Pivot 1 and Covered Pit Inspected by La Grange Project Visitors
Irrigation, Crop Production and Water Management
Annual Report of 2015 Activities Submitted February 2016
CONTENTS
PROGRESS REPORT IRRIGATION, CROP PRODUCTION AND WATER MANAGEMENT ...... 1
SAMPLING AND REPORTING SCHEDULE ...... 1
2015 CROPPING ...... 1
DEPARTMENT OF WATER OVERSIGHT OF ACTIVITIES ...... 1
REPORT OUTCOMES ...... 2
CROP PRODUCTION ...... 1 WATER USE ...... 5 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ...... 7
WATER QUANTITY ...... 8
Fitzroy Barrage ...... 8
Durack Pool ...... 8
Liveringa Pool...... 9
DURACK POOL WATER QUALITY ...... 9
Temperature ...... 9
Dissolved Oxygen ...... 10
pH ...... 11
Electrical Conductivity...... 11
Nitrogen ...... 12
Phosphorus ...... 14
RIPARIAN VEGETATION ...... 18
FISH COMMUNITIES ...... 18
LOCAL CULTURE ...... 19
REPORTING ...... 19
POTENTIAL TO VARY ESTABLISHED CEASE TO PUMP STANDARDS ...... 20 QUERIES ...... 20
PROGRESS REPORT IRRIGATION, CROP PRODUCTION AND WATER MANAGEMENT
As from 2007 to 2015 this report addresses the requirements established by Liveringa Pastoral Co’s (LPC) licence to take water. This report is submitted by Liveringa Station Beef (LSB) – after the change of ownership late in 2015, to meet the conditions established by the Water Licence and recorded in the 2015 Operating Strategy. The Licence has been extended to 2025, with a new ten year licence period under Instrument Number SWL156377 (3), and its associated conditions.
This is the first report to be submitted under the new ownership of Liveringa Station Beef by Hancock Prospecting.
SAMPLING AND REPORTING SCHEDULE
LSB had previously been required to make monthly reports to the Department of Water during the operating season. While samples and measurements are taken regularly under the conditions outlined in the Operating Strategy reports are submitted annually with exception reports expected if any unforeseen circumstances are observed.
Sampling continued regularly during the 2015 season with the key personnel being Cropping and Operations Manager Barry Chapman, Dr Doug McGhie for the annual vegetation recording, and Dr David Morgan for the full fish health survey, the latter two surveys completed late in the 2015 dry season. The consolidated report has been prepared by Dr McGhie.
Laboratory analyses of frozen water samples were completed at the end of the year, with the samples being kept frozen until then. Results are reported for the months from May to December 2015.
2015 CROPPING
Decisions on the annual cropping schedule are based on the availability of water before and during the season, so recording and reporting of water quantity and quality is critical to all involved in managing the system and environment. In 2015 there was a focus on with both the Inkata Pivot 3 and freehold Pivot 1 sites producing for and the Inkata Pivot 2 producing for .
An opportunity to cut from freehold land proved valuable with of cut from an area that required no inputs.
In the 2015 season, irrigation continued until Mid-October, but only for Pivot 1, with Pivot 2 watered until late August and Pivot 3 late June because of the shortage of water in Durack Pool. Water cannot be taken for Pivots 2 and 3 after the cease to take level has been reached, as water has to be pumped into the channel to service the fixed pumps. However, at that level, and for at least another metre of depth, it is anticipated that water is available for Pivot 1 and Pivot 4 once its piped supply is established. Currently, irrigation stops at all pump stations at the cease to take level (37.0m AHD).
DEPARTMENT OF WATER OVERSIGHT OF ACTIVITIES
Department of Water representatives Mr Gary Humphreys and Ms Karis Tingey visited Liveringa in August 2015, spending a full day at the station, visiting all sites of interest, discussing and finalising the Operating Strategy and approvals for the proposed floodway on Uralla Creek.
The 2015 Operating Strategy for the water licence was approved after minor modifications following the station visit as was the installation of the floodway on Uralla Creek adjacent to the irrigation channel. This
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approval followed submission of a Beds and Banks application supported by comment on “fish issues” by Dr David Morgan.
REPORT OUTCOMES
This annual report, along with the associated vegetation survey and fish health reports, continues to demonstrate that the natural environment within which the cropping activity is located remains stable and of a high quality. Occasional peaks of nutrient levels have been identified in this report. There have been no biological indications (algal blooms, fish kills) of declining water quality resulting from irrigation or cropping activities.
Durack Pool is a significant pool and storage under the present cropping regime. Water quantity (availability) diminishes slowly during the season with quality generally remaining high all of the time, illustrated once again in 2015 by salinity measurements that always maintain drinking water quality1. The final laboratory measurement was over 500mg/L.
Some spikes in nutrient content of the Durack Pool water were observed during 2015 but the following months generally returned to lower levels. Some nutrient spikes in the laboratory samples for 2015 were higher than previously observed, possibly of concern.
Dr Morgan’s comments confirm the health and importance of the Uralla Creek system to the local fish population. His 2015 survey was completed under low water levels and as has previously been observed sampling at lower levels demonstrates the challenge of this condition for some species of fish.
As reported in 2015 observations made near the upstream pump station in Durack Pool suggest the cross section of the pool is not consistent along its length and actual storage volume in the pool almost certainly exceeds the original estimates on which the licence conditions were based with pumping to be from only one site at the lower end of the pool. Given that the pool appears to have a greater depth available at the upstream pump station it is appropriate to consider the lowering of the cease to take for the upstream pump station only. Suggestions have been made in the revised operating strategy, and these are likely to be the subject of future discussion when more detail is held.
1 Department of Health, Govt. of South Australia. (2008) Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG): “based on taste, TDS in drinking water should not exceed 500 mg/L” although “water with a TDS content of up to 1000 mg/L is acceptable to many”, water will become increasingly undrinkable in the 1000-2000 mg/L range.
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CROP PRODUCTION
Three pivots were sown to crop in the 2015 dry season, the second time this has been possible since the licence was granted. was planted with on Pivot 1after a harvest in March 2015 of from the 2014 dry season crop, using some irrigation to assist with establishment. Irrigation of Pivot 1 began on the 27th of May 2015 and continued until October 15th 2015. Irrigation was halted for all pivots in October 2015, when the cease to take level of 37.0M AHD was approached at the Durack Pool channel offtake site. The on Pivot 1 was harvested on in March (wet season regrowth), June, August and October 2015, with a total harvest of from the pivot. Crop inputs and the seasonal production from Pivot 1 are shown in the following table.
Pivot 1 –
CHEMICALS Date of application Yield Brew Rate L/ha
Nil
Nil
FERTILISER Date of application Compound Rate Kg/ha
April
May
Every 21 days
SEED Date of Machine Rate Kg/ha sowing
May
PRODUCTION Date of harvest Yield Total ) March
June
August
October Total Yield
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Pivot 2 was sown on April 25th 2015 with irrigation commencing on April 24th and ceasing on August 21st. This demonstrates how the cropping program must respond to the availability of water for irrigation. Crop inputs are shown in the table below. The crop was successfully harvested with a total production of in August.
on Pivot 2
Planting April 2015 Irrigation May 2015
– September 2015 for
into Pit Pit
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Inputs included weed and pest control as well as fertiliser (a mix of various products containing ) that was banded at seeding and after the first cut, and then supplied through the pivot .
Pivot 2 - CHEMICALS Date of application Yield Brew Rate L/ha
Mid-April
Mid-April
April
FERTILISER Date of application Compound Rate Kg/ha
April
June
SEED Date of Machine Rate Kg/ha sowing
25th April
PRODUCTION Date of Total tonnes harvest August
Total Yield
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Pivot 3 was sown in February 2015, after a knockdown (weed) treatment . Fertiliser applications were similar to the other pivots. Pivot 3 was very productive, yielding a total of nearly of with the last in July 2015, the crop limited by the available water supply.
Pivot 3-
CHEMICALS Date of application Yield (t/ha) Brew Rate L/ha
February 2015
February 2015
FERTILISER Date of application Compound Rate Kg/ha 27th Dec 2013
March
Every 21 days
15th March
SEED Date of Machine Rate Kg/ha sowing
, February 2015
PRODUCTION Date of Total (tonnes) harvest
April
July
Total Yield
The harvesting techniques are consistent across seasons and are illustrated by the pictures below.
The cover picture shows visitors to the station inspecting in the large pit adjacent to the Inkata yards. This pit was filled in 2015 for the first time in recent years.
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Harvesting Pivot 3, June 2015
was also harvested in 2015 from dominant area in the freehold area of Banjo’s paddock, near Pivot 1. A total resulted. No inputs were required for this natural product so there was no risk of spillage or other contamination.
– Freehold Floodplain 2015
WATER USE
With a lower wet season in 2014/15 than the previous year there was only a limited storage of water behind the levy banks/elevated station roads on the flat area near Blina Creek. Some irrigation water was released from the Blina storage into Durack Pool.
Uralla Creek fell to the cease to flow level (38.6 M AHD) in early June 2015 and the level declined slowly over the rest of the dry season.
Pump records show the following irrigation was applied through three pumps across the season from January to October 2015. Water was available in Durack Pool until late October 2015 when irrigation was concluded.
Water use on each of the pivots across the whole irrigation season is shown in the following table.
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All of the pumps are set to deliver approximately , and this figure has been used with pump hours to accurately calculate the water used. Historical water use is shown below.
Year ML from Pump Hours at
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
2015
Total irrigation water use was well above for the third time with three pivots under irrigation during the dry season. Given the restricted river flows in the 2014/15 wet season the seasonal crop irrigation was effective with three pivots planted and irrigated while water was relatively abundant early in the dry season and only Pivot 1 irrigated towards the end of the dry season.
There are now four pivots available to LSB and, with the new floodway, behind which an additional of water may be held, water use is expected to increase, supplying all four pivots.
As explained previously, water use will always be affected by the time of planting, as influenced by rain, river flows, soil conditions and staff availability. Later plantings will always lead to lower water use as water availability is decreasing as the demand increases with the age and stage of the crop.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Table 5 in the previous operating strategy provided a summary of scheduled environmental reporting commitments for the project and we have recorded a summary of the activities against these requirements in the following table. Activity Summary 2015 Value Location Measurement Action Summary Water Quantity Fitzroy Barrage Depth over barrage sill Diversion at Barrage now ceases at stage 10.30 m, with the installation of the elevated sill in 2008. Sill repaired during 2010, still in good condition Uralla Creek Floodway Depth of water above and below floodway Gauge boards replaced late 2012, DoW gauge boards installed during Pump motor hours converted to water volume 2013 as the new standard from 2014 onwards; abstracted Floodway now installed; Gauge boards to be installed below floodway in 2016; Pump hours for 2015 recorded, converted into volume (ML); Total volume submitted in January 2016. Liveringa Pool Liveringa pool water level to be recorded weekly Monthly records not recorded as the pool maintained depth above during the dry season. cease to take limit throughout the season Water Quality Uralla Creek Floodway Parameters listed in operating strategy, measured Samples taken during dry season of 2015 – results reported herein. using on site meter or samples sent to Perth Riparian Uralla Creek at 2 sites above and 1 Use pastoral monitoring techniques to record Three sites were monitored in early October 2015; Vegetation site below floodway/channel offtake. vegetation health, including a photographic Few changes recorded; record. Sites generally maintaining their health. Fish Uralla Creek, above and below Annual monitoring in conjunction with Murdoch Sampling completed in 2015 by Dr Morgan; Communities floodway University using local TO and Looma assistance. Report provided by Dr Morgan; Sampling in Durack Pool demonstrates health of the Uralla Creek system; Liveringa Pool Simplified annual monitoring in conjunction with Sampling completed in 2015 by Dr Morgan; Murdoch University using local TO and Looma Report provided by Dr Morgan; assistance. Sampling in Liveringa Pool demonstrates health of the Uralla Creek system; Local Culture On site meetings developing from Particular criteria have been established in the No on-site meeting with the local TOs in 2015, however, Station signed MOU towards a coexistence MOU, including considerations of TO heritage and Manager and Cropping Manager are in regular contact with local TOs; Agreement. cultural protection, environment and land access. Meeting with Nyikina Mangala Group was held by General Manager in 2015 to discuss the floodway.
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WATER QUANTITY
There are several locations at which commitments have been made by LSB to manage water flows or quantity.
FITZROY BARRAGE
The permanent concrete sill continues to operate at the Fitzroy Barrage and was repaired during 2010. The concreted batters on the Durack Creek flume at the barrage were repaired during 2011 and the structure was in good shape at the end of the 2015 dry season. Further repairs will be made as required
Elevated Concrete Sill at Barrage – 2010 repair – October 2014
DURACK POOL
The new DoW gauging board at the channel offtake was used for the measurements in Durack Pool for the 2015 irrigation season. The accepted cease to flow level is 38.6M AHD and the cease to pump level is 37.0M AHD.
Three pivots (1, 2 and 3) were irrigated in the 2015 dry season with the extraction of water from the pool totalling the second highest amount in the licence period. In all of crop was irrigated. Water use is higher than in many previous seasons, but the season was constrained by a lack of water for irrigation.
The following graph shows the fall in water levels in Durack Pool through the 2015 dry season, with the pool dropping to its “full” or cease to flow level around 38.6 M AHD in June 2015, and continuing to fall towards 37.8 M AHD in October, with the last irrigation earlier in that month. Irrigation was stopped as a result of low water levels and because of the impact of construction activities for the floodway at the channel offtake.
LSB Annual Report Page 8
Water Levels Durack Pool 2015 (M AHD)
LIVERINGA POOL
Liveringa Pool depths were not recorded but occasional observations confirmed that it maintained a level near the tree line.
DURACK POOL WATER QUALITY
LSB takes on-site measurements of temperature, pH and salinity (electrical conductivity) with its portable equipment. Samples are taken near the sites established in 2007 on the northern bank of the pool above and below the channel offtake. Bottled samples are taken and frozen for a later and wider ranging laboratory analysis.
Under the new operating strategy the required laboratory analyses are pH, EC, Total P and Total N. However, some other conventional analyses were completed and are reported here.
These analyses show higher nitrogen and phosphorus readings than previously reported, with the October 2015 total nitrogen figures considerably higher than previously recorded. Previous year’s graphs of these have been included for comparison as 2013 was the first year when Pivot 1 operated at the new upstream site.
Temperature, pH and conductivity measurements are similar to previous years, with similar seasonal variations.
TEMPERATURE
Field measurements of temperature show the expected lows mid-year with temperatures rising again in September and October 2015.
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Temperature (oC) Durack Pool 2015
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Dissolved oxygen no longer has to be measured but there are standards established over many previous years. There was one field measurement taken by Dr Morgan at the time of fish sampling. The readings reported by Dr Morgan (Liveringa Pool 4.6 ppm, Durack Pool 3.7 ppm) are lower than found in most previous years. Only 2010 for Durack Pool and 2010 and 2013 for Liveringa Pool gave equivalent or lower readings.
Site Year Dissolved Oxygen (%) Dissolved oxygen (ppm)
Durack Pool 2008 90.8 6.61
2009 67.9 4.93
2010 53.0 3.73
2012 80.9 5.93
2013 65.1 4.62
2014 78.1 6.11
2015 52.6 3.70
Liveringa Pool 2008 85.9 6.38
2009 65.5 4.61
2010 54.6 3.92
2012 90.1 6.70
2013 27.3 2.05
2014 70.5 5.48
2015 64.3 4.60
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PH
Field measurements of pH showed similar variations to previous years, mostly within the range of pH 6.7 and 7.2, but with an anomalous field reading at the channel late in June 2015. All field readings are considerably lower than the pH in water laboratory measures due to the different measurement techniques.
Field pH Durack Pool (2015)
Laboratory analysis found that pH in Durack Pool varied from around pH 8.0 in April to pH 8.5 in July at the upstream Pivot 1 site, pH generally rising slightly during the dry season. These readings match those from previous years. The same anomalous reading shows at the channel in late June, possibly suggesting a spillage at that site, with the reading recovering to normal in the following month. Discussions with the Cropping Manager confirmed there were no chemical spills.
Laboratory Samples pH 2015, both sites
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY
Field measured electrical conductivity (salinity) in Durack Pool increased with evaporation (concentration) as the dry season progressed, from less than100 mg/L (ppm), early in the season, to about 250 mg/L in August.
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All of the readings from field and laboratory analysis were of drinking water quality and there was no evidence of deteriorating water quality, a similar result to that observed from 2006 to 2012. Field Salinity, Durack Pool (2015)
The laboratory measurements (in µS/cm) are similar to the field measurements (ppm), allowing for the conversion between units (see below), all well within drinking water quality ranges, with the exception of an anomalous peak in December 2015 at the channel crossing site. Water again appears fresher at the downstream site (Pivot 3) in this year with no impact of Blina Creek flows. The downstream site was subject to construction activities for several months before the December sample was taken, and this could have added salty material to the water that was stagnant near to the construction.
Stored Sample Conductivity (µS/cm)
(Note units X mg/L = 0.64*Y µS/cm)
NITROGEN
Total nitrogen (mg/L) in 2015 increased in the first half of the season for both sampling points in Durack Pool. The readings at the upstream pump site then fell from a high peak of 2.2mg/L to 0.8mg/L. Readings at the crossing site plateaued near 1.3mg/L before doubling to 2.6mg/l in December, when construction activities were concluding.
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Total Nitrogen 2015
The two readings for total nitrogen of greater than 2.0mg/L were the highest ever seen, well beyond the previous peaks from 2014 and far higher than the previous peaks at about 0.4 mg/L and 0.2 mg/L.
The best approach to better understanding these anomalous readings may be to analyse the monthly frozen samples during the season in 2016, so a picture of changes might be developed during the season, rather than appraising well after the event with samples that by then may have questionable value. It is important that the samples are taken regularly and reliably. Historical Total N (mg/L)
Ammonia N was also measured in 2015.
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Ammonia Nitrogen 2015
The 2015 readings for Ammonia N were far higher than in 2014 with the spikes from June to August exceeding previous spikes Readings at both sites were relatively low in December, showing the creek recovering from the previous spikes. 2013 Ammonia N (mg/L) (from past reports)
Nitrogen fertilisers were applied at seeding and as outlined for the grain crops.
The ongoing health of fish in the two pools noted by Morgan confirms the general health of the waterway.
PHOSPHORUS
Filterable reactive Phosphorus (FRP) was measured in 2015 and all bar one measurement exceeded 0.02 mg/L. Both sites recorded peaks readings above 0.035mg/L, well above the trigger level of 0.004mg/L. The peak at the upstream site is extremely high.
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Filterable Reactive P 2015 (mg/L)
In 2015 six of the ten samples gave readings above 20µg /L for FRP, with a very wide range from 2 to 640µg /L. Historically most readings have been below 20µg/L. Historical FRP (mg/L)
FRP was also measured as phosphate (PO4) and the graph below strongly supports the above FRP measurements with the same peak in August at the upstream pump site.
Filterable Reactive P as (PO4) 2015 (mg/L)
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Total phosphorus (mg/L) in 2015 varied between 0.04 and 0.50 mg/L (40 µg /L to 500 µg /L), far higher than recorded in most years. The peak reading was ten times higher than reported at either site last year. Total Phosphorus 2015 (mg/L)
Historically most readings have been below 100 µg /L with only one peak reading of over 200 µg /L.
Historical Total P (mg/L)
2013 Total P (from past reports)
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Discussions with the Cropping Manager have confirmed that no spills occurred so there is no obvious explanation of the higher readings for N and P. There may be a chance of contamination of the sample bottles or the sampling process, as the bottles have been stored for several years at the station and the stock of them is now depleted and will be replaced for the coming season.
