Original story at the Daily Mercury
ENGINEERING CHANGE: Dr Andrew Brooks (right) from Griffith University and Dr Kate Steel from the Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group prepare to construct three log jams in Owens Creek, near Gargett.
LANDHOLDERS around Mackay have donated more than 270 logs to create some of the region’s first “Engineered Log Jams” (ELJs) and help restore life to local rivers.
Log jam construction is set to begin this week in Owens Creek, near Gargett, using eight metre hardwood logs delivered from properties in Bloomsbury and Mirani.
This changes the behaviour of water flow, and over time will create pools and direct the channel away from the bank.
Leading the construction activities will be Australian river expert and ELJ designer Dr Andrew Brooks from Griffith University.
A series of three log jams will be constructed at a badly eroding stretch of the river.
Reef Catchments’ Water and Waterways project officer Iona Flett said the ELJ installation was an exciting concept designed to help restore the Mackay region’s riverine health.
“The logs will be arranged in a man-made ‘jam’ – essentially a criss-cross stack to slow and control water flow,” Ms Flett said.
“This changes the behaviour of water flow, and over time will create pools and direct the channel away from the bank.
“As well as the pools, the logs themselves also provide a more natural river environment for native fish, including barramundi and jungle perch, who need snags and woody debris to hide under.
“The ELJs will stabilise the river bank, which means less sediment going downstream and into the reef. Native trees and bank revegetation will also play a key part in reducing erosion.”
Gargett property owner Andrew Meredith said he was looking forward to seeing the results.
He said the creek would only continue to widen and erode the bank, which on a personal level meant a real loss of property.
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