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.​

• Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water bugs, Water Science,
• All Regions,

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 example of student-led inquiry-based practical learning, community collaboration and advocacy, innovation to create an early flood warning system and a powerful way for these students to alleviate some of the trauma they lived through.​

• Catchments, Climate Change, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science, Waterways,
• All Regions,

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.

• Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,

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.

• Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,

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 food.

• Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,

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. ​

• Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
• North Central CMA,

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 unprecedented opportunity for monitoring endangered and invasive species, as well as for biodiversity assessments.

• Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Watch this video to help you enter your water quality data into the River Detectives data portal or use this illustrated guide.

• Guide/Activity booklet, Teacher, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,

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 the written story click here.

• Fact sheet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science, Waterways,
• All Regions,

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 by watching this video, about the sampling protocol in this guide or watching this webinar we recorded with Brady all about pesticides and the research project.

The 2023 results have been published in this summary report.

For pesticide teaching resources click here or to follow the project join the Pesticide Watch Facebook Page.  

You can contact Brady Hamilton from Deakin University directly; brady.hamilton@deakin.edu.au

• Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Sustainable Agriculture, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Gauge the health of waterways in the Campaspe River using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

• Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
• North Central CMA,

Deans Marsh PS is an active River Detectives school in the Corangamite CMA region embedding the program into the curriculum, into their school’s broader sustainability initiatives and connecting with their community.  Watch the video to hear their highlights or read the full story here !

• General, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water bugs, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Stawell PS is a River Detectives school in the Wimmera CMA region exploring and testing waterways from local lakes to streams in Gariwerd (Grampians National Park).  Watch the video to hear their highlights or read the full story here  !

• General, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Gauge the health of the Bendigo Creek using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

To view and compare the 2021 report click here

• Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
• North Central CMA,

Gauge the health of waterways in the Healthy Coliban Catchment project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

You can also view and compare the 2022 or 2021 reports.

• Catchments, Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
• North Central CMA,

Gauge the health of waterways in the RiverScan project area using this compilation of water quality and water bug data collected by citizen-scientists.

You can view and compare data in the 2021 and 2022 reports to track how things are changing.

• Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water bugs, Water Science, Waterways,
• North Central CMA,

When choosing your site along a waterway or at a wetland for citizen-science activities (water quality monitoring, waterbug sampling and habitat surveys) there are many things to consider.  Please refer to this checklist to assist you.

• Fact sheet, Guide/Activity booklet, Teacher, Water bugs, Water Science,
• All Regions,

This article (and video) explains the impact animal poo has on our waterways and makes some interesting  comparisons between the impact of native animal poo and exotic animal poo.  The article is quite detailed but information can be extracted for younger students.  The video is short and simple.

• Fact sheet, Fauna (animals), Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,

A nature scroll is simply a long, narrow piece of paper used to record your responses to nature, in words and pictures.  It can be a portable, bite-sized alternative to nature journalling and a wonderful way for your students to engage with their local environment or make observations whilst at your adopted water testing site.  Make it scientific, make it artistic or both !

• Activity Sheet, Fauna (animals), Flora (plants), General, Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Use this School Plan to start a conversation with colleagues delivering the River Detectives program in your setting.  This is a great template to use at the start of the year with lots of useful questions to promote thinking and space to document the approach you plan to take.

There is also a useful template for sharing your River Detectives data and experience with others at the end of a term/year.

• Activity Sheet, General, Teacher, Water bugs, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Watch this video to see how Tasmania’s farmers are taking measures to reduce degradation of the state’s waterways from livestock.

This video introduces students to sustainable farming practices that protect waterways and increase farm productivity simultaneously.

Draw your own farm plan and illustrate how it can be managed sustainably.

• Catchments, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Video/Audio, Water Science, Waterways,
• All Regions,

Join Wally the Water Scientist and Kristy from Goulburn Valley Water to learn how to make a rain gauge and why tracking rainfall is an interesting and informative activity.

A great activity to connect maths, science and environmental learning.

• Guide/Activity booklet, Lower Primary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Video/Audio, Water cycles, Water Science,
• All Regions,

This video takes us on a journey with scientists conducting field research on the microplastics being washed down our waterways.  It could provide inspiration to conduct research at your own waterway about the prevalence of these tiny but damaging pieces of pollution . . .

• Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Urban/Storm Water, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Use this data sheet on site or at school to record your water quality data each month.  Make sure you enter your water science data online at the ‘Let’s Test and Record’ tab of this website.

• Activity Sheet, All, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
• All Regions,

This is a copy of the Field Manual you receive a version of in your water quality test kit.  If you lose your hard copy you can access it here.  Be aware that this is the full manual – some pages may be irrelevant to you depending on the equipment you have and the region you are in.

• Flora (plants), Guide/Activity booklet, Teacher, Water bugs, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Numbers are just numbers until you work out what they mean.  Use the regional water quality rating chart from the Field Manual in your kit to compare your data for EC, turbidity, reactive phosphorus and pH to assess the health of your waterway.  Or use the links below to print an enlarged copy for student use;

Corangamite CMA, Melbourne Water, North East CMA, North Central CMA, Wimmera CMA

• All, Lower Primary, Lower Secondary, Poster, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
• All Regions,

The North Central Waterwatch Program aims to increase the knowledge and skills of community, supporting them to become custodians of local waterways.  River Detectives is the school/youth based component of the program. This video will help your students understand the community of passionate people that they belong to by being a River Detective.

• All, General, Video/Audio, Water Science, Waterways,
• North Central CMA,

An excellent graphic to highlight the key features of a healthy riparian zone compared to a degraded riparian zone.  Great for conversations about water quality, habitat health, land practices and shared community responsibility for the health of our waterways.

• All, Catchments, Flora (plants), Poster, Water Science, Waterways,
• All Regions,

Use these posters to record and display your monthly or yearly results at a glance.  Share them with others by printing in the school / community newsletter or displaying them in the classroom, school foyer or even a local shop or community meeting place.

• All, Poster, Water Science,
• All Regions,

This graphic is the perfect tool to introduce pH, explain acidity and alkalinity to students and compare your pH reading to everyday household items.

• All, Poster, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Use this resource to check the salinity tolerances of humans, crops, livestock, compare your EC results and understand how salinity can impact on all areas of life.

• All, Fact sheet, Poster, Salinity, Sustainable Agriculture, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Use this poster to explore the issue of salinity and examine positive and negative land management practices that contribute to the issue.

• All, Poster, Salinity, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Salinity refers to the movement and concentration of salt through the landscape. Find out more here!

• Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Salinity, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
• All Regions,

• Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
• All Regions,

Your quick reference guide to all things phosphorus.

• Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Find out about why water sometimes turns black!

• Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
• All Regions,

Find out how and why foam occurs in waterways.

• Fact sheet, Lower Secondary, Teacher, Upper Primary, Upper Secondary, Water Science, Waterways,
• All Regions,

This booklet complements the Fresh and Salty video with teacher notes and lesson plans

• Catchments, Guide/Activity booklet, Salinity, Teacher, Water Science,
• All Regions,

• All, Fact sheet, Water Science,
• All Regions,

• All, Fact sheet, Water Science,
• All Regions,

Fresh and Salty is a highly engaging short animated film produced by the Wimmera CMA.  It is the perfect way to introduce the topic of salinity to your students

• All, Catchments, Salinity, Video/Audio, Water Science,
• All Regions,