Werribee Riverkeeper River Walk – River Health Assessment
Werribee Riverkeeper River Walk – River Health Assessment
Join the Werribee River Association for a Riverkeeper River Walk and River Health Assessment at Cobbledicks Ford Streamside Reserve – and discover how you can become a citizen scientist and help us learn more about the health of the Werribee River and its platypus habitat.
Take a walk along the river with our Riverkeeper and learn about the river’s health, surrounding habitat, and the plants and wildlife that call this important waterway home. During the walk, we’ll undertake a River Health Assessment, one of the citizen-science activities being undertaken as part of our wider 12-month Platypus Watch project.
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About Platypus Watch
The Werribee River Association has partnered with Victoria University to undertake Platypus Watch, an important research project aimed at helping increase platypus populations in the lower Werribee River. The project is generously supported by Greater Western Water, with collaboration from the National Measurement Institute.
As part of Platypus Watch, citizen scientists are guided by Victoria University researchers and specialist environmental engineers to undertake water quality testing at two sites along the lower Werribee River – Cobbledick’s Ford and Riverbend Historical Park. Testing looks at factors including nutrient levels, heavy metals, salinity, organic contaminants, and macro-invertebrates (an important food source for platypus). Water samples are also collected for laboratory testing for pesticides and herbicides.
Cobbledick’s Ford is a particularly important monitoring site. Following the drowning of seven platypus in an opera house yabby net in 2018, platypus have not been recorded at the site through eDNA testing. The project is helping us understand the current condition of the river and whether the habitat and water quality are suitable to support platypus populations in the future.
By taking part in this River Health Assessment, you’ll be participating directly in one of the citizen-science activities of Platypus Watch and helping build a better understanding of the river’s health.
Bring a picnic! After the walk and assessment, stay awhile and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful reserve. It’s a great opportunity to relax, enjoy the river and spend some time connecting with nature.
Please meet at Cobbledick’s Ford at 10am, in the car park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/u2P6PeRNtnNbzrFKA (note you will need to enter the reserve from Dohertys Road then Dukelows Road)
Please note there are no bathroom facilities at this site. Wear suitable outdoor clothing, walking shoes, be sunsmart and don’t forget your water bottle!
This is a partnership project with Victoria University and is generously supported by Greater Western Water. The National Measurement Institute will also collaborate on the project.
