The ISC1999_SCORES dataset represents the 1999 Index of Stream Condition (ISC) overall score and subindex scores for each ISC river reach in the state of Victoria. The first ISC assessment in 1999 provided a snapshot of river health for major rivers and streams in Victoria. The 1999 ISC provides scores for five components of stream condition: (i) hydrology (based on a measure of the gross change between natural and existing monthly flows, catchment permeability and the presence of hydroelectric power stations); (ii) physical form (based on bed and bank stability, influence of artificial barriers, and instream physical habitat); (iii) streamside zone (based on types of plants; spatial extent, width, and intactness of riparian vegetation; and condition of wetlands and billabongs); (iv) water quality (based on an assessment of phosphorus, turbidity, electrical conductivity and pH); and (v) aquatic life (based on number of families of macroinvertebrates). Further information available at: https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways-and-catchments/rivers-estuaries-and-waterways/monitoring

The ISC2010_SCORES dataset represents the 2010 Index of Stream Condition (ISC) overall score and subindex scores for each ISC river reach in the state of Victoria. This was the third ISC assessment providing a snapshot of river health for major rivers and streams in Victoria, using data collected over a six-year period from 2004 to 2010. The methods used in 2010 differed to the 1999 and 2004 assessments. Method changes were undertaken to strike a balance between incorporating new scientific advances while maintaining compariability of results with the 1999 and 2004 benchmarks. The ISC 2010 provides scores for five components of stream condition: (i) hydrology (based on change in volume and seasonality of flow from natural conditions); (ii) physical form (based on bank stability, bed erosion or aggradation, influence of artificial barriers, and abundance and origin of coarse woody debris); (iii) streamside zone (based on types of plants; spatial extent, width, and intactness of riparian vegetation; regeneration of overstorey species, and condition of wetlands and billabongs); (iv) water quality (based on an assessment of phosphorus, turbidity, electrical conductivity and pH); and (v) aquatic life (based on number of families of macroinvertebrates). The Physical Form and Riparian Vegetation components of the ISC were mapped by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) in 2010-12 using LIDAR and aerial photography. Other ISC metrics were derived from other sources. Further information available at: https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways-and-catchments/rivers-estuaries-and-waterways/monitoring

The ISC2004_SCORES dataset represents the 2004 Index of Stream Condition (ISC) overall score and subindex scores for each ISC river reach in the state of Victoria. This was the second ISC assessment providing a snapshot of river health for major rivers and streams in Victoria, using data collected over a five-year period from 1999 to 2004. The methods used in 2004 differed to the 1999 assessment. Method changes were undertaken to strike a balance between incorporating new scientific advances while maintaining compariability of results with the 1999 benchmark. The 2004 ISC provides scores for five components of stream condition: (i) hydrology (based on change in volume and seasonality of flow from natural conditions); (ii) physical form (based on bank stability, influence of artificial barriers, and abundance and origin of coarse woody debris); (iii) streamside zone (based on types of plants; spatial extent, width, and intactness of riparian vegetation); (iv) water quality (based on an assessment of phosphorus, turbidity, electrical conductivity and pH); and (v) aquatic life (based on number of families of macroinvertebrates). Further information available at: https://www.water.vic.gov.au/waterways-and-catchments/rivers-estuaries-and-waterways/monitoring

The Index of Wetland Condition (IWC) is a standard method developed in Victoria for rapid assessment of wetland condition. It is based on the state of the biological, physical and chemical components of the wetland ecosystem and their interactions. The method aims to differentiate natural from human induced changes in wetland condition and assist in management decisions. It has six weighted sub-indices based on the characteristics that define wetlands: wetland catchment; physical form; hydrology; soils; water properties; and biota. It is primarily a site/habitat based assessment (individual wetland scale), some measures require wetland catchment scale assessment. This data set contains the results of 389 IWC assessments conducted between January 2009 and April 2011 to provide a snapshot of the condition of Victoria's wetlands.