Our region comprises the four major river catchments of Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca and Avon-Richardson. The Campaspe and Loddon rivers flow directly into the Murray River. The Avoca River drains into a series of terminal lakes and wetlands (the Avoca Marshes). During flood events, it may flow to the Murray River and a further series of terminal lakes. The Avon- Richardson catchment is internally drained, with most surface water draining into Lake Buloke in the north of the catchment.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) will soon release the draft Victorian Waterway Management Strategy for public consultation - keep an eye on this website http://www.water.vic.gov.au/environment/rivers/draft-victorian-waterway-management-strategy for more information on how you can contribute to this important direction for waterway management in Victoria.

Waterways, Wetlands, Floodplains and Ecosystem Services

Waterways, wetlands and floodplains are those parts of the region's natural landscapes where water collects and through which it flows. The asset includes the Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca, Avon and Richardson rivers, their tributaries and the region's lakes and wetlands. This asset class focuses on the habitat provided for riparian, wetland and aquatic ecosystems and their function in conveying and retaining water.

Waterways, wetlands and floodplains are key life support systems in their own right and help to protect water resources. In doing so they provide a range of ecosystem services. These services include:

• maintenance or improvement of water quality - riparian vegetation helps to capture sediment and nutrients in surface run-off and reduces the amount entering streams. It also helps to stabilise stream banks and reduce the contribution of bank erosion to sediment load
  
• maintenance of channel form and flow capacity - the roots of riparian vegetation help to stabilise stream banks and maintain channel morphology.  This helps to slow channel migration and maintain the capacity of the stream to convey water
  
• provision of habitat - wetland and waterways are focal points for mobile fauna in a generally dry landscape. They provide refuge in summer and during times of drought. Riparian vegetation also modifies aquatic habitats by providing shade and woody debris
  
• provision of energy and nutrients for aquatic ecosystems - leaf litter from riparian vegetation is a key source of carbon and nutrients for aquatic ecosystems. They collect sediment, build soils, recycle nutrients, assimilate wastes and filter water
  
• soil formation - silt carried by streams during overbank flood events helps to build up soils on floodplain area. Many of the region's most productive agricultural soils are located in such areas.