2010 Index of Stream Condition Scores

Brief description

The ISC2010_SCORES dataset represents the 2010 Index of Stream Condition (ISC) overall score and subindex scores for each ISC river reach in the state of Victoria. This was the third ISC assessment providing a snapshot of river health for major rivers and streams in Victoria, using data collected over a six-year period from 2004 to 2010. The methods used in 2010 differed to the 1999 and 2004 assessments. Method changes were undertaken to strike a balance between incorporating new scientific advances while maintaining compariability of results with the 1999 and 2004 benchmarks. The ISC 2010 provides scores for five components of stream condition: (i) hydrology (based on change in volume and seasonality of flow from natural conditions); (ii) physical form (based on bank stability, bed erosion or aggradation, influence of artificial barriers, and abundance and origin of coarse woody debris); (iii) streamside zone (based on types of plants; spatial extent, width, and intactness of riparian vegetation; regeneration of overstorey species, and condition of wetlands and billabongs); (iv) water quality (based on an assessment of phosphorus, turbidity, electrical conductivity and pH); and (v) aquatic life (based on number of families of macroinvertebrates). The Physical Form and Riparian Vegetation components of the ISC were mapped by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) in 2010-12 using LIDAR and aerial photography. Other ISC metrics were derived from other sources. Further information available at: https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways-and-catchments/rivers-estuaries-and-waterways/monitoring