Upper Deua Catchment Landcare Group

Araluen Creek Restoration Project - About the Sites

This project focused on 13 sites along the Araluen Creek and it's tributaries, with each site needing special erosion control measures. From paddock head-cuts, to bank blow-outs, washed out creek crossings and fallen trees - the following provides a summary of each site, as well as some before and after pictures of the earthworks and structures installed.

Araluen Creek Restoration Project - About the Sites

This is an exert from the Araluen Creek Restoration Project 2021-2023 Report compiled and prepared by Cath Harrison, UDCLG Project Community Liaison Officer. The full report can be found HERE.

Araluen Valley Map: Araluen Creek Restoration Project Site Locations

Key:

  1. Head-cutting on side creek at dredge hole (L1)
  2. Bank erosion in main creek at side creek confluence and outside bend (L3)
  3. Minor erosion to flood-runner sediments (M3)
  4. Head-cutting in paddock threatening access and creek stability (L2)
  5. Big tree choke diverting flows into banks and bed (M1)
  6. Erosion at former sand sausage site (M2)
  7. Flood diversion leading to severe bank erosion, and other problems (C1)
  8. Fallen trees and bed erosion (Lease2)
  9. Severe erosion of outside bend (Lease1)
  10. Severe bed erosion above main road crossing, Dirty Butter Creek (I1)
  11. Washed out crossing and bed erosion (H2)
  12. Washed out crossing and bed erosion (H2)
  13. Bank erosion and possible flood-runner bed erosion (H&P1)

Site 1: Work ID l1: Headcutting on side creek at dredge hole

  • Install rock ramp in upper headcut to control drop and prevent upstream migration.
  • Modify drainage in paddock to take water away from lower headcut and discharge safely to main creek.

 

Site 2. Work ID L3: Bank erosion in main creek at side creek confluence and outside bend

  • Install rootballs at confluence point to reduce swirling and erosion.
  • Modify shape of inner sandbar on bend to reduce flood pressure on outside of bend.

 

Site 3. Work ID M3: Minor erosion in floodrunner sediments

  • Install rootballs in floodrunner to reduce bed erosion.

Site 4. Work ID: L3: Headcutting in paddock threatening access and creek stability

  • Install rock ramp to control water and prevent erosion, and stop upstream migration.

 

Site 5. Work ID: M1: Big tree choke diverting flows into banks and bed

  • Realign fallen trees to prevent floodwater causing erosion to bed and banks, and possible causing creek to permanently realign around choke.

Site 6. Work ID M2: Erosion at former sand sausage site

  • Install rootballs at base of erosion to slow floodwater and trap sediment, reducing erosion of the outer bank 
  • Possible relocation of sediment on inside of bend.

Site 7. Work ID: C1 Flood diversion leading to severe bank erosion, and other problems

  • Install rootballs along eroding alignment and open up channel to prevent further erosion.
  • Remove large choke in floodrunner.
  • Excavate entrance to floodrunner allowing flood capacity.
  • Other small-scale bank works by realignment and rootball / fallen tree installation where necessary.

Site 8. Work ID Lease 2: Fallen trees and bed erosion

  • Realign fallen trees to prevent bank scour.
  • Install log sill below site to prevent bed erosion migrating upstream.

Site 9. Work ID: Lease 1: Severe erosion of outside bed

  • Install rootballs in bank toe to prevent erosion.
  • Realignment of channel closer to middle of creek.

Site 10. Work ID: I1: Severe bed erosion above main road crossing, Dirty Butter Creek

  • Install log weir and rock drop structure to prevent erosion migrating upstream.

 

Site 11. Work ID:  H2 Washed out crossing and bed erosion

  • Install log sill below crossing site and reinstate crossing with cobble material.
  • Place rootballs on eroding bank above crossing site to prevent outflanking.

Site 12: Work ID H1: Bed erosion downstream of concrete crossing

  • Install two log weirs with rock drop protection to prevent bed erosion worsening.

Site 13. Work ID H&P1: Bank erosion and flood runner bed erosion

  • Install two layers of root balls to prevent bank erosion and prevent flood runner bed erosion.

 This is a Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund project through the joint Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement