Keeping the Carran Carran (Thomson River) flowing
For over eight years, we have been improving the health and flow of over 85 kilometres of the mid-Thomson (Carran Carran) and Rainbow Creek.
About the project
The Mid-Thomson River, known as Carran Carran by Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners, is a flagship river in West Gippsland.
This project focuses on the Carran Carran (Thomson River) and Rainbow Creek between the Cowwarr Weir and the township of Heyfield. It addresses the risk of avulsion (where a waterway creates a new path in times of flood) across the agricultural land between Carran Carran (Thomson River) and Rainbow Creek. We are working in partnership with landholders to remove willows, treat avulsion ‘hotspots’, plant native vegetation and fence off waterways.
Works are done in alignment with the Thomson and Rainbow Management Plan that was developed along with community and partners to achieve our shared hopes for the river’s future – to manage the balance of its flow and reduce the risk of ‘avulsions’ developing (where a waterway creates a new path in times of flood).
We are currently in the ‘taking action’ phase of this long term project to build on the success of the past eight years.
We are working with landholders and partners to:
- Remove high-threat weeds (especially willows)
- Exclude stock from the waterway
- Restore native vegetation of riverbanks
- Continue to explore knowledge gaps into how storage flows can be managed to improve waterway conditions and reduce risks.
Funding
The Mid-Thomson Flagship project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Waterways Management Program.
Project partners
- Community
- Southern Rural Water
- Gippsland Water
- VR Fish
Latest news
Water for the environment deliveries planned
Spring in West Gippsland is full of life and native fish are on the move, to make the most of this our Environmental Water team have been hard at work planning how we can best care for our rivers during this important time.
Water for the environment
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority is celebrating 20 years of delivering water to keep the much-loved Thomson River (Carran Carran) alive, flowing and healthy.
