Annual Waterways Report

Meander Catchment

Water Assessment Branch 2009

ISSN: 1835-8489

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Department of Primary Industries and Water

Meander Catchment

Contents

1. About the catchment

2. Streamflow and Water Allocation

3. Water Quality

4. River Health

1. About the catchment The Meander catchment (area ~1,600 km 2) is a land-locked sub-catchment of the South Esk Basin which drains a large part of the central east of Tasmania and discharges into the Tamar Estuary at Launceston. The Meander River is the largest river in this catchment, originating in the foothills of the Great Western Tiers (altitude 1,200 m) and flowing over 100 km to join the South Esk River at Hadspen to the east. Significant tributaries to the Meander River are Western Creek, Quamby Brook and the Liffey River, all three which collect runoff from the northern perimeter of the Tiers and Quamby Bluff, where average annual rainfall exceeds 1,600 mm and intense thunderstorms are generated. At the catchment outlet at Hadspen, local rainfall is about 700 mm per annum. Although there is some forestry occurring in the headwaters of the catchment, a large majority of the catchment is used for agricultural production ranging from cattle and sheep grazing to irrigated cropping and dairy farming. In the Liffey sub-catchment, additional water has been diverted from the Poatina Power Station tailrace at Brumbys Creek into the Liffey River near Bracknell to support agricultural activities.

DEPARTMENT of PRIMARY INDUSTRIES and WATER - 2 -

2. Streamflow & Water Allocation

Streamflow rose to peak flows in September and November. The minimum recorded flow was There are five streamflow monitoring 0.09 ML/day (Feb), and the maximum 852 stations maintained in the Meander River ML/day (Sep). catchment as part of the DPIW state-wide monitoring network. These are: • Jackeys Creek downstream Jackeys Marsh Monthly discharge amounts were below (18221); historical averages at all stations. Averages for September were generally close to the • Meander River at Strathbridge (852); historical, but averages for July at all • Liffey River at Carrick (164); stations were well below average. • Western Creek at Bankton Rd Bridge (3395); and Water Allocation • Liffey River upstream West Channel The Meander River catchment had a total of (18209). 66,516 ML in licensed allocations for 2008. Station 3395 is a new station opened in April The following table shows the breakdown of 2007. Station 164 was closed between 1997 the allocations. and 2001, and 18209 was re-opened in

March 2007 after being closed since mid- 1990. Total Allocation (ML) Streamflow in Jackeys Creek was very low early in the year and peaked in spring. The Irrigation 18,605 minimum flow recorded during the year was 0.7 ML/day (Mar), and the maximum was Stock & Domestic 846 237 ML/day (Sep). Water supply 43,611 In the Meander River at Strathbridge, Other 3,454 streamflow heightened in winter and peaked in spring. The minimum flow recorded during the year was 15 ML/day (Jan), and the Of the total licensed water allocation within maximum 4,435 ML/day (Sep). this catchment, 59,141 ML is held within The Liffey River at Carrick experienced very constructed storages and 7,375 ML is taken low flows early in the year, and highest flows directly from rivers and streams. in September. The minimum recorded flow An additional 1,010 ML is allocated for was 1 ML/day (Feb), and the maximum aquaculture in this catchment but returned 1,183 ML/day (Sep). to the river system. Western Creek at Bankton Bridge experienced lowest flows in January to March, and highest flows in very late winter Water Use Restrictions to spring. The minimum recorded flow was Water restriction triggers have been 0.5 ML/day (Mar), and the maximum 476 developed for the Meander River catchment ML/day (Aug) at the Meander River at Strath Bridge. These In the Liffey River upstream of Western triggers are given in the table below, Channel, very low flows early in the year together with how long the restriction was applied during 2008.

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River ML/d Stage % Restriction In effect 2008

Meander at 25 1 No more than 0.55 ML/d 50 days (Jan-Mar)* Strathridge 20 2 50 50% surety 5 on Tues, - Thurs, Sat 15 3 100 Ban on surety 5 direct takes 27 days (Mar)* 73 days (Jan-Mar)** Western Creek 1.5 Ban on direct takes 46 days (Feb-Mar) *on Liffey River upstream of West Channel **on Quamby Brook

250

Streamflow 2008 200 Historical average (1983 -07) Current year average (2008) 150

100 Streamflow (ML/day) Streamflow 50

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Time series of 2008 streamflow in Jackeys Creek downstream Jackeys Marsh (station 18221) plus a comparison of current year average flow with the historical.

