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Toodyay Friends of the River Inc.
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Aims
To work towards the conservation and rehabilitation of the Avon River and its environs.
To help enhance the river environment for the enjoyment of local residents and visitors to the area.
To provide facilities along the river for the enjoyment of the community that will not compromise the integrity of the river and its environs.
To work with the Avon Waterways Committee and the Department of Environment on River Recovery and Management Plans aimed at rehabilitation of the riverine environment.
To work with the Shire of Toodyay in preparing landscape and amenity plans for the Avon River. To encourage group participation by the community in River Recovery projects.
To publish or assist with the publication of news articles, film, literature or electronic presentations that will further the objectives of the the Friends.
To encourage the collection of historical data and to recognise and promote the heritage values of the Avon River and its environs.
Toodyay Friends of the River meet on the third Sunday of the month at Duidgee Park at 9am during winter and 8am in Summer. There is no meeting in January.
Please consult the Toodyay Herald for monthly information.
Or contact.
President: Gaven Donegan Ph 9574 5347
Secretary>: Robyn Taylor Ph 9574 2578
Secretary, Toodyay Friends of the River
Project Officer : Bethan Lloyd Ph 9574 5882
Care of riparian areas
Vegetation along drainage lines and creeks helps maintain water quality by absorbing nutrients before they enter our waterways and cause algal blooms. Vegetation also prevents sediment movement; it prevents stream-bank erosion and collapse from winter floods. Riparian vegetation provides a habitat for frogs and invertebrates, a wildlife corridor, and habitat and nesting refuge to allow the survival and movement of small mammals and birds.
To protect your riparian areas and ensure quality water for stock, riparian zones should be fenced from grazing animals and revegetated where possible. Off-point stock watering points or protected drinking areas can established on suitable sites.
The CLSO can provide data on the appropriate designs for these watering points and stock access areas.
Avon River
The Avon River basin is the major river system located in the central wheatbelt of the Southern land division in Western Australia. It covers an area of over 120,000 km2 which is almost twice the area of Tasmania. The Avon River is significant because it drains to the Swan Canning Estuary that flows past the state capital city, Perth. The Avon River and the Swan River are in fact the same river.
In the 1950 and 60's the Avon River was 'trained' in an attempt to prevent flooding that was then a common event. Before the Training Scheme, the Avon River contained many areas of braided channels. The braided channels reduced the speed of the water and allowed floods to spill out onto the flood plain. Many towns are situated close to the river so the floods caused economic damage.
The Training Scheme involved gouging out the river bed and removing the braided channels to form one large channel from Brookton to Toodyay. This allowed the water to move more quickly, reducing the risk of flood. However, the faster moving water was able to carry with it huge sediment loads. The results of this have been disastrous for the river, and particularly for the river pools that were a significant feature of the Avon.
River pools provide a summer refuge for a huge variety of wildlife. As the pools fill the water temperature increases, the sediment also brings nutrients with it that allow the growth of algal blooms. The salinity of the Avon is already high, reducing the habitat suitability for many microorganisms. This sediment load has already filled many of the pools as it travels further down the river.
During 2008, a dredge and an excavator have been working on both Long and Cobbler Pools removing sediment.
The photo below shows the dredge on Long Pool, November 2008
Biddip Newsletter
The latest edition of the Toodyay Friends of the River Newsletter, Biddip, is now available on-line here.
The History Project
During November 2008, the 10 year history of the Toodyay Friends of the River was launched at a ceremony in Duidgee Park. For details of the Project contact the History project coordinator, Desrae Clarke, on 6364 3609 or by email at History Book Coordinator, Toodyay Friends of the River
Photo below shows members at the launch of the book
