Showing posts with label fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fish. Show all posts

Saturday, 15 July 2017

A win win for the fish

Kow Swamp
In 2015 I wrote a blog about the dredging of creeks in northern Victoria in the past. I included a photo that my father-in-law took that shows a dredger at work.

Several months ago I was contacted by Peter, an employee of the catchment management authority, asking permission to use the photo on an information board that was being installed at Box Bridge (on Box Creek) at Kow Swamp.

We've been to have a look at what they've done near the bridge and it's very interesting.

Box Bridge location [Google Maps]

They've installed a lock for fish. Apparently it operates just like a lock for boats – the fish swim in, the gate is closed behind them, the water level rises and the fish swim out the other side into Kow Swamp. I'm a bit confused about how it actually works but it looks very impressive and I'm sure it will be effective. Obstacles such as weirs have been obstacles preventing fish migration in the past.

Fish locks, Box Bridge

Box Bridge and locks
They've also resnagged the rivers in quite a few spots. The dredging process in the past removed all the old fallen timber snags that were using as resting shelters, feeding sites and breeding shelters by fish moving up and down the rivers. 

It's a win win for the fish. They can move up and down the rivers and they have shelters and food along the way.


New information board at Box Bridge.
Resnagging site. Numerous large logs have been placed in the creeks.
A bonus of our visit to Box Bridge was the view of Mt Hope to the south. We must go and have a look one day.

Mt Hope

Tuesday, 28 July 2009

Creeks and fish

We got such a surprise today when we stopped for lunch at Surat.

For a start, it's a town not just a pub. And it's a town with a lot of town pride. It's a great spot on the river with some interesting buildings as well.

But the biggest surprise was the Cobb & Co museum they've developed in an original Cobb & Co stopping point in the town - it's first class. A huge fish tank has been installed in the entry foyer, stocked with local fish including the threatened Murray Cod. I liked the fact that they are swimming around submerged tree branches like they would naturally if we could only learn to leave the creeks and rivers alone.

This river just to the north of Hebel is a perfect illustration of how it should be. Looks good for fish doesn't it. But I wouldn't like to have to resort to drinking it.