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5,000 Streamflow 2008 Historical average (1986-07) 4,000 Current year average (2008)

3,000

2,000 Streamflow (ML/day) Streamflow 1,000

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Time series of 2008 streamflow in the Meander River at Strathbridge (station 852), plus a comparison of current year average flow with the historical.

1,200 Streamflow 2008 1,000 historical average (1982 -'96, '02 -'07) Current year average (2008) 800

600

400 Streamflow (ML/day) Streamflow 200

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Time series of 2008 streamflow in the Liffey River at Carrick (station 164), plus a comparison of current year average flow with the historical.

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500 450 Streamflow 2008 400 Year average (2008) 350 300 250 200 150 Streamflow (ML/day) Streamflow 100 50 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Time series and average of 2008 streamflow in Western Creek at Bankton Rd Bridge (station 3395).

900 800 Streamflow 2008 Historical average (1976 -89) 700 Current year average (2008) 600 500 400 300

Streamflow (ML/day) Streamflow 200 100 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Time series of 2008 streamflow in the Liffey River upstream West Channel (station 18209), plus a comparison of current year average flow with the historical.

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4,000 Historical (1983-07) 3,500 Current year (2008) 3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500 Discharge (ML) Discharge 1,000

500

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Comparison of total monthly discharge with historical average for Jackeys Creek downstream Jackeys Marsh (station 18221).

90,000 80,000 Historical (1986 -07) 70,000 Current year (2008) 60,000 50,000 40,000

Discharge (ML) Discharge 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Comparison of total monthly discharge with historical average for the Meander River at Strathbridge (station 852).

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16,000 Historical (1982 -'96, '02 -'07) 14,000 Current year (2008) 12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000 Discharge (ML) Discharge 4,000

2,000

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Comparison of total monthly discharge with historical average for the Liffey River at Carrick (station 164).

4,500

4,000 Current year (2008) 3,500 3,000 2,500 2,000

Discharge (ML) Discharge 1,500 1,000 500 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Total monthly discharge for Western Creek at Bankton Rd Bridge (station 3395).

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18,000

16,000 Historical (1976 -89) 14,000 Current year (2008) 12,000 10,000 8,000

Discharge (ML) Discharge 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Comparison of total monthly discharge with historical average for the Liffey River upstream West Channel (station 18209).

Fig: Liffey River at Carrick. Fig: Meander River at Strathbridge

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3. Water Quality Under the DPIW Statewide baseline monitoring network, instream sensors were maintained throughout 2008 at the following locations within the catchment: • Jackeys Creek downstream Jackeys Marsh (station 18221); • Meander River at Strathbridge (station 852); and • Liffey River at Carrick (station 164). Water temperature, electrical conductivity and turbidity are monitored continuously at all three stations. Missing data is due to inconsistencies in data quality or instrument malfunction.

160

140

120

100

40 Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity (µS/cm) 20

15 Turbidity (NTU) Turbidity 10

Water temperature (deg C) 5

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Continuous instream water quality for Meander River at Strathbridge (station 852) during 2008.

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20 Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity (µS/cm) 10

3.5

2.5

1.5 Turbidity Turbidity (NTU)) 1

0.5

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 Water temperature (deg C) 2 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Continuous instream water quality for Jackeys Creek downstream Jackeys Marsh (station 18221) during 2008.

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180

160

140

120

100

40 Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity (µS/cm) 20

Turbidity Turbidity (NTU) 10

5 Water temperature (deg C)

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Fig: Continuous instream water quality for Liffey River at Carrick (station 164) during 2008.

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Monthly water sampling is also conducted at A report containing further information about the following locations within the catchment: the interpretation of the DPIW site-specific trigger values is available through the DPIW • Jackeys Creek downstream Jackeys Marsh website. (station 18221); The tables below provide summary statistics • Meander River at Strathbridge (station for monthly monitoring during 2008, as well 852); and as the relevant site-specific trigger values. • Liffey River at Carrick (station 164). Where the 2008 annual median exceeds a trigger value, this has been shaded to flag a Sampling consists of spot measurements of potential change in water quality related to selected water quality parameters on-site this parameter. (water temperature, turbidity, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen). Bottled samples of water are also collected for analyses of Links nutrients (collected monthly) and pesticides 1. Water Information System of Tasmania (collected quarterly) at the Analytical Services www.water.dpiw.tas.gov.au/wist/ Tasmania laboratory. 2. Pesticide monitoring in Tasmania DPIW has developed site-specific trigger www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/ values for these sites. The site-specific trigger pesticidemonitoring values are based on monthly monitoring data collected between 2003 and 2006, and enable 3. DPIW surface water quality monitoring an assessment of potential change at a site www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/waterquality since that time. The site-specific trigger 4. National water quality guidelines values provide a target for the maintenance www.environment.gov.au/water/quality of existing ambient water quality, recognising /nwqms/ that existing water quality at a site may already be influenced by varying degrees of impact. These trigger values indicate an expected range during daytime, base-flow conditions and should not be applied to high- flow periods.