Comparisons of the 2015 results with the submitted triggers are shown in the following table. Some of the upper readings are higher than triggers and previous readings. While the levels measured have sometimes been above the standards that have been established elsewhere the health of the water body and the safety of the irrigation practices have been confirmed each year by the response of the riparian vegetation and the health of fish in the water. Fish appear to respond more to low water levels and there have been some fish deaths observed at other sites on the Fitzroy following major inflows of water leading to a depletion of oxygen at the site (most recently Geikie Gorge).
A more complete set of frozen samples is required for laboratory analysis to better track any changes in nutrient levels in the pool in the dry season, especially some very early in the dry, as crops are established or carried over from past seasons.
As recommended for 2015 it would be advantageous to see the monthly frozen samples collected to that time be analysed in June, September and December/January so a more complete and timely picture of nutrient levels can be determined and reported as soon as results are available.
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Water Quality Triggers
Physical and Chemical Indicator Default Laboratory Actuals Field Actuals 2015 Trigger 2015 Total Phosphorus (µg P L-1) 10 10 - 640 Filterable Reactive Phosphorus (µg P L-1) 4 2 - 210 Ortho Phosphate (mg/L) Not measured Total Nitrogen (µg N L-1) 200 – 300 510 - 2600 Ammonia Nitrogen (µg N L-1) 10 50 - 390 -1 Oxides of Nitrogen NOx (µg N L ) 10 Not measured Salinity (EC) (µS/cm or mg/L) 196 - 930 (µS/cm) 564 – 285 mg/L Temperature 13.8 to 26.4oC Dissolved Oxygen (% Saturation) (lower limit) 85 not measured (see fish report) pH (Lower Limit) 6.0 – 8.0 8.2 to 9.5 6.84 – 9.14 (7.71) These figures continue to contribute to the development of standards for Durack Pool.
Highlights from the above table include the extremely high records for Total and Filterable Reactive Phosphorus, and for Total and Ammonia Nitrogen. These are generally seen as a peak in one month, rising from lower readings in the month before and recovering to more normal levels in the following month. Such occurrences have been seen in most years before 2015, but the peaks in 2015 exceed the default triggers that have been adopted from the literature for this annual reporting more than previously observed and are the highest recorded thus far.
RIPARIAN VEGETATION
All three sites were monitored in late early October 2015 using the 2007 manual as the basis.
A copy of the vegetation report is included as a separate item.
FISH COMMUNITIES
Dr David Morgan from Murdoch University was unable to personally complete his full fish monitoring program in both Durack and Liveringa Pools in 2015 because of personal injury. However, other members of staff from the Freshwater Fish Group are familiar with the procedure and completed the usual sampling. While at the station they also rescued some stranded sawfish. The Murdoch group’s report is part of this annual report.
In a previous report Morgan noted that the fish communities vary with the water levels across the years. Drier years, with lower water levels in Durack Pool, have supported lower numbers of some species and are different from wetter years, with higher water levels.
In 2015 he found unusually low water levels and this resulted in a particularly low capture in Liveringa Pool. This is in spite of normal numbers in Durack Pool. The 2015 study also reported the lowest diversity in Liveringa Pool, compared with all previous years,
Morgan has noted that it appears that the drawdown of water from Uralla Creek at its current level is sustainable, but it is likely to play a role in the faunal composition of Durack Pool when water levels become very low, such as during 2015, thereby increasing predation from piscivores and also reptiles. Water levels in Durack Pool decrease each year as a consequence of irrigation, seepage and evaporation.
Given the changes that will be experienced in Durack Pool with the operation of the floodway, monitoring of its impact on fish populations is most important.
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LOCAL CULTURE
LSB remains committed to the support and maintenance of local culture and various beneficial forms of collaboration, as demonstrated by their support of the December 2005 MOU.
There was no on site meeting in 2014 or 2015 but General Manager Brett Blanchett met with representatives of the Nyikina Mangala traditional owner group to explain the operations of the (then) proposed floodway. While it is not a condition of the licence the Department of Water encourages regular interaction between LSB and the Traditional Owners and has suggested to the KLC that the TOs request copies of LSB’s reports.
REPORTING
We now have another full season’s irrigation activity with three pivots operating for much of the dry season. The fourth did not operate in season 2015 because of the water shortage and so was not installed. LSB maintains sufficiently regular contact with the Department’s Kununurra office to ensure awareness of progress with the project. Once again there have been several meetings and regular communication between LSB and DoW staff over the last 12 months.
Future reports will reflect the additional requirements that result from the installation and operation of the new floodway.
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POTENTIAL TO VARY ESTABLISHED CEASE TO PUMP STANDARDS
What was again evident during the 2015 season as water levels fell at the Inkata offtake channel was that Durack Pool at the Pivot 1 pump site is far deeper than near the Inkata site, and this is highlighted by the baseline pictures to be used for the monitoring of bank stability. The pool is in the order of 10km long and has a variable cross section along its length. The pool at the Inkata site does drain or dry completely and extraction of water has sensibly been agreed to cease at the previous level of 37.5M AHD, now 38.0M AHD. In early October 2015 irrigation was about to cease because the level was approaching 38.0M AHD. At that level at the floodway site there was little water in the pool.
Durack Pool at Pivot 2 and 3 Channel Offtake, October 2015
At the same water level the pool at Pivot 1 is very deep; water is available for irrigation. The picture below was taken on the same day at a water level of just above 38.0. M AHD, illustrating the differences.
Durack Pool at Pivot 1 Pump Site, October 2015
Water extraction could continue at the upstream pump station when it must cease at the downstream site.
Before any formal application is made Liveringa will collect more detail on water levels and the shape (cross section) of Durack Pool at the upstream site. While it was hoped to collect this information at the end of the 2015 dry season, staff shortages at that time precluded the activity.
QUERIES
Should there be any queries on this report please contact Dr Doug McGhie using established contact details.
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Fishes of Snake (Uralla) Creek, Fitzroy River, Kimberley, Western Australia, 2015 survey results
www.freshwaterfishgroup.com
Prepared by DL Morgan, J Whitty and J Keleher Freshwater Fish Group & Fish Health Unit Murdoch University South St, Murdoch, Western Australia
Email: [email protected]
February 2015
Acknowledgements We would like to thank Doug McGhie and Graham Laitt (Liveringa) for assisting with the project. We would also like to thank the Nyikina-Mangala Rangers for help with the fieldwork, in particular, thanks to Travis Fazeldean, Conan Lee, Daniel Holzhauser, JR Albert, Josh Albert, and James Mansfield.
1 General Overview
Sampling of the fishes in the freshwaters of Uralla Creek, which is commonly referred to as Snake Creek, in the Fitzroy River catchment of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, was undertaken during October 2008, in early November in both 2009 and 2010, in October 2012 and 2013, in late September 2014 and late October 2015 to fulfil the requirements of the water licensing placed on Liveringa Station by the Department of Water, Government of Western Australia.
Fish catches were compared between two major pools of Uralla Creek, i.e. Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool, and adjacent pools in the main channel, i.e. Myroodah Pool and a large pool ~1km downstream of the Barrage (Figures 1 and 2). Fish fauna within Uralla Creek was surveyed using a variety of methods including seine nets, fyke nets and gill nets, although fyke netting was discontinued in 2009 as catches using this method were often compromised by Freshwater Crocodiles. Additionally, fish captured in fyke nets may be predated on by other fishes, thereby underestimating catches. In 2014 crocodiles were extremely active and catches were considered too high to use gill nets, amid mortality of netted fish occurring and safety concerns for the handlers. Fish captured in seine nets were compared between night and day, both within and between tributary and main channel sites, which allows for the capture of nocturnal species.
In general, the fish fauna varied between years and pools to some extent (Tables 2 and 3, Figures 3 to 7). Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM; PRIMER) revealed that there were significant differences in the fish fauna captured in each pool between most years with a few exceptions (Table 4). There was no significant difference between the fishes captured in 2008 and 2009 in Durack Pool or in 2008 and 2009 in Liveringa Pool. There was also no significant difference in the fishes captured in Liveringa Pool in 2008 and 2012, or within Durack Pool in 2014 and 2012 and again between in 2010 and 2015. Sampling revealed that in all other years, the fauna within and between pools was significantly different (Table 4).
In total, 3366 fish were captured in Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool during 2008, with 1987 fish captured in Durack Pool and 1379 captured in Liveringa Pool. Additionally, 457 and 66 cherabin were captured in these sites, respectively. Results during 2009 were very similar, with a total of 3692 fish captured, i.e. 2327 fish captured in Durack Pool, and 1365 captured in Liveringa Pool. Although a similar number of fish was recorded in 2010 in Durack Pool (i.e. 2100), catches in Liveringa Pool were considerably lower (n = 538), and this was potentially the result of an early flood event that diluted the fauna. During 2012, 1540 fish were captured in Durack Pool, and 1682 were captured in Liveringa Pool, at a time when water levels were substantially less than in previous years. During the lowest water levels in the study, 2013, we found 1661 fish in Durack Pool and 2645 in Liveringa Pool. In 2014, Liveringa Pool had again been flooded, which may have led to a dilution effect on our catches, with only 737 fish captured, while only 460 fish were captured in Durack Pool. Water levels were unusually low during 2015, resulting from a poor wet season. Although some 2336 fish were captured in Durack Pool, only 936 were captured in Liveringa Pool. We also recorded the lowest diversity (total number of species) in Liveringa Pool in 2015 compared to all other years, while diversity was second lowest on record for Durack Pool.
During 2008, 16 species of fish were recorded in Durack Pool and 15 species were captured in Liveringa Pool and there was a combined total of 18 different fish species captured across both sites, with 13 species common to both sites. Fifteen species were captured in each pool in 2009. Only 12 and 10 fish species were recorded in Liveringa Pool and Durack Pool, respectively during 2010, nine of which were common to both sites. During 2012, 16 species
2 were recorded in both Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool. In 2013 we captured 14 fish species in Durack Pool and 14 species in Liveringa Pool, while in 2014 we captured 12 species in Durack Pool and 14 species in Liveringa Pool.
When comparing between the seven years in Durack Pool, there was one additional species recorded in 2009 from 2008, i.e. the Freshwater Sawfish (Pristis microdon) and two species recorded in 2008 that were not recorded in 2009, i.e. Hyrtl’s Tandan (Neosilurus hyrtlii) and the Prince Regent Hardyhead (Craterocephalus lentiginosus); noting that only one and seven individuals of these respective species were recorded in 2008 (Table 2). During 2010 however, the Prince Regent Hardyhead dominated catches in Liveringa Pool where it contributed to ~47% of the catch, and was the third most abundant fish in Durack Pool.
During 2014, Bony Bream (Nematalosa erebi) were the lowest ever recorded in Liveringa Pool, and second lowest recorded for Durack Pool. In 2014 in Liveringa Pool, only 6 individuals were captured compared to 327 in 2012, with 97 recorded in Durack Pool, compared to 2054 in 2009. Catches of most species were low in 2014 compared to 2013.
For Liveringa Pool, with Hyrtl’s Tandan not recorded in 2009, and one additional species captured in 2009 (one individual Giant Herring Elops hawaiensis). During 2012, both sites were dominated by Western Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis), and P. microdon was found at both sites, although two at Liveringa Pool had been killed, while the one at Durack Pool was tagged and released. During 2013, we recorded one additional species that had not previously been recorded, the Giant Gudgeon (Oxyeleotris selheimi), and in contrast to 2012, both sites were dominated by C. lentiginosus, with few M. australis recorded in Durack Pool. During 2012 and 2013, where the lowest water levels were recorded, very few N. erebi were recorded which is in contrast to most years. The faunal composition of these pools are likely to be driven by water levels and subsequent predation and recruitment of certain species.
The striking similarities in the abundance and population demographics of the fish fauna captured in Uralla Creek during 2008 and 2009 suggests that groundwater may be an important variable in maintaining these important nursery grounds. However, while there was no significant difference in these sites (ANOSIM), most subsequent samples demonstrated that there are significant interannual differences at each site. It is very likely that water levels are a major predictor of the changes in fauna, with different species dominating catches at different levels, and this may affect predation and recruitment through access to spawning sites and refuges for nurseries. The higher abundances of M. australis, C. lentiginosus, G. aprion and Ambassis mulleri in Liveringa Pool compared to Durack Pool, for example may be a reflection of the high volume of aquatic macrophytes in the latter pool, which not only offer spawning sites, but also provide refuge for larval and juvenile fish.
It appears that the drawdown of water from Uralla Creek at its current level is sustainable, but it is likely to play a role in the faunal composition of Durack Pool when water levels become very low, such as during 2015, thereby increasing predation from piscivores and also reptiles. Water levels in Durack Pool decrease each year as a consequence of irrigation, seepage and evaporation.
Of interest and some concern is the general progressive decline in Bony Bream (Nematalosa erebi) numbers from both sites since 2008, with catches lowest during the last two years. The seasonal and variable water levels within the system are likely to play a role in the recruitment of certain species. For example, Barramundi and Sawfish recruitment is believed to be correlated to strength of the wet season flows; with larger wet seasons leading to
3 greater recruitment. Bony Bream is a key prey species for Barramundi and other top order predators, while the perennial recruitment of the species means that eggs and larvae are available to smaller predators. It is recommended that the biology of this important species is evaluated, and food web analysis of these systems are conducted. Furthermore, as the environmental variables recorded during this study, are taken at the time of sampling, and there is great variability in some of these variables depending on the time of day. It is recommended that data loggers (temperature, conductivity, oxygen) are placed in situ in replicate at each site.
Following are maps of sample sites, catch tables and figures. Length-frequency histograms are available on request, as are relative abundances of Freshwater Crocodiles at the sites in each year.
4 Durack Pool
Snake Creek
Snake Creek Liveringa Pool
Myroodah Crossing
Fitzroy River Snake Creek
Barrage
Figure 1 Satellite image of Snake Creek and the Fitzroy River depicting the sample sites at Liveringa Pool, Durack Pool, Myroodah Crossing and the Barrage.
5
Sampling method Sn - seine net (night) Sd – seine net (day) F – fyke net G1 – gill net (50-100 mm mesh) G2 – gill net (150 mm mesh)
G1 Sd G1 Sd G2 G2
G1 G2 Sd
F F Sn F Sn
Sn
Figure 2 Satellite image of Liveringa Pool and approximate locations of where the different sampling techniques were deployed.
6
Sampling method Sn - seine net (night) Sd – seine net (day) F – fyke net G1 – gill net (50-100 mm mesh) G2 – gill net (150 mm mesh) Diversion
Sd F Sd Sd G1
G1 G2 G1 G2 G2 Sd Sd Sn Sn Sn F F Sd
Figure 3 Satellite image of Durack Pool (Snake Creek) and approximate locations of where the different sampling techniques were deployed. 7
Table 1 Summary of water quality readings obtained in October 2008, November 2009, November 2010, October 2012, October 2013, late September 2014 and October 2015 (expressed as mean values (standard error in brackets)).
Site Temperature Conductivity TDS (ppm) Dissolved Dissolved pH (ºC) (µS/cm) oxygen (%) oxygen (ppm)
Durack Pool 2008 28.8 (0.04) 469.0 (0.29) 478.9 (1.40) 90.8 (1.39) 6.61 (0.35) 7.47 (0.01) 2009 31.8 (0.10) 846.2 (0.29) 586.3 (4.61) 67.9 (0.82) 4.93 (0.01) 6.9 (0.00) 2010 28.5 (0.24) 295.0 (0.11) 174.3 (2.04) 53.0 (4.48) 3.73 (0.21) 7.34 (0.13) 2012 31.1 (0.26) 706.0 (0.81) 409.3 (0.27) 80.9 (1.75) 5.93 (0.46) 8.77 (0.46) 2013 30.2 (0.12) 532.0 (2.41) 313.7 (1.97) 65.1 (1.39) 4.62 (0.42) NA 2014 27.6 (0.20) 260.4 (0.42) 161.4 (0.33) 78.1 (0.93) 6.11 (0.28) 8.11 (0.20) 2015 31.8 (0.70) 183.3 (3.52) 112.7 (7.94) 52.6 (16.23) 3.7 (0.31) 8.89 (0.02) Liveringa 2008 30.3 (0.25) 267.9 (0.15) 172.8 (0.20) 85.9 (1.35) 6.38 (0.05) 7.29 (0.03) Pool 2009 34.0 (0.74) 546.1 (6.67) 401.5 (0.32) 65.5 (13.61) 4.61 (1.03) 6.88 (0.00) 2010 29.5 (0.04) 305.3 (0.99) 187.0 (1.27) 54.6 (2.20) 3.92 (0.10) 7.53 (0.05) 2012 31.5 (0.58) 419.8 (1.61) 242.4 (0.40) 90.1 (2.49) 6.70 (0.63) 8.86 (0.23) 2013 29.1 (1.58) 348.9 (0.10) 210.2 (0.76) 27.3 (1.08) 2.05 (0.29) 7.63 (0.11) 2014 28.1 (0.25) 278.5 (1.10) 170.9 (0.66) 70.5 (1.66) 5.48 (0.46) 7.43 (0.12) 2015 31.7 (0.18) 194.9 (14.78) 112.9 (1.62) 64.3 (4.08) 4.6 (0.35) 8.88 (0.09)
8 Table 2 Percentage contribution (total number captured in parenthesis) of the different freshwater and marine/estuarine fishes captured in Durack Pool in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Fish species 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) Freshwater origin Bony Bream 77.2 (1533) 88.3 (2054) 45.24 (950) 16.43 (253) 2.53 (42) 21.1 (97) 3.25 (76) Lesser Salmon Catfish 1.41 (28) 0.82 (19) 0.19 (4) 0.39 (6) - - - Black Catfish 0.05 (1) 0.09 (2) - 0.52 (8) - 0.22 (1) 0.04 (1) Hyrtl’s Tandan 0.86 (17) 0.90 (21) - 1.36 (21) - - 0.43 (10) Rendahl’s Catfish 0.05 (1) ------Freshwater Longtom 0.15 (3) 0.04 (1) 0.05 (1) 0.32 (5) 0.18 (3) 0.65 (3) - Western Rainbowfish 0.15 (3) 0.04 (1) - 44.81 (690) 0.06 (1) 0.65 (3) 19.73 (461) Prince Regent Hardyhead 0.35 (7) - 12.48 (262) 5.39 (83) 48.10 (799) 5.65 (26) 11.77 (275) North-west Glassfish - - - 7.53 (116) 21.01 (349) 46.3 (213) 43.88 (1025) Fitzroy Glassfish 0.10 (2) 0.13 (3) 25.95 (545) - - - - Mouth Almighty 3.37 (67) 0.52 (12) 2.62 (55) 5.58 (86) 18.00 (299) 1.96 (9) 11.64 (272) Kimberley Archerfish 6.04 (121) 2.49 (58) 0.14 (3) 0.20 (3) 0.24 (4) 0.22 (1) 0.09 (2) Barred Grunter 2.82 (56) 0.09 (2) 1.14 (24) 6.56 (101) 0.66 (11) 8.26 (38) - Greenway’s Grunter 0.05 (1) 0.90 (21) - - - - - Jenkins’ Grunter ------Spangled Perch 5.69 (113) 2.45 (57) - 7.14 (110) 0.30 (5) 8.04 (37) 0.56 (13) Flathead Goby 1.51 (30) 3.14 (73) 5.76 (121) 0.39 (6) 8.07 (134) 3.26 (15) 0.34 (8) Giant Gudgeon - - - - 0.06 (1) - 0.17 (4) Marine/estuarine origin Freshwater Sawfish - 0.04 (1) - 0.06 (1) - - - Oxeye Herring - - 0.05 (1) 0.06 (1) 0.48 (8) 0.22 (1) - Barramundi 0.15 (3) 0.09 (2) - 0.06 (1) 0.18 (3) - -
Total species 16 15 10 16 13 12 11
9 Fish species 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) Freshwater origin Bony Bream 16.39 (226) 23.52 (321) 16.0 (86) 19.44 (327) 1.30 (34) 0.81 (6) 8.12 (76) Lesser Salmon Catfish 1.45 (20) 2.05 (28) 2.2 (12) 2.02 (34) 0.27 (7) - - Toothless Catfish ------Black Catfish 0.29 (4) 0.07 (1) - 0.42 (7) 0.08 (2) 0.54 (4) 0.11 (1) Hyrtl’s Tandan 0.94 (13) - - 0.12 (2) - 0.27 (2) - Rendahl’s Catfish - - - - - 0.81 (6) - Freshwater Longtom 0.51 (7) 0.15 (2) 0.7 (4) 0.12 (2) 0.04 (1) - - Western Rainbowfish 6.82 (94) 9.52 (130) - 40.31 (678) 5.81 (152) 3.12 (23) 28.63 (268) Prince Regent Hardyhead 12.98 (179) 7.32 (100) 47.0 (253) 9.28 (156) 48.10 (1259) 34.19 (252) 52.99 (496) North-west Glassfish 26.98 (372) 8.28 (113) 3.2 (17) 14.03 (236) 16.67 (436) 2.57 (19) 1.82 (17) Fitzroy Glassfish - - - - - 23.61 (174) - Mouth Almighty 18.13 (250) 34.95 (477) 20.3 (109) 7.43 (125) 27.36 (716) 12.75 (94) 6.41 (60) Kimberley Archerfish 3.63 (50) 0.88 (12) 0.4 (2) 0.60 (10) 0.11 (3) 2.71 (20) 0.43 (4) Barred Grunter 6.09 (84) 6.59 (90) 0.7 (4) 0.18 (3) 0.69 (18) 2.44 (18) 0.11 (1) Greenway’s Grunter ------Jenkins’ Grunter - - - - - 0.41 (3) - Spangled Perch 3.55 (49) 0.95 (13) - 0.77 (13) 0.08 (2) 8.14 (60) 0.11 (1) Flathead Goby 1.31 (18) 4.76 (65) 1.5 (8) 0.77 (13) 0.04 (1) 2.17 (16) 0.43 (4) Giant Gudgeon ------
Marine/estuarine origin Freshwater Sawfish - - - 0.12 (2) - - - Oxeye Herring 0.80 (11) 0.07 (1) 0.2 (1) - 0.42 (11) - - Giant Herring - 0.07 (1) - - - -
10 Diamond Mullet - - 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) - - - Barramundi 0.14 (1) 0.81 (11) 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) - -
Total species 15 15 12 16 14 14 10
Table 3 Percentage contribution (total number captured in parenthesis) of the different freshwater and marine/estuarine fishes captured in Liveringa Pool.
