiting to cross at the old river crossing. Further, it declined with alterations to seasonal flow patterns through river regulation. This loss of vegetation, along with high boat traffic, has caused considerable bank erosion.
Over the past two years, Murray LLS, the Edward-Wakool Angling Association and Deniliquin High School students have been working together to improve vegetation and reduce erosion along the banks of the Edward/Kolety river.
The Edward/Kolety River Bank Revegetation Project started in 2019 with 2.5km of stream bank being revegetated with another 1.5 km just being completed. Year one was set up as a trial to work out the best methods of planting and which plants species survived best in the local conditions. Speaking with John Conallin from the Edward-Wakool Angling Association about year one findings he suggested although early days River Clubrush, Tall Spikerush and Phragmites have proven most resilient. It was also evident that plants planted with root systems had much higher survival rates compared to cuttings.
With year one plants well established and year two plantings complete the project team is looking to the future, with a 5-year plan (funding permitted) to revegetate around 15 km of streambank with a key focus on reducing bank erosion along the Deniliquin water skiing zone. Establishing plants in this area will be challenging due to the high wave action. However, selecting plants that have proven resilient in years one & two and using proven planting methods should assist in the success of future revegetation works.