Jackeys Creek downstream Minimum Median Maximum No. Site-specific samples trigger value Jackeys Marsh lower upper

Temperature (° C) 4.4 9.5 14.5 12 6 13

Turbidity (NTU) 1.4 1.8 7.1 12 3

Electrical Conductivity ( µµµS/cm) 47 53 68 12 43 57

Field pH 5.70 7.33 7.98 12 6.2 7.2

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.0 10.6 14.8 12 9.0 11.7

Dissolved Oxygen (percent saturation) 91.0 100.4 122.7 12 91 101

Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 0.200 0.250 0.590 12 0.446

Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.005 0.009 0.021 12 0.015

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus-P (mg/L) <0.002 0.003 0.005 12 0.005

Nitrate-N (mg/L) 0.012 0.124 0.391 12 0.214

Nitrite-N (mg/L) <0.002 <0.002 0.002 12 <0.002

Ammonia-N (mg/L) 0.004 0.008 0.012 12 0.014

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Meander River at Minimum Median Maximum No. Site-specific samples trigger value Strathbridge lower upper

Temperature (° C) 6.1 13.6 21.5 12 7 18

Turbidity (NTU) 1.9 2.8 13.4 12 7

Electrical Conductivity ( µµµS/cm) 56 80 129 12 65 128

Field pH 6.36 7.08 7.98 12 6.6 7.4

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.3 10.4 13.0 12 7.5 11.2

Dissolved Oxygen (percent saturation) 73.1 101.8 112.4 12 83 96

Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 0.180 0.300 1.500 12 0.587

Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.008 0.016 0.042 12 0.024

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus-P (mg/L) <0.002 0.003 0.005 12 0.007

Nitrate-N (mg/L) 0.004 0.066 0.856 12 0.256

Nitrite-N (mg/L) <0.002 <0.002 0.006 12 0.003

Ammonia-N (mg/L) 0.005 0.008 0.025 12 0.020

Liffey River at Carrick Minimum Median Maximum No. Site-specific samples trigger value

lower upper

Temperature (° C) 5.8 12.7 21.1 12 7 17

Turbidity (NTU) 2.7 3.5 8.2 12 8

Electrical Conductivity ( µµµS/cm) 39 49 114 12 51 77

Field pH 6.29 6.73 7.27 12 6.5 7.3

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.1 10.1 13.6 12 8.2 11.6

Dissolved Oxygen (percent saturation) 91.0 98.0 111.4 12 85 97

Total Nitrogen (mg/L) 0.100 0.220 0.540 12 0.427

Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.006 0.011 0.020 12 0.021

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus-P (mg/L) <0.002 <0.002 0.003 12 0.004

Nitrate-N (mg/L) <0.002 0.014 0.371 12 0.186

Nitrite-N (mg/L) <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 12 <0.002