11 600 Durack Pool 2015 500
400
300
200
Mean number of fish / seine 100
0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis P. microdon L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
350 Liveringa Pool 2015 300
250
200
150
100
Mean number of fish / seine 50
0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis P. microdon L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
12 Mean number of each species caught by day and night seine netting in 2015 in Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool.
600 600 Durack Pool 2008 Day Durack Pool 2012 Night 500 500 Durack Pool
400 400
300 300
200 200
Mean number of fish /Mean seine fish number of
100 Mean number of fish / seine 100
0 0
600 600 Durack Pool 2009 Durack Pool 2013Species
500 500
400 400
300 300
200 200
Mean number of fish /Mean seine fish number of
100 Mean number of fish / seine 100 Liveringa Pool 2009
0 0
600 600 Durack Pool 2010 Durack Pool 2014
500 500
400 400
300 300
200 200
Mean number of fish / seine 100 Mean number of fish / seine 100
0 0
N. ater L. alata N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. ater S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion A. dahli L. alata P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. graeffei L. unicolorO. selheimi S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion M. australis P. microdon L. calcarifer P.rendahli H. jenkinsi Ambassis sp. A. percoidesH. greenw ayi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides M. australis P. microdon L. calcarifer G. filamentosusS. multifasciata A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi T. kimberleyensis C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis Species Species
Figure 4 Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species captured using seine nets in Durack Pool during 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
13 350 350 Liveringa Pool 2008 Day Liveringa Pool 2012 Day 300 Night 300 Night Durack Pool 250 250
200 200
150 150
100 100
Mean number of fish /Mean seine fish number of 50 Mean number of fish / seine 50
0 0
350 350 Liveringa Pool 2009 Liveringa Pool 2013Species 300 300
250 250
200 200
150 150
100 100
Mean number of fish /Mean seine fish number of
Mean number of fish / seine 50 Liveringa Pool 2009 50
0 0
350 350 Liveringa Pool 2010 Liveringa Pool 2014 300 300
250 250
200 200
150 150
100 100
Mean number of fish / seine 50 Mean number of fish / seine 50
0 0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. ater S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii L. alata P.rendahli H. jenkinsi G. giuris N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion M. australis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi P. microdon L. calcarifer N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi A. percoides M. australis P. microdon Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi L. calcarifer C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides A. percoidesH. greenw ayi G. filamentosusS. multifasciata Ambassis sp. M. rosenbergii C. lentiginosus M. cyprinoides S. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis G. filamentosus T. kimberleyensis Species Species
Figure 5 Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species captured using seine nets in Liveringa Pool during 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
14 400 Myroodah Pool 2008 Day Night
300
200
100
Mean number of fish / seine
0
400 Myroodah Pool 2009Species
300
200
100
Mean number of fish / seine
0
400 Species Myroodah Pool 2010
300
200
100
Mean number of fish / seine
0
N. ater L. alata N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion G. giurus A. graeffei P.rendahli H. jenkinsiL. unicolor M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides P. microdon Ambassis sp. H. greenwayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
Figure 6 Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species (and Cherabin) captured using seine nets in the main channel sites of the Fitzroy River, i.e. Myroodah Pool in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
15
Figure 7 Classification and ordination of the fish species captured at each replicate seine net set at each site in each year.
16
17
Table 4 R-stat values and significance values of the fishes found in the sample sites between different years. *denotes significance levels of <0.05, **0.01, ***0.001
DP DP DP DP DP DP DP LP 2008 LP 2009 LP 2010 LP 2012 LP 2013 LP 2014 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 DP 2009 0.058
DP 2010 0.497*** 0.781***
DP 2012 0.294* 0.819*** 0.883***
DP 2013 0.987*** 0.994*** 0.956*** 0.88***
DP 2014 0.536*** 0.669** 0.743** 0.1 0.620**
DP 2015 0.699*** 0.852** 0.085 0.372* 0.702** 0.79**
LP 2008 0.542*** 0.796*** 0.807** -0.046 0.728*** 0.104 0.424*
LP 2009 0.776*** 0.848*** 0.798*** 0.233* 0.722*** 0..426** 0.411** 0.074
LP 2010 0.911*** 0.967*** 0.731*** 0.613*** 0.722*** 0.543** 0.433*** 0.548*** 0.611***
LP 2012 0.84*** 0.922*** 0.969*** 0.206 0.972*** 0.352** 0.526** 0.2 0.394*** 0.687***
LP 2013 1*** 1*** 0.998*** 0.88*** 0.5*** 0.748** 0.633** 0.706*** 0.783*** 0.846*** 0.967***
LP 2014 0.739** 0.926** 0.404* 0.281* 0.169 0.551** 0.228 0.388* 0.661** 0.198* 0.741** 0.777**
LP 2015 0.909*** 0.965** 0.692** 0.528** 0.652** 0.806** 0.502** 0.609** 0.748** 0.231* 0.663** 0.685** 0.297**
18
VEGETATION TRANSECT MONITORING
&
ESTABLISHMENT OF BANK STABILITY SITES
OCTOBER 2015
FOR FEBRUARY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...... 1 THE VEGETATION TRANSECTS ...... 1 2015 COMMENT ...... 1 BANK STABILITY MONITORING SITES ...... 2 INKATA NO 1 – UPSTREAM ...... 3 Main Transect ...... 3 Water Line Segment ...... 5 Summary ...... 7 Inkata No 1 – Upstream – Pictures ...... 7 Longitudinal Study ...... 7 INKATA NO 2 – DOWNSTREAM ...... 9 Main Transect ...... 9 Water Line Segment ...... 12 Summary ...... 12 Inkata No 2 – Downstream – Pictures ...... 13 Longitudinal Study ...... 13 INKATA NO 3 – NEAR 17 MILE DAM ...... 15 Main Transect ...... 15 Water Line Segment ...... 18 Summary ...... 19 Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam – Pictures ...... 20 Longitudinal Study ...... 20 MONITORING BANK STABILITY ...... 24 SITE 1: ABOVE THE UPSTREAM PUMP SITE ...... 24 SITE 2: ABOVE THE CHANNEL OFFTAKE ...... 26
Introduction As part of its licence conditions LPC is required to annually monitor the health of the riparian vegetation adjacent to the Durack Pool on Uralla Creek. Three monitoring sites have been chosen and this report describes their location, the monitoring process and presents the annual records of all species as well as comments on the results for 2015. The Vegetation Transects Three sites were chosen and installed, all on the northern side of Uralla Creek. One is immediately upstream and the second immediately downstream of the channel inlet just above the site chosen for the potential Inkata floodway as shown below. The two downstream sites were established in 2005.
Inkata 2 Inkata 1
A further site is located near to the top end of Durack Pool. This site was added after the initial monitoring in 2005. It was fully established with photographic records in September 2007. Fortunately this site is adjacent to the new upstream pump station where water was taken for irrigation of crops in 2013 and beyond. Given the consideration that it may be possible to take water to greater depths at this site than near the Inkata channel this is a very important monitoring site. 2015 Comment As for previous seasons the three sites are stable with the larger trees shown in base line photographs maintaining their good condition. Any numeric changes, where evident, result from the gains, through germination and establishment, and losses, caused by trampling or chewing by cattle, flooding and coverage by silt, or some damage by human intervention (fire, breakage of stems) of small seedlings. No significant impact has been observed over recent years that could be attributed to the impact of irrigation from Uralla Creek. The 2015 observations were made on the 5th and 6th day of October 2015 on two very hot days, with temperatures approaching 40oC each day. Many smaller plants (seedlings) appeared water or heat stressed but in overview the three blocks of vegetation appeared much the same as in previous years. Small numbers of seedlings (particularly acacia) are gained and lost across the segments each year. The small whitewood trees at the upstream site were more stressed this year than previously and some had been damaged by stock, with some also lost over the year. The photographic records of the appearance of the blocks from the long established photographic point provide a sufficient indicator of the ongoing health of the vegetation transects. The noxious weed Parkinsonia was evident at the downstream site for the second time and the Cropping Manager was notified. Noogoora Burr, another noxious weed that has previously been common on the Fitzroy River, was also recorded within the transects for the first time this year.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 1
The 2014/15 wet season was shorter and sharper than the previous year so irrigation had to be carefully managed to enable irrigation of the upstream site into October. At the time of sampling in early October the floodway was being constructed, with completion anticipated some weeks later. Bank Stability Monitoring Sites Given the approval and subsequent installation in September/October 2015 of the new floodway and the associated requirements of the revised Operating Strategy one permanent bank stability measurement site was established in October 2015, using paint-marked steel fence pickets on the bank near the 17 Mile Dam site. All bank stability posts were also flagged to improve visibility in photographs. Benchmark photographs were taken for that site. With construction still under way and the absence of sufficient fence pickets for the second site at the floodway, significant trees on the lower bank were marked with fluorescent tape and photographs taken as a benchmark for that site. More detail of both sites is given later in this report.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 2
Inkata No 1 – Upstream
Date: October 05, 2015 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Numbe Number Number Health/ Species Name Base Numbe Number Number Number Number r Oct Oct 14 Segment Number r Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 13 Oct 15 Comment
Sept 07 Oct 08 Oct 15 1 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
2 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
3 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 only 1 (Coolibah) seedling, chewed Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 seedling (Berrigan) gained Acacia Farnesiana 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 seedlings
5 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 0coolabah 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 1 seedling gained
6 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 3
(Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 reshooting (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia farnesiana 1 1 1 1 1 1 Parkinsonia aculeata 1 1 Broken but large
7 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 (Berrigan)
8 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 6 6 6 7 (1 new 7 7 7 6 5 one seedling (Coolibah) seedling lost ) Eremophila longifolia 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Berrigan)
9 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 +1 seedling (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
10 Terminalia arostrata 3 3 3 3 3 stems 3 stems 3 3 stems 3 stems (Nutwood) stem stems stem s s Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 0 1 1 1seedl 0 0 0 0 0 ing Generally the population remains stable, but some new seedlings had appeared over the last year, and a few lost. Plants were generally in good health when considering that the observations were made on a day where the maximum temperature approached 40oC. The site was quite dry, with some stress on plants evident.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 4
Water Line Segment
- 20 to 30 m on base line Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Segment Species Name Sep 07 Oct 08 Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Oct 13 Health/ Sep 14 Oct 15 Comment Oct 15 1 (0-5) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 longifolia (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 1 1 1 1 2 seedlings 1 gained seedlin seedlin g g
2 (5-10) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 1 3 stems 3 3 3 3 3 stems 3 stems 3 stems longifolia (Berrigan)
3 (10-15) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Dry coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 lost longifolia (Berrigan) Freshwater 3 4 stems 4 + 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 sapling + 1 sapling Mangrove shoot shoot
4 (15+) No trees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Many small unidentified seedlings
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 5
The plants appeared stable and healthy. The firebreak/track has not changed from recent years, so no damage has been done to the monitoring site. Staff are aware of the proximity of this site to other station activities and the importance of the monitoring site is understood. Trampling by cattle was again evident, less so than in recent years and there had been no fires within the site. Human and cattle traffic continue to access and impact on this transect during the last year. On the day of sampling Durack Pool was at a low level, approaching the 37.0M cease to take level. Durack Pool, depth just above 37.0M AHD, cease to take
Water was excluded from the construction site by an upstream coffer dam as the concrete upstream skirt was constructed. Work on the Foundations of the Floodway, October 2015
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 6
Summary The upstream site (Inkata 1) showed only small changes in numbers with some seedlings lost. Once again some Terminalia had leaves that were spotted, and appeared to be under stress. As previously reported the stress appears to be associated with grazing or trampling and hot and dry conditions late in the dry season. The photographs of the segment (below) illustrate that the vegetation was very similar in 2015 to previous years. Overall the segment appeared healthy with monitoring completed early in October, a little later than usual. Temperatures at sampling were very high (around 40oC, and had been higher the previous week, so some stress could be attributed to the prevailing conditions. The 2014/2015 wet season was earlier and shorter than 2013/14. Sampling is always completed well after rain has ceased, with the vegetation dependent on water reserves in the soil and access to water from the adjacent pool. Durack Pool was at a low level, just above cease to take. Irrigation was continuing for the upstream Pivot 1, with few more irrigations anticipated. The water level in the pool always continues to fall after irrigation ceases due to evaporation, seepage through the creek bed, and stock drinking. Overall the site is healthy with only minor annual variations observed.
Inkata No 1 – Upstream – Pictures
2014 Photographic Records 2015 Photographic Records
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site have been plotted for the nine years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the transect and extends beyond the baseline five metre monitoring width. All species have been plotted for each year of recording.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 7
Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 2
Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 3
The above plots highlight the stability of plant numbers at that site, the changes being only very small increases or decreases when they occur.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 8
Inkata No 2 – Downstream
Date: October 05, 2015 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Segment Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Species Name Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Oct 13 Sep 14 Number Health/ Sept 07 Oct 08 Oct 15 Comment Oct 15 1 Terminalia arostrata 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 good (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
2 Terminalia arostrata 12 12, 9 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 dead 9, 3 dead As previous (Nutwood) good 3 dead dead dead dead dead dead stems Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 (2 1 (2 1 (2 1 (2 1 (2 1 (2 big 1, 2 big Good stems) (Cadjeput) big big big big big stems stems) stems) stems) stems) stems) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
3 Terminalia arostrata 6 4 4, 1 4, 1 1 OK, 1 1 good 1 1 1, some some stress on (Nutwood) dead, 1 dead, 2 struggli seedngsi large plant small small ng, 2 seedling seedling dead Melaleuca leucadendra 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees, 2 trees, 2 trees, 7 2 trees, 7 Good stems (Cadjeput) with 7 with 7 with 7 with 7 with 7 7 stems 7 stems stems stems stems stems stems stems Eucalyptus coolabah 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 + 1 1 Small (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
4 Terminalia arostrata 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput)
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 9
Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Seedling, chewed (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
5 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 6 small 3 small 6 small 5 small 12 4 seedlings others lost, all small (Nutwood) seedlin seedlin seedlin seedlin gs gs gs gs Melaleuca leucadendra 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 5 1 with 5 stems (Cadjeput) 5 stems 5 stems 5 stems 5 stems 5 stems 5 stems 5 stems stems Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Parkinsonia 1
6 Terminalia arostrata 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Seedling, 1M high (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia farnesiana 1 0 0 0 0 0 seedlin g
7 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 + ~ 12 small (Nutwood) unnamed seedlings, stressed. Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 1 small 1 1 1 1 1 (Coolibah) seedling Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Whitewood 1 1 +1 seedling, long narrow leaves
8 Terminalia arostrata 1 plus 1 plus 1 1 1 1 1 + 7 1 + 7 1 + 8 small and stressed seedlings (Nutwood) 1 dead 1 dead seedling seedlings stem stem s Melaleuca leucadendra 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Good (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 1 small 1 plus 5+ 5+ 1 1 -4 seedlings
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 10
(Coolibah) seedlin 5 seedlin seedlin g seedlin gs gs gs Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 0 -1 seedling
9 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 dead, 3 3 3 4 4 4 Small seedlings, (Nutwood) 1 seedlin some chewed and seedlin gs stressed g Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good - small (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 2 1 +2 seedlings Noogoora Burr 1 Dead but well seeded
10 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 Reshooting (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good large tree (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 4 4 all stressed seedlings (Coolibah) (seedli seedling seedling seedling s s s ng) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Noogoora Burr 1 Others nearby
Over the 12 month period there have been some small losses, especially of the small seedlings from last year. This segment was, from visual observation quite stressed, especially smaller plants, but it is at the end of a long dry season. The more substantial shrubs and trees are generally healthy and strong as shown in the base line photographs that have been similar each year. Changes are generally most prominent in the understorey.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 11
Water Line Segment
Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Segment Species Name 08 Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sept 12 Oct 13 Sep 14 Number Health 07 Oct 15 Comment Oct 15 1 (0-5) Terminalia arostrata 3 2 2 2 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 14 6 2 trees and (Nutwood) with 3 plus 6 plus 5 seedling seedling seedling rest are s s s seedlings Melaleuca 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Coolibah) Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 longifolia (Berrigan)
2 (5-10) No trees beyond 0 to 5 m section.
3
There is no tree or seedling growth beyond the 0 to 5m section of the central transect that is closest to the base line. There was a loss of small seedlings in segment five of that first five metres, likely a result of the long dry season and prevailing hot conditions with no rain in this latter stage of the season.
