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MEMORANDUM
THIRLMERE LAKES – ADDENDUM 3 TO REPORT OF OCTOBER 2011
TO: FILE
FROM PHILIP PELLS
OUR REF: P053.M9
DATE: 16 May 2012
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This addendum comprises factual data that has been accumulated in the period January 2012 to May 2012. This information will be incorporated in an updated report on the Thirlmere Lakes when rainfall and level records have been accumulated of refilling of the lakes.
2.0 FURTHER INFORMATION ON RON SILM’S PUMPING
A further interview was held with Mr Ron Silm on 13 May 2012 to clarify details of the pumping he did from the lakes.
He stated that he had pumped from Lake Gundagarra (i.e the north end of Werri Berri). The water flowed down Cedar Creek, and many others along the creek helped themselves to the flow, which took 10 days to reach his property. He had pumped against a head of about 20ft through a six inch pipeline to reach Dry Lake.
He had used a pump he had had built specially at Silverwater and driven by tractors. The pump was rated at 1000gal/min. He had used his Hanomag tractor, set up with a separate elevated fuel tank. He had two tractors burnt out by some persons who objected to him pumping from the lakes, despite the fact that he had set sprinklers to spray over the operating tractor. One of the tractors had been borrowed.
He and his wife were uncertain as to the dates, but it was some time after they married in 1956, but certainly before the 1980s.
3.0 CORRECTED SURVEY DATA
On 13 May 2012 we retained the services of a registered surveyor from Hard& Forester to provide an accurate level on SSM 163605 which is near the northern end of Lake Nerrigorang. He also measured the levels at several other locations. His formal report is reproduced in Appendix B. His measurements agreed with the measurement by New South Wales Office of Water (NOW) of the level of groundwater monitoring bore GW075410.
On the basis of these correct levels we have revised the levels given in our report of October 2011 to fit as follows:
Overflow from Nerrigorang over the road 305.0 Overflow from Nerrigorang through pipe or wombat hole 304.4 Floor of Nerrigorang 298.3 Floor of Baraba 303.7 Floor of Couridjah 300.0 Floor of Werri Berri 300.0 Maximum level of Couridjah 306.2
4.0 ADDITIONAL RAINFALL DATA
For ongoing studies of the lakes, hopefully as they fill in the not too distant future, use will be made of rainfall records from stations closer than the Picton Council Depot. Records are kept by:
• Maidla – manual (East 274251.947m North 6212066.763m AHD 338.904) • INSWTAHM1 (Padgett) – automatic streamed to the net, since 2006 • Hunt - manual • INSWTHIR2 – automatic streamed to the net.
The data from Maidla was provided by Dr Steven Riley. It has been kept since 1989.
We have compared the Maidla data with the Picton Council Depot data, and the Queensland Government SILO data, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 2 16 May 2012 Picton Vs Maidla Monthy Rainfall (mm) Jan 1989 to Sep 2011 400 Co-relation y = 1.0399x 350 Coeffiecient 300 0.93185538 4 250
200
150
100
Maidla Rainfall mm Month per Rainfall Maidla 50
0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Picton Rainfall per Month mm
Figure 1a: Maidla data compared with Picton Council Depot.
Maidla Vs Thirl(QLD Met) Monthy Rainfall (mm) Jan 1989 to Oct 2010 Co-relation 400 Coeffiecient 350 0.93317690 y = 0.9692x 300 4 250 200 150 100 50 Maidla Rainfall mm Month per Rainfall Maidla 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Thirlmere(QLD Met) Rainfall per Month mm
Figure 1b: Maidla data compared with SILO data for Thirlmere Lakes
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 3 16 May 2012 Figures 1a and 1b indicate that there are some periods where Maidla recorded no monthly rainfall, yet significant rainfall was recorded at Picton. An examination of Maidla’s handwritten records indicates this is for the period of 4 months in mid 1993 where there are no entries, but also no statement that readings were missed.
Figure 2a shows the comparison between the Maidla and Padgett data between July 2006 and April 2012. Apart from two months when Maidla apparently did not take readings, the correlation is excellent. Given that the Padgett data is recorded automatically and is streamed to the web we propose to use this data for future modelling of lake behaviour, with the SILO (DRILL) data as a check.
Maidla Vs Pagett Monthy Rainfall (mm) Jul 2006 to Jan 2012 350 Co-relation 300 Coeffiecient 250 0.94246279 8 200
150
100
50 Maidla Rainfall mm Month per Rainfall Maidla
0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Pagett Monthly Rainfall per Month mm
Figure 2a: Maidla versus Padgett 2006 to 2012.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 4 16 May 2012 The Racklyeft family kept rainfall records at Nerrigorang for 10 years in the 1970’s. We have plotted their annual measurements against the DRILL data for the same period, as shown in Figure 2b. On average the agreement is reasonable in respect to cumulative rainfall, but with up to 20% differences in a few years. However, nothing is known about the location of the gauge, and the gauge itself, used by the Racklyefts.
Figure 2b: Racklyeft data compared with QLD SILO data.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 5 16 May 2012
5.0 INFORMATION FROM MILES DUNPHY
In our report of the October 2011 it was noted that little information had been obtained in respect to the levels of the lakes in the period 1900 to 1940. As discussed in Section 8 below, we have now found photographs of 1902. However, although it is known that some paintings of the lakes were made by a Mr Muir Auld in the period 1925 to 1935, no copies of those paintings have been found. However, we have been fortunate to find that Miles Dunphy, generally considered as the most important figure in the history of NSW conservation, produced remarkable, detailed journals of his bushwalks and one of his great loves was the walk from Picton Lakes, through Blue Gum Creek to the Nattai Valley (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Extract showing Dunphy’s beautiful writing.
Miles Dunphy first walked past the Picton Lakes in 1912 and the first record we have available is from his Journal No. 2 of 1913. He then made subsequent visits in 1914, 1916, 1928 and 1933. Extracts from his journals covering those trips are given in Appendix A.
In 1931 Dunphy produced a sketch map that covered the walk from Picton Lakes Station (Couridjah Station) to the Nattai River. A portion of that map is reproduced in Figure 4 below.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 6 16 May 2012
Figure 4: Portion of Miles Dunphy’s map of 1931.
It can be seen from the map in Figure 4, and as detailed in the extracts given in Appendix A, the route taken by Miles Dunphy through the lakes is different from the road that was subsequently built around the lakes. Figure 5 shows the Dunphy route superimposed on an aerial photo taken in November 2011.
