It's only early days, but there are some positive results emerging from the monitoring of water quality and the hydrology of Little Stringybark Creek.

The project is recording sustained reductions in nutrient and sediment concentrations in the creek's northern tributary and main stem. For example, the figure below shows how phosphorous concentrations have consistently reduced since the end of 2013, when the bulk of catchment works were completed. Prior to our project, the creek's phosphorous levels were higher than expected standard for rural waterways. Now, the northern tributary and main stem are close to achieving the expected standard for parks and forests. This is a great result for a creek in an urban catchment.

The reduction in nutrient concentrations in the creek's mainstem is greater than predicted given the amount of works undertaken. This is thought to be a result of the imprpoved hydrology (paterns of water flow) in the creek. Preliminary analysis of the hydrological data shows the size and frequency of polluted storm water events entering the creek has been reduced. It is thought that the improved hydrology means there has been less movement of sand along the creek's channel. The accumulation of sand, in what was a clay channel, is beneficial since it allows for the growth of aquatic plants, which contribute to the uptake of nutrients.

Monitoring and analyses is continuing.