Explore the River Detectives website and WaterWatch data portal with statewide WaterWatch facilitator Justine Holmes to learn how to retrieve, interpret, compare and share the waterway data you collect along with data collected by the network of River Detectives schools and WaterWatch volunteers across the state.
Students create an early flood warning system for their town
Young St Joseph’s PS students from Eugowra NSW have developed an early flood warning system for Eugowra after unprecedented floods devastated their town in 2022. They presented their project to expert adults from around the country at the Floodplain Management Australia national conference in Melbourne in May 2025. Their inspiring video is such as great […]
Blackwater pros and cons video
At the right time of year, good blackwater is nature’s gum-leaf tea and is huge boost for our rivers, creeks and fish. In the wrong conditions, blackwater can be toxic. Learn more with this video. And to learn how environmental water releases can help minimise the impacts of blackwater watch this video.
From River Detective students to WaterWatch volunteers video
A lovely story about the pathway from the River Detectives program to WaterWatch volunteering, highlighting the importance of fostering care for nature in the next generation and the future opportunities for River Detectives students.
The pH scale explained
A great explanation of the pH scale, acidity and alkalinity in relation to everyday objects. Please note; alkaline substances are referred to as ‘bases’ in this video. The acidity and alkalinity of substances are related to taste in the video – be clear with students that they should NOT be tasting anything that is not […]
Tullaroop Catchment Project River Health Snapshot
Gauge the health of waterways in the Tullaroop Catchment project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.
What is environmental DNA (eDNA) ? video
This short video explains how eDNA can help us detect native and invasive species by providing evidence about what is or isn’t present in the environment – it’s like nature’s genetic fingerprint ! eDNA testing is innovative technology that enables the detection of species without having to see, hear or catch them. eDNA offers an […]
River Detectives data entry instructional video
Watch this video to help you enter your water quality data into the River Detectives data portal or use this illustrated guide.
Frank Steele’s volunteer video story
To celebrate the Waterwatch Program’s 30th anniversary, Frank Steele shares why he has enjoyed volunteering as a water quality monitor for the past 11 years. His story highlights the value in monitoring intermittent waterways and collecting photos, even in dry times, as a way of tracking change over time and measuring climate change. To read […]
Pesticide Watch
In 2024 some schools will value add to their monthly water quality monitoring by opting in to participate in Pesticide Watch, a nation-wide program run by Brady Hamilton at Deakin University helping communities identify pesticides in their local waterways through citizen-science. Find out more about the program by watching this video, about the testing procedure […]
