Rivers of Carbon is the on-ground program of the Australian River Restoration Centre.

Location: The Upper Murrumbidgee River, ACT

Overview

During the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020, the Upper Murrumbidgee River sustained immense damage, with large amounts of sediment threatening water quality and habitat for threatened species. This project was funded by The Caterpillar Foundation to enable Greening Australia, the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach and the Australian River Restoration Centre to support landholders in restoring fire-effected waterways. The Upper Murrumbidgee River is a critical source water supply for Canberra and regional communities.

Activities included:  

  • Installation of emergency erosion control structures in fire-affected river reaches to stabilise soils and prevent further erosion.  
  • Sediment control works to reduce the movement of ash and sediment into the Upper Murrumbidgee River.  
  • Willow removal and weed control to improve riparian condition and reduce bank instability.  
  • Revegetation of riverbanks and riparian areas to support long-term recovery and resilience.  
  • Installation of fish habitat structures to support threatened aquatic species, including the endangered Macquarie Perch.  

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Outcomes

  • 21,476+ tonnes of sediment prevented from entering waterways  
  • 3 erosion control structures installed
  • 30 hectares of weed control and willow removal completed  
  • 1 fish habitat structure installed
  • 57 hectares of habitat protection delivered across 16 participating landholders

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Timeline

This project was completed in 2021.