Organisers described the launch as a `terrific' day.

Yarriambiack Creek Flow Protection Committee president Doug Hallam said the launch was at the heritage area's fifth site at Batchica, north of Warracknabeal.

Mr Hallam said Member for Mallee John Forrest, Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh and Member for Mildura Peter Crisp opened the heritage area.

``It was absolutely terrific,'' he said. ``It's very important because it marks history that has never been acknowledged before.''

Eight sites along the creek, beginning at Drung and ending at Hopetoun, mark places where channels took water from the creek between the 1800s and the 1930s before establishment of the Wimmera-Mallee open channel system.

``The heritage area acknowledges the pioneers of this country and shows the importance of Yarriambiack Creek to all the surrounding areas in the early days, because back then it was the only source of water between the Wimmera River right through to Hopetoun,'' Mr Hallam said.

``It marks this history for future generations and even current generations who weren't aware of the importance of Yarriambiack Creek in opening up this part of the country.''

Mr Hallam described the day as one of the most important in the history of the creek.

``Yarriambiack Creek is part and parcel of this area, it means a lot to everyone along the creek,'' he said.

Mr Hallam thanked sponsors who had supported the project.

``Without our sponsors this would never have happened,'' he said.

Mr Hallam said it meant a lot to him to be involved in the preservation of Yarriambiack Creek's history.

``I was proud to be part of the project and proud of our committee for pulling it off,'' he said. ``I could just about claim to be a life member of the creek, because I was born and bred on it.''

Member for Mallee John Forrest said the heritage sites were important.

``It's a reminder for younger generations just how tough the development of western Victoria has been,'' he said.

``These plaques will encourage future generations to appreciate what their forefathers had to endure just to get the greatest resource of all, water.''