Dandenong Waterways
About the Dandenong catchment
The Dandenong Valley lies South-east of Melbourne. This catchment covers an area of 855 square kilometres, including 485 kilometres of rivers and creeks that originally drained to a large coastal wetland, the Carrum Carrum Swamp. The swamp, however, has been extensively modified with the building of new waterways such as the Patterson River.
Average annual rainfall in the catchment ranges from 560mm at Keysborough to 1123mm at Mt Dandenong.
Waterway condition in the Dandenong Valley.
Waterway health
The Dandenong catchment has been modified due to the increase in urban land use. There is a notable amount of industrial activity in the area, although some forest and open space pockets remain, particularly in the Dandenong Ranges and the floodplain. Waterway health in this area tends to closely match changes in land use. In general, health is moderate to poor throughout, although some areas are still in relatively good condition, especially the forested source of Dandenong Creek and parts of the Corhanwarrabul-Monbulk Creek system.
Flora and fauna
Vegetation along these waterways is mostly poor to very poor, but there are still some fair to excellent sections. The condition of the beds and banks is largely good to moderate, with some sections in a poorer state. Poor ratings are largely due to lack of habitat and barriers that hamper fish migration. A large number of species live in the area, including the nationally significant dwarf galaxias fish, platypus, the growling grass frog and threatened plant species.
Improving the Dandenong catchment
Although flow diversions may stress waterways, increased stormwater run-off in urban areas also impacts on the environment. While the level of run-off and quality of stormwater is degrading parts of the catchment, there has been a significant improvement in water quality in the last 30 years as the sewerage system has been extended to areas under development, and industrial discharges to rivers and creeks have been phased out.
Rapid residential growth along with major road construction in the region is probably the most significant threat to the health of rivers and creeks in the Dandenong catchment. It is therefore essential that development adopts a more sustainable approach, and that water-sensitive urban design is utilised to protect water quality and waterway health.
Melbourne Water has initiated a number of activities to improve the health of rivers and creeks in the Dandenong catchment, including reintroducing habitat, building wetlands and litter traps to improve water quality, removing willows, and relocating threatened species to more suitable habitats.
The rivers and creeks in the Dandenong catchment are described and rated in the links below. The highlighted red section of the map indicates the catchment area for the individual waterway. Information on improvement works that have been undertaken or are planned is also included.