Ammonia-N (mg/L) 0.004 0.008 0.021 12 0.019

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4. River Health Meander River at Birralee Rd This site is located in the Meander River The Australian River Assessment approximately 2.5 kilometres upstream of the System (AUSRIVAS) is a confluence with Quamby Brook. The surrounding standardised national system for land is used primarily for agriculture (grazing) assessment of river condition that although a picnic area is located on the right-hand uses benthic macroinvertebrates. bank immediately upstream of Egmont Bridge. The AUSRIVAS models predict the Riparian vegetation is sparse and modified by the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna intrusion of exotic species such as willows, gorse that would be expected to occur and blackberries. at a site in the absence of The river at this point is 22-28 metres wide and is environmental stress such as characterised by fast flowing riffles over boulder pollution, habitat degradation or substrate except for a deeper, slower flowing flow regulation. A comparison of section which is used as a swimming hole. Water the macroinvertebrates expected quality was generally good. to occur at the test site with those actually collected (O/E ratio) Combined season AUSRIVAS assessments of the provides a site specific measure of riffle habitat have classed this site as significantly the biological impairment of the impaired (Band B) or below (Band C). The test site. Further details about edgewater habitat is in better condition, with most AUSRIVAS can be found at: assessments resulting in an equivalent to reference condition (Band A) rating. However a loss of www.ausrivas.canberra.edu.a predicted taxa resulted in this site being classed as u/ausrivas significantly impaired (Band B) in the spring 2003/ AUSRIVAS assessments are autumn 2004 assessment. carried out at two locations on the Name Season O/E Taxa Band O/E Taxa Band Meander River mainstream: at Riffle Edgewater Birralee Road and at Falls Road Meander River Spr94/ Au95 0.78 B 0.94 A and on two tributaries: Jackeys at Birralee Rd Spr95/ Au96 0.8 B 0.9 A Creek and Liffey River. Au99/ Spr99 0.65 B 0.87 A Spr03/ Au04 0.74 B 0.76 B Spr04/ Au05 0.68 B 0.87 A Spr05/ Au06 0.65 B 0.93 A Spr06/ Au07 0.63 B 1.05 A Spr07/ Au08 0.68 B NS Au08/ Spr08 0.45 C NS

1.4

1.2

0.8

0.6 O/E Taxa O/E 0.4 Fig: Meander River at Birralee Riffle Road. 0.2 Edgewater

0 Spr94/ Spr95/ Au99/ Spr03/ Spr04/ Spr05/ Spr06/ Spr07/ Au08/ Au95 Au96 Spr99 Au04 Au05 Au06 Au07 Au08 Spr08 Season

Fig: Combined season AUSRIVAS O/E Taxa scores for the Meander River at Birralee Road.

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Meander River at Falls Road This site is located about 400 metres above Mother Cummings Rivulet in the upper reaches of the Meander River, within the Meander State Forest. The site is surrounded by native forest and the riparian zone appears to be in an undisturbed state with the exception of a small area on the left bank, which has been cleared as a picnic area. The river at this site is 7-10 metres wide and consists of shallow riffles and runs flowing Fig: Meander River at Falls Rd. between large, exposed boulders. Water quality is high with low turbidity, conductivity and Name Season O/E Taxa Band O/E Taxa Band Riffle Edgewater nutrients. Meander River Spr94/ Au95 1.01 A 1.08 A This site has been monitored at Falls Rd Spr95/ Au96 1.18 X 1.07 A Au97/ Spr97 1.04 A 0.92 A continuously since spring 1994. Au98/ Spr98 1.04 A 1 A Single and combined season Au99/ Spr99 0.93 A 0.8 B assessments of the riffle habitat Au00/ Spr00 1.09 A 0.96 A indicate the richness of Au01/ Spr01 1.04 A 0.94 A macroinvertebrate families is Au02/ Spr02 1.05 A NS Au03/ Spr03 1.03 A 1 A similar to that expected at a Spr03/ Au04 1.04 A 1.07 A reference condition site (Band A). Spr04/ Au05 0.95 A 0.99 A Similarly, assessments for the Spr05/ Au06 1.04 A 1.08 A edgewater habitat indicate an Spr06/ Au07 1.08 A 1.02 A Spr07/ Au08 1.04 A NS essentially undisturbed site (Band Au08/ Spr08 0.99 A NS A).

1.4

1.2

0.8

0.6 Riffle O/E Taxa O/E 0.4 Edgewater

0.2

0 Spr94/ Au97/ Au99/ Au01/ Au03/ Spr04/ Spr06/ Au08/ Au95 Spr97 Spr99 Spr01SeasonSpr03 Au05 Au07 Spr08

Fig: Combined season AUSRIVAS O/E Taxa scores for the Meander River at Falls Road.