Figure 5: Route taken in 1912 to 1933.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 7 16 May 2012 6.0 GEOLOGY
All available structural geology has been collated in plan form as shown in Figure 6.
collated in plan form. plan in collated All available structural geology available All Figure 6:
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 8 16 May 2012 Mapping data in Blue Gum Creek has been correlated with old boreholes drilled in that area (see Figure 7) to produce structural contours on the Bulli Seam and the Bald Hill Claystone. The structural contours on the Bulli Seam are consistent with mapping from 1969 (see Figure 8).
Figure 7: Mapping and borehole data west of the lakes.
Figure 8: Cropped annotated Burragorang Geology 1st edition 1969.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 9 16 May 2012
A cross-section has been prepared at the location shown on Figure 9. This cross- section is given in Figure 10 and has been drawn at an exaggerated scale to show that the Bald Hill Claystone is at about 70m below the floor of Lake Nerrigorang. However, subsequent to preparing the cross-section it was found (see Section 3, above) that the floor of Nerrigorang is at RL298m, suggesting that the depth to the Bald Hill Claystone is probably about 60m.
Figure 9: Location of cross-section.
Figure 10: W-E cross-section on 6210000mN.
A cross-section has also been prepared along the line of the Tahmoor Colliery decline (see Figure 11). This shows the statigraphy and the inflows that occurred during construction and faults and dykes at seam level!
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 10 16 May 2012
section on Tahmoor Colliery decline. Colliery on Tahmoor section - Cross
Figure 11:
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 11 16 May 2012 Field mapping has been undertaken of the Bargo Fault as shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14.
Figure 12: Bargo Fault from east.
Figure 13: Photo 4, Bargo Fault from north.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 12 16 May 2012
Figure 14: Bargo Fault – south face of gorge from north face.
7.0 PRIVATE BORES
As described in our report of October 2011 several visits have been made to the owners of private bores in the area east of the Thirlmere Lakes and above the workings of Tahmoor Colliery. A number of the owners are shown on a plan given in the April 2010 Tahmoor Colliery AEMR, reproduced herein as Figure 15. Of the names shown on Figure 15, we have interviewed Vella, Domizio, White and Knopper. We have also spoken to other owners not shown on the Tahmoor Colliery drawing. Our initial interviews are summarised on Figure 16, and all information obtained to date is given in Appendix C.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 13 16 May 2012
Figure 15: Private borehole owners shown on a plan given in the April 2010 Tahmoor Colliery AEM.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 14 16 May 2012
Figure 16: Bore locations and notes of interviews.
8.0 ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL TERRESTRIAL AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
Additional photographs have been obtained from various members of the community and from the Picton and Oaks Historical Societies.
Figure 17 is a view from the NW end of Lake Werri Berri, recorded as being taken in 1902. At that time there was a farm on the 60 acres originally titled to Joseph Davenport (see Figure 18). Old documents mention the windmill shown in Figure 17.
The photograph in Figure 17 was apparently taken at the time of the annual Pickard Christmas party that was held at the lakes (Figure 19). Pickard was a shopkeeper in Picton, Tahmoor and The Oaks. Figure 20 was taken at that picnic and is interpreted to be the north end of Lake Nerrigorang.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 15 16 May 2012
Figure 17: Werri Berri from NW corner – 1902 (photo provided by Picton Historical Society).
Figure 18: Parish Map 1898.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 16 16 May 2012
Figure 19: Pickard Christmas Party 1902 (photo provided by NPWS and Picton Historical Society).
Figure 20: Pickard Christmas Party 1902 (photo provided by NPWS and Picton Historical Society).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 17 16 May 2012 Figure 21 is the 1953 Estonian Girl Guides Camp at Lake Nerrigorang. Parts of the jetty in this photo are still on the floor of that lake.
Figure 21: Estonian Girl Guides Camp, Lake Nerrigorang, 1953 (photo provided by Oakes Historical Society).
Figure 22 is a view of Lake Nerrigorang taken from the lookout in 1954. The corresponding view in January 2012 is given in Figure 23.
Figure 22: Lake Nerrigorang from lookout – 1954 (Annette Bray photo).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 18 16 May 2012
Figure 23: Lake Nerrigorang from lookout – January 2012 (P. Pells photo).
Figure 24 is an oblique aerial photograph of what once was Dry Lake, subsequently converted into a dam (Lippings). It was taken in 1983. Lake Gundagarra can be seen in the right background, with a very small amount of water. This can be contrasted with the 1955 Mall Juske photo of the same lake shown in Figure 25.
Figure 24: Dry Lake - 1983 (Jan Darling photo).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 19 16 May 2012
Figure 25: Lake Gundagarra – Summer 1955 (Mall Juske photo).
Figure 26 is Lake Couridjah in 1974. The ladder at the end of the jetty, behind the diving boy, is in the position it was when Patricia Fanning did her thesis work in 1975. The top of this ladder was her datum reference point. She has kindly given us information from her original field notes as follows:
“7/2/74: After Jan rain, 4th lake draining into Blue Gum Ck - vel[ocity] rel[itively] fast. Fresh clean sand on bottom - new deposit or silt being removed from old deposit?"
26/3/74: Lake levels higher than last week...have left marks on pier at Lake 2 - also on ladder.
Lake 2 - no beach - slope undercut - active erosion - few patches of sand without organic matter on them. Lake 2: fantastic deltaic formation near pier - med/fine sand in channels,coarser on interdistributary bars.
Lake level has fallen:- 9cm on ladder; 10.5cm on posts, except for outside left (19.5cm)...N.B. Water flowing to 4th lake between L. 3 & 4.
9/4/74: Lake 1 - 2 deltaic formations (same as photographed 26/3/74)..[I then go on to describe auger hole sampling].
19/4/74: Lake 1 - [I describe sampling of bottom sediments from middle of lake, presumably from a dinghy]
26/4/74: Oil on water eastern edge of 1st lake - northern edge of sand (in reeds) [I then describe observations and sampling of peat islands].
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 20 16 May 2012 8/5/74: I recorded peat island characteristics in Lake 2.
9/5/74: I took bottom samples from the channel between Lakes 1 & 2 (I have images of this channel, presumably taken on that day).
I also surveyed a hillslope transect between Lakes 3 & 4 and dug auger holes. My sketch of the cross section showing the locations of the holes shows "water" at the lowest point, between auger holes I and VII.
10/5/74 - 25/5/74:Sometime in this period, we did the echosounding surveys of Lakes 1 and 2, and this was when the water depth in Lake 2 was described as "30cm below the top of the ladder attached to the pier".
25/5/74: Drilled bore hole between lakes 3 & 4; no mention of standing water, and the image I have of the drilling operation shows no standing water at that location.