Summary The segment appears stable with changes in the population of small seedlings as some did not survive from last year due to seasonal conditions or the impact of animal grazing, as predicted in last year’s report.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 12
Inkata No 2 – Downstream – Pictures
2014 Photographic Records 2015 Photographic Records
The sampling was completed early in October 2015. The base line pictures appear similar but perhaps drier than those of 2014, an ongoing indication of the health of the transect, but demonstrating the impact of heat and dryness at the end of the season. Sampling an extra week later from any one season to the next has tended to show the later samples as drier and more stressed than the early.
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site have been plotted for the nine years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the transect and extends beyond the core five metre monitoring width. All species have been plotted for each year of recording.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 13
Inkata 2, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
The highlight of this series is the short term increase in Nutwood seedlings in 2014 and the loss of many of these in the following hot and dry season in 2015. Mature Cadjeput and Coolibah trees have been stable throughout. Overall numbers have been stable.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 14
Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam
Date: October 5, 2015 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Segment Species Sept 07 Oct 08 Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 Number Health Comment Name Oct 15 Oct 15 1 Whitewood 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 0 seedling not found Farnesiana
2 Whitewood 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 2 2 lost and survivors stressed Terminalia 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 River Gum 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 shootin g
3 Whitewood 15 15 14 15 + 1 12 11 11 11 8 3 appeared to have seedlin dried and died g Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Whitewood 6 6 9 9 8 7 7 8 5 3 lost, plants dry and broken – site stressed Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 Eremophila 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 -1 Acacia 1 1 1 1 Farnesiana
5 Whitewood 4 1 7 7 + 3 7 7 7 4 3 -3 all small seedlings seedlin gs Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 15
Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana
6 Whitewood 4 4 + 2 6 7 4 5 5 5 5 +1 sprouti ng Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 healthy Gum
7 Whitewood 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 Last one lost seedling seedling seedling seedling seedling seedlin s g Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 1 7 7 5 4 5 5 All small seedlings Farnesiana seedlin seedlin gs gs River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum
8 Whitewood 7 8 8 8 8 8 6 6 5 1 lost Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 2 2 4 4 2 2 1 1 -1 Farnesiana (clump s) River Red 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 sedling Gum seedlin seedlin seedlin g g g
9 Whitewood 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 16
Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Gum
10 Whitewood 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 Very dry Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 3 2 small seedlings, 1 lost Farnesiana River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gum
Between 2014 and 2015 some more acacia, Eremophila and whitewood plants were lost, with no gains. Whitewood in particular was stressed on most segments and some plants of over a metre high had been lost. There was a lot of damage that could have resulted from grazing as well as stress.. With the small losses the area was generally dry, although some larger whitewood plants had branches snapped on live trees. There was no obvious cause as vehicles could not have passaged where the breakage was observed, so it may have been human damage.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 17
Water Line Segment
Segment Species Name Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Sept 07 Oct 08 Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Sep 13 Oct 14 Number Oct Health 15 Comments Oct 15 1 Whitewood 8 7 13 17 11 12 10 9 8 1 lost Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gum Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mangrove
2 Whitewood 0 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 Terminalia 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 Acacia 2 6 6 8 9 14 14 11 12 all small seedlings Farnesiana small River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Mangrove
3 Whitewood 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Terminalia 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 3 1 +3 small Farnesiana small seedlings River Red 2 2 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 Seedling Gum Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 3 3 3 14, 14, 16 16 16 16 7 large, 9 Mangrove many seedlings seedli ngs
4 Whitewood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Corrected to Fresh Water Mangrove
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 18
seedlings Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 Gum Cadjeput 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 3 3 0 0 0 9 9 9 9 Correction from above Mangrove
5 Whitewood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum Cadjeput 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Fresh Water 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mangrove
The water line segment was stable over the last year, and while appearing generally healthy the site was dry and this may have explained damage to and the loss of some of the medium sized whitewood trees. Seedlings previously recorded as Terminalia have been amended to Fresh Water Mangrove as they have grown slightly and are easier to identify.
Summary The monitoring transect of vegetation at this upstream end of the Durack Pool was more stressed than the other transects, but still maintains a solid structure at the macro level with the transect photo similar to all previous years. There was, however, noticeable stress on many of the whitewood plants in this transect; with fifteen plants lost across all segments, and these are generally small but established woody plants, some more than a metre high. This transect shows more stress than the two further down the stream. The damage could be a result of grazing and damage from animal passage, but the true cause is difficult to identify. There were no animals in the area when it was sampled. The permanently marked bank stability site is located adjacent to this vegetation site.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 19
Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam – Pictures
2014 Photographic Records 2015 Photographic Records
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site have been plotted for the nine years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the transect and extends beyond the core five metre monitoring width. All species have been plotted for each year of recording. Fresh Water Mangrove and Whitewood are both very prominent at this site, the Whitewood on the upper bank and the Mangrove on the slopes of the levee.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 20
Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
Whitewood is the dominant species in this segment and these have suffered from hot dry seasons and grazing by cattle, resulting in broken plants that then appear more prone to the hot part of the dry season. All Acacia plants that have been recorded have been small seedlings. Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 2
Apart from the regular small fluctuation in Acacia seedlings the major change has been increasing numbers of Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 21
Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 3
Apart from the Fresh Water Mangrove all species maintained relatively constant numbers. Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings increased in 2010, after the wet season of 2009/2010. Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 4
Apart from the Fresh Water Mangrove all species maintained relatively constant numbers. Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings increased in 2010, after the wet season of 2009/2010.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 22
Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 5
The one large Cadjeput tree has been very stable throughout the sampling period.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 23
Monitoring Bank Stability It is a requirement of its water licence that LSB must ensure banks of Uralla Creek are stable with no collapse. With a higher spillway and closure of the gates at the new floodway water levels will be stored to a higher level during the early part of the dry season than has previously been the case. These levels will be maintained at higher levels than has been the case until the cease to flow level of 38.6M AHD is reached by the declining Durack Pool. The approved 2015 Operating Strategy requires LSB to establish photographic monitoring sites: 1. above the upstream pump site, and 2. above the channel offtake, by October 2015 to monitor bank structure and stability. Photographs should then be taken in September/October each year to ensure the bank does not show evidence of collapsing as water levels vary. Two monitoring sites were established in October 2015, one (above the upstream pump site) with fixed stell pickets as markers and the other (above the channel offtake) with significant trees marked with fluorescent tape as no steel pickets were available for that site. Both sites have been recorded photographically and the results are presented below.
Site 1: Above the upstream pump site A line of steel pickets has been established upstream of the Pivot 1 and 4 pump site, parallel to the top of the bank as illustrated below. All pickets were marked with fluorescent paint and tape. This will need regular replacement.
Durack Pool Water Level
15M 20M 15M 10M Photo Point 5M
Top of Bank Pump Station
Steel Picket
Baseline photographs are shown below. They confirm the site has a steep slope into the water but is stable and well grassed at the time the baseline is established.
These baseline photos will be the standard for judgement of any damage to the banks at the two sites.
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 24
Record Label Peg Markings
Upstream Bank Monitoring Site - Stable Bank at Monitoring Site - Stable
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 25
Site 2: Above the channel offtake The second site is located just above the new floodway and is characterised by large Cadjeput trees lining the upper bank with the soil below covered by fallen leaves late in the dry season. The trees were marked with fluorescent tape and photographs taken looking upstream from a significant tree near to the new floodway. Steel pickets will be installed next year when they are available. The photos give a solid baseline for the status of the banks.
Downstream Bank Monitoring Site - Stable
Downstream Bank Monitoring Site – Marked Cadjeput Trees
LSB Riparian Vegetation Report 2015 Page 26
Irrigation on Pivot 1 and
Irrigation, Crop Production and Water Management
Annual Report of 2016 Activities Submitted February 2017
CONTENTS
PROGRESS REPORT IRRIGATION, CROP PRODUCTION AND WATER MANAGEMENT ...... 1
SAMPLING AND REPORTING SCHEDULE ...... 1
2016 CROPPING ...... 1
DEPARTMENT OF WATER OVERSIGHT OF ACTIVITIES ...... 1
REPORT OUTCOMES ...... 1
CROP PRODUCTION ...... 1 WATER USE ...... 5 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ...... 7
WATER QUANTITY ...... 8
Fitzroy Barrage ...... 8
Durack Pool ...... 8
Liveringa Pool...... 10
DURACK POOL WATER QUALITY ...... 10
Temperature ...... 11
Dissolved Oxygen ...... 11
pH ...... 12
Electrical Conductivity/Salinity ...... 13
Nitrogen ...... 14
Phosphorus ...... 14
RIPARIAN VEGETATION ...... 16
FISH COMMUNITIES ...... 16
LOCAL CULTURE ...... 17
REPORTING ...... 17
POTENTIAL TO VARY ESTABLISHED CEASE TO PUMP STANDARDS ...... 18 QUERIES ...... 18
PROGRESS REPORT IRRIGATION, CROP PRODUCTION AND WATER MANAGEMENT
As from 2007 to 2016 this report addresses the requirements established by Liveringa Station Beef’s (LSB) licence to take water. This report is submitted by Liveringa Station Beef (LSB) and Hancock Prospecting PL, to meet the conditions established by the Water Licence and recorded in the 2015 Operating Strategy. The Licence has been extended to 2025, with a new ten year licence period under Instrument Number SWL156377 (3), and its associated conditions.
This is the second report to be submitted under the ownership of Liveringa Station Beef by Hancock Prospecting PL.
SAMPLING AND REPORTING SCHEDULE
Samples and measurements are taken regularly under the conditions outlined in the Operating Strategy and the main report is submitted annually with exception reports expected if any unforeseen circumstances are observed.
Sampling continued regularly during the 2016 season with the key personnel being the Cropping and Operations Manager Barry Chapman for water and crop sampling and recording, Dr Doug McGhie for the annual vegetation recording, and Dr David Morgan for the fish health surveys. The ongoing vegetation and fish surveys were completed late in the 2016 dry season. A new fish survey was completed while the floodway gates were closed. This consolidated report has been prepared by Dr McGhie.
Laboratory analyses of frozen water samples were completed at the end of the year, with the samples being kept frozen until then. Results are reported for the months from April to November 2015.
2016 CROPPING
Decisions on the annual cropping schedule are based on the availability of water before and during the season, so recording and reporting of water quantity and quality is critical to all involved in managing the system and environment. The 2015/16 Wet Season was relatively poor but it came at a time when the floodway had been constructed and was operational. Consequently it was possible to extend the season beyond what would have been possible without the floodway storage in Durack Pool. Once again in 2016 there was a focus on production with the Inkata Pivot 3 sown to (with approval) and the Pivot 2 producing . Pivot 1 on the freehold area was used to produce .
In the 2016 season, irrigation continued until early November on Pivot 1 and, to a minor degree, Pivot 3. Pivot 2 was only irrigated until late August because of the shortage of water in Durack Pool, even with the benefit of the storage behind the floodway. Irrigation currently stops at all pump stations at the cease to take level (37.0m AHD) as stipulated in the Operating Strategy.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER OVERSIGHT OF ACTIVITIES
Department of Water representatives Mr Garry Humphreys and Ms Karis Tingey visited Liveringa in 2016, spending a day at the station with Station Manager Jed O’Brien and Cropping Manager Barry Chapman. They visited all sites of interest, noting particularly the new floodway that still had the gates closed at the time of the visit. The gates were opened later than anticipated in 2016 because of slower than expected contract negotiations between Hancock Prospecting and Murdoch University.
REPORT OUTCOMES
This annual report, along with the associated vegetation survey and fish health reports, continues to demonstrate that the natural environment within which the cropping activity is located remains stable and of a high quality. Occasional
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peaks of nutrient levels have been identified in this report. There have been no biological indications (algal blooms, fish kills) of declining water quality resulting from irrigation or cropping activities.
Durack Pool is a significant pool and storage under the present cropping regime. Water quantity (availability) diminishes slowly during the season with quality generally remaining high all of the time, illustrated once again in 2016 by salinity measurements that always maintain drinking water quality1. The final laboratory measurement was greater than 500 μS/cm (340mg/L) but still well below 500 mg/L.
Some spikes in nutrient content of the Durack Pool water were observed during 2016 but the following months generally returned to lower levels. Nutrient spikes in the laboratory samples for 2016 were not as high as observed in 2015.
Dr Morgan’s comments confirm the importance and the health of the Uralla Creek system to the local fish population. His 2016 survey was completed under low water levels and as has previously been observed sampling at lower levels demonstrates the challenge of this condition for some species of fish. The 2016 dry season was the first of three consecutive years in which fish must be sampled above and below the floodway while the gates are closed. It is anticipated that the survey will be earlier in the season, closer to two weeks after closure, in subsequent years.
The greater depth of Durack Pool at the upstream pump station and the potential for abstraction of water to a greater depth at that site is the subject of a proposal to modify the cease to take level that will be considered by the Department of Water, during the 2017 Dry Season.
This report has been prepared for Liveringa Station Beef by Dr Doug McGhie using data provided by Mr Barry Chapman, Cropping Manager at Liveringa Station, by SGS Analytical Services and collected by the author.
Dr Doug McGhie Managing Director Science Matters Pty Ltd 16 February 2017
1 Department of Health, Govt. of South Australia. (2008) Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG): “based on taste, TDS in drinking water should not exceed 500 mg/L” although “water with a TDS content of up to 1000 mg/L is acceptable to many”, water will become increasingly undrinkable in the 1000-2000 mg/L range.
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CROP PRODUCTION
Three pivots were sown to crop in the 2016 dry season, the third time this has been possible since the original licence was granted.
was planted in April with on Pivot 1. Irrigation of Pivot 1 began in April 2016 and continued until November4th, 2016 when 37.0M AHD was reached at the Durack Pool channel offtake site. The on Pivot 1 was harvested on in March (wet season regrowth), June, August and October 2016, with a total harvest of from pivot. Crop inputs and the seasonal production from Pivot 1 are shown in the following table. Apart from fertiliser this crop was grown with minimal chemical inputs.
Pivot 1 – CHEMICALS Date of application Yield Brew Rate L/ha Nil Nil
FERTILISER Date of application Compound Rate Kg/ha April May Every 21 days
SEED Date of sowing Rate Kg/ha
21st March
PRODUCTION Date of harvest Yield Total March June August October Total Yield
Irrigating Pivot 1, September 2016
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Pivot 2 was sown in April with irrigation commencing in April and ceasing with the last harvest in early August. This demonstrates how the cropping program must respond to the availability of water for irrigation. Crop inputs are shown in the table below. The crop was successfully harvested twice .
Pivot 2 –
CHEMICALS Date of application Yield Brew Rate L/ha Mid-April Mid-April July/August
FERTILISER Date of application Compound Rate Kg/ha April June Every 21 days
SEED Date of Machine Rate Kg/ha sowing 19th April
25th March
PRODUCTION Date of harvest 20TH May 24th July 3rd August
Total Yield
Inputs included weed and pest control as well as fertiliser (a mix of various products containing N, P and K) that was banded at seeding, broadcast after the first cut, and then supplied through the pivot on a three weekly cycle. .
Irrigating Ready for Harvest (Aug 17) Harvester
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Unloading Compressing
Pivot 2 was
Irrigating the New Crop June 2016 Irrigating after a Cut
Irrigating After a Cut Cutting Wrapping
Pivot 3 was at the beginning of the 2016 dry season to establish to stabilise Pivot 3 as it had mainly been cropped annually . Inputs included , along with
on Pivot 3 was during the 2016 dry season with irrigation ceasing in October. Inputs and yields are shown in the following table.
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Pivot 3 –
CHEMICALS Date of application Yield Brew Rate L/ha
Mid-April
Mid-April July/August
FERTILISER Date of application Compound Rate Kg/ha
April
June
Every 21 days Every 6 weeks Last application of fertilizer early October
SEED Date of Machine Rate Kg/ha sowing 10th April
PRODUCTION Date of harvest 26TH June 15th August 30th September Total Yield
Pivot 3, 2016
The importance of irrigated cropping on Liveringa is confirmed again in 2016 by the production of high quality cattle feed.
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WATER USE
With another relatively dry wet season in 2015/16 there was a very limited storage of water behind the levy banks/elevated station roads on the flat area near Blina Creek. The addition of the storage behind the closed floodway was critical to crop production.
The floodway is illustrated in the following pictures.
Floodway Construction Floodway Gates Closed but Dry Floodway Gates Closing
Uralla Creek fell to the cease to flow level (38.6 M AHD) in early August 2016 and the level declined slowly over the rest of the dry season.
Pump records show the following irrigation was applied through three pumps across the season from January to November 2016. Water was available in Durack Pool until early November 2016 when irrigation was concluded.
Water use on each of the pivots across the whole irrigation season is shown in the following table.
Pivot Hours L/sec Total L Total GL Pivot 1 Pivot 2 Pivot 3 Total
All of the pumps are set to deliver , and this figure has been used with pump hours to accurately calculate the water used. Historical water use is shown below.
Year ML from Pump Hours
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
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2016
In spite of the poor wet season total irrigation water use was for the just the third time with three pivots under irrigation during the dry season. This confirmed the value of the floodway and its closure. Given the restricted river flows in the 2015/16 wet season, the seasonal crop irrigation was effective with three pivots planted and irrigated while water was relatively abundant early in the dry season and Pivot 1 irrigated towards the end of the dry season. Pivot 3 was sprinkled late in the dry season to keep alive into the wet season.
As explained each year, water use will always be affected by the time of planting, as influenced by rain, river flows, soil conditions and staff availability. Later plantings will always lead to lower water use as water availability is decreasing as the demand increases with the age and stage of the crop. Water that is available for irrigation late in the season is extremely valuable!
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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Table 5 in the previous operating strategy provided a summary of scheduled environmental reporting commitments for the project and we have recorded a summary of the activities against these requirements in the following table. Activity Summary 2015 Value Location Measurement Action Summary Water Quantity Fitzroy Barrage Depth over barrage sill Diversion at Barrage now ceases at stage 10.30 m, with the installation of the elevated sill in 2008. Sill repaired during 2010, still in good condition Uralla Creek Floodway Depth of water above and below floodway Gauge boards replaced late 2012, DoW gauge boards installed during Pump motor hours converted to water volume 2013 as the new standard from 2014 onwards; abstracted Floodway now installed; Gauge boards to be installed below floodway in 2017; Pump hours for 2016 recorded, converted into volume (ML); Total volume submitted in February 2017. Liveringa Pool Liveringa pool water level to be recorded weekly Monthly records no longer recorded as the pool maintained depth during the dry season. above cease to take limit throughout the season Water Quality Uralla Creek Floodway Parameters listed in operating strategy, measured Samples taken during dry season of 2015 – results reported herein. using on site meter or samples sent to Perth Riparian Uralla Creek at 2 sites above and 1 Use pastoral monitoring techniques to record Three sites were monitored in late September 2016; Vegetation site below floodway/channel offtake. vegetation health, including a photographic Few changes recorded; record. Sites generally maintaining their health. Fish Uralla Creek, above and below Annual monitoring in conjunction with Murdoch Sampling completed in 2016 by Dr Morgan; Communities floodway University using local TO and Looma assistance. Report provided by Dr Morgan; Sampling in Durack Pool demonstrates health of the Uralla Creek system; Liveringa Pool Simplified annual monitoring in conjunction with Sampling completed in 2015 by Dr Morgan; Murdoch University using local TO and Looma Report provided by Dr Morgan; assistance. Sampling in Liveringa Pool demonstrates health of the Uralla Creek system; Local Culture On site meetings developing from Particular criteria have been established in the No on-site meeting with the local TOs in 2016, however, Station signed MOU towards a coexistence MOU, including considerations of TO heritage and Manager and Cropping Manager are in regular contact with local TOs; Agreement. cultural protection, environment and land access.
