8322-2 Avon River - Stratford

This information has been developed from the publications:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in Central Gippsland (1981) by Neville Rosengren, M.S McRae-Williams and S.M Kraemers.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Gippsland Lakes Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in East Gippsland, Victoria (1981) by Neville Rosengren, M.S McRae-Williams

Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	060980. Avon River channel from Stratford to four kilometres north-west of the Avon Bridge at Stratford.	Course changes of the Avon river at Stratford. Dotted line shows survey course 1850-1860.
Abstract:	Changes in channel form of the Avon River.
Access:	Walk south from Stratford/Bushy Park Road.
Ownership:	Private land, some Crown land.
Geomorphology:	The Avon River valley at Stratford is entrenched into earlier alluvial deposits of sands and silts with minor gravel lenses. These deposits are up to 20 metres thick near Stratford, the upper section exposed in river cliffs commonly being a red-brown colour. Comparison of recent aerial photos with maps made between 1850 - 1860 indicate there has been extensive change in the position and nature of the river channel. From a narrow stream with steep forested banks in the mid 19th century, the Avon has become shallow, gravely and conspicuously braided with sweeping meander curves. Undercut banks alternate with wide, sandy and gravely point bars and frequent shifts in the position of the main channel occur.
Significance:	Regional. The extensive erosion of the Avon flood plain over the last 100 years is related to intensive clearing and settlement of the area. It demonstrates the impact of man on river systems.
Management:	Limited removal of gravels from the channel would not detract from the interest of the site.
References:	Jenkin, J.J., 1968. 'The geomorphology and Upper Cainozoic geology of Southeast Gippsland, Victoria', Geol. Surv. Vict. Memoir 27.

Image: East Gippsland Sites of Significance

Gravels (A). Avon River cliffs, north of Stratford.
(Source: Tran Dang-Dai)

8322-2

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