Our Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands

Rivers, lakes and wetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent. also need plants, because plants help keep waterways clean. Riparian vegetationPlants that grow along the edges of creeks, rivers, lakes and wetlands. help keep waterways clean by acting like a filter for nutrientsElements such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Too many nutrients in water can cause large amounts of algae to grow, harming other plants and animals., sedimentParticles of dirt, rocks, and dead plant or animal matter. Too much sediment in water can harm plants and animals. and other pollutantsHarmful substances that can damage the environment. Water pollutants include chemicals, fertilisers, bacteria, viruses, animal or human waste, and too many nutrients.. These are carried in water running off urbanAreas of land that have been built on to create a city or town. areas such as concrete and roads, or off farm paddocks that have livestock (sheep and cows) or use chemicals to help crops grow. When pollutantsHarmful substances that can damage the environment. Water pollutants include chemicals, fertilisers, bacteria, viruses, animal or human waste, and too many nutrients. are washed into rivers, wetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent. and lakes they affect the species living there. A healthy river also needs enough water flowing along it. This not only provides the habitatThe natural home or environment of a plant or animal. that plants and animals need, but also helps to keep oxygen in the water for the animals that live in it.

There are different ways to measure the health of rivers, lakes and wetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent., including:

• measuring biodiversity – the types of plants and animals that live in the water, even little things like water insects (these are called macroinvertebrates). Healthy rivers, lakes and wetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent. will have lots of nativeAnimals and plants that live in, and are originally from, an area. The area could be large, like Australia, or it could be small, like a specific national park. species in the water, and along their banks and edges.
• measuring river flow – how much water is flowing in the rivers. Rivers, lakes and wetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent. need to have enough water to stay healthy and to support plants and animals.
• measuring water quality – healthy water is free from pollutionHarmful substances that can damage the environment. Water pollutants include chemicals, fertilisers, bacteria, viruses, animal or human waste, and too many nutrients. that can harm plants and animals. Where water is used for recreation (fun activities like swimming, canoeing and fishing), we can also test whether water contains bacteria, blue-green algae or chemicals that could make people sick.

By looking at all these measurements, we can assess the health of the ACT’s rivers, lakes and wetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent..

River flow changes are also impacting on the ACT’s rivers and wetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent.. Because of climateThe usual weather that happens in an area over a long time, usually many years. Climate change is when this usual weather changes. change, there is now less rainfall and less water available for our rivers and wetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent.. When there is less water for long periods of time, plants and animals can suffer as their food and habitatsThe natural home or environment of a plant or animal. are lost.

Water qualityHow clean the water is in rivers, lakes and wetlands. Good water quality has low levels of pollutants. is mostly good in the ACT, even in rural (farming areas) and urbanAreas of land that have been built on to create a city or town. areas! But our recreational water qualityHow clean the water is in areas used for recreation (activities like swimming, canoeing and fishing). Recreational water quality is good when there are low levels of bacteria and blue-green algae, which can make people sick. can be poor. In the summer, recreational areas in our lakes and rivers can be closed because there is too much blue-green algae and bacteria in the water. These can make people sick if they get the water on their skin or if they accidently swallow the water. Most of the recreational and other water qualityHow clean the water is in rivers, lakes and wetlands. Good water quality has low levels of pollutants. problems are from the pollutantsHarmful substances that can damage the environment. Water pollutants include chemicals, fertilisers, bacteria, viruses, animal or human waste, and too many nutrients. washed into rivers and lakes by rainfall. UrbanAreas of land that have been built on to create a city or town. areas and rural areas are where most of the water pollutantsHarmful substances that can damage the environment. Water pollutants include chemicals, fertilisers, bacteria, viruses, animal or human waste, and too many nutrients. come from in the ACT.

InvasivePlants and animals that are not native to Australia. These are also known as introduced species. fish species such as carp, rainbow trout, brown trout and redfin perch are also a problem in the ACT. In some rivers, there are far more invasivePlants and animals that are not native to Australia. These are also known as introduced species. fish than nativeAnimals and plants that live in, and are originally from, an area. The area could be large, like Australia, or it could be small, like a specific national park. fish. For example, up to 80% of the fish in the Murrumbidgee River are invasivePlants and animals that are not native to Australia. These are also known as introduced species. species!

• Re-think What Goes Down the Sink: Choose environmentally friendly dishwashing, shower, and laundry soaps to reduce the chemicals that wash into our waterways. Look for labels that say “green” or “eco-friendly.”
• Attend a Clean-Up Day: Join a local clean-up event with your family and friends at places like Lake Burley Griffin or Jerrabomberra WetlandsAreas of land that are waterlogged (wet) or covered with shallow water. Wetlands can be seasonal, only existing for short periods of time, or they can be permanent.. See who can collect the most rubbish and make the area sparkle.
• Reduce Water Waste: Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, take shorter showers, and talk with your family about getting a rainwater tank for your garden. Every drop counts!
• Clean Up Leaves: Pick up fallen leaves from your garden and street. This prevents them from being washed into rivers and lakes, which can harm water qualityHow clean the water is in rivers, lakes and wetlands. Good water quality has low levels of pollutants..
• Make Your Yard Frog-Friendly: Encourage frogs to come live in your garden by creating a frog-friendly area with water, rocks, and nativeAnimals and plants that live in, and are originally from, an area. The area could be large, like Australia, or it could be small, like a specific national park. plants. For more information click here!
• Put Rubbish in the Bin: Any litter dropped in the street can be washed or blown into our waterways, harming plants and animals.

A hands-on way to help local waterways is to join a volunteer community group with your family. Help plant nativeAnimals and plants that live in, and are originally from, an area. The area could be large, like Australia, or it could be small, like a specific national park. species along the sides of creeks and rivers, or join WaterWatch to monitor water qualityHow clean the water is in rivers, lakes and wetlands. Good water quality has low levels of pollutants., water bugs and river plants. Collecting information about your local waterway helps scientists better understand water across the ACT and Australia.