14/6/74: I describe peat islands in Lake 4, and echo sounding of same, noting that the water depths at the start and end of each transect.
20/8/74: Fan on Racklyeft property - water flowing (seeping?) across surface...Blue Gum Ck: Mel[aleuca sp] in channel, stands of E. sphacelata - flows very fast where constricted eg large fan downstream has forced creek to sthn scarp - swampy area where non-constricted - ?former lake?...present water flowing over bed of peat dep in this lake, or was it always a creek?.”
Figure 26: Lake Couridjah in 1974 (Patricia Fanning photo).
The ladder for the jetty was subsequently moved to the northern end, as shown in Figure 27, which was taken in the summer of 1997 shortly before the jetty was dismantled (Figure 28).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 21 16 May 2012
Figure 27: Couridjah Jetty, late 1997, after the end had been damaged by a fire (NPWS photo).
Figure 28: NPWS commencing dismantling of damaged jetty in 1998 (NPWS photo).
At that same time dumped cars were removed from Lake Werri Berri (Figure 29).
Figure 29: Lake Werri Berri, 1998 (NPWS photo).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 22 16 May 2012 Figure 30 is Lake Nerrigorang in the 1980’s. We are trying to obtain a more precise date for this photograph.
Figure 30: Lake Nerrigorang – date of photo still to be established (Trevor Racklyeft photo).
9.0 MAY 2012 PHOTOGRAPHS
On 13 May 2012, Lake Baraba was quite full (see Figure 31), with the water level as documented in Appendix B. The photograph in Figure 31 can be contrasted with the same location shown in Figures 32 and 33, taken on 22 August 2011.
Figure 34 is Lake Couridjah on 13 May 2012.
Figure 31: Lake Baraba, 13 May 2012, view towards Lake Couridjah around corner in distance (P. Pells photo).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 23 16 May 2012
Figure 32: Lake Baraba, 22 August 2011, same location as Figure 31 but view towards Lake Nerrigorang (P. Pells photo).
Figure 33: Lake Baraba, 22 August 2011 (P. Pells photo).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 24 16 May 2012
Figure 34: Lake Couridjah, 13 May 2012 (P. Pells photo).
10.0 AUTOMATIC LAKE LEVEL MONITORING
On 19 January 2012, Pells Consulting installed a data logger in Lake Couridjah to record lake water level. At the time, the lake was at its lowest level since the 1940’s. Figures 35, 36 and 37 show installation of the logging instrumentation.
Figure 35: Pushing across mud in flat bottomed boat used for installing the (lake level) logger (P. Pells photo).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 25 16 May 2012
Figure 36: Logger location in Lake Couridjah (P. Pells photo).
Figure 37: ABC filming installation of lake level logger at Couridjah on 19 January 2012 (P.Pells photo).
11.0 RAILWAY PUMPING FROM LAKE COURIDJAH 1866-1960’S
In our report of October 2011, estimates were given of the quantity of water pumped from Lake Couridjah by NSW Railways. We have confirmed those estimates, having obtained further information on the steam engines that were used on the line. Figure 38 shows one of the passenger trains that used the same class of engine that is still operated by the Thirlmere Rail Museum (see Figure 39). Engine 1308, shown in Figure 38 is awaiting restoration at Valley Heights! (See Figure 40).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 26 16 May 2012
Figure 38: Engine 1308 at Hilltop in 1938.
Figure 39: Engine of same class as 1308, on Thirlmere – Buxton line, April 2012 (Pells photo).
Figure 40: Poor old Engine 1308, in pieces at Valley Heights (Railway Historical Society photo).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 27 16 May 2012
12.0 UPDATED TABLE OF PROXY DATA
Based on additional research at the Mitchell Library, and State Archives, and the information documented above, we have updated Table 2.4 of our report of October 2011. The updated table is given in Appendix D. This table, together with the updated survey data, forms the basis of our reinterpretation of historical lake levels, work which is currently underway and will be reported in a final revision of our October 2011 report.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 28 16 May 2012 APPENDIX A
MILES DUNPHY JOURNAL EXTRACT 2 - 1913
“Now that the road is surveyed down Nattai Valley and Blue Gum Creek. I do not suppose it will be long before the fertile first-named valley is settled – and people able to go to Church on Easter Sundays! There will be no excuse for us then. Personally I like the valley just as it is, without Churches, houses or roads. The advent of the locomotive (for it will come, all right) will make the place hideous, but all the same, the train journey down this valley and the Burragorang will be the most picturesque in Australia, bar none.
We moved off at 7 o’clock. Followed the track back to where it branched from the main one.
This only took about 5 minutes.
Passed between the two first lakes, and round the south end of a third. Saw a duck and a cormorant (shag). These sheets of water hardly deserve the appellation of lakes. They are each but a few acres in extent, and are shallow. The outer edges are covered with sedge. One can’t tell where the water ends and the banks begin. Therefore I reckon they are marshes. Surrounded on every side by forest, they are very pretty when viewed from between the trees.
The “going” round the lakes we found to be sandy and heavy. About a mile from where we re-joined the track, a faint track bears away towards the left, and the main track has a 3 foot yellow clay bank on each side, if I remember rightly. The blazed track down the Nattai to Yerranderie appears to begin just about here.
As directed by Vic Hudson, we took this left hand track.
The main track, according to Vic and Mac. leads on to Thirlmere.
The left hand track petered out very soon. There we followed the blazed trail. It is blazed by outlining big bell blazes on trees and painting over some with red lead. Not only are these trees painted, but logs, rocks etc. This was done by Government surveyors, and marks the route of the proposed light railway to the Peaks silver mines (Yerranderie). It is very conspicuous and easy to pick up. The “going” is rough though. There is practically no track, and we were forced to scramble over logs, rocks, and to push our way through undergrowth. Our time was fully taken up getting through the scrub and over obstacles.
The Government has surveyed a line for a light railway down Blue Gum Creek, through the lower Nattai, and along Burragorang, up to Yerranderie.
When the line is constructed it will expedite matters considerably. But I think it will also make a new Yerranderie. Just at present it is just sufficiently difficult to get at, and cut off from the outer world, to give it a certain charm all its own.”
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 29 16 May 2012 Miles Dunphy Journal Extract - Easter 1914 Extract
“The train drew up at Picton Lakes. As usual, the 2nd class carriages were all past the platform. I led the way and let myself drop to the metals and received a bit of a jar, my swag strap snapping under the strain. All out safely, we shouldered our swags any fashion temporarily, and following my lead made our way to the pumping station gent’s residence. Here we procured water and had a few minutes yarn. Then on down the track to the pumping station without any trouble as the moon was shining fairly clearly. Of course, they all placed themselves under my leadership, as knowing the way, etc. I thought it advisable, as the night was great and ourselves cool and fresh, to put about 4 miles behind us straight away. This would allow of us camping on a small flat just outside the blue gum forest area. They assented to this readily enough.”
MILES DUNPHY JOURNAL 6
3 to 5 June 1916
As it was rapidly becoming dark we pushed on. Dropping from the rock ledge to the level of pumping station on the eastern margin of the first lake (half dry), we turned left, and pursuing a southerly direction soon hit the track, which veering west passed us between the first and second lakes...... Passing more of the dimly discernible morass-like areas of water and reeds we came to a spot which I recognised as being the turn off for the Red Trail, just 50 yards in front of the spot where the track crosses the sandy runnel where by the surplus water of the soak-connected lakes drains away to Blue Gum Creek...... we stopped our progress....slung out tent....and got a fire going.
Sunday
As the heliotrope flushed to pink we took the dirty dishes left unwashed the night before (which was really unavoidable) and went down to the swamp edge, placed logs in the mud to stand on cleaned them and procured water for breakfast. That lagoon water was cold. My hands ached and it took time to restore the circulation.
Over the lagoon area the reeds are more than head high of a light smokey green colour which is easily mistaken for water at night and fog in the early morning hours. In dim light is sort of invisible green colour. The water is good and sweet but takes some getting, as the lagoon edge is mud and logs and branches have to be disposed so one can get out to deep water.
The Red Trail surroundings presented a somewhat different aspect than when I went through last time. Last summer’s fire has made sad havoc here and new growth is not so old that it can hide the scars and gaps. The red paint of the blazers on many trees and rocks is all burned off, especially near the lakes. Somehow it seemed a far greater distance to the flat at the start of the Blue-Gum than I thought. One forgets so soon. It is not until the flat is reached that Blue Gum Creek begins to be anything worth talking about. Further down it is sublime.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 30 16 May 2012 Arrived at the flat (clearing) we found a new slab hut erected and a white-haired general old chap in possession..was washing clothes when we happened along but was not loath to yarn. He thought the proposed blue Gum-Yerranderie (Red Trail) railway would never pay.... the old chap said that two men when along the day before (Saturday) towards Little River, clearing up the existing track of debris in readiness for a party consisting of a state timber inspector and some big railway Bug, who were to motor through Blue Gum Forest on a tour of inspection. Surely a rough ride.
MILES DUNPHY JOURNAL 11
5th to 9th April 1928
Dunphy caught the 3.50pm train from Central arriving at Picton at 5.25pm. They then took the Mittagong loop link at 7.35pm and arrived at Picton Lakes in the moon light. He commences
“then we rolled into Picton Lake Station (latter renamed Couridjah because of the proximity of Picton Lakes Sanatorium) In my many trips through Couridjah Corridor – named by me somewhere about this time – both before and subsequent to this 1928 Easter outing, I developed a great liking for this remarkable canyon passage or corridor through the table-land. I realised its importance as a topographical feature and that in fact it was the only naturally graded way through the tablelands to the great Burragorang Valley and Southern Blue Mountains. For a hundred years it had been a hidden feature, and presumably only a few local people had knowledge of it. It was remarkable that a road had not been put through the Corridor to serve Burragorang and the Yerranderie silver mines.
Although I had been in Lower Nattai before on several occasions, the first time I went through the whole distance of the natural pass was on Saturday, 5th October, 1913. My mate Herbert R. Gallop and I found a jinker track from Picton Lakes down to a spot a short distance below the junction of Buxton Creek with Blue Gum Creek. There was an old timber-getters’ hut thereabout, and the old standing stumps of once fine trees indicated that a good deal of timber had been taken out, very gradually, over a long period and may years previously. Beyond the timber camp the track along Blue Gum Creek and Lower Little River down to Orange Tree Flat, close to Little River Junction with Nattai River, was faint and rough, and rather too difficult to follow on horseback.
At last, however, it had been noticed that the graded pass existed, because on that first walk through we came onto a surveyed line which we learned later marked the route of a projected light railway from Thirlmere to Yerranderie. The route was blazed and pegged and blazes and pegs were painted bright red and were very visible in the green surroundings. The surveyed line extended right through the corridor and made our track easy. The red paint had been applied only a short time prior to our arrival. A light railway to Yerranderie to take out silver- lead concentrates from the several mines there seemed to be logical project and should have been implemented earlier......
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 31 16 May 2012 It was Victor Hudson of Walkers Limited who first drew my attention to Blue Gum Creek and Little River. He and his mates had taken a quick walk through; they were not campers. They thought the scenery was really good. Vic gave me a sketch map of the Picton Lakes- Nattai route and advised me to investigate the area. This led me to include it in the long walking tour which Herb Gallop and I undertook in late 1912; we begin it from Picton Lakes. Now I was able to help others by leading this 1928 party.
Friday 6 April 1928
We arose fairly late, had a good breakfast, had a look around the place, then struck camp and packed up. The scout around gave the girls some idea of the peculiar lakes and their surroundings.
.....
The lagoon-like lakes-not all visible because of surrounding trees and an intervening wooded ridge – with their reedy verges and flat shore line provide a peculiar kind of soft and peaceful feature, rather unexpected if one thinks about it, but at the spot where the heathy level ground gives on the outlet gully, the head of Blue Gum Creek, the appearance of the surroundings changes very quickly. The track goes down to descending gully which is flanked by growth-screened rocky outcrops.
MILES DUNPHY JOURNAL 22
1933 Easter
13, April 1933, 14, 15, 16, 17
Miles and Margaret Dunphy and small son Milo.
We arrived at Couridjah platform, formally Picton Lakes at 20 past 12 midday.
We left the station and started off by crossing the road which parallels the railway. As Milo could proceed on his own legs Margaret took him by the hand and so I was able to carry swag, the set of cans and the can of water. From the road we set off along the track which went down the slope to the level area where the so called Picton Lakes or lagoons lay – a kind of geographical mystery.
The Picton Lakes looked like a fragmented or dismembered billabong of a river. The northern and largest lake always contained water, hence plenty of frog and bird dinners for snakes.
