CONCERNS are held for the Peel River's ecosystem as the flow in the waterway is expected to cease.
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A small throng of volunteers have been tending to the banks of the river for a number of months now as part of the "Heal the Peel" project.
It has been a coordinated effort between OzFish, local Landcare and the Department of Primary Industry (DPI) - Fisheries.
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The groups have planted hundreds of locally-germinated shrubs and trees, including lomandra, river reds, kurrajongs and acacias, with the aim of bringing the river back to life with their latest outing on Sunday.
The plants help to stabilise the banks, while providing food and refuge for native species in the river.
OzFish North West president Anne Michie said the project would go on as flow in the river ceased and interesting times lie ahead.
"It is about to stop flowing altogether," she said.
"It is going to be pretty hard, but we have to keep pushing ahead and doing these sorts of projects so there is some sort of amenity, not only for the people, but for the animals and the ecology of the river."
Weirs have been built in the Peel to help prolong the remaining reserves in Chaffey Dam for human consumption.
Ms Michie said it would be interesting to see what would be the long-term implications.
"I have been working with fisheries about what we are going to do with the refuge holes and trying to keep the fish alive.
"Short of rain, there's not a lot we can do.
"We can rescue them, but where are we going to put them."
Water NSW has planned regular environmental releases to help maintain the river once the weirs are in place.
The DPI Fisheries has a range of "response options to protect and maximise survival of native fish during the drought", including rescues, increased aeration and monitoring.