THE North East Canoe Club, in partnership with North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) are promoting the Ovens River as a canoeing destination.
The Ovens River rises in the Victorian alps near Mount Feathertop and Mount Hotham, where it is linked to significant freshwater meadows and marshes on the slopes of the Alpine and Mount Buffalo National Parks.
Formed by the confluence of its east and west branches at Harrietville, the Ovens River flows north–west towards Bright, fed by many tributaries.
The Ovens River is a significant contributor to the Murray–Darling Basin; comprising 0.7% of the catchment area, it contributes 6% of the basin water.
The Ovens River has been greatly modified since European settlement by land clearing, changing land use, gold mining practices and the introduction of willows and other invasive plant and animal species.
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These activities have had a long–lasting impact on the river but despite these challenges, the river is highly valued for the environmental, social and economic benefits it provides to landholders, towns and communities.
The river has many opportunities over its entire length for canoeing enthusiasts to engage with the natural attributes of this environment.
North East Canoe Club's members enjoy the excitement of the white water at Bright and Gapsted and flat water touring on the sections downstream.
The Lower Ovens section of the system in particular is recognised as one of the best river habitats in the Murray Darling Basin.
Plans are currently in development for a Lower Ovens Canoe Trail in the Warby–Ovens National Park section of the Ovens River.
Eventually, the North East Canoe Club members and NECMA envisage developing planned canoe trails highlighting the best sections of the Ovens River.
Canoe trails provide canoeists with safe, planned and interpretive journeys along waterways.
Local indigenous and non–indigenous history, freshwater ecology, riverine vegetation, possible animals or bird sightings and a map will be included in interpretative notes.
Plans for a Wangaratta section have been talked about for several years, and now with NECMA financial backing and expertise, the possibility of this section being the first created, is getting closer.
NECMA (supported by the Victorian government) engaged the services of Jamie Kaye from Water Technology to lead the technical aspects of the trail construction.
Jamie is an avid canoeist/kayaker and has paddled the length of the Ovens River which is documented in his blog – https://www.riverrambling.com/ovens–odyssey.
The Wangaratta section of the Ovens River Canoe Trails is envisioned to start at the Frank Garth Reserve at the confluence of the Ovens and King rivers and would make its way down to an exit at Northern Beaches covering a distance of 3.6 kilometres.
Although the main trail is the focus, two extensions to the 3.6km trail are possible.
Both the King and Ovens Rivers offer different starting points to create a slightly longer version of the journey.
Experienced canoeists would enjoy the longer versions whereas the shorter section is a very suitable distance for beginners.
Starting points could include Riverview Crescent parkland on the King River and various points on the Ovens River between Wangaratta and the Hume Freeway bridge.
Onsite discussions have already been held at the Fishways structure below the Sydney Beach swing bridge on the northern channel of the river.
The rock structure creates a short white water rapid (low grade two in the international River Grading system).
At high water flows, this rapid is washed out or is an interesting bumpy ride.
At low levels, the structure is a hazard for equipment and requires portaging – carrying your boat around the obstruction.
It is proposed that a short portage trail with signage be created here.
The planning team of Cath McInerney from NECMA, Jamie Kaye representing Water Technology and North East Canoe Club member Ian Minns are hoping the trail will be officially opened in December this year.
North East Canoe Club will host canoe tours on the trail after opening.
For more information regarding North East Catchment Management Authority's (NECMA) objectives in managing the Ovens system visit https://www.necma.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/necma_ovens_river_newsletter_s03.pdf.