14th April
As there was no need for haste we stayed in bed until 7:30 or 8 o’clock. The weather was perfect: we hoped it would remain that way. As the water in the nearest reedy lagoon or lake was difficult to get at without making some kind of jetty of logs or branches I went up to the station and got two cans of water, with which we had a sponge-wash and made breakfast.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 32 16 May 2012 When Milo, Spot and I had walked round the vicinity before we sat down for lunch I noticed at once that “improvements” were being effected in the vicinity. The old logging track which from near the railway station graded northward along the slope, then turned suddenly and graded in the opposite direction down to the level of the lake and pumping station as the way by which coal was taken down, together with the old road which joined it from the direction of Thirlmere, both showed signs of being remade or reconditioned to take traffic. This change applied also to the length of road which passed between the western sections of the lake. There was plenty evidence of recent traffic over it. It all pointed to timber extraction. It made me fear for the safety of the beautiful Couridjah Corridor, which was our name for the system of canyons which stretched from Picton Lakes through to Nattai River in the vicinity of Sheehys Creek and Nattai Pass. We wanted the beautiful natural pass through the sandstone tablelands for a national park or as the centre of one comprised of areas of the tablelands on both sides of it.
In 1931 I had printed and issued a large 2 inches to 1 mile sketch map of Couridjah Corridor and environs from the Picton-Mittagong loop-line railway westward to Central Burragorang. This map gave a good idea of the Corridor and the existing local place names together with others I had placed on features from time to time since about 1915. The map enabled visitors, mainly walkers, to comprehend what a fine scenic place it was. We had great hopes of being able to persuade the authorities to reserve the forested corridor, its streams and fine cliff scenery for public recreation and preservation of native flora and fauna. In those days, in our ignorance futile trust we did not suspect that such fine sounding reserves for national conservation could be suborned for commercial purposes.
Knowing something about Wollondilly Shire Council over the years I thought that aesthetics would not get a “look in”, that Council would be more interested in cutting trees down than in preserving any – anything to extend employment in Wollondilly Shire. Any idea of preserving the fine forest in Couridjah Corridor as a reserve for the conservation of bushland for the future benefit of the Shire inhabitants was beyond the comprehension of that Council.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 33 16 May 2012 APPENDIX B
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 34 16 May 2012 APPENDIX C
FILE NOTE
RE: VISITS TO THIRLMERE LAKES TO INTERVIEW OWNERS OF BORES
OUR REF: P05.M2 Rev B
DATE: 22 September 2011 Updated 7 December 2011 Updated 20 January 2012 Updated 22 February 2012
Borehole no. 49796 (West Parade/ Barbour Road)
Owned by Vella Family.
Recorded as being installed on 1st February 1980 to a depth of 61m.
The Vellas report that when the nearest longwall went past the front of their gate the borewater disappeared completely. Up to that stage they had produced clean water that they used for drinking purposes and for providing for their large chook sheds. They immediately notified the Mine Subsidence Board and the mining company who subsequently provided them with a pipeline from town, providing them with town water. Some 2 years later, probably in about 2004 or thereabouts, the mine sunk another bore nearby to a depth of 120m. It produced high iron content water which clogged all their sprinkler systems and could not be used for feeding and cooling the chook shed. It resulted in iron deposition in the tanks. The bore was then put out of commission and the mining company switched on the town water supply again and has continued to provide them with town water until today. Mr Vella reports that just up the hill on Dino’s property (which is an orchard area) that they also lost their water and that the mine then pushed the pipeline up the hillside to Dino’s and has provided him with water also up to today.
Another attempt was made to locate ‘Dino’, on 19 January 2012. He is apparently quite old. He was not available, but his plumber’s name was given to us, a plumber who apparently has been dealing with several bore problems in the area.
Borehole no. 29143 (Michell Road)
Spoke to Lisa.
Their bore was installed apparently in 1968 to a depth 73.2m.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 35 16 May 2012 Again a family who runs a chook shed area. They have been on this property for 8 years and during that period their bore has continued to supply water for their chooks and their chook sheds and they have noticed no adverse effects during the period.
Lisa also mentioned that Dino (who is across the road from them) had lost his water. Lisa felt fortunate that their water had not been affected.
I don’t appear on this system to have Dino’s bore marked but will go try to talk to him.
A few days after the first field visit I was contacted by Lisa’s husband (0407 914 081) who expressed concern in respect to their bore, primarily because of the experience of Dino and Joe Vella. He was happy to have his bore tested. Steven and Marita dropped in to this property on 19 Jan, but they were not at their chook sheds. I spoke to the husband on 20 January. He told me that Dino was not well. His own bore was still functioning OK.
Borehole no. 18568 (170 West Parade) Mr Ray White Ph: 4681 0068
This borehole was apparently installed on the 1st November 1961 to a depth of 63.4m.
Standing water level 32.6m. Yield 1.14.
Philip phoned Ray White on 29 February 2012. Ray has been on the property for 20 years. When the bore was first installed it had no limits on pumping. Now once the storage tank water runs out the pump relaxes and then squirts. He replaced the pump in the late 90’s. When he pulled up the old one he measured that the pump went down approx 27m and the bore 28m deep.
He is happy for us to visit and test bore. Must provide plenty of notice before visiting.
Borehole no. 37742 (West Parade)
Property operated by a Lebanese man and his wife who have been here for about 10 years.
Their bore is recorded as having installed in 1972 to a depth of 112.8m.
He says that his bore produces very iron rich water which he no longer uses for irrigation because he thinks it has actually killed his trees and plants previously so he now uses water from his little dam or from the roof.
He can’t say whether the water level has gone up or down because the bore is completely covered. All he can say is that the water is unsatisfactory.
Borehole no. 38060 (West Parade)
Installed in January 1974 to a depth of 122.5m.
Information about this borehole was provided by the Lebanese man interviewed previously (owner of borehole no. 37742):
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 36 16 May 2012 Apparently the owner lives in Sydney and is only on the property occasionally. He does use the bore for irrigating a few things. He grows olive trees so I don’t know that he needs much irrigation water. I have no more information about this bore.
Subsequently Steven spoke to the owner who told him that they used the bore occasionally for irrigating some olive trees.
Borehole no. 102439
This bore was installed in July 1998 to a depth of 115m. It is recorded as having yielded only 0.5L/sec.
Next property south and adjacent to the property owned by the Lebanese couple is apparently owned by the Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council. However, the property is now gated and it is said that the office has been relocated to 50 Matthews Lane, Picton (ph. 46 810059 and email: [email protected]).
Because there is nobody on this property I have not been able to find out any information about this bore.
Borehole no. 42537
Installed in November 1975 to a depth of 121.9m. The bore is recorded as having a yield of 2.27L/sec.
At 250, again, a gated property which appears to be only used part-time. I rang on the gate of the property but there was no response and there is no evidence of anybody being on the property at this time.
Borehole no. 11200 (Dilliro Vegetables)
75 Boundary Road (On the other side of the railway line).
Recorded as having been installed in February 2008 to a depth of 61m.
