River Channels
The river channel, which includes the bed and banks, supports many important values such as water supply to industry, agriculture and urban areas, recreational activities and important habitat for plants and animals. Many waterway values require the river channel to be in a healthy condition. The river channel is threatened by erosion and sedimentation, loss of connectivity, damage to instream habitat and climate extremes. Government agencies, waterway managers, water corporations, public authorities and private landholders are all involved in aspects of the management of river channels.
This theme focusses on preventing degradation of the river channel, as well as maintaining and improving its condition. Research and monitoring activities are currently broken into two core elements: