Healthy waterways have intrinsic ecological value and provide a wide range of economic and social benefits to communities.
Waterways are subject to many threats, which can result in the degradation and loss of their ecological, cultural, social and economic values.
We use a range of indicators to assess the current health of waterways, including pressures or stressors. Many indicators focus on the quantity and quality of water in waterways, but they also include assessment of fish and crayfish, macroinvertebrates, aquatic and riparian vegetation, habitat and features of catchment disturbance.
The information gathered during river and estuary health assessments underpins the management of our waterways.
Find out more about each of the topics below.
Estuary water quality assessment
Estuary sediment quality
River water quality assessment
South West Index of River Condition
Foreshore condition and assessment
Ecotoxicology
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