Monitoring
The TFOR has been monitoring the health of the Avon River for some years now, installing several monitoring points along the river at the following locations:
- Weatherall Reserve
- Slaughterhouse Bridge
- Newcastle Bridge
- Boyagerring Brook
- Goomalling Bridge
- Lloyd’s Reserve
- Millard’s Pool
- Dumbarton
We take seasonal photos to record the river condition, document past work, and identify future work.
Wheatbelt NRM has kindly assisted us with mapping the data which you can view via the button to the right.
Once on the map, click on each location to view a seasonal series of photographs from each site. Take note of new growth at sites where revegetation has been undertaken (such as Millard’s Pool).
Map copyright © Earthstar, Landgate/Slip, Esri, HERE, Garmin
Past Surveys
River Vegetation
Riparian is defined as relating to or found on the banks of a river and riparian vegetation is the vegetation that is found in this area or zone.
Components of riparian vegetation in this zone can be broken up into the verge or uplands, the floodplain which is seasonally inundated with water and the floodway which is seasonally or permanently inundated by water.
Trees and vegetation in the uplands of the Avon River may include:
- Marri (Corymbia calophylla),
- Flooded gum (Eucalyptus rudis),
- Swamp paperbark (Melaleuca rhaphiophylla) and
- Swamp Sheoak (Casuarina obesa).
The floodplain may include species such as:
- Saltbushes (one species is Atriplex hypoleuca),
- Sea heath (Frankenia pauciflora), and
- Marsh club-rush (Bolboschoenus caldwelii).
Species that grow in the floodway need to be extremely salt-tolerant and include samphires such as:
- Bearded samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora),
- Shrubby samphire (Tecticornia halocnemoides) and
- Halophytes such as the Thick-head glasswort (Sarcocornia blackiana).
Birds & Wildlife
Avon River Bird Survey – Post Avon Descent
The Toodyay Naturalists’ Club conducted a three-year bird survey along the river, from 2015 to 2017. This followed a previous survey 1995 to 1997 (for the Avon River Management Authority).
Millards Pool Bird List 2010-2017
A list of the birds along the pool and fringing vegetation was compiled from 67 surveys between December 2010 and August 2017. Most of the surveying was undertaken by members of the Wheatbelt Avon Branch of Birdlife Australia (WABBA) with support from local organisations such as the Toodyay Friends of the River, Toodyay Naturalists’ Club, the Avon Valley Environment Society and three non-members.
We conducted 67 visits to Millards Pool, from Extracts Weir to Donkey Crossing, in this period resulting in 103 species. Survey times varied depending on the time of the year but averaged about 65 minutes per survey.
All species seen have been verified by at least two sightings on different surveys or by two different persons. You can review the report, firstly by scientific name, then species name, common name and count. Compiled by John Masters, WABBA.
Nardie (Millards) Pool
The 9th May 2021 saw TFOR members join with the Wheatbelt Avon Bird Group (WABG) to survey Nardie (Millards) Pool; a total of 40 bird species were sighted and heard. Check out what birds were recorded.
Weeds and Feral Animals
Weeds
The Objects of the Toodyay Friends of the River include ‘work on River Recovery Plans aimed at rehabilitation of the riverine environment.” Much of this environment has been compromised by the proliferation of weeds, many of them garden escapes.
Some of our very first projects were aimed at reducing the weed burden – particularly with Small-flower Tamarisk (Tamarix parviflora), False bamboo (Arundo donax) and Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides). TFOR received a ‘Community Conservation Grant’ providing funds for a consultant to undertake a Weed survey and Management Plan for 3km of the Avon River adjacent to the Toodyay Townsite.
Monthly working bees often target specific weeds or weed infestations. Revegetation projects have a weed control component where a major item in the project budget is chemical or for a contractor to spray for weeds.
Feral Animals
The major feral animals of the Avon River are the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa).
Feral animals include birds (such as rainbow lorikeets, domestic ducks) and aquatic species such as the Eastern Gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki) from eastern and southern United States of America and the Yabby (Cherax destructor) from Victoria, western New South Wales, south-western Queensland and eastern South Australia.
On the TFOR Monitoring App ‘Rapid Condition Monitoring Form’ facility is available to record ‘Any important feral animal sightings’ and their abundance.
River Health
River Water Level Monitoring
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has kindly permitted us to utilise their River Level monitoring site where you can view the latest River Levels across the State. The Avon River starts at SITE 615024.
Jimperding Brook Monitoring Project
The Jimperding Brook and some parts of the catchment have an obvious salinity problem. The purpose of this project was to obtain baseline data on the water quality and surrounding tributaries. Between July 1997 and June 2000 pH (acidity), Phosphorus concentration (nutrient level) and Electrical Conductivity (salinity), were recorded on a monthly basis at nine sites.
A report was prepared for the Toodyay Land Conservation District Committee, in September 2002, by Lyn Bloom & Simon Judd of Edith Cowan University, and Wayne Clarke of Toodyay.
River Crossings
There are a number of river crossings (fords) that are maintained in the Toodyay Shire, starting with Sinclair’s Crossing (near the Dumbarton Road Bridge) through to Middle Station Crossing in the Avon Valley National Park. A complete list of crossings is being prepared.
River Health
River Water Level Monitoring
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has kindly permitted us to utilise their River Level monitoring site where you can view the latest River Levels across the State. The Avon River starts at SITE 615024.
Become a Member
Joining the Toodyay Friends of the River opens the door to a vibrant community dedicated to protecting our natural heritage and making a tangible impact on the Avon River's health.
