Fishway Monitoring Projects
Fitzroy Barrage Tidal Lock Monitoring 2025-2026
The new Tidal Lock Fishway on the north bank of the Fitzroy Barrage marks a major advancement in tidal fish passage design. Developed with AFPS, it combines two fishway systems in one structure, enabling both lavae, juvenile and adult fish to move upstream across the barrage’s 5–6 m tidal range. Since opening, the fishway has recorded nearly 57,000 fish from 20 species, ranging from 8 mm to 700 mm.
Rookwood Weir Fish Community and Fish Lock Monitoring 2022-2027
Completed in late 2024, Rookwood Weir will supply 86,000 megalitres of water annually to central Queensland, and a comprehensive monitoring program is now underway to assess its effects on fish communities across the Fitzroy Basin. Beginning with pre‑construction baseline surveys, ongoing monitoring upstream and downstream of the weir, the Fitzroy Barrage, and at the fish lock is tracking changes in species composition and habitat use. Early results show a shift toward lentic‑adapted species such as bony bream, mouth almighty, sleepy cod and tilapia within the new weir pool. The fish lock is being closely assessed using traps, video, electrofishing, netting and PIT‑tag detections, with acoustic tagging to follow. Across 29 sampling days in 2025, 8,153 fish from 23 species were recorded moving through the lock, revealing clear movement patterns that will guide ongoing optimisation of fish passage.
Seaham Weir Monitoring 2025-2026
The Seaham Weir upgrade delivered new low‑flow gates and a contemporary vertical‑slot fishway on the lower Williams River. AFPS monitoring has recorded just under 400,000 fish from 18 species, ranging from 8 mm juveniles to 1.2 m eels, confirming strong fishway performance and improved river connectivity.
Big Al’s Brook Realignment 2020-2025
The 350 m realignment of Big Al’s Brook created refuge ponds with stepped sandstone walls, vegetated banks, and run habitats to support fish passage and habitat complexity. AFPS monitoring recorded 83 fish from nine species, with strong use of instream vegetation and sandstone wall voids by fish, shrimp, Macrobrachium spp., and eels. A turtle sighting further demonstrates the habitat diversity supported by the new alignment.
Oyster Creek Realignment 2018-2026
The Oyster Creek realignment reshaped 870 m of waterway and integrated modern fish passage and habitat features, including refuge ponds with LUNKERS, woody debris, and run habitats with cross‑vanes. AFPS monitoring has recorded strong ecological performance, with 11 fish species (11–445 mm) and eels to 1.2 m using the system. The presence of 11 mm larvae confirms effective passage, and the new habitats are supporting diverse birdlife such as pelicans, swans, and ducks.
New Zealand Fish Passage Workshops 2023-2024
In partnership with the New Zealand National institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, AFPS is presenting several fish passage masterclasses to increase the skillset of regional councils and Iwi groups in barrier assessment, prioritisation and fishway design to enable the development of fish passage action plans in line with new legislation.
Sleng Weir Fishway, Cambodia 2023
In partnership with Charles Sturt University, AFPS designed, supervised construction, conducted intensive fish passage training sessions with local fisheries, irrigation officials, and students, and had the honor of officially inaugurating the Sleng Weir Vertical Slot fishway alongside the Australian Ambassador in November, 2023.
Rookwood Weir Project Baseline Monitoring 2022-2023
AFPS, in conjunction with Sunwater undertook pre-construction sampling in the Fitzroy River Catchment prior to the construction of the Rookwood Weir to gather baseline data to establish the condition of the fish communities of the river system.
Fitzroy Basin Association Fishways Project 2020-2023
AFPS worked with the Fitzroy Basin Association to undertake eight fish passage improvement projects in the Fitzroy Basin. Four rock ramp fishways and one cone fishway were constructed, one crossing upgraded to fish-friendly box culverts and two baffle installations were carried out in the catchment.
Barwon Barrage Cone Fishway 2020
AFPS worked with the Corangamite CMA to provide design and construction supervision the cone fishway at Barwon Barrage, near Geelong, Victoria.
Rookwood Weir 2019 – Present
AFPS worked in conjunction with sunwater and GHD to progress the approval of Rookwood Weir and fishway.
Kbal Hong Cone Fishway 2019
AFPS provided design and construction and monitoring supervision to the Cambodian Inland Fisheries Service and Pursat Province Irrigation ror a cone fishway on the Kbal Hong Weir on the Stung Pursat in central Cambodia.
Yeppen Lagoon Log Fish Hotels 2018
AFPS undertook the installation of log ‘fish hotels’ into Yeppen Lagoon to increase the amount of fish habitat available to the fish community.
Mackay Whitsunday Fish Community Condition Survey 2007, 2017, 2018
AFPS carried out a baseline assessment of the freshwater and estuarine fish community condition to provide advice for the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan.
Glenore Weir Cone Fishway 2016
AFPS provided design guidance and construction advice for the Glenore Weir Replacement and Fishway Project on the Norman River, QLD.
Fitzroy Barrage Cone Fishway 2015
AFPS worked with the Fitzroy Basin Association to design and supervise construction of a cone fishway to complement the existing vertical slot fishway on the Fitzroy River, Rockhampton, QLD.
Flinders River Precast Cone Fishway 2010
AFPS designed and constructed a cone fishway on the Flinders River at the Floraville Road crossing at a remote in the Gulf of Carpentaria, QLD.
Sandringham Lagoon 2006 – 2009
AFPS staff supervised the extensive rehabilitation of Sandringham Lagoon, near Mackay in Central Queensland.
Clare Weir Lock Fishway 2004
AFPS undertook pre and post construction monitoring and provided fishway design advice for the Clare Weir Lock Fishway on the Burdekin River, QLD.