Why do Stream Rehabilitation
Before and After
The easiest way to explain why stream rehabilitation in creeks and rivers is so important, is to show 'before and after' photos from a number of our projects. Stream rehabilitation is a long-term investment into land and water health. There are some rehabilitation practices that yield improvements immediately (fixed culvert), to ones that take a decade or more (riparian regrowth).
These before and after examples depict how fixing a culvert, fencing off a river bank from cattle grazing, incorporating a BDA, or armouring a stream crossing, will improve the habitat and overall health of a water system.
Murray Creek is longest running NEWSS project and is a fantastic example to show all the benefits related to stream rehabilitation.
Improvements to water resources
- slows water loss during times of drought
- reduces wildfire risk
- adds to the water table
- improves water quality
- reduces flood risk
Improvements for fish
- cools water
- provides spawning and rearing habitat
- increases food for fish (bugs etc.)
- reduces barriers to fish migration
- creates access to new habitat
Improvements to soil
- reduces erosion and land loss
- builds soil and adds nutrients