Diary

2017

2016

2015

2014

It is common to think of erosion most occurring where water comes in contact with the bank of a creek. However as these two photos show erosion can also occur where the creek has cut through the water table in the adjacent land. Cutting through the water table allows the water to escape and in the process “eating out” the soil below the surface which is still held together by the roots of plants. This form of erosion can also be called subsurface erosion. Where subsurface erosion is concentrated it can lead to tunnel erosion.

2013

Two following two photos show how the “corse” roots of some trees, in this case Blackwoods, can contribute to bank destabilisation. This happens when the tree roots encourage water turbulence leading to erosion and an unstable profile once the tree does give way. Also note the clumps of the weed grass Phalaris at the top of the second photo. The large root ball of the Phalaris does not permit the bank to smoothly adjust to a more natural angle.

2012

While weeds particularly Blackberry will always be a problem it is not longer a major problem. With the increased growth of native plants there are less spaces for the weed seeds to germinate. Currently it takes about one day with a backpack to control the Blackberries and thistles along nearly 1km of waterway.

2011

November

There has already been significant natural regeneration of pioneer species such as Blackwood's, Native Hemp and Kangaroo Apple.  Also there has been a lot of natural regeneration by most of the water species planted. There is so many new plants I think some must be coming in from off-site, either arriving with the water from up creek or with visiting birds.

April

A very good wet past 12 months meant that the creek didn’t stop flowing over 2010/11 summer which I get the impression is very unusual. The wet weather combined with the hot weather has made for excellent growing conditions both in the creek proper and on the verges of the creek.

We have some very interesting "Before" and "After" photos to share from 2009 and 2011 -

2010

December

A really good wet year (finally) has given the plants a real boost.

August

CCMA helpfully funded the replacement of the lost plants and so a second major planting occurred this year also. As well as replacing some of the missing plants a focus was made to plant water plants in the Low Flow channel. 

The main weeds appearing in the creek are Blackberry, Willow and Cape Broom as well as perennial weeds such as Hemlock, Deadly Nightshade and Scotch Thistle while the exotic grass species such as Phalaris are always a problem. 

2009

December

Another very dry year however there were a lot more pools with water that looked a lot cleaner over summer, presumably as result of the Willows being removed. Research I have read show Willows use vast amounts of water far more than that which is lost to evaporation if there is no tree cover and or native vegetation.

November

Revisiting the location of the August planting it appears about 40% of plants had been damaged due to browsing by rabbits and wallabies

August

The creek zone was replanted with 5,100 indigenous species, put into carefully selected areas specific to each species growth habits and requirements.  On advice the plants were put in without guards.

March 

Follow up weed spraying in the creek.

January

Willows were cut down and the stumps poisoned.  The remains of the trees were stacked together in a number of piles ready for burning when the fire restrictions come off. Over 200 Willows were removed by contractors funded by the CCMA.

2008

October

Cool burn, which got quite hot! was run tough the creek to remove the jungle of dead Blackberry canes.

February

Spraying of the Blackberries in the creek.

Pre-2008

Untouched condition of the creek.