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WATER QUANTITY
There are several locations at which commitments have been made by LSB to manage water flows or quantity.
FITZROY BARRAGE
The permanent concrete sill continues to operate at the Fitzroy Barrage and was repaired during 2010. The concreted batters on the Durack Creek flume at the barrage were repaired during 2011 and the structure was in good shape at the end of the 2016 dry season. Further repairs will be made as required
Elevated Concrete Sill at Barrage – 2010 repair – September 2016
DURACK POOL
The DoW gauging board at the channel offtake was used for the measurements in Durack Pool for the 2016 irrigation season. The accepted cease to flow level is 38.6M AHD and the cease to pump level is 37.0M AHD.
Three pivots (1, 2 and 3) were irrigated in the 2016 dry season with the extraction of water from the pool in the licence period. In all of crop was irrigated. Water use is higher than in many previous seasons, but the season was still constrained by a lack of water for irrigation.
The following graph shows the fall in water levels in Durack Pool through the 2016 dry season. The floodway gates were closed on February 26th, 2016 when the water level at the barrage was RL 10.6M, and the height at the floodway as 38.8M AHD. With the gates closed and Uralla Creek continuing to flow the pool rose to a peak of 39.55M AHD in March 2016, this not overtopping the floodway so storage was not maximised at any time in the dry season. Subsequently the
LSB Annual Report Page 8
pool dropped to its “full” or cease to flow level around 38.6 M AHD in August 2016, and continued to fall towards 37.0 M AHD in early November (4th) , when all pumping and irrigation ceased.
Water Levels Durack Pool 2016 (M AHD)
Water levels were also recorded at the Barrage, using the Department of Water’s River Monitoring site (http://kumina.water.wa.gov.au/waterinformation/wir/reports/publish/802003/tel.htm) to ensure the gates on the floodway could be closed in accordance with the operating strategy (RL 10.8M). In fact the gates were closed when the level was lower than that allowed (RL 10.6M).and while water levels at the Barrage crept back to nearly RL 10.9M after the gates were closed, thereby meeting the closure criteria again Height at Barrage from DoW River Monitoring Site
Despite meeting the closure criteria briefly, the floodway never overtopped and storage never reached its capacity,
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Floodway Near Full
LIVERINGA POOL
Liveringa Pool depths were not recorded but occasional observations confirmed that it maintained a level near the tree line. The pool was observed to be well filled in late September 2016 as shown below.
Liveringa Pool - late September 2016
DURACK POOL WATER QUALITY
LSB takes on-site measurements of temperature, pH and salinity (electrical conductivity) with its portable equipment. Samples are taken near the sites established in 2007 on the northern bank of the pool above and below the channel offtake. Bottled samples are taken and frozen for a later and wider ranging laboratory analysis.
Under the new operating strategy the required laboratory analyses are pH, EC, Total P and Total N. However, some other conventional analyses were completed and are reported here.
These analyses show higher nitrogen and phosphorus readings than previously reported, with the October 2015 total nitrogen figures considerably higher than previously recorded. Previous year’s graphs of these have been included for comparison as 2013 was the first year when Pivot 1 operated at the new upstream site.
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Temperature, pH and conductivity measurements are similar to previous years, with similar seasonal variations.
TEMPERATURE
Field measurements of temperature show the expected lows mid-year with temperatures rising again through September and October 2016.
Temperature (oC) Durack Pool 2016
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Dissolved oxygen no longer has to be measured but there are standards established over many previous years. There was one field measurement taken by Dr Morgan at the time of fish sampling. The readings reported by Dr Morgan (Liveringa Pool 1.2 ppm, Durack Pool 3.5 ppm) are lower than found in all previous years.
Site Year Dissolved Oxygen (%) Dissolved oxygen (ppm)
Durack Pool 2008 90.8 6.61
2009 67.9 4.93
2010 53.0 3.73
2012 80.9 5.93
2013 65.1 4.62
2014 78.1 6.11
2015 52.6 3.70
2016 43.5 3.5
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Site Year Dissolved Oxygen (%) Dissolved oxygen (ppm)
Liveringa Pool 2008 85.9 6.38
2009 65.5 4.61
2010 54.6 3.92
2012 90.1 6.70
2013 27.3 2.05
2014 70.5 5.48
2015 64.3 4.60
PH
Field measurements of pH showed similar variations to previous years, mostly within the range of pH 6.7 and 7.2, but with marginally higher field readings at the upstream pump station in May 2016. All field readings are considerably lower than the pH in water laboratory measures due to the different measurement techniques.
Field pH Durack Pool (2016)
Laboratory analysis found that pH in Durack Pool varied from around pH 8.0 to pH 8.4 at both sites throughout the dry season. These readings match those from previous years. An anomalous reading was recorded at the channel in November 2016. Discussions with the Cropping Manager suggested there were no chemical spills or other explanations for this.
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Laboratory Samples pH 2015, both sites
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY/SALINITY
The electrical conductivity (salinity) in Durack Pool as measured in the field increased with evaporation (concentration) as the dry season progressed, from less than100 mg/L (ppm), early in the season, to about 250 mg/L in August. All of the readings from field and laboratory analysis were of drinking water quality and there was no evidence of deteriorating water quality, a similar result to that observed from 2006 to 2015. Field Salinity, Durack Pool (2016)
The laboratory measurements (in µS/cm) are similar to the field measurements (ppm), allowing for the conversion between units (see below), all well within drinking water quality ranges, but there was an anomalous peak in November 2016 at the channel crossing site (still drinking water quality). Water appears fresher at the downstream site (Pivot 3) in this year with no impact of Blina Creek storage or flows.
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Stored Sample Conductivity (µS/cm)
(Note units X mg/L = 0.64*X µS/cm)
NITROGEN
Total nitrogen (mg/L) in 2016 was lower than found in 2015 and tended to increase until September for both sampling points in Durack Pool when there was a spike at the upstream site. This returned to more normal levels over the subsequent months but there was another spike at the upstream site in early November, the final sample for the year. No spillages were reported at either site. Total Nitrogen 2016
Ammonia N had been measured up until 2015 but under the revised Operating Strategy is no longer required.
PHOSPHORUS
Filterable reactive Phosphorus (FRP) was measured up until 2015 but is no longer required.
Total phosphorus (mg/L) in 2016 varied between 0.09 and 0.20 mg/L, more like the readings from most prior years and well below the record levels from 2015.
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Total Phosphorus 2016 (mg/L)
These readings well matched those from most past years.
Discussions with the Cropping Manager have confirmed that no spills were reported. Comparisons of the 2015 results with the submitted triggers are shown in the following table. Some of the upper readings are higher than triggers and previous readings. While the levels measured have sometimes been above the standards that have been established elsewhere the health of the water body and the safety of the irrigation practices have been confirmed each year by the response of the riparian vegetation and the health of fish in the water. Fish appear to respond more to low water levels and there have been some fish deaths observed at other sites on the Fitzroy following major inflows of water leading to a depletion of oxygen at the site (most recently Geikie Gorge).
A more complete set of frozen samples is required for laboratory analysis to better track any changes in nutrient levels in the pool in the dry season, especially some very early in the dry, as crops are established or carried over from past seasons.
As recommended for 2015 it would be advantageous to see the monthly frozen samples collected to that time be analysed in June, September and December/January so a more complete and timely picture of nutrient levels can be determined and reported as soon as results are available. However, the single analysis has merits as the total number of samples is small.
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Water Quality Triggers
Physical and Chemical Indicator Default Laboratory Actuals Field Actuals 2016 Trigger 2016 Total Phosphorus (µg P L-1) 10 9 - 200 Total Nitrogen (µg N L-1) 200 – 300 150 - 1200 Salinity (EC) (µS/cm or mg/L) 88 - 530 (µS/cm) 62 – 138 mg/L Temperature 13.6 to 29.0oC Dissolved Oxygen (% Saturation) (lower limit) 85 not measured (see fish report) pH (Lower Limit) 6.0 – 8.0 8.0 to 9.0 6.84 – 9.14 (7.71) These figures continue to contribute to the development of standards for Durack Pool.
Highlights from the above table include the freshness of the water, and the higher temperature observed in November as this is the first time any cropping has extended to early that month. The peak readings in 2016 exceed the default triggers that have been adopted from the literature for phosphorus and nitrogen but no ill effects have yet been observed in the environment (water, vegetation or fish).
RIPARIAN VEGETATION
All three sites were monitored in late September 2016 using the 2007 manual as the basis.
A copy of the vegetation report is included as a separate item.
FISH COMMUNITIES
Dr David Morgan from Murdoch University was able to complete the full fish monitoring program in both Durack and Liveringa Pools in 2016, including the first of three years of monitoring above and below the closed floodway. In a previous report Morgan noted that the fish communities vary with the water levels across the years. Drier years, with lower water levels in Durack Pool, have supported lower numbers of some species and are different from wetter years, with higher water levels.
In 2016 he found unusually low water levels but this resulted in a particularly high capture in both pools.
Morgan has noted that it appears that the drawdown of water from Uralla Creek at its current level is sustainable, but it is likely to play a role in the faunal composition of Durack Pool when water levels become very low, such as during 2016, thereby increasing predation from piscivores and also reptiles. Water levels in Durack Pool decrease each year as a consequence of irrigation, seepage and evaporation.
This year (2016) provides the first indication of changes that may be experienced in Durack Pool with the operation of the floodway, and monitoring of its impact on fish populations is recognised to be most important.
Morgan considered that the high numbers of predatory fish and reptiles in the system are suggestive of a large biomass of prey. This was certainly true for the late dry of 2016 when the density of fish captured via seines was considerably higher than at all other times of the study. Water levels during 2016were at the lowest they had been at any other point in the study, both as a consequence of an extremely dry wet season of 2015/2016, but also due to water extraction and as a consequence of evaporation.
He noted that while the flood gates are likely to act as a barrier to migrating fish, the fauna in these pools appear to be able to withstand or rapidly recover from most perturbations imposed by the natural seasonal drying of the habitat and the exacerbated drying caused by water extraction. The impacts to migratory fishes and their pathways are currently unknown, but like fish communities elsewhere that become trapped below barriers, increased mortality by predation is likely to occur.
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LOCAL CULTURE
LSB remains committed to the support and maintenance of local culture and various beneficial forms of collaboration, as demonstrated by their support of the December 2005 MOU.
There was no on site meeting in 2016 but Station and Cropping Managers met occasionally with representatives of the Nyikina Mangala traditional owner group. While it is not a condition of the licence the Department of Water encourages regular interaction between LSB and the Traditional Owners and has suggested to the KLC that the TOs request copies of LSB’s reports.
REPORTING
We now have another full season’s irrigation activity with three pivots operating for much of the dry season. The fourth did not operate in season 2016 because of the water shortage and so was not installed. LSB maintains sufficiently regular contact with the Department’s Kununurra office to ensure awareness of progress with the project. Once again there have been several meetings and regular communication between LSB and DoW staff over the last 12 months.
This report reflects the additional requirements that result from the installation and operation of the new floodway.
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POTENTIAL TO VARY ESTABLISHED CEASE TO PUMP STANDARDS
What was again evident during the 2016 season as water levels fell at the Inkata offtake channel was that Durack Pool at the Pivot 1 pump site is far deeper than near the Inkata site. As a result of this a survey of Durack Pool was commissioned and a submission is being prepared to request access to some water to greater depth. This will be submitted to the Department of Water on completion
QUERIES
Should there be any queries on this report please contact Dr Doug McGhie using established contact details.
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FISHES OF SNAKE (URALLA) CREEK, FITZROY RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
2016
Fishes of Snake (Uralla) Creek, Fitzroy River, Western Australia 2016
Report to Liveringa Station Beef, February 2017
Prepared by DL Morgan Freshwater Fish Group & Fish Health Unit Centre or Fish & Fisheries Research Murdoch University South St, Murdoch, Western Australia
Email: [email protected]
Acknowledgements Special thanks to thank Doug McGhie (Liveringa) for assisting with the project and to the Nyikina-Mangala Rangers for help with the fieldwork, in particular, thanks to JR Albert, Cyril Watson and Nathan Green and to Brad Norman and Karissa Lear for help with field sampling.
Summary
As a part of the water allocation process to Liveringa Station Beef, as set out in their agreement with the Department of Water, Government of Western Australia (see Liveringa Station Beef Pty Ltd Operating Strategy 2015), annual monitoring of the fish fauna of Uralla (Snake) Creek is required during the late dry season, when water levels are historically low. Further monitoring is also required during the time when the flood gates, which were recently installed at the downstream end of Durack Pool, are closed. Sampling of the fishes in Uralla Creek, which is commonly referred to as Snake Creek, in the Fitzroy River catchment of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, was also previously undertaken during October 2008, in early November in 2009 and 2010, in October 2012 and 2013, in late September 2014 and in October 2015 to fulfil the requirements of the water licensing placed on Liveringa Station Beef by the Department of Water, Government of Western Australia. Historically, fish surveys were conducted in Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool. During 2016, sampling was again undertaken in Liveringa Pool and in Durack Pool during October. In August 2016, fish sampling occurred above and below the flood gates to determine the differences in fishes upstream and downstream of the gates. Fish catches were compared between two major pools of Uralla Creek, i.e. Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool. The fish fauna within Uralla Creek was surveyed using a variety of methods including seine nets, fyke nets and gill nets, although fyke netting was discontinued in 2009 as catches using this method were often compromised by Freshwater Crocodiles. Additionally, fish captured in fyke nets may be predated on by other fishes, thereby underestimating catches. In 2014 and October 2016 crocodiles were extremely active and catches were considered too high to use gill nets, amid mortality of netted fish occurring and safety concerns for the handlers. Fish captured in seine nets were compared between night and day, both within and between the sites, which allows for the capture of nocturnal species. In general, the fish fauna varied between years and pools to some extent, although sampling effort was almost identical. Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM; PRIMER) revealed that there were significant differences in the fish fauna captured in each pool between most years with a few exceptions (see Table 2). There was no significant difference between the fishes captured in 2008 and 2009 in Durack Pool or in 2008 and 2009 in Liveringa Pool. There was also no significant difference in the fishes captured in Liveringa Pool in 2008 and 2012, or within Durack Pool in 2014 and 2012 and again between in 2010 and 2015. Sampling revealed that in all other years, the fauna within and between pools was significantly different (Table 4). In total, 3366 fish were captured in Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool during 2008, with 1987 fish captured in Durack Pool and 1379 captured in Liveringa Pool. Additionally, 457 and 66 cherabin were captured in these sites, respectively. Results during 2009 were very similar, with a total of 3692 fish captured, i.e. 2327 fish captured in Durack Pool, and 1365 captured in Liveringa Pool. Although a similar number of fish was recorded in 2010 in Durack Pool (i.e. 2100), catches in Liveringa Pool were considerably lower (n = 538), and this was potentially the result of an early flood event that diluted the fauna. During 2012, 1540 fish were captured in Durack Pool, and 1682 were captured in Liveringa Pool, at a time when water levels were substantially less than in previous years. During low water levels in the study, 2013, we found 1661 fish in Durack Pool and 2645 in Liveringa Pool. In 2014, Liveringa Pool had again been flooded, which may have led to a dilution effect on our catches, with only 737 fish captured, while only 460 fish were captured in Durack Pool. Water levels were low during 2015, resulting from a poor wet season. Although some 2336 fish were captured in Durack Pool, only 936 were captured in Liveringa Pool. We also
recorded the lowest diversity (total number of species) in Liveringa Pool in 2015 compared to all other years, while diversity was second lowest on record for Durack Pool. During 2016, when water levels were lower than that recorded in 2015, we captured 3933 fish from 13 species in Liveringa Pool in seine nets in October, compared to 3455 fish from 11 species in Durack Pool; which was more than double of most previous years sampling events. Comparing the fish fauna above and below the flood gates during August 2016, at a time when flow had ceased, similar seine netting effort recorded only 581 fish from 12 species downstream of the gates, compared to 2962 fish from 9 species upstream of the gates. Gill netting captured 12 Barramundi/hour downstream of the flood gates, and 5 Barramundi/hour upstream of the flood gates. The density of Freshwater Crocodiles/100 m of creek, as determined by hourly eye shine counts during the evening was a maximum of 9 downstream of the flood gates to 44 upstream of the floodgates. This compared to a maximum of 82 Freshwater Crocodiles/100 m of creek observed upstream of the flood gates during the October 2016 sampling event, with a maximum of 36/100 m of creek in Liveringa Pool. ANOVA suggested that a significantly lower number of fish were captured downstream of the flood gates compared to upstream of the gates. The high numbers of predatory fish and reptiles in the system are suggestive of a large biomass of prey. This is certainly true for the late dry of 2016 when the density of fish captured via seines was considerably higher than at all other times of the study. Water levels were the lowest that they had been during 2016 than at any other point in the study, both as a consequence of an extremely dry wet season of 2015/2016, but also due to water extraction and evaporation. While the flood gates are likely to act as a barrier to migrating fish, the fauna in Uralla Creek appear to be able to withstand or rapidly recover from most perturbations imposed by the natural seasonal drying of the habitat and the exacerbated drying caused by water extraction at the current level. The impacts to migratory fishes and their pathways are currently unknown, but like fish communities elsewhere that become trapped below barriers, increased mortality by predation is likely to occur. The impact of the disruption to migratory routes of the various species needs to be examined. The huge increase in relative abundance of fishes captured using seine nets in 2016 was likely to be due to the water levels being extremely low, which increased their catchability. However, lower water levels are also likely to lead to increased competition and predation. Competition for food resources as well as habitat is known to increase in the Fitzroy River main channel during the dry season (Thorburn et al 2014). To further examine the fishes of Uralla Creek and how the structural and functional integrity of the fauna is maintained during the annual drying and flooding, with additional pressures of water extraction, a food web study should be conducted. Examinations into the spawning periods of most species in the Fitzroy River have not been examinated, and would allow further explanations of the impact of barriers and water extraction to be determined; noting that a suite of species spawn and recruit in the late dry season in Uralla Creek. Further, the impediment to migratory routes around or through the floodway gates should be examined via tagging studies.
