River stays fresh

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
A WEEK long release of up to 3 billion litres of water from the Upper Yarra Reservoir has improved the health of the Yarra River, just weeks after it was announced as one of the top three rivers in the world.
The flows were a fraction of what is harvested into the Upper Yarra Reservoir each year, but are an important part of improving the Yarra’s health.
Waterways general manager Chris Chesterfield said the flows would help address the impact that damming the Yarra, to create Upper Yarra Reservoir, had on the health of the waterway and the plants and animals that live there.
“The dam has altered the natural flow of the Yarra, increasing the amount of soil and other loose vegetation on the river bed, which reduces habitat and food availability for significant native animals such as river blackfish and the Yarra spiny crayfish,” said Mr Chesterfield.
“The flows are being used strategically to help flush out the upper reaches of the river, as would naturally be the case before the dam was built.”
Although Melbourne Water missed the top spot for the 2011 International Riverprize, the Yarra finished in the top three out of more than 50 submissions across the world, all vying for an award that recognises innovative river management.
Mr Chesterfield said being named a finalist recognised decades of work by all levels of government, agencies and the community to improve and protect one of Melbourne’s most treasured natural icons.
“The Yarra’s pristine upper reaches provide most of Melbourne’s drinking water and the lower section is a backdrop to cultural, social and recreational activity and Australia’s busiest container port,” he said.
“The Yarra has its critics, but when you consider the pressures it faces, Melburnians can be proud of how of how well it compares globally.”