It is on a property which appears to be used as a wholesale nursery and I could locate a bore slightly away from the recorded location right at the corner of the house. I took a picture of this bore (see Figure 1). There was nobody at the house at the time of my visit. I will come back later.
Figure 1
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 37 16 May 2012
Second visit: The owner is Eric who produces vegetables under the name Dilliro Vegetables (mobile 0411 817 007).
Eric’s bore was installed in February 2008 to a depth of 61m with a recorded water level at 30m and a yield of 3L/sec.
Eric says that his bore now produces very little water. It only pumps for a short while before pumping dry. He has contacted the mine but they denied that there was any responsibility. He says that they denied that the mine was under his property which is not true. The longwalls are directly beneath his property. He is happy for us to come back and test his bore to measure the water level and the yield.
Eric from Cyprus tells me that the property which I think is 160 Railway Parade also has a bore that has been substantially affected. My record of bores does not show a bore on this property but Eric reckons they will be happy to talk although at the moment they are very busy. They appear to be operating either vegetables or chooks or both. Eric knows these people.
We will come back and visit 160 Railway Parade.
A third visit was made on 1 December 2011 to measure the water depth and yield of the bore. The water depth was measured as 19.5m below the surface and the top of the pump was measured at about 45m (note borehole depth recorded as 61m). The pump was switched on, and while we could not measure the flow rate, the pump switched off after 2 minutes and 20 seconds because the water level had been drawn to below the trip switch.
On 19 January 2012, Eric was interviewed by ABC television. I was not present at that interview. Marita had dropped in on Eric earlier that day to check that he would be available.
Borehole no. 37860 (Nattai Street) Raewyn Knopper (Ph: 46 830 166)
155 Nattai Street
It was apparently installed in March 1969 to a depth of 137.1m. It is recorded as having a yield of 2.27L/sec.
I spoke to the current owner, Raewyn who has been on the property since about 2000. The property is directly above longwall mining which went through that area between about 1999 and 2001.
Raewyn reports that the bore now produces no use for water. The pump kicks in and pumps for a short while, producing no more than a dribble and then the trip switch hits in because the water level has dropped and there is no more pumping. The bore is effectively useless.
Raewyn would be very happy for us to come back and measure the water level in this bore.
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 38 16 May 2012 A second visit was made on 1 December 2011. Raewyn’s husband allowed us to measure the water depth and also commented that the bore had become useless and power had been disconnected. The water depth was measured at 35m and the top of the pump was at about 44m.
Borehole No 12612 (Nattai Street)
Steven visited the site on 16 October 2011, nobody home so left a note. They subsequently phoned him tom say they did not know they had a bore on their property.
Borehole No 12611 (Nattai Street)
This site was visited by Steven on 16 October 2011.
They had been on the property for 17 years, were aware there was supposed to be a bore on their property, but had not found it.
They had once had an inspection from “the mine”. The “mine person” had said there should be no impacts, but their farm dam ‘might go dry’. About 5 years ago (presumably about 2006) they woke up and the dam was completely dry, having never been dry before. However, it has since recovered. She is uncertain if this was mine related.
It should be noted that their bore is directly above Longwall 7 which was mined in 1990. Longwall 20, which is immediately to the NW of their property, was mined in 2002.
I think her dry dam was drought related, because the worst 3 year drought sequence in the 17 years they have been on the property reached its climax in 2006.
Borehole no. 34518 (Bargo River Road)
280 Bargo River Road
Could not locate this bore as this is on a piece of land with a house on it that is leased to a tenant who had only been there for 3 weeks.
Borehole no. 37289 (Bargo River Road)
254 Bargo River Road
It is shown on 254 but there was nobody there at the time. I wandered around and had a look for the bore I could not find it and will have to come back when the owners are there.
In October, Steven visited the site and left a note. He was subsequently emailed by the owner Selena Watson, who provided her husband brad’s phone number 0417 900 222.
I subsequently phoned Brad who clarified another puzzle. This puzzle was a response posted on the website of the Macarthur Chronicle on 27 October 2011 by a Frank Lauterbach, namely:
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 39 16 May 2012
“I grew up at 260 Bargo River Rd Couridjah. We had a bole installed in early 70's to about 420' depth. During the 90's the bole lost its water. My parents put a claim in the Mine Subsidence Board for mine causing water level to drop. They agreed to truck in water free of charge on going into 2 20,000lt tanks we had till we sold the farm in 2001. If the water level dropped at our place with is about 1 km away from the Thirlmere Lakes, why not then at the lakes.”
Brad Watson explained to me that the Lauterbachs had subdivided their farm, his (the Watsons) property was now one part of the subdivision and the tenant in the house at 289 was on the other part of the subdivision. After the subdivision, when the land was no longer being used for agriculture, the trucking of water stopped. Attempts had been made to get the bore going again but it was a futile exercise and they had ‘given it away’.
Borehole no. 11299
30 East Street
This property is owned by Richard Harper (mobile: 0437 678 510). He works for Miaora, and knows a lot about underground work. They have only been on the property for a few years. The bore appears to operate ok but is not used for much. He would be happy to have it checked. Phone before visiting.
Borehole no. 10584
40 East Street.
Installed in May 1955 at a depth of 29.9m and producing a yield of 0.99L/sec.
The house is clearly occupied but there was nobody there at the time. I could not find the bore.
22 January 2012
During a visit on 19 January 2012 Marita obtained a local plumber’s number whose details were provided by Ian (the neighbour of Borehole no. 29143 (Michell Road). Ian thought that Brian “the plumber” (0408 265 618) may have worked on local bores.