Pictured (inset): Mouthbrooding by the Mouth Almighty (Glossamia aprion), photographed at Uralla Creek, October 2016
Introduction
Fishes found in freshwater habitats may be potamodromous (where they migrate wholly within freshwaters for reproductive purposes), diadromous (whereby only part of their life- cycle involves spending time in freshwaters), marine migrants (that spawn at sea and enter estuaries and freshwaters in large numbers as juveniles) or marine or estuarine vagrants that wander in from estuaries or marine environments but do not rely on freshwaters. Diadromous fishes can be further categorised as catadromous (where adults breed in the sea and the juveniles migrate into freshwater nurseries) or anadromous (which describes those fishes that have an adult phase that breeds in freshwaters and a juvenile stage that is marine). An example of a semi-catadromous fish is the Barramundi, which may or may not enter freshwaters as a juvenile following hatching in estuaries. Another group of fish that utilise freshwater habitats as juveniles includes a number of euryhaline elasmobranchs, such as Bull Sharks and Freshwater Sawfish (Morgan et al. 2014). Thus, maintaining freshwater migratory pathways can be vital in maintaining the integrity of certain fish communities and in the case of economic and endangered species. The Fitzroy River in Western Australia’s Kimberley region has a catchment of almost 100,000 km2 and a comparatively high diversity of fishes for the region, due to the high number of diadromous fishes that utilise the system as well as a large suite of obligate freshwater fishes (Morgan et al. 2004, 2011). The first study of the Fitzroy River that published distributional data relating to the fish fauna was from that of Morgan et al. (2002, 2004). These studies also represent the only overviews of the fishes of the Fitzroy River, and contained a contribution from Durack Pool in Uralla Creek (Snake Creek). In these studies, Snake Creek was found to contain 17 species of fish, and was one of the most diverse sites sampled in the survey of 70 sites across the catchment. The Fitzroy River is known to be one of the most diverse systems in Western Australia in terms of freshwater fish species (Morgan et al. 2011). A total of 23 species are known from the system, with two species essentially being endemic to the Fitzroy River catchment (Morgan et al. 2004). A further 14+ species of fish of marine or estuarine origin (i.e. breed in estuary or marine environment) utilise the river as a nursery, and this includes large species such as Barramundi (Lates calcarifer), Freshwater Sawfish (Pristis pristis) and smaller species such as mullet (see Morgan et al. 2004, 2014, Thorburn et al. 2007). Further, there are pronounced (significant) differences in the fish fauna associated with the different broad habitats of the river (e.g. tributaries, billabongs, headwaters, lower main channel, middle and upper main channel) (Morgan et al. 2004). Thus, the fauna of Uralla Creek is unique compared to other habitat types in the Fitzroy River catchment, but its channel has previously been modified and its upstream confluence with the Fitzroy River main stem concreted and modified to divert water down its length from behind the Barrage, while a newly installed flood gate system operated for the first time during 2016. Specifically, Uralla Creek is a floodplain system that floods naturally and is supplied by water diverted from the main channel from the Camballin Barrage. This water resource is utilised by Liveringa Station Beef for growing feed that supports the livestock industry. As part of the water allocation process to Liveringa, as set out in their agreement with the Department of Water, Government of Western Australia, annual monitoring of the fish fauna of Uralla Creek is required. Here, a report of the fish fauna captured during an extremely dry year is reported, and the fish fauna around the newly constructed flood gate system was assessed.
Methods
Interannual variation in fishes of Snake Creek During October 2016, the fish fauna of Liveringa Pool and Durack Pool was examined using seine netting, and was compared to previous sampling events in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The seine net was 26 m long net consisting of a 10 m pocket of 3 mm woven mesh and two 8 m wings of 6 mm mesh that fished to a depth of 1.5 m. In previous years gill netting, fyke netting, electrofishing, hand line and visual surveys (including spot- lighting) have also been used. Similar methods (seine netting) were employed at two main channel Fitzroy River sites, i.e. Myroodah Crossing and in a large pool ~1.5 km downstream of the Barrage in previous years. The gill netting usually comprised three replicate samples (15 minutes each during daylight hours) set from the bank and were kept to a minimum (short duration) due to the extremely high abundance of Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus jonstoni) in Snake Creek (see results). The seine netting comprised a minimum of three night replicates and three day replicates at each site; nocturnal effort designed to account for species that remain hidden during daylight hours. The seine net was deployed from a boat and sampled an area of ~108 m2. Note that no flow was recorded during this period.
Seine netting Durack Pool, October 2016
In order to assess population demographics of each species at the different sites, a subsample of all fish (maximum of 100 individuals) captured were measured for total length (TL) to the nearest 1 mm, while the remainder were counted and released at the site of capture. Cherabin (Macrobrachium rosenbergii (spinipes)) were measured for orbital carapace length (OCL) to the nearest 1 mm using vernier callipers.
Croc-watch In order to provide an indication of the approximate relative abundance of Freshwater Crocodiles in the Snake Creek sites and in the main channel sites, the number of eye shines (using a hand-held spotlight) was counted at regular (hourly) intervals from dusk until midnight by a maximum of two observers; a period when the crocodiles move to the waters edge. The mean maximum abundance over a given bank length were estimated (measured using GPS) and presented as number of crocodiles per 100 m of bank. Similar methodologies have previously been used in Western Australia (e.g. Webb G. Pty Ltd 1989, CALM 2003).
Freshwater Crocodile eye-shines on the banks of Uralla Creek
Fish fauna upstream and downstream of the flood gates During August 2016, the fish fauna in the pool immediately downstream of the flood gates and the site within Durack Pool was examined using seine netting and gill netting, and was compared between sites. The seine net was 26 m long net consisting of a 10 m pocket of 3 mm woven mesh and two 8 m wings of 6 mm mesh that fished to a depth of 1.5 m. The gill netting comprised three replicate samples (15 minutes each during daylight hours) of a 150 mm stretched-mesh net set from the bank and were kept to a minimum (short duration) due to the extremely high abundance of Freshwater Crocodiles present. The seine netting comprised a minimum of three night replicates and three day replicates at each site; nocturnal effort designed to account for species that remain hidden during daylight hours. The seine net was deployed from a boat and sampled an area of ~108 m2. Note that no flow was recorded during this period and the gates were closed.
Downstream of the flood gates on Uralla Creek in August 2016
Analysis of data Comparisons were made between the diversity of species captured using the different methods and the mean number of each individual fish species captured in seines during the day and night were illustrated for each site using SigmaPlot. The individual seine net data were also examined (after being log-transformed) using ANOSIM in the Primer package to test for diurnal and site differences. This package was also used to graphically illustrate the data. Length-frequency histograms were prepared using SigmaPlot for each species whereby sufficient numbers were measured, and comparisons made between site and capture method.
Environmental variables Water quality was measured at each site based on three replicate records of water temperature (oC), conductivity (µS/cm), total dissolved solids (TDS, ppm), dissolved oxygen (% and ppm) and pH. Replicates were then used as the basis for reporting a mean and standard error (SE). Water stage height data was provided by Liveringa Station.
A Freshwater Crocodile captured during seine netting August 2016
An Estuarine Crocodile trap set in Durack Pool by Nyikina-Mangala Rangers in August 2016 after reports of a large crocodile in the pool
Results and Discussion
Water quality and quantity Water levels during October 2016 were the lowest encountered since sampling began in 2008. Water quality parameters were all within the range of previous sampling events, with the exception of dissolved oxygen, which was low in both Liveringa Pool and Durack Pool. Dissolved oxygen levels were higher in August compared to those recorded in October.
Fish species captured during seine netting The number of individual fish captured using standardised-effort seine netting was high at both Liveringa Pool and Durack Pool in October 2016. During 2016, 3933 individual fish from 13 species in Liveringa Pool were captured in seine nets in, compared to 3455 fish from 11 species in Durack Pool; which was more than double of most previous years sampling events. Many species showed signs of recent recruitment and this was the first time since 2010 that Bony Bream, which is a keystone species in the river, was the dominant species caught.
Fish fauna upstream and downstream of the flood gates Comparing the fish fauna above and below the flood gates during August 2016, at a time when flow had ceased, similar seine netting effort recorded only 581 fish from 12 species downstream of the gates, compared to 2962 fish from 9 species upstream of the gates. Although ANOSIM suggested that there was no significant difference in the species captured upstream and downstream of the flood gates, One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that the mean number of fish captured in each seine at each site was significantly lower (p = 0.018) downstream of the flood gates (i.e., 581 vs 2962); while a Two-way ANOVA suggested that there were no significant differences between day catches and night catches. One species that was only recorded below the barrier, was Greenway’s Grunter (Hannia greenwayi), and 32% of these were observed to have ulcers that were likely attributed to Red-spot Disease (or Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome), which is a disease of fish caused by a water mould Aphanomyces invadens and can be related to a number of factors such as sudden changes in water quality/conditions or stress.
Table 1 Summary of water quality readings (standard error in brackets)) in Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool.
Site Temperature Conductivity TDS (ppm) Dissolved Dissolved pH (ºC) (µS/cm) oxygen (%) oxygen (ppm)
Durack 2008 28.8 (0.04) 469.0 (0.29) 478.9 (1.40) 90.8 (1.39) 6.61 (0.35) 7.47 (0.01) Pool 2009 31.8 (0.10) 846.2 (0.29) 586.3 (4.61) 67.9 (0.82) 4.93 (0.01) 6.9 (0.00) 2010 28.5 (0.24) 295.0 (0.11) 174.3 (2.04) 53.0 (4.48) 3.73 (0.21) 7.34 (0.13) 2012 31.1 (0.26) 706.0 (0.81) 409.3 (0.27) 80.9 (1.75) 5.93 (0.46) 8.77 (0.46) 2013 30.2 (0.12) 532.0 (2.41) 313.7 (1.97) 65.1 (1.39) 4.62 (0.42) NA 2014 27.6 (0.20) 260.4 (0.42) 161.4 (0.33) 78.1 (0.93) 6.11 (0.28) 8.11 (0.20) 2015 31.8 (0.70) 183.3 (3.52) 112.7 (7.94) 52.6 (16.23) 3.7 (0.31) 8.89 (0.02) 2016 27.2 (0.39) 187.0 (1.53) 121.8 (1.03) 43.5 (4.95) 3.5 (0.31) 8.80 (0.11) Liveringa 2008 30.3 (0.25) 267.9 (0.15) 172.8 (0.20) 85.9 (1.35) 6.38 (0.05) 7.29 (0.03) Pool 2009 34.0 (0.74) 546.1 (6.67) 401.5 (0.32) 65.5 (13.61) 4.61 (1.03) 6.88 (0.00) 2010 29.5 (0.04) 305.3 (0.99) 187.0 (1.27) 54.6 (2.20) 3.92 (0.10) 7.53 (0.05) 2012 31.5 (0.58) 419.8 (1.61) 242.4 (0.40) 90.1 (2.49) 6.70 (0.63) 8.86 (0.23) 2013 29.1 (1.58) 348.9 (0.10) 210.2 (0.76) 27.3 (1.08) 2.05 (0.29) 7.63 (0.11) 2014 28.1 (0.25) 278.5 (1.10) 170.9 (0.66) 70.5 (1.66) 5.48 (0.46) 7.43 (0.12) 2015 31.7 (0.18) 194.9 (14.78) 112.9 (1.62) 64.3 (4.08) 4.6 (0.35) 8.88 (0.09) 2016 32.0 (0.33) 203.8 (1.67) 116.9 (0.38) 31.3 (7.74) 1.2 (0.46) 9.12 (0.38)
Durack Aug 2016 Pool -Above 22.5 (0.16) 158.2 (0.19) 102.7 (0.00) 62.6 (1.70) 5.4 (0.13) 8.33 (0.14) crossing -Below 21.2 (0.26) 177.3 (0.43) 115.2 (0.22) 60.3 (0.79) 5.6 (0.15) 8.71 (0.12) crossing
Greenway’s Grunter captured downstream of the flood gates in August 2016 showing signs of Red-spot Disease, an indicator of stress
The downstream section of instream barriers often contain a high number of piscivorous predators, and this was reflected in the gill netting which captured 12 Barramundi/hour downstream of the flood gates, and 5 Barramundi/hour upstream of the flood gates. The site was also relatively popular with locals as a fishing location. The density of Freshwater Crocodiles/100 m of creek, as determined by hourly eye shine counts during the evening, which was a maximum of 9 downstream of the flood gates, was 44 upstream of the floodgates. This compared to a maximum of 82 Freshwater Crocodiles/100 m of creek observed upstream of the flood gates during the October 2016 sampling event, with a maximum of 36/100 m of creek observed in Liveringa Pool; density of Freshwater Crocodiles in Uralla Creek is substantially higher than within the main channel sites along the Fitzroy River. The lower number of crocodiles downstream of the floodway may have been due them avoiding the areas due to the presence of people and the increased traffic at the crossing.
General conclusions and recommendations
The diversity and density of fishes in Uralla Creek is considerably high. As an example, a catchment wide survey in 2001-2002 found more species in Durack Pool than any other site (Morgan et al. 2004), and knowledge of the diversity of the creek has progressively increased during late dry sampling events. The densities of fish found here is far higher than the main channel of the Fitzroy River, and this is reflected in the high abundance of Freshwater Crocodiles, which are essentially piscivorous, as well as Barramundi. The creek is also thought to act as a bypass fishway and allows passage of fish around the Barrage during specific flows; but this theory has not been tested. The huge increase in relative abundance of fishes captured using seine nets in late 2016 was likely to be due to the water levels being extremely low, which increased their catchability. However, lower water levels are also likely to lead to increased competition and predation. Competition for food resources as well as habitat is known to increase in the Fitzroy River main channel during the dry season (Thorburn et al. 2014). To further examine the fishes of Uralla Creek and how the structural and functional integrity of the fauna is maintained during the annual drying and flooding, with additional pressures of water extraction, a food web study should commence. Examinations into the spawning periods of most species in the Fitzroy River have not been conducted, and would allow further explanations of the impact of barriers and water extraction to be determined; noting that a large suite of species spawn and recruit in the late dry season in Uralla Creek. Further, the impediment to migratory routes around or through the floodway gates should be examined using tagging studies.
A FRESHWATER M SPECIES G
B N H
C I O
J D P
E K Q
L R
F
MARINE / ESTUARINE SPECIES U S T
V
Figure 1 Some of the fish species known from Uralla Creek (from Morgan et al. (2002, 2004, 2009)). A. Nematalosa erebi. B. Neoarius graeffei. C. Anodontiglanis dahli. D. Neosilurus ater. E. Neosilurus hyrtlii. F. Porochilus rendahli. G. Strongylura krefftii. H. Melanotaenia australis. I. Craterocephalus lentiginosus. J. Ambassis sp.1. K. Ambassis sp.2 L. Glossamia aprion. M. Toxotes kimberleyensis. N. Amniataba percoides. O. Hannia greenwayi. P. Hephaestus jenkinsi. Q. Leiopotherapon unicolor. R. Glossogobius giuris. S. Pristis pristis. T. Lates calcarifer. U. Megalops cyprinoides. V. Liza alata. Photographs: D. Morgan and M. Allen.
700 Downstream of flood gates 600
500
400
300
200
Mean number of fish / seine 100
0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species 700 Upstream of flood gates 600
500
400
300
200
Mean number of fish / seine 100
0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
Figure 2. Mean number of each species caught by day and night seine netting upstream and downstream of the flood gates in August 2016.
11
References
Department of Conservation and Land Management (2003). Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni). Management Plan for Western Australia 2004-2008. Morgan, D.L., Allen, G.R., Pusey, B.J. & Burrows, D.W. (2011). A review of the freshwater fishes of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Zootaxa 2816: 1-64. Morgan, D., Allen, M., Bedford, P. & Horstman, M. (2002). Inland fish fauna of the Fitzroy River Western Australia (including the Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Ngarinyin, Nyikina and Walmajarri names). Report to the Natural Heritage Trust. December 2002. Project Number 003123. Morgan, D.L., Allen, M.G., Bedford, P. & Horstman, M. (2004). Fish fauna of the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley region of Western Australia – including the Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Ngarinyin, Nyikina and Walmajarri Aboriginal names. Records of the Western Australian Museum 22: 147-161. Morgan, D.L., Gill, H.S. & Potter, I.C. (1998). Distribution, identification and biology of freshwater fishes in south-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement No. 56: 97 pp. Morgan, D.L., Unmack, P.J, Beatty, S.J., Ebner, B.C., Allen, M.G., Keleher, J.J., Donaldson, J.A. & Murphy, J. (2014). An overview of the ‘freshwater fishes’ of Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 97(2): 263-278. Thorburn, D.C., Gill, H.S. & Morgan, D.L., (2014). Predator and prey interactions of fishes of a tropical Western Australia river revealed by dietary and stable isotope analyses. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 97: 363-388. Thorburn, D.C., Morgan, D.L., Rowland, A.J. & Gill, H.S. (2007). Freshwater Sawfish Pristis microdon Latham, 1794 (Chondrichthyes: Pristidae) in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Zootaxa 1471: 27–41. Webb, G. Pty Ltd (1989). The results of Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and Freshwater Crocodile (C. johnstoni) surveys in King Sound, Stokes Bay and the Fitzroy River, Western Australia in November 1989. Report to WA Department of Conservation and Land Management.
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Table 2 Percentage contribution (total number captured in parenthesis) of the different freshwater and marine/estuarine fishes captured in Durack Pool in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Fish species 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) Freshwater origin
Bony Bream 77.2 (1533) 88.3 (2054) 45.24 (950) 16.43 (253) 2.53 (42) 21.1 (97) 3.25 (76) 60.2 (2081) Lesser Salmon Catfish 1.41 (28) 0.82 (19) 0.19 (4) 0.39 (6) - - - - Black Catfish 0.05 (1) 0.09 (2) - 0.52 (8) - 0.22 (1) 0.04 (1) -
Hyrtl’s Tandan 0.86 (17) 0.90 (21) - 1.36 (21) - - 0.43 (10) 0.06 (2) Rendahl’s Catfish 0.05 (1) ------Freshwater Longtom 0.15 (3) 0.04 (1) 0.05 (1) 0.32 (5) 0.18 (3) 0.65 (3) - 0.20 (7)
Western Rainbowfish 0.15 (3) 0.04 (1) - 44.81 (690) 0.06 (1) 0.65 (3) 19.73 (461) 8.39 (290) Prince Regent Hardyhead 0.35 (7) - 12.48 (262) 5.39 (83) 48.10 (799) 5.65 (26) 11.77 (275) 2.81 (97)
North-west Glassfish - - - 7.53 (116) 21.01 (349) 46.3 (213) 43.88 (1025) 14.76 (510)
Fitzroy Glassfish 0.10 (2) 0.13 (3) 25.95 (545) - - - - - Mouth Almighty 3.37 (67) 0.52 (12) 2.62 (55) 5.58 (86) 18.00 (299) 1.96 (9) 11.64 (272) 5.09 (176)
Kimberley Archerfish 6.04 (121) 2.49 (58) 0.14 (3) 0.20 (3) 0.24 (4) 0.22 (1) 0.09 (2) 0.29 (10)
Barred Grunter 2.82 (56) 0.09 (2) 1.14 (24) 6.56 (101) 0.66 (11) 8.26 (38) - 0.06 (2) Greenway’s Grunter 0.05 (1) 0.90 (21) ------
Jenkins’ Grunter ------
Spangled Perch 5.69 (113) 2.45 (57) - 7.14 (110) 0.30 (5) 8.04 (37) 0.56 (13) 4.34 (150) Flathead Goby 1.51 (30) 3.14 (73) 5.76 (121) 0.39 (6) 8.07 (134) 3.26 (15) 0.34 (8) 0.23 (8)
Giant Gudgeon - - - - 0.06 (1) - 0.17 (4) - Marine/estuarine origin
Freshwater Sawfish - 0.04 (1) - 0.06 (1) - - - - Oxeye Herring - - 0.05 (1) 0.06 (1) 0.48 (8) 0.22 (1) - - Barramundi 0.15 (3) 0.09 (2) - 0.06 (1) 0.18 (3) - - -
Total species 16 15 10 16 13 12 11 11
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Table 3 Percentage contribution (total number captured in parenthesis) of the different freshwater and marine/estuarine fishes captured in Liveringa Pool.
