Porepunkah River Pool
The Ovens River is dammed at Porepunkah to a create a river swimming pool in the warmer months. A children’s paddling pool on the river banks nearby gives the whole family a chance to enjoy the water.
The river pool is located in Riverside Park on Nicholson Street in Porepunkah. Take advantage of the nearby free barbecue facilities and picnic tables.
These pools are supervised at key times over the summer holidays.
Water Quality Sampling
During the summer school holidays, we undertake water quality sampling of the river pool in Bright and the river pool and toddler pool in Porepunkah.
Sampling is undertaken for E.coli organisms on a weekly basis, or more frequently as required. E.coli is recognised as an indicator of water quality in freshwater bodies used for swimming and other recreational activities.
We may issue a Water Quality Warning for the river pools and associated equipment when the water quality is unsuitable for recreation.
It is acknowledged that the sampling project provides an indication of recreational water quality only and does not give a specific measure of the health risk on any given day. Drinking of the river water is not recommended.
River users should take care at all times, including observing any warning signs and checking for physical hazards before entering the river. It is also recommended to avoid swimming 24-48 hours after heavy rain regardless of the water quality rating.
River Pool Water Quality Warning
We will notify the public of a water quality warning for our river pools via our Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as placing signage at the pools, closing the facilities, including the jumping platform, and removing lifeguards where feasible.
Undertaking recreational activities in the river pools during a warning may result in a potential risk to health. People who choose to continue to use the river pools do so at their own risk.
When the warning is no longer current, we will update our Facebook and Instagram pages, remove signage at the pools, and resume lifeguard and equipment operations as normal.
Our Environmental Health Department is happy to provide further information if requested.