22 January 2012: Marita phoned Brian to seek further information. Brian said he didn’t do much maintenance or installation of bores in that area. He had just recently installed a bore on the new Sports Oval on Thirlmere Way. Brian provided some names of locals in the vicinity with bores who may be able to help: George King Nick Shirripa – Bonds Road Geoff Kite – 195 Lakes St, Thirlmere (46 819 971) Peter Ford
PHILIP PELLS
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 40 16 May 2012 APPENDIX D
Table 2.4 THIRLMERE LAKE LEVEL OBSERVATIONS
PERSON OR DATA YEAR DATE LAKE NAME OBSERVATION SOURCE Wilson, Collins and a third young man find three deep valleys with RAHS Volume 6 1798 14/3/1798 All large ponds of water . This is the Part 7 first recorded discovery of the lakes by Europeans. Caley finds one of the lagoons- RAHS Volume 25 1802 Uncertain plenty of water. Part 6 of 1939 Major floods in Picton, bridge over 1860 Uncertain RAHS the stone quarry river swept away. Record of the water in the lakes 1865 Uncertain SMH 14/3/1865 being very pure. Lakes considered to be a large 1867 All water supply comprising "vast SMH 30/9/1867 reservoirs". Visit by The Governor to Picton Lakes. Largest 20ft deep and 1 .5 1867 1/10/1867 Picton Lakes mile long. Free settler had The Empire established himself at NW corner with home and cattle. 1877 1877 Picton Lakes Painting of the lakes. Town & Country Consideration being given to bring 1881 All water from the Picton lakes to SMH 27/8/1881 Picton. Water to be piped from Picton 1881 27/8/1881 Picton Lakes SMH 27/8/1881 Lakes for Picton water supply. Royal Astronomer 1884 1884 Couridjah Terrestrial photo. of NSW Royal Astronomer 1884 1884 Couridjah Terrestrial photo of boat. of NSW Lake over a mile in length with depth of 30ft. About 70,000 to Brisbane Courier 1884 20/10/1884 Picton Lakes 80,000 gallons pumped for railway Mail 20/10/1884 each day. Overtopping of Nepean at Camden, 1890 Feb 1890 Nepean River SMH 24/2/1890 large tract of country under water. 1890 March 1890 Nepean River Camden bridge under water. SMH 27/3/1890
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 41 16 May 2012 PERSON OR DATA YEAR DATE LAKE NAME OBSERVATION SOURCE Nearly dry, a local farmer, Mr Werri Berri, FB Knox, local 1902 Pfeiffer cut rushes to feed his stock Couridjah historian of Picton so as to keep them alive. 1902 great drought, driest on 1902 and 1902 NSW record, but 1944 worse in some SMH 17/3/1945 1944 respects. Magnificent falls, "prolonged 1902 18/12/1902 NSW drought extending over 7 or 8 SMH 18/12/1902 years". 1902 2/9/1902 Picton 2 inches rain. SMH 2/9/1902
Visit by MWS & DB to consider the 1902 All possibility of tapping the Picton SMH 6/10/1902 Lakes for Sydney water supply.
MWS & DB considering tapping the 1902 8/10/1902 Picton Lakes Picton Lakes to augment the flow in SMH 8/10/1902 the Nepean River.
Photograph from farmers area NW 1902 Dec 1902 Werri Berri corner of Werri Berri - view of NPWS windmill.
1906 Picton Lakes Water clearly visible from the train. SMH 6/10/1906
"which always contain a large body Town & Country 1906 31/10/1906 Picton Lakes of water". 31/10/1906
Hills around The Oaks Camden, 1907 30/12/1907 Camden Narrellan "like bare floors of a SMH 30/12/1907 house". Many farmers leaving land. "Desolation no rain for months, 1910 All water is scarce and mostly putrid SMH 15/1/1910 with dead fish". 1911 26/9/1911 Picton Lakes Lakes after boating and fishing. SMH 26/9/1911
Blue Gum Proposal for railway to Burragorang 1911 1911 SMH Creek Valley and Yerranderri silver mines.
Thirlmere TB Water supply ceased, 40 patients 1912 31/1/1912 SMH 21/1/1912 Home moved. "These sheets of water hardly deserve the appelation of lakes. Miles Dunphy 1913 All They are but a few acres in extent, Journal and are shallow."
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 42 16 May 2012 PERSON OR DATA YEAR DATE LAKE NAME OBSERVATION SOURCE Water 6ft over bridge between 1913 May 1913 Nepean River SMH 16/5/1913 Richmond and North Richmond. 1919 24/1/1919 Camden Camden district parched. SMH 24/1/1919 1920 15/6/1920 General Good rains, drought almost at end. SMH 15/6/1920 Water level 36ft at Richmond, 1925 May 1925 Nepean River highest since 1922. Windsor completely surrounded, Singleton Argus 1925 June 1925 Nepean River river 2.5 miles wide at Richmond. 25/6/1925 "Lake is a very big pool of water 1926 30/11/1926 Picton Lakes SMH 30/11/1926 abounding in bulllrushes". Lake Nerrigorang quite full because water readily accessed from near Miles Dunphy 1928 Nerrigorang present road crossing at overflow Journal point. Werri Berri, FB Knox, local 1928 Water level low. Couridjah historian of Picton Miles Dunphy 1933 All Lakes half full. Journal 8 people drowned in floods at 1933 23/1/1933 Illawarra SMH 23/1/1933 Stanwell Park. Major floods in Illawarra and of 1933 Jan 1933 Nepean River SMH 25/1/1933 Nepean at Camden. 1934 July 1934 Nepean River At level of bridge at Camden. SMH 1/8/1934 Construction of road to Blue Gum 1934 1934 Burragorang to be undertaken by SMH 25/10/1934 Creek Road Council. Hawkesbury 1934 Feb 1934 Flooding of Richmond. SMH 5/12/1934 River Blue Gum Good progress being made with 1934 1934 SMH 21/12/1934 Creek Road Blue Gum Creek Road. 1936 1936 Sydney Driest year in Sydney since 1888. SMH 5/1/1937 Clear lake foreshores and advertise 1936 7/04/1936 Picton Lakes Picton Post for lots with mountain views. "For the 1st time in memory the whole of the Nattai River at the 1940 Sept 1940 Nattai River SMH 11/9/1940 confluence with the Wollondilly is dry". As a 16 to 17 year old Ron remembers crossing Werri Berri on Interview with ~1943 Werri Berri horseback and says that the lake Ron Silm and his floor was covered with "water wife Sept 2011 couch" (Paspalum distichum).
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 43 16 May 2012 PERSON OR DATA YEAR DATE LAKE NAME OBSERVATION SOURCE Wollondilly Council approach MWS&DB MWD&DB for water supplies for Tahmoor- Thirlmere & 1944 1944-1955 Bargo, Tahmoor and Thirlmere. Thirlmere Water Tahmoor Supply to Tahmoor and Thirlmere Supply Opening from raised dam on Bargo River. 16/6/1955 Lakes reported to be dry to the Verbal Werri Berri, extent that Mr Robert Racklyeft information from 1944 Couridjah could walk across to reach Helen Squires (nee Nerrigorang. Racklyeft)
Aerial Photo. Dept Lands Air 1949 1/3/1949 All Water in all the lakes. Photo
Terrestrial photo of Estonian Girl Oaks Heritage 1953 Dec 1953 Nerrigorang Guides Camp. Centre
Terrestrial Photos. 1954 1/12/1954 Werri Berri Werri Berri continuous with Mall Juske Photos Gandangarra.
Aerial Photo. Dept Lands Air 1955 5/7/1955 All Werri Berri continuous with Photo Gandangarra.