Fish species 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) Freshwater origin Bony Bream 16.39 (226) 23.52 (321) 16.0 (86) 19.44 (327) 1.30 (34) 0.81 (6) 8.12 (76) 1.18 (44) Lesser Salmon Catfish 1.45 (20) 2.05 (28) 2.2 (12) 2.02 (34) 0.27 (7) - - - Toothless Catfish ------Black Catfish 0.29 (4) 0.07 (1) - 0.42 (7) 0.08 (2) 0.54 (4) 0.11 (1) 0.05 (2) Hyrtl’s Tandan 0.94 (13) - - 0.12 (2) - 0.27 (2) - - Rendahl’s Catfish - - - - - 0.81 (6) - 0.05 (2) Freshwater Longtom 0.51 (7) 0.15 (2) 0.7 (4) 0.12 (2) 0.04 (1) - - 0.05 (2) Western Rainbowfish 6.82 (94) 9.52 (130) - 40.31 (678) 5.81 (152) 3.12 (23) 28.63 (268) 12.81 (504) Prince Regent Hardyhead 12.98 (179) 7.32 (100) 47.0 (253) 9.28 (156) 48.10 (1259) 34.19 (252) 52.99 (496) 34.88 (1372) North-west Glassfish 26.98 (372) 8.28 (113) 3.2 (17) 14.03 (236) 16.67 (436) 2.57 (19) 1.82 (17) 21.43 (843) Fitzroy Glassfish - - - - - 23.61 (174) - - Mouth Almighty 18.13 (250) 34.95 (477) 20.3 (109) 7.43 (125) 27.36 (716) 12.75 (94) 6.41 (60) 22.37 (880) Kimberley Archerfish 3.63 (50) 0.88 (12) 0.4 (2) 0.60 (10) 0.11 (3) 2.71 (20) 0.43 (4) 0.05 (2) Barred Grunter 6.09 (84) 6.59 (90) 0.7 (4) 0.18 (3) 0.69 (18) 2.44 (18) 0.11 (1) 0.99 (39) Greenway’s Grunter ------Jenkins’ Grunter - - - - - 0.41 (3) - - Spangled Perch 3.55 (49) 0.95 (13) - 0.77 (13) 0.08 (2) 8.14 (60) 0.11 (1) 0.20 (8) Flathead Goby 1.31 (18) 4.76 (65) 1.5 (8) 0.77 (13) 0.04 (1) 2.17 (16) 0.43 (4) 1.22 (48) Giant Gudgeon ------0.03 (1)
- - Marine/estuarine origin Freshwater Sawfish - - - 0.12 (2) - - Oxeye Herring 0.80 (11) 0.07 (1) 0.2 (1) - 0.42 (11) - - - 14
Giant Herring - 0.07 (1) - - - - - Diamond Mullet - - 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) - - - - Barramundi 0.14 (1) 0.81 (11) 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) - - -
Total species 15 15 12 16 14 14 10 13
15
600 Durack Pool 2015 500
400
300
200
Mean number of fish / seine 100
0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species 600 Durack Pool 2016 500
400
300
200
Mean number of fish / seine 100
0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
Figure 3. Mean number of each species caught by day and night seine netting in 2015 and 2016 in Durack Pool.
16
350 Liveringa Pool 2015 300
250
200
150
100
Mean number of fish / seine 50
0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species 500
450 Liveringa Pool 2016
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
Mean number of fish / seine 50
0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
Figure 4. Mean number of each species caught by day and night seine netting in 2015 and 2016 in Liveringa Pool.
17
600 600 Durack Pool 2008 Day Durack Pool 2012 Night 500 500 Durack Pool
400 400
300 300
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Mean number of fish /Mean seine fish number of
100 Mean number of fish / seine 100
0 0
600 600 Durack Pool 2009 Durack Pool 2013Species
500 500
400 400
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Mean number of fish /Mean seine fish number of
100 Mean number of fish / seine 100 Liveringa Pool 2009
0 0
600 600 Durack Pool 2010 Durack Pool 2014
500 500
400 400
300 300
200 200
Mean number of fish / seine 100 Mean number of fish / seine 100
0 0
N. ater L. alata N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. ater S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion A. dahli L. alata P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. graeffei L. unicolorO. selheimi S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion M. australis P. microdon L. calcarifer P.rendahli H. jenkinsi Ambassis sp. A. percoidesH. greenw ayi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides M. australis P. microdon L. calcarifer G. filamentosusS. multifasciata A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi T. kimberleyensis C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis Species Species
Figure 5 . Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species captured using seine nets in Durack Pool during 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
18
350 350 Liveringa Pool 2008 Day Liveringa Pool 2012 Day 300 Night 300 Night Durack Pool 250 250
200 200
150 150
100 100
Mean number of fish /Mean seine fish number of 50 Mean number of fish / seine 50
0 0
350 350 Liveringa Pool 2009 Liveringa Pool 2013Species 300 300
250 250
200 200
150 150
100 100
Mean number of fish /Mean seine fish number of
Mean number of fish / seine 50 Liveringa Pool 2009 50
0 0
350 350 Liveringa Pool 2010 Liveringa Pool 2014 300 300
250 250
200 200
150 150
100 100
Mean number of fish / seine 50 Mean number of fish / seine 50
0 0
N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. ater S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii L. alata P.rendahli H. jenkinsi G. giuris N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion M. australis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi P. microdon L. calcarifer N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi A. percoides M. australis P. microdon Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi L. calcarifer C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides A. percoidesH. greenw ayi G. filamentosusS. multifasciata Ambassis sp. M. rosenbergii C. lentiginosus M. cyprinoides S. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis G. filamentosus T. kimberleyensis Species Species
Figure 6. Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species captured using seine nets in Liveringa Pool during 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
19
400 Myroodah Pool 2008 Day Night
300
200
100
Mean number of fish / seine
0
400 Myroodah Pool 2009Species
300
200
100
Mean number of fish / seine
0
400 Species Myroodah Pool 2010
300
200
100
Mean number of fish / seine
0
N. ater L. alata N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion G. giurus A. graeffei P.rendahli H. jenkinsiL. unicolor M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides P. microdon Ambassis sp. H. greenwayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
Figure 7. Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species (and Cherabin) captured using seine nets in the main channel sites of the Fitzroy River, i.e. Myroodah Pool in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
20
Figure 8. Classification and ordination of the fish species captured at each replicate seine net set at each site in each year.
21
Table 4 R-stat values and significance values of the fishes found in the sample sites between different years; DP = Durack Pool, LP = Liveringa Pool. *denotes significance levels of <0.05, **0.01, ***0.001
DP DP DP DP DP DP DP DP LP 2008 LP 2009 LP 2010 LP 2012 LP 2013 LP 2014 LP 2015 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 DP 2009 0.058
DP 2010 0.497*** 0.781***
DP 2012 0.294* 0.819*** 0.883***
DP 2013 0.987*** 0.994*** 0.956*** 0.88***
DP 2014 0.536*** 0.669** 0.743** 0.1 0.620**
DP 2015 0.699*** 0.852** 0.085 0.372* 0.702** 0.79**
DP 2016 1** 0.954** 0.943** 0.978** 1** 0.848** 0.765**
LP 2008 0.542*** 0.796*** 0.807** -0.046 0.728*** 0.104 0.424* 0.937**
LP 2009 0.776*** 0.848*** 0.798*** 0.233* 0.722*** 0..426** 0.411** 0.946** 0.074
LP 2010 0.911*** 0.967*** 0.731*** 0.613*** 0.722*** 0.543** 0.433*** 0.985** 0.548*** 0.611***
LP 2012 0.84*** 0.922*** 0.969*** 0.206 0.972*** 0.352** 0.526** 1** 0.2 0.394*** 0.687***
LP 2013 1*** 1*** 0.998*** 0.88*** 0.5*** 0.748** 0.633** 1** 0.706*** 0.783*** 0.846*** 0.967***
LP 2014 0.739** 0.926** 0.404* 0.281* 0.169 0.551** 0.228 0.911** 0.388* 0.661** 0.198* 0.741** 0.777**
LP 2015 0.909*** 0.965** 0.692** 0.528** 0.652** 0.806** 0.502** 0.904** 0.609** 0.748** 0.231* 0.663** 0.685** 0.297**
LP 2016 1*** 1** 0.965** 0.946** 1** 0.813** 0.665** 0.946** 0.848** 0.893** 0.980** 1** 0.996** 0.630** 0.831**
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VEGETATION TRANSECT MONITORING
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SEPTEMBER 2016
FOR FEBRUARY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...... 1 THE VEGETATION TRANSECTS ...... 1 2016 Comment ...... 1 BANK STABILITY MONITORING SITES ...... 2 INKATA NO 1 – UPSTREAM ...... 3 Main Transect ...... 3 WATER LINE SEGMENT ...... 5 Summary ...... 6 Inkata No 1 – Upstream – Pictures ...... 7 Longitudinal Study ...... 7 INKATA NO 2 – DOWNSTREAM...... 9 Main Transect ...... 9 WATER LINE SEGMENT ...... 13 Summary ...... 13 Inkata No 2 – Downstream – Pictures ...... 14 Longitudinal Study ...... 14 INKATA NO 3 – NEAR 17 MILE DAM ...... 16 Main Transect ...... 16 WATER LINE SEGMENT ...... 19 Summary ...... 20 Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam – Pictures ...... 21 Longitudinal Study ...... 21 MONITORING BANK STABILITY...... 25 SITE 1: ABOVE THE UPSTREAM PUMP SITE ...... 25 SITE 2: ABOVE THE CHANNEL OFFTAKE ...... 26
Introduction As part of its licence conditions LSB is required to annually monitor the health of the riparian vegetation adjacent to the Durack Pool on Uralla Creek. Three monitoring sites have been chosen and this report describes their location, the monitoring process and presents the annual records of all species as well as comments on the results for 2016.
The Vegetation Transects Three sites were chosen and installed, all on the northern side of Uralla Creek. One is immediately upstream and the second immediately downstream of the channel inlet just above the site chosen for the potential Inkata floodway as shown below. The two downstream sites were established in 2005.
Inkata 2 Inkata 1
A further site is located near to the top end of Durack Pool. This site was added after the initial monitoring in 2005. It was fully established with photographic records in September 2007. Fortunately this site is adjacent to the new upstream pump station where water was taken for irrigation of crops in 2013 and beyond. Given the consideration that it may be possible to take water to greater depths at this site than near the Inkata channel this is a very important monitoring site.
2016 Comment As for previous seasons the three sites are stable with the larger trees shown in base line photographs maintaining their good condition. Any numeric changes, where evident, result from the gains, mainly through germination and establishment of relatively small plants (seedlings), or the resprouting of damaged plants that had not shown life in the preceding year. Whitewood showed this ability in 2016. The losses could be caused by many activities, including trampling or chewing by cattle, flooding and coverage by silt, or some damage by human intervention (fire, breakage of stems, occasionally vehicles) of mainly the small seedlings, but, in particular, Whitewood at the upstream site has been trampled and damaged in recent years. No significant impact has been observed over recent years that could be attributed to the impact of irrigation from Uralla Creek. The 2016 observations were made on the 20th and 21st day of September 2016 on two moderately hot days, with temperatures around 37oC each day. Many smaller plants (seedlings) appeared water or heat stressed although not as severely as in 2015 and the three blocks of vegetation appeared much the same as in previous years (see comparative photographs). Small numbers of seedlings (particularly acacia) are gained and lost across the segments each year. The small whitewood trees at the upstream site were more still stressed this year although not as severely as in 2015 and some had been damaged by stock. Once again some were lost during the past year. Access to the sites by stock ensures they are representative of the stream bank, but there is the associated risk of damage. The photographic records of the appearance of the blocks from the long established photographic point provide a sufficient indicator of the ongoing health of the vegetation transects. The noxious
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2016 Page 1 weed Parkinsonia was evident at the downstream site for the second time and the Cropping Manager was notified. Noogoora Burr, another noxious weed that has previously been common on the Fitzroy River, was again recorded within the transects in 2016 and is becoming common in some segments. The 2015/16 wet season was shorter again than the previous year, but this was the first season when the floodway was in place and water could be stored to floodway height. Due to the short wet season the floodway did not overtop so the full storage was not realised so irrigation had to be carefully managed to enable irrigation of the upstream site into October 2016.
Bank Stability Monitoring Sites Given the approval and subsequent installation in September/October 2015 of the new floodway and the associated requirements of the revised Operating Strategy one permanent bank stability measurement site was established in October 2015, using paint-marked steel fence pickets on the bank near the 17 Mile Dam site. All bank stability posts were also flagged to improve visibility in photographs. Benchmark photographs were taken for that site. The second site at the floodway, based on significant trees on the lower bank was again marked with fluorescent tape and photographs taken for comparison with the 2015 benchmark for that site. More detail of both sites is given later in this report.
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Inkata No 1 – Upstream
Date: September 20, 2016 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Number Numbe Number Number Health/ Species Name Base Number Numb Number Number Numb Oct 13 r Oct Oct 15 Segment Number er Sept 10 Oct 11 er Sep 14 Sep 16 Comment Oct 08 Sept 12 Sept 07 09 Sept 16 1 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
2 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
3 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 only 1 (Coolibah) seedling, chewed Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 seedling (Berrigan) persisted Acacia Farnesiana 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 seedlings Whitewood 1 seedling
5 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 0coolabah 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 5 4 small seedlings gained
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6 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 new (Berrigan) seedlings Acacia farnesiana 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 Seedling lost Parkinsonia aculeata 1 1 1 Broken but large
7 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 New (Berrigan) seedlings found
8 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 6 6 6 7 (1 7 7 7 6 5 5 (Coolibah) new seedlin g) Eremophila longifolia 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Berrigan)
9 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 4 -2 seedlings (Coolibah) lost Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
10 Terminalia arostrata 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 stems 3 stems (Nutwood) stems stem stems stem stems stem s s s Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 0 1 1 1seed 0 0 0 0 0 0 ling Once again the population remains stable, but some new seedlings germinated over the last year, and a others were lost. Plants were generally in good health and did not appear as stressed on a day with temperatures to 37oC as in the previous year when the maximum temperature approached 40oC. The site was still dry, as would be expected at the end of the dry season. An apparent germination of some Berrigan seedlings was a unique event. Whether they survive into 2017 will be interesting as this site experiences regular traffic from grazing cattle.
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Water Line Segment
- 20 to 30 m on base line Species Name Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Health/ Segment Sep 07 Oct 08 Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Oct 13 Sep 14 Oct 15 Sept 16 Comme nt Sept 16 1 (0-5) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 longifolia (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 1 1 1 1 2 5 seedling seedli seedli seedlings s ng ng
2 (5-10) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 stems 3 stems 4 longifolia stems stems (Berrigan)
3 (10-15) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 lost coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 longifolia (Berrigan) Freshwater 3 4 4 + 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 + 3 sapling + 1 Mangrove stems sapling seedlings shoot shoot
4 (15+) No trees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 >10 dry possibly seedlings, Berrigan
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The plants appeared stable and healthy. The firebreak/track has not changed from recent years, so no damage has been done to the monitoring site. However, staff still appear unaware of the proximity of this site to other station activities and the importance of the monitoring site is not fully understood. This has been raised with the Managers. Trampling by cattle was again evident, less so than in recent years and there had been no fires within the site. As with the downstream site (2) near the floodway, human and cattle traffic continued to access and impact on this transect during the last year. Station staff have reported that the human traffic in the area of transects 1 and 2 has increased since the floodway has been completed as it has created a pool adjacent to excellent vehicular access, and a new fishing site. On the day of sampling Durack Pool was at a relatively low level, about 0.5M above the 37.0M cease to take level. Pumping was continuing on Pivots 1 and 3 at that time. Pivot 2 had been harvested for the last time and was being grazed. Durack Pool, depth approximately 37.5M AHD
Summary The upstream site (Inkata 1) showed only small changes in numbers with some seedlings lost. Once again some Terminalia had leaves that were spotted, and appeared to be under stress. As previously reported the stress appears to be associated with grazing or trampling and hot and dry conditions late in the dry season. The photographs of the segment (below) illustrate that the vegetation was very similar in 2015 to previous years. Overall the segment appeared healthy with monitoring completed early in October, a little later than usual. Temperatures at sampling were very high (around 40oC, and had been higher the previous week, so some stress could be attributed to the prevailing conditions. The 2014/2015 wet season was earlier and shorter than 2013/14. Sampling is always completed well after rain has ceased, with the vegetation dependent on water reserves in the soil and access to water from the adjacent pool. Durack Pool was at a low level, just above cease
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2016 Page 6 to take. Irrigation was continuing for the upstream Pivot 1, with few more irrigations anticipated. The water level in the pool always continues to fall after irrigation ceases due to evaporation, seepage through the creek bed, and stock drinking. Overall the site is healthy with only minor annual variations observed.
Inkata No 1 – Upstream – Pictures
2016 Photographic Records 2015 Photographic Records
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site have been plotted for the 10 years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the transect and extends beyond the baseline five metre monitoring width to the extent of vegetation towards the waterline. All species have been plotted for each year of recording. The many straight lines confirm the stability of the vegetation at the site and any variations show as minor.
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Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 2
Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 3
The above plots highlight the stability of plant numbers at that site, the changes being only very small increases or decreases when they occur.
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Inkata No 2 – Downstream
Date: September 20, 2016 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Segment Species Name Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Health/ Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Oct 13 Sep 14 Oct 15 Sept 16 Sept 07 Oct 08 Comment Sept 16 1 Terminalia arostrata 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 good (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
2 Terminalia arostrata 12 12, 9 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 dead 9, 3 As previous dead (Nutwood) good dead dead dead dead dead dead 3 dead stems Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 (2 1 (2 1 (2 1 (2 1 (2 big 1 (2 big 1, 2 big 1, 2 big Good stems) stems (Cadjeput) big big big big stems) stems stems stems stems stems ) ) ) ) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
3 Terminalia arostrata 6 4 4, 1 4, 1 1 OK, 1 1 1 1, some 1 large plant OK seedling (Nutwood) dead, 1 dead, 2 1 good small small struggl seedlin seedlin ing, 2 g g dead Melaleuca leucadendra 2 trees 2 2 2 2 2 2 trees, 2 trees, 2 trees, 7 2 trees, Good 7 stems stems (Cadjeput) with 7 trees trees trees trees trees, 7 stems 7 stems stems with 7 with 7 with 7 with 7 7 stems stems stems stems stems Eucalyptus coolabah 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 + 1 1 1 Small (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Whitewood seedling 1 Uncertain
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seedling
4 Terminalia arostrata 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Seedling, (Coolibah) chewed Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
5 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 6 3 6 5 small 12 4 15 Seedlings seedlings (Nutwood) small small small seedlin seedli seedli seedli gs ngs ngs ngs Melaleuca leucadendra 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with stems stems (Cadjeput) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 stems 5 stems stems stems stems stems stems stems Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Parkinsonia 1 1 Large plant, somewhat broken
6 Terminalia arostrata 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Seedling, 1M (Coolibah) high Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia farnesiana 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 seedli ng
7 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 >20 , assuming (Nutwood) seedling Terminalia. s Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 1 small 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Coolibah) seedlin g
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Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Whitewood 1 1 1 +1 seedling, long narrow leaves
8 Terminalia arostrata 1 plus 1 plus 1 1 1 1 1 + 7 1 + 7 1 + 8 1 + 20 small but OK seedling seedling seedlings (Nutwood) 1 dead 1 s seedlin s stem dead gs stem Melaleuca leucadendra 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Good (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 1 1 plus 5+ 5+ 1 1 1 -4 seedlings (Coolibah) small 5 seedli seedlin seedli seedli ngs gs ng ngs Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 0 1 seedling
9 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 Seedlings, (Nutwood) dead, seedli some chewed. 1 ngs seedli ng Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good - small (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 2 1 2 seedlings Noogoora Burr 1 3 Dead but well seeded
10 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 Reshooting (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good large (Cadjeput) tree Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 4 4 5 all stressed seedling seedlin seedlin seedling (Coolibah) (seedl s gs gs s ing) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Noogoora Burr 1 1 dead but well seeded
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Over the 12 month period there have been no losses but several gains with seedlings of, especially, Terminalia. The more substantial shrubs and trees are generally healthy and strong as shown in the base line photographs that have been similar each year. Changes remain most prominent in the understorey where various seedlings come and go. The many new Terminalia seedlings are surprising given the dry wet season of 2015/16, but may indicate some influence of the floodway that is located just upstream of this site
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Water Line Segment
Segment Species Name Number Numb Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Health er 08 Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sept 12 Oct 13 Sep 14 Oct 15 Sept 16 07 Comme nt Sept 16 1 (0-5) Terminalia arostrata 3 2 2 2 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 14 6 17 2 trees and 15 are (Nutwood) with 3 plus 6 plus 5 seedlings seedlin seedlin seedlin gs gs gs Melaleuca 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Coolibah) Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 longifolia (Berrigan)
2 (5-10) No trees beyond 0 to 5 m section. Noogoora Burr >10 dead More plants common
3
There is no tree or seedling growth beyond the 0 to 5m section of the central transect that is closest to the base line. There was a loss of small seedlings in segment five of that first five metres, likely a result of the long dry season and prevailing hot conditions with no rain in this latter stage of the season.
