Maribyrnong River
Maribyrnong River:Moderate |
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| Water quality | Aquatic life | Habitat & stability | Vegetation | Flow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | |||||
| Good |  |
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| Moderate | |
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| Poor | |
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| Very Poor | |||||
The Deep and Jacksons creeks join to form the Maribyrnong River upstream of Keilor. The river forms a long estuary that winds through Essendon and Flemington before meeting the Yarra River at Footscray. The Maribyrnong is bordered by extensive parkland, however, the surrounding lands are entirely urban and industrial in nature. Waterway health is relatively good and populations of native species, such as the Australian Grayling, can still be found, and Australian Fur Seals and Bottle-Nosed Dolphins have occasionally been spotted in the lower part of the river. Key management issues include loss of habitat and native plants, weeds, deteriorating water quality and maintaining levels of water flow.
Improvement works: Fish have been able to move through the river more easily in recent years due to fishways built over four barriers, increasing numbers of the Australian Grayling and other native fish species.
Significant works to stabilise and replant a number of sites affected by erosion through the market gardens above Keilor have also been completed over the last 10 years.