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[created on 10/11/2005]
Weirs (artificial dams) have provided water for the growth and survival of towns and agriculture for decades, yet their construction has come at significant environmental cost.
Weirs restrict water flow and act as barriers to the passage of fish and other aquatic animals. Native fish like the Australian bass, which regularly travel between fresh and salt water, are unable to carry out their usual migration patterns.
Weirs also reduce water quality, riverbank stability and variability in water levels (creating wider and shallower rivers); and encourage the invasion of exotic species (that compete with native fauna and flora) which are more suited to this 'artificial' environment.
WWF-Australia's Weir Removal Program
WWF-Australia is working - in partnership with NSW Fisheries and the Environmental Trust of NSW - to remove three 'redundant' weirs (i.e. those no longer in use) in NSW to show how significant improvements can be made to water health and the expansion of native fish populations.
These case studies will help other communities facilitate weir removal projects across Australia.
Snapshot of our activities
[created on 10/11/2005]
Weirs (artificial dams) have provided water for the growth and survival of towns and agriculture for decades, yet their construction has come at significant environmental cost.
Weirs restrict water flow and act as barriers to the passage of fish and other aquatic animals. Native fish like the Australian bass, which regularly travel between fresh and salt water, are unable to carry out their usual migration patterns.
Weirs also reduce water quality, riverbank stability and variability in water levels (creating wider and shallower rivers); and encourage the invasion of exotic species (that compete with native fauna and flora) which are more suited to this 'artificial' environment.
WWF-Australia's Weir Removal Program
WWF-Australia is working - in partnership with NSW Fisheries and the Environmental Trust of NSW - to remove three 'redundant' weirs (i.e. those no longer in use) in NSW to show how significant improvements can be made to water health and the expansion of native fish populations.
These case studies will help other communities facilitate weir removal projects across Australia.
Snapshot of our activities
- Working with NSW Fisheries and the local council, WWF has removed the first of the three identified redundant weirs on the Branch River Crossing near Port Stephens in northern NSW.
- We have also developed and distributed several publications and 'how to' case studies to local councils, state agencies and landholders to promote the importance of river health and rehabilitation.
