Bushfires and river health

Effects of the 2003 bushfires

The bushfires in early 2003 burnt over 1 million hectares in north-eastern Victoria. In the year after the fires, EPA monitored the river health at 60 sites in the fire affected areas, 47 of which had been sampled previously. Prior to the fires, 65 per cent of sites in the area were in good condition. This figure fell to 40 per cent in the year after the fires, while sites in poor condition rose from 16 per cent to 30 per cent.

There was no direct correlation between fire severity and river health. Other factors including subsequent rainfall events (leading to sediment slugs' in some streams) and fire patchiness will also be important in determining impacts. EPA continued monitoring 30 sites until the end of 2005.

More information on the effects of the 2003 bushfire is provided in:

• EPA Publication 1061 - The health of streams in north-eastern Victoria in the three years following the 2003 bushfires (Adobe PDF file, 72KB)
• EPA Publication 1008 - River health in north-east Victoria after the 2003 bushfires (Adobe PDF file, 72KB)
• EPA Publication SR6 - A quantitative study of bushfire impacts on the Buffalo and King Rivers: First year findings (Adobe PDF file, 693KB)

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Ovens River bushfire impacts

A flash flood in the Buckland River following the bushfires in the summer of 2003 resulted in a major fish kill in the Ovens River and threatened town and rural water supplies.

A report (Adobe PDF file, 238KB) was developed that describes the effects of this event and the resulting 'slug' of sediment on water quality, fish populations and other aquatic life in the Ovens River.

A number of different agencies responded to the incident, providing advice, tracking the sediment 'slug' as it travelled down the Ovens River, and carrying out follow-up monitoring to assess its effects on river condition and water supply.

The risk to the health of the Ovens River still exists, however it will lessen with time. Native fish populations, in particular, were badly affected and may take many years to recover. The report explores the potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and water supplies following the event and how the State Government's Bushfire Recovery Program will help to better understand and manage these risks.

More information is provided in:

• EPA Publication 908 - Environmental Condition of Rivers and Streams in the Ovens Catchment (overview)
• EPA Publication 909 - Environmental Condition of Rivers and Streams in the Ovens Catchment (detailed study)

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