Forge Creek is formed by a chain of ponds that enters the Gippsland Lakes via Newlands Arm backwater. The ponds are often disconnected but during times of heavy rain, the ponds flow to form a continuous creek. It is home to many native fish such as Smelt, Flat-head Gudgeon, Galaxias and the endangered Pygmy Perch.
In 2011 the creek was being threatened by channel incision and had rock chutes installed to protect the highly valued system. Romawi Landcare Group have put in hours and hours of work to improve the health of the creek.
“Romawi Landcare Group will continue its work of monitoring, rehabilitation and revegetation, designed to enhance and protect the reserve’s valuable environmental benefits”.
– Alastair Mailer, WaterWatch volunteer and Outstanding Service Award recipient
Through significant revegetation and regular water quality monitoring, they have reduced erosion, improved biodiversity, and gathered scientific data. The mass plantings have significantly improved the structure of the ponds, stabilising the banks, slowing water flow, and ensuring water remains in ponds. The rock chutes have resulted in some ponds persisting even through major droughts.
Along with the important environmental works, Romawi Landcare Group have been consistently monitoring water quality along Forge Creek every month since 2011. They have seven sites, extending from Centre Goon Nure Road to the Newlands Arm backwater which ultimately leads to the Gippsland Lakes. From August 2022 to August 2023, they found that water quality is often different between sites, resulting from different land uses throughout the system. The wetter weather in 2022 kept the creek in good condition, but in 2023 the creek returned to its ephemeral dry state with little or no flow recorded except for the occasional heavy shower.
