The Index of Stream Condition (ISC) is the first consistent statewide study of the environmental condition of rivers anywhere in Australia and was also the first integrated measure of river condition in Australia. It integrates the condition of river hydrology, water quality, streamside zone (vegetation), physical form (bed and bank condition and instream habitat) and aquatic life.

Two statewide assessments have been undertaken (1999 and 2004). These assessments covered 1,040 river reaches, representing 26,000 km of Victoria’s major rivers and tributaries.

The next statewide assessment will be undertaken during 2010 and reported by January 2012. The major advance for the 2010 ISC will be the use of remote sensing – LiDAR and aerial photography, to assess the streamside zone and physical form components. This will see a change from sampling a limited number of random samples to a complete census approach along both sides of the 26,000 km stream network.

The use of remote sensing will result in a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of the streamside zone and physical form which will provide significant benefits when prioritising and undertaking on-ground works to improve river condition.

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