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Phillips Brook
Wattening
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Avon Gorge Invasive Species Group click here
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Wattening Springs Catchment
Wattening Springs catchment is situated in the north-east of the Shire of Toodyay. Water from Wattening Springs, and two permanent streams, flow into the Toodyay Brook. This runs through the centre of the Shire, and into the Avon River at West Toodyay. The Wattening Springs area is unique for Toodyay with these streams retaining a supply of fresh water throughout the year. This water is recharged from the surrounding Phillip's sandplain.The area also contains the Wattening Springs Nature Reserve. Covering 40.5 hectares, this is an 'A' class reserve, unique amongst the reserves within the Shire. It lies within gently undulating country that has been cleared for farming.
Soils vary from light coloured sands to sandy loams. The vegetation associations within the reserve are Yorkgum woodland (Eucalyptus loxophleba) with Jam (Acacia acuminata); swamp sheoak forest (Casuarina obesa) along watercourses; tamma thicket(Allocasuarina sp.) with low sedges; and flooded gum (E. rudis). Outside the reserve there is heath vegetation, areas containing the acorn banksia (Banksia prionotes) and the sandplain cypress (Actinostrobis arenarius).
The Wattening Springs Catchment Group was formed in 1998 to address problems of rising ground water lelels within the catchment. The group undertook revegetation projects within the catchment, and installed a system of piezometers to measure ground water levels and quality. Regular monitoring of groundwater and surface water has been undertaken since 1999. In 2003, a drainage channel was constructed to assist with rising ground water problems. Monitoring has shown that ground water levels have remained constant since records have been kept, due in part to projects undertaken by the Group.
Some Members of the Catchment group were also part of the Skeleton Weed Action Group that raises awareness about the weed.
Wattening Springs Catchment Group were also succesful in receiving Envirofunds for a project that involved fencing, revegetation and protection of remnant vegetation along the ridgelines.
If you wish to find out more information about the Wattening Springs area, please contact the Toodyay LCDC Secretary
Links to a local farming enterprise
Experience the Australian bush at Boshack Boshack
