Fish in the Werribee River are scaling new heights with their own specially designed “ladder”.
Also known as a fishway, the ladder has been established alongside Bluestone Ford at Werribee Park and includes a series of rock steps and pools that create a pathway for the fish to swim upstream.
The $130,000 Melbourne Water project has been designed to improve the health of the river and was developed following research that showed a fishway would assist fish and their breeding cycles and allow species requiring both fresh and salt water to travel more freely up and down the river.
Bluestone Ford was built in the 1800s and was the only Werribee River crossing at the time. It was part of the original Melbourne-Geelong Road and used by the Chirnside family to transport wool to the Port of Geelong.
Melbourne Water spokesman Cameron Howie said the river was home to 30 fish species and the ladder was critical to removing barriers to migration.
With construction finished, Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria will rehabilitate the river bank and replant vegetation in the areas affected by the works.
Werribee Park senior ranger Julie Linguey said the ladder would have long-term benefits.
“It’s great to see some small fish already benefiting from the fish ladder,” she said.
