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      4. Wild Rivers (DWER-087)

      Wild Rivers (DWER-087)

      Wild Rivers are rivers that are largely unchanged natural systems, where biological and hydrological processes continue without significant disturbance. They occur in a variety of landscapes, and may be permanent, seasonal or dry watercourses that flow or only flow occasionally, (Water and Rivers Commission, 1999). Wild Rivers are considered to be of high value because of their rarity, biodiversity or habitats, water quality and scientific value as benchmarks of natural catchment conditions. They remain generally undisturbed due to their isolation, rugged topography or land tenure.

      Through a project with the Australian Heritage Commission, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (then Water and Rivers Commission) originally identified 49 wild rivers catchments in Western Australia. New development and continuing pressures, such as grazing, tourism/recreation, and invasion by non endemic species, have the potential to degrade wild rivers over time. Since initial identification, the Upper Yule River has been DWERngraded, due to development in the catchment. Western Australia currently has 48 wild rivers, of which 37 are located in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions. See Water Note 37: Wild rivers in Western Australia (www.water.wa.gov.au/PublicationStore/83725.pdf).

      Wild river catchments classified as Priority 1 (P1) or Priority 2 (P2) are both considered to be of high value and are generally managed the same way, because there are nominal differences between the classifications. P1 wild rivers are those with no or minor impact from clearing, altering the landscape, loss of vegetation due to grazing, road or track construction, introduced exotic animals, plants or plant diseases, increased fire frequency, unnatural erosion and sedimentation or alterations to waterway and riparian ecosystem. P2 wild rivers are those with some but not extensive impacts from the activities or processes listed above. Since their initial identification, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has not undertaken a programme to monitor the condition of wild rivers catchments.

      The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation advises that activities in wild rivers catchments should be managed so they do not adversely impact on values, including water quantity and quality. Conservation guidelines for the management of wild rivers: Part C - A Code for the Management of Wild Rivers (Australian Heritage Commission 1998, www.environment.gov.au/node/20154) provides management principles.

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      Data Access Statement

      This dataset is WMS only. For more information on data access please contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. EMAIL ADDRESS: spatial.data@dwer.wa.gov.au ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: A Data/Product Request and License Agreement will need to be signed. An extraction fee applies as follows:

      -- WALIS Agencies: No fee. -- Non-WALIS Agencies: Extraction fee of $75/hour plus GST.

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      Tags
      • ECOLOGY Habitat
      • HERITAGE Natural
      • LAND Geography
      • VEGETATION Natural
      • WATER Hydrology
      • WATER Quality
      • WATER Rivers
      • WATER Surface
      • WATER Wetlands
      • Water Catchment
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      Activity Stream RDF JSON
      department-of-water-and-environmental-regulation
      Key Information
      Published by
      Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
      Information classification
      -
      Data theme
      Environment
      Data last updated
      07-02-2020
      Update frequency
      unknown
      Data custodian
      Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
      Dataset contact
      Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
      Website
      -
      First published
      19-02-2020
      Metadata last updated
      02-07-2022
      Data source
      https://services.slip.wa.gov.au/public/rest/services/SLIP_Public_Services/Environment/MapServer/61
      Temporal coverage
      -
      Geospatial theme
      Water
      Geospatial source projection
      GCS_GDA_1994
      Spatial coverage

      Dataset extent

      Base map and data from OpenStreetMap and OpenStreetMap Foundation
      Digital object identifier
      -
      Citation
      -
      Data usability rating How reusable and linked the data is. Learn more.

      Acknowledgement

      The Government of Western Australia respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Western Australia and pays its respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

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