Terrestrial photo of Wyn Racklyeft 1958 1958 Nerrigorang Paul Racklyeft in canoe on lake. Dept Lands Air 1966 22/3/1966 Werri Berri Full Photo Dept Lands Air 1966 22/3/1966 Couridjah Full Photo Blue Gum Bald Hill Claystone 20ft thick near 1967 1967 DIGS GS1967/355 Creek Burragorang Valley. Blue Gum 1970 1970 Stratigraphy DIGS GS1970/550 Creek Exploration Licence 132, Nattai Coal Blue Gum 1970 23/5/1905 Prospect. Location of DDH5 and DIGS Creek DDH6 in Blue Gum Creek. Wollondilly Terrestrial photo of speedboats and 1971 Dec 1971 Werri Berri Advertiser (Picton, water skiing. Historical Society) Overflowing, fire brigade memo NPWS record from records that the access roads the fire 1974 All around the lakes was underwater in department of several places. 1974
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 44 16 May 2012 PERSON OR DATA YEAR DATE LAKE NAME OBSERVATION SOURCE Terrestrial photo of pier and kids 1974 Jan/Feb Couridjah Patricia Fanning swimming. Terrestrial photo of Mr Racklyeft 1975 Jan 1975 Nerrigorang with large eel caught in lake. Dept Lands Air 1975 2/4/1975 Werri Berri Full Photo Dept Lands Air 1975 2/4/1975 Couridjah Full Photo Olive Johannessen 1980 Nerrigorang Full photo (c/o Caroline Graham) Dept Lands Air 1983 27/10/1983 Werri Berri Full Photo Dept Lands Air 1983 27/10/1983 Couridjah Full Photo Water level about 1.5m below end 1984 April 1984 Couridjah David Hunt photo of jetty. Photo from mountain top , appears Racklyeft photo 1987 1/3/1987 Nerrigorang about 1m to 1.2m down. (from his side) Racklyeft photo 1988 1/4/1988 Nerrigorang Full to edge lawn. (lawn edge) Water level about 1m below jetty 1989 January 1989 Couridjah David Hunt photo end. 1989 10/4/1989 Couridjah Full Hunt photo Water level about 30cm below end 1989 April 1989 Couridjah David Hunt photo of jetty. Helen and Paul 1.5m above edge - spread out over 1989 1/7/1989 Nerrigorang Racklyeft (May paddock 2011) 1989 30/11/1989 Couridjah >95% Full Hunt photo Terrestrial photo by Denis Wilson of 1993 Jan/Feb 1993 Werri Berri Denis Wilson boats and children. Dept Lands Air 1994 4/1/1994 Werri Berri Full Photo Dept Lands Air 1994 4/1/1994 Couridjah 90% to 95% Full Photo
Racklyeft photo 1994 1/4/1994 Nerrigorang About 1m down from 1/4/88 photo. (lake edge)
NPWS site officer Eight feet from toe of sandstone 1995 1/7/1995 Werri Berri (on site 1994 to wall. 2011) Water level about 1m below end of Jeff Pratchett 1998 4/10/1998 Werri Berri jetty. (Tahmoor local). 1998 14/10/1998 All Aerial photograph. Dept. Lands
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 45 16 May 2012 PERSON OR DATA YEAR DATE LAKE NAME OBSERVATION SOURCE
After fire. Jeff comment: "Taken in the same post after the water level dropped, jetty burnt, which by this time was well out of water. I stand Jeff Pratchett 2002 10/1/2002 Werri Berri at 6ft and the water was well over (Tahmoor local). my head, back in 1998 when you climbed up the ladder. At least a 7ft fall in the four years." 2002 22/2/2002 All Aerial photograph. Dept. Lands Olive Johannessen Lake appears to be lower (but hard 2002 2002 Nerrigorang photo x 4 (c/o to tell due to burnt reeds). Caroline Graham) Lake level drops unusually rapidly Paul Racklyeft 2003 1/7/2003 Nerrigorang over a period of 3 months - (May 2011) waterline retreats 30 feet. Dept Lands Air 2005 20/12/2005 Werri Berri Full Photo Dept Lands Air 2005 20/12/2005 Couridjah >95% Full Photo Julie Shepard 2008 13/6/2008 Werri Berri Water level high. photo of canoe Wollondilly Terrestrial photo by Hilary Best of 2008 August 2008 Werri Berri Advertiser kayak on Werri Berri. 31/8/2011 Google earth 2009 28/10/2009 Couridjah At 84% of full width at widest part. photo At 76% of full width at the widest Google Earth 2009 31/10/2009 Werri Berri part. photo Google Earth 2010 13/4/2010 Werri Berri At 50% of full width at widest part. photo Google Earth 2010 13/4/2010 Couridjah At 72% of full width at widest part. photo Caroline Graham 2010 6/9/2010 Baraba Dry photo Caroline Graham 2010 6/9/2010 Werri Berri Dry photo Caroline Graham 2010 8/10/2010 Werri Berri Very low water level photo Level at base of 4th (upper) post of Julie Shepard 2010 13/10/2010 Couridjah old burnt out jetty. photo Caroline Graham 2010 13/10/2010 Nerrigorang Dry photo 2010 17/11/2010 Gunangarra Water appears low NPWS photo 2010 17/11/2010 Werri Berri Water appears very low NPWS photo
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 46 16 May 2012 PERSON OR DATA YEAR DATE LAKE NAME OBSERVATION SOURCE 2010 17/11/2010 Couridjah Water level low NPWS photo 2010 17/11/2010 Nerrigorang Dry NPWS photo 2010 12/12/2010 Gunangarra Water appears low NPWS photo 2010 12/12/2010 Werri Berri Water appears very low NPWS photo 2010 12/12/2010 Couridjah Water appears low NPWS photo 2010 12/12/2010 Nerrigorang Dry NPWS photo 2011 11/4/2011 Gunangarra Water appears low NPWS photo 2011 11/4/2011 Werri Berri Water appears extremely low (dry) NPWS photo 2011 11/4/2011 Couridjah Water appears low NPWS photo 2011 11/4/2011 Nerrigorang Dry NPWS photo Couridjah very low, Werri Berri Differential GPS 2011 9/05/2011 Couridjah almost dry survey by Pells Julie Shepherd's monitoring Julie Shepherd 2011 4/08/2011 Couridjah position photo Pells photos and Nerrigorang dry, Werri Berri very 2011 22/8/2011 All Omnistar survey in low, Couridjah <0.5m RTK Float mode Nerrigorang dry, Werri Berri 2011 22/9/2011 All Pells photos <50mm, Couridjah <100mm
P053.M9 – Addendum 3 Pells Consulting 47 16 May 2012