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Jackeys Creek downstream of Jackeys Marsh This site, located within the Meander State Forest is in the lower reaches of Jackeys Creek, approximately 1.2 kilometres upstream of the confluence of Jackeys Creek and the Meander River and 1.5 kilometres downstream of DPIW’s streamflow monitoring station. The site is surrounded by dense riparian vegetation, which provides extensive shading. Intrusion by exotic species is minor. Jackeys Creek at this point is 7-10 Fig: Jackeys Creek downstream of Jackeys Marsh. metres wide and consists of shallow riffle /run sequences. The substrate is predominantly Name Season O/E Taxa Band O/E Taxa Band Riffle Edgewater boulder and bedrock. Jackeys Creek Spr94/ Au95 1.03 A 0.88 A Water quality is generally good ds Jackeys Spr95/ Au96 0.97 A 1.02 A Marsh Au97/ Spr97 1.01 A 1.13 A with low conductivity and Au98/ Spr98 1.06 A 1.01 A turbidity. Au99/ Spr99 0.99 A 1.05 A Au00/ Spr00 1.09 A 1.02 A This site has been sampled Au01/ Spr01 1.05 A 1.01 A continuously since spring 1994. Au02/ Spr02 1.04 A 1 A All AUSRIVAS assessments for Au03/ Spr03 1.02 A 1.01 A this site indicate high Spr03/ Au04 1.03 A 1.11 A macroinvertebrate richness. All Spr04/ Au05 1.08 A 1.18 X Spr05/ Au06 1.02 A 1.09 A combined season AUSRIVAS Spr06/ Au07 1.05 A 1.07 A assessments for the riffle and the Spr07/ Au08 1.04 A NS edgewater habitat have yielded Au08/ Spr08 1.06 A NS O/E taxa values of 0.88 or greater greater (Band A). Similarly, all single season 1.4 assessments indicate the 1.2 macroinvertebrate community is 1 similar to that expected at a reference site (Band A) for both 0.8 habitats. 0.6 O/E Taxa O/E Riffle 0.4 Edgewater

0.2

0 Spr94/ Au97/ Au99/ Au01/ Au03/ Spr04/ Spr06/ Au08/ Au95 Spr97 Spr99 Spr01SeasonSpr03 Au05 Au07 Spr08

Fig: Combined season AUSRIVAS O/E Taxa scores for Jackeys Creek downstream of Jackeys Marsh.

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Liffey River Upstream of Liffey This site is within the Liffey Falls Scenic Reserve and approximately

7 kilometres upstream from the town of Liffey. The site is surrounded by native forest however a large section of the right-hand bank has been partly cleared for a camping/ picnic area. The land outside the reserve is used for forestry activities. The river at this point consists of a single 6-8 metre wide channel, although the river splits into multiple channels above the sampling site. The confined valley, relatively steep gradient and moderate discharges, means that small substrate (sand, gravel, Fig: Liffey River upstream of Liffey. pebbles) are readily transported through this reach, causing the streambed to be dominated by Name Season O/E Taxa Band O/E Taxa Band boulders and large cobbles. Riffle Edgewater Liffey River us Spr94/ Au95 0.99 A 0.92 A Water quality is very good with Liffey Spr95/ Au96 1.13 X 1.04 A low turbidity and nutrient Au97/ Spr97 0.99 A 1 A concentrations and with all other Au98/ Spr98 1.09 A 1 A physico-chemical variables within Au99/ Spr99 1.09 A 0.98 A expected ranges. Au00/ Spr00 1.09 A 0.92 A Au01/ Spr01 1.02 A 0.95 A Combined season AUSRIVAS Au02/ Spr02 0.94 A 1.06 A assessments of the riffle and Au03/ Spr03 0.98 A 0.93 A Spr03/ Au04 1.06 A 1.12 A edgewater habitats have classified Spr04/ Au05 1.1 A 0.92 A d this site as equivalent to Spr05/ Au06 1.1 A 0.99 A reference (Band A) or above Spr06/ Au07 1.12 A 1.06 A (Band X) on all sampling Spr07/ Au08 1.09 A NS occasions. Au08/ Spr08 1.13 X NS

Single season AUSRIVAS assessments have classified the 1.4 riffle and edgewater habitats as 1.2 equivalent to reference (Band A) or above (Band X) on all but a 1 single occasion for each habitat. 0.8

The riffle habitat was classified as 0.6 Riffle significantly impaired (Band B) in Taxa O/E 0.4 Edgewater spring 2008 and the edgewater habitat as significantly impaired 0.2 (Band B) in autumn 2003. 0 Spr94/ Au97/ Au99/ Au01/ Au03/ Spr04/ Spr06/ Au08/ Au95 Spr97 Spr99 Spr01SeasonSpr03 Au05 Au07 Spr08

Fig: Combined season AUSRIVAS O/E Taxa scores for the Liffey River upstream of Liffey.

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