Water for the environment and re-established habitat are bringing a northern Victorian waterway back to life, and helping it recover from the 2022 floods.
Pyramid Creek runs between Ghow Swamp and Kerang Weir. In the 1960s it was dredged to create more efficient irrigation water delivery, removing all the large woody debris and creating steep, narrow banks.
As a result, there was little habitat for fish, water bugs or platypus.
Over the past 10 years, the North Central Catchment Management Authority has been working with the local community to add large snag piles to Pyramid Creek and deliver water for the environment to re-establish vegetation and encourage fish movement.
More than 50 snag piles made up of about 10 pieces of timber each have been added, including another 15 snag piles that were installed in May this year.
Monitoring during the most recent environmental flow in April has highlighted how important the flows and the snag piles are to native fish, and how well the creek is bouncing back.
“The survey showed native fish are already returning to Pyramid Creek, which shows the creek is recovering,” North Central CMA project officer Will Honybun said.
“Pyramid Creek and surrounding farmland took a big hit in last year’s flood, and restoring the waterway is important for the entire community.
“The latest fish surveys done between Hore Lane and Box Bridge recorded 50 golden perch, five Murray cod larger than one metre, a few above 80cm, and a handful of smaller ones.
“Importantly, most of the fish were found in and around the snag piles.”
Mr Honybun said across the region, water for the environment was being combined with on-ground works to improve waterways.
“It’s not just about adding the right amount of water at the right time,” he said.
“Our Native Fish Recovery Plan is creating the right habitat and giving fish somewhere to live and breed.
“It’s also building fishways to make it easier for our native fish to travel and populate new areas.”
The snag project has been supported by recreational fishing licence fees-funded grants from the Victorian Fisheries Authority.