The Catchment Health Indicator Program (CHIP) is a key output of the Waterwatch program. Using data collected by volunteers at waterwatch sites across the catchment each month as well as waterbug and riparian condition surveys, a score is generated for each 'reach' in the catchment. A reach section of a waterway with fairly uniform characteristics. Each reach gets a report card every year which showcases information about the reach and its CHIP score.
Every year of data can be visualised on a map of the catchment on our Data Dashboard.
Each year, Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch releases a CHIP report and the CHIP report cards. Since 2024 these have been split into 2 separate documents.
The CHIP report provides high level information about the catchment, trends for the year and rewards and recognises the effort of our volunteers.
The CHIP report cards provides detailed information about each reach and its associated CHIP score.
Information regarding the methodology used to calculate the CHIP score can be found here.
2024 CHIP Report
The 2024 CHIP report is based upon 1,804 water quality surveys, 187 waterbug surveys and 209 riparian condition surveys conducted by over 200 volunteers.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who made this possible.
Key points of 2023 report:
- Data was collected at 226 sites across the Upper Murrumbidgee catchment.
- The report has found that out of 95 report cards, 8 are in 'excellent' health, 43 were 'good', 42 presented as 'fair' and 2 received a 'poor' rating.
- Overall, 53% of reaches fell into the excellent/good range, a slight decrease on the previous years record
- Planting a diversity of native vegetation both in and along our waterways will help make our catchments more resilient to extreme weather conditions.
2024 CHIP Reach Report Cards
The 2024 CHIP report separates the report cards from the higher-level summaries provided in the CHIP report. The CHIP reach report cards are a great resource for people looking for specific information about specific reaches in the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment.
Reports
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2024 (732.0 KB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report Cards 2024 (5.7 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2023 (15.2 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2022 (11.4 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2021 (11.4 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2020 (11.0 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2019 (12.1 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2018 (9.4 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2016-2017 (10.3 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2015-16 (9.6 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2014-15 (9.0 MB)
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2013-14 (3.0 MB)
CHIP Methodology
In our region, Waterwatch has been collecting catchment data since 1995. In 2013, the CHIP underwent a review by the University of Canberra. As a result the CHIP data is now displayed in smaller waterway sections defined as 'reaches'. This allows for a finer scale assessment on the condition of our waterways where data exists and highlights areas in the catchment that are currently unsampled.
The 2013-2014 CHIP took on this new approach and each reach was accompanied by individual report cards to provide greater context. Given the many changes, this CHIP report was viewed as a pilot study and is not comparable to the subsequent reports.
An explanation of the CHIP methodology and how the CHIP scores are calculated can be found here.