There are a great variety of aquatic environments within parks. Rivers, streams, creeks, lakes and wetlands all provide habitat for aquatic and other dependent species. Iconic Victorian rivers such as the Murray, Snowy and Yarra occur within parks. Rivers and wetlands are critical to water quality and water supply with 34 percent of the state's run-off originating in parks.

Whilst Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) are recognised under the Water Act as the "caretakers of river health", Parks Victoria is responsible for management of the land adjacent to rivers and water bodies and the two authorites work in partnership.

Pressures impacting on the condition of aquatic environments include water diversion and regulation, grazing and removal of streamside vegetation, invasion by pest plants and animals and the movement of salts, nutrients, and suspended soil. In 2004, 44 per cent of the total river lengths in parks were assessed as in good or excellent condition, 35 per cent in moderate condition and 21 per cent poor or very poor condition.

Wetlands

Victoria has a diverse range of wetlands including alpine bogs, saltmarshes, mangroves, floodplain billabongs and inland hypersaline lakes. 11 wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention and 159 nationally important wetlands occur in the parks network.

Resources Ramsar wetlands