Summary The segment appears stable with changes in the population of small seedlings as some did not survive from last year due to seasonal conditions or the impact of animal grazing, as predicted in last year’s report. Of concern is that Noogoora Burr is becoming more common each year.
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Inkata No 2 – Downstream – Pictures
2016 Photographic Records 2015 Photographic Records
The sampling was completed late in September 2016. The base line pictures appear similar to those of 2015 and earlier, an ongoing indication of the health of the plants in the transect, but demonstrating the impact of heat and dryness at the end of the season. Sampling an extra week later from any one season to the next has tended to show the later samples as drier and more stressed than the early.
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site have been plotted for the nine years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the fifty metre transect and extends beyond the base line monitoring width of five metres. All species have been plotted for each year of recording.
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Inkata 2, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
The highlight of this series is the short term increase in Nutwood seedlings in 2014 and the loss of many of these in the following hot and dry season in 2015. Mature Cadjeput and Coolibah trees have been stable throughout. Overall numbers have been stable.
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Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam
Date: September 20 or 21, 2016 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Segment Species Number Numb Numb Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Health Sept 07 er Oct er Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 15 Sept 16 Name 08 Sept Comment 09 Sept 16 1 Whitewood 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 0 0 seedling not Farnesiana found
2 Whitewood 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 2 3 2 lost and survivors stressed Terminalia 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 River Gum 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 shoo ting
3 Whitewood 15 15 14 15 + 1 12 11 11 11 8 8 grazed but OK seedli ng Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 Seedling Farnesiana
4 Whitewood 6 6 9 9 8 7 7 8 5 8 recovery in numbers Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Eremophila 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 -1 Acacia 1 1 1 1 1 Farnesiana
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5 Whitewood 4 1 7 7 + 3 7 7 7 4 3 6 recovering and seedli reshooting ngs Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana
6 Whitewood 4 4 + 6 7 4 5 5 5 5 5 +1 2 spro uting Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Still healthy Gum
7 Whitewood 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 reshoot seedl seedlin seedlin seedlin seedling seedlin ings g g g g Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 1 7 7 5 4 5 5 3 2 lost this year Farnesiana seedli seedli ngs ngs River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum
8 Whitewood 7 8 8 8 8 8 6 6 5 5 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 2 2 4 4 2 2 1 1 0 -1 Farnesiana (clu mps) River Red 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 seedling Gum seedli seedlin seedlin ng g g
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9 Whitewood 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Gum
10 Whitewood 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 Dry Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 small seedlings, Farnesiana 1 lost River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gum
This transect showed the effect of heavy grazing and other damage such as trampling. While there were some losses over the year there are many survivors and the numbers resulting were better than the initial impression by virtue of the appearance of the area. Plants that appeared dry were reshooting.
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Water Line Segment
Segment Species Name Number Numb Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Health Sept 07 er Oct Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Sep 13 Oct 14 Oct 15 08 Sept 16 Comments Sept 16 1 Whitewood 8 7 13 17 11 12 10 9 8 11 3 recovered Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gum Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mangrove
2 Whitewood 0 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 Terminalia 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 Acacia 2 6 6 8 9 14 14 11 12 12 all small Farnesiana small seedlings River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Mangrove
3 Whitewood 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Terminalia 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 3 1 3 +2 small Farnesiana small seedlings River Red 2 2 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Seedling Gum Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 3 3 3 14, 14, 16 16 16 16 >16 7 large, >9 Mangrove many seedlings seedl ings
4 Whitewood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Corrected to Fresh Water Mangrove
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seedlings Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 Gum Cadjeput 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 3 3 0 0 0 9 9 9 9 20 many seedlings Mangrove Noogoora 5 All dead but Burr well seeded
5 Whitewood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum Cadjeput 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Fresh Water 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mangrove
The water line segment had many healthy Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings, an increase on the previous year. Possibly maintaining the water at a higher level for part of the dry season supports the establishment of Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings. It will be interesting to track the persistence over the coming years,
Summary The monitoring transect of vegetation at this upstream end of the Durack Pool was no more stressed by heat and dryness than any other transects, and still maintains a consistent structure at the macro level with the transect photo similar to all previous years. The whitewood plants in this transect appear most prone to stress from heat and grazing and many of the medium sized trees have suffered damage over the years. Some that had suffered damage in previous years were reshooting this year, possibly favoured by groundwater conditions due to the higher levels of water in Durack Pool during the 2016 dry season, the first season where the floodway had been in place and stored water to a higher depth in Durack Pool for at least a part of the dry season. Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings were more numerous than previous year and they were generally healthy, again possibly due to higher water levels in Durack Pool during the dry season. . The permanently marked bank stability site is located adjacent to this vegetation site.
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Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam – Pictures
2016 Photographic Records 2015 Photographic Records
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site are included for the ten years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the vegetation transect and extends beyond the base line five metre monitoring width. All species have been plotted for each year of recording. Fresh Water Mangrove and Whitewood are both very prominent at this site, the Whitewood on the upper bank and the Mangrove on the slopes of the levee.
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Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
Whitewood is the dominant species in this segment and these have suffered from hot dry seasons and grazing by cattle, resulting in broken plants that then appear more prone to the hot part of the dry season. All Acacia plants that have been recorded have been small seedlings. Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 2
Apart from the regular small fluctuation in Acacia seedlings the major change has been increasing numbers of Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings.
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Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 3
Apart from the Fresh Water Mangrove all species maintained relatively constant numbers. Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings increased in 2010, after the wet season of 2009/2010. Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 4
Apart from the Fresh Water Mangrove all species maintained relatively constant numbers. Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings increased in 2010, after the wet season of 2009/2010.
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Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 5
The one large Cadjeput tree has been very stable throughout the sampling period.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2016 Page 24
Monitoring Bank Stability It is a requirement of its water licence that LSB must ensure banks of Uralla Creek are stable with no collapse. With a higher spillway and closure of the gates at the new floodway water levels will be stored to a higher level during the early part of the dry season than has previously been the case. These levels will be maintained at higher levels than has been the case until the cease to flow level of 38.6M AHD is reached by the declining Durack Pool. The approved 2015 Operating Strategy requires LSB to establish photographic monitoring sites: 1. above the upstream pump site, and 2. above the channel offtake, by October 2015 to monitor bank structure and stability. Photographs should then be taken in September/October each year to ensure the bank does not show evidence of collapsing as water levels vary. Two monitoring sites were established in October 2015, one (above the upstream pump site) with fixed steel pickets as markers and the other (above the channel offtake) with significant trees marked with fluorescent tape as no steel pickets were available for that site. Both sites have been recorded photographically and the results are presented below.
Site 1: Above the upstream pump site A line of steel pickets has been established upstream of the Pivot 1 and 4 pump site, parallel to the top of the bank as illustrated below. All pickets were marked with fluorescent paint and tape. This will need regular replacement.
Durack Pool Water Level
15M 20M 15M 10M Photo Point 5M
Top of Bank Pump Station
Steel Picket
Baseline photographs are shown again below. They confirm the site has a steep slope into the water but is stable and well grassed at the time the baseline is established.
These baseline photos will be the standard for judgement of any damage to the banks at the two sites. Photos and observations were made at the same sites in late September 2016, the first year after floodway closure.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2016 Page 25
Record Label Peg Markings
Upstream Bank Monitoring Site – 2015 Upstream Bank Monitoring Site – 2016
The photos and observation at the upstream pump site confirm the stability of the banks. There is no apparent variation after the first season of floodway closure.
Site 2: Above the channel offtake The second site is located just above the new floodway and is characterised by large Cadjeput trees lining the upper bank with the soil below covered by fallen leaves late in the dry season. The trees were marked with fluorescent tape and photographs taken looking upstream from a significant tree near to the new floodway. Steel pickets will be installed next year when they are available. The 2015 photos provide the baseline for the status of the banks and photos and observations in September 2016 confirm there is no change to the bank. The elevation of the water level while the floodway was closed has had no deleterious effect on the banks, even where they are relatively devoid of cover as a consequence of submersion when the creek is full.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2016 Page 26
Downstream Bank Monitoring Site - Stable
2015 2016
Downstream Bank Monitoring Site – Marked Cadjeput Trees
2015 2016
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2016 Page 27
Irrigation on Pivot 1
Irrigation, Crop Production and Water Management
Annual Report of 2017 Activities Submitted February 2018
CONTENTS
PROGRESS REPORT IRRIGATION, CROP PRODUCTION AND WATER MANAGEMENT ...... 1
SAMPLING AND REPORTING SCHEDULE ...... 1
2016 CROPPING ...... 1
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION OVERSIGHT OF ACTIVITIES ...... 1
REPORT OUTCOMES ...... 1
CROP PRODUCTION ...... 2 WATER USE ...... 9 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ...... 11
WATER QUANTITY ...... 12
Fitzroy Barrage ...... 12
Durack Pool ...... 12
Liveringa Pool...... 13
Water Level Management ...... 13
WATER QUALITY ...... 14
Temperature ...... 14
Dissolved Oxygen ...... 15
pH ...... 16
Electrical Conductivity/Salinity ...... 17
Nitrogen ...... 18
Phosphorus ...... 18
RIPARIAN VEGETATION ...... 19
FISH COMMUNITIES ...... 20
LOCAL CULTURE ...... 20 REPORTING ...... 20 POTENTIAL TO VARY ESTABLISHED CEASE TO PUMP STANDARDS ...... 21 QUERIES ...... 21
PROGRESS REPORT IRRIGATION, CROP PRODUCTION AND WATER MANAGEMENT
As from 2007 to 2017 this report addresses the requirements established by Liveringa Station Beef’s (LSB) licence to take water. This report is submitted by Liveringa Station Beef (LSB) and Hancock Prospecting PL, to meet the conditions established by the Water Licence and recorded in the 2015 Operating Strategy. The Licence has been extended to 2025, with a new ten-year licence period under Instrument Number SWL156377 (3), and its associated conditions.
This is the third report to be submitted under the ownership of Liveringa Station Beef by Hancock Prospecting PL.
SAMPLING AND REPORTING SCHEDULE
Samples and measurements are taken regularly under the conditions outlined in the Operating Strategy and the main report is submitted annually with exception reports expected if any unforeseen circumstances are observed.
Sampling continued regularly during the 2017 season with the key personnel for Cropping and Operations, including water and crop sampling and recording, being Mr Jacob O’Dell, for the annual vegetation recording Dr Doug McGhie, and for the fish health surveys, Dr David Morgan of Murdoch University. The ongoing vegetation and fish surveys were completed late in the 2016 dry season. A second fish survey was completed while the floodway gates were closed. This consolidated report has been prepared by Dr McGhie.
Laboratory analyses of frozen water samples were completed at the end of the year, with the samples being kept frozen until then. Results are reported for the months from May to December 2017.
2016 CROPPING
Decisions on the annual cropping schedule are based on the availability of water before and during the season, so recording and reporting of water quantity and quality is critical to all involved in managing the system and environment. The 2016/17 Wet Season was above average, leading to flooding across the Camballin Floodplain influencing the floodway gate closure. The full benefit of the operational floodway has been seen in the 2017 dry season with an extended irrigation season possible. There was a focus on production with the Inkata Pivot 3 continuing with sown in 2016 for and and Pivot 2 sown to for . Pivot 1, on the freehold area, was used to produce and for and .
In the 2017 season, irrigation continued until late November on Pivot 1, early November on Pivot 2 and mid-November on Pivot 3. Irrigation currently stops at all pump stations at the cease to take level (37.0m AHD) as stipulated in the Operating Strategy.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION OVERSIGHT OF ACTIVITIES
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation representatives visited Liveringa during 2017, spending a day at the station with Station Manager Jed O’Brien and Jake O’Dell. They visited sites of interest, with particular interest in the floodway that was operating for its second season, with the gates closed at the time of the visit.
REPORT OUTCOMES
This annual report, along with the associated vegetation survey and fish health reports, continues to demonstrate that the natural environment within which the cropping activity is located remains stable and of a high quality. Occasional peaks of nutrient levels have been identified in this report. There have been no biological indications (algal blooms, fish kills) of declining water quality resulting from irrigation or cropping activities.
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Durack Pool is a significant pool and water storage for the present cropping regime. While water quantity (availability) has always diminished across the dry season the benefit of the floodway was more obvious in 2017 with irrigation possible until November on all pivots. The water quality generally remained high all of the time, illustrated once again in 2016 by salinity measurements that always maintain drinking water quality1. The highest laboratory measurement of 650 μS/cm (440 mg/L) was still well below the drinking water standard of below 500 mg/L.
Some spikes in nutrient (N and P) content of the Durack Pool water were observed during 2017 but the following months generally returned to lower levels.
Dr Morgan’s comments confirm the importance and the health of the Uralla Creek system to the local fish population. His 2017 survey was completed experiencing elevated water levels. He has previously observed that sampling at lower levels demonstrates the challenge of this condition for some species of fish. The 2017 dry season was the second of three consecutive years in which fish must be sampled above and below the floodway while the gates are closed. The 2017 survey was completed earlier in the season than in 2016, closer to two weeks after closure.
The greater depth of Durack Pool at the upstream pump station and the potential for abstraction of water to a greater depth at that site was the subject of a proposal to modify the cease to take level that was considered by the Department of Water, for the 2017 Dry Season. They concluded that during the three-year period of special monitoring for the floodway gates there should be no change. Liveringa remains hopeful this additional access to water for Pivot 1 may be granted in the future.
This report has been prepared for Liveringa Station Beef by Dr Doug McGhie using data provided by Mr Jake O’Dell, at Liveringa Station, by SGS Analytical Services and collected by the author.
Dr Doug McGhie Managing Director Science Matters Pty Ltd 26 February 2018
CROP PRODUCTION
Three pivots were sown to in the 2017 dry season, the fourth time this has been possible since the original licence was granted. Pivot 3 was a carryover from the 2016 to
Pivot 1 was sown in four quarters to a mix of and the The distribution of the species is shown in the following table. Irrigation of Pivot 1 began in June 2017 and continued until November. The quarters were harvested from August until December 2017 as shown below. Crop inputs and the seasonal production from Pivot 1 are detailed in the following tables. After seeding and apart from fertiliser this crop was grown with minimal chemical inputs.
1 Department of Health, Govt. of South Australia. (2008) Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG): “based on taste, TDS in drinking water should not exceed 500 mg/L” although “water with a TDS content of up to 1000 mg/L is acceptable to many”, water will become increasingly undrinkable in the 1000-2000 mg/L range.
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Seeding Area sown Date Variety Rate (ha) Location on Pivot 19/06/2017 1st Quarter Nthwst
20/06/2017 See chart below
23/06/2017 2nd Quarter Nthest 5/07/2017 3rd Quarter Sthwst
21/07/2017 4th Quarter
Fertiliser was applied to Pivot 1 as shown in the following table.
Rate Application Location on Date Product (kg/ha) Method Area ha Pivot 1/05/2017 North 26/06/2017 South 25/07/2017 1st Quarter 9/08/2017 whole 3/09/2017 whole 5/09/2017 1st Quarter 22/09/2017 1st Quarter 26/09/2017 Callide 27/09/2017 3rd Quarter 4/10/2017 1,2,3 quarters 19/10/2017 4th qtr 20/10/2017 4th qtr 14/11/2017 1st Quarter Weed control used a combination of chemicals as shown below.
Rate Application Date Product (kg/ha) Method Area ha 27/04/2017
No pest control was necessary.
The area was harvested several times between August and December 2017.
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Area Date Product Yield Harvested 30/08/2017 1st qtr 24/09/2017 3rd qtr 25/09/2017 2nd qtr 16/10/2017 4th qtr 14/11/2017 1st qtr 16/11/2017 2nd qtr 26/11/2017 3rd qtr 18/12/2017 4th qtr In total of was taken from Pivot 1 over the dry season of 2017.
Pivot 1, September 2017
Irrigating and Windrowing Windrowing
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Pivot 2 is a more complicated area, with the lower half subject to more inundation or wetness to later in the dry season than the top. Consequently, it was sown in stages as the land became cultivable. Seeding was spread from mid-May to mid-September in 2017.
Area sown First Location on Date Variety Seeding Rate (ha) emergence Pivot Started Silking 16/05/2017 23/05/2017 1st Quarter 18/07/2017 29/05/2017 5/06/2017 2nd Quarter ReSeeded 2nd 17/06/2017 23/06/2017 quarter 20/08/2017 30/08/201 rear half 14/09/2017 rear wet area 14/09/2017 1 strip centre toward channel The wide spread of planting times, from May to September, highlights the impact of a heavier wet season on delaying planting on the lower reaches of Pivot 2. The crop was harvested for in September, October and December, reflecting the staggered planting for a total production of . In late December a further harvest yielded The final total production of
The complicated planting regime is reflected in the application of fertiliser to the various quarters of the pivot as they were ready.
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Rate (kg/ha) Application Location on Date Product or (L/ha) Method Area ha Pivot 11/05/2017 1st Quarter 11/05/2017 1st Quarter 16/05/2017 1st Quarter 18/05/2017 1st Quarter 18/05/2017 2nd Quarter 19/05/2017 2nd Quarter 29/05/2017 2nd Quarter 1/06/2017 2nd Quarter 30/05/2017 2nd Quarter 7/06/2017 1st Quarter 7/06/2017 1st Quarter 1st Quarter 1st Quarter 12/06/2017 3rd Quarter 13/06/2017 3rd Quarter 17/06/2017 2nd Quarter 1/07/2017 1st Quarter 3/07/2017 All corn 11/07/2017 All corn 20/07/2017 1st Quarter
26/07/2017 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter 2/08/2017 2nd Quarter 24/08/2017 2nd Quarter 30/08/2017 rear half 20/09/2017 rear half 10/10/2017 rear half 1/11/2017 rear half 23/12/2017 front half Weed and pest control were similarly complicated.
Application Date Product Rate (kg/ha) Method Area ha 10/05/2017 1st Quarter 17/05/2017 1st Quarter
18/05/2017 Back half
27/05/2017 2nd Quarter
31/05/2017 2nd Quarter 19/12/2017 front half
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Application Date Product Rate (L/ha) Method Area ha 10/05/2017 17/05/2017 1st Quarter 31/05/2017 2nd Quarter Pivot 2 was in September, October and December 2017, for a total production of . Area Date Product Yield Harvested 11/09/2017 3/10/2017 1/12/2017 The on Pivot 2 was
Pivot 3 was sown to at the beginning of the 2016 dry season to establish a source of and to stabilise Pivot 3 as it had mainly been cropped annually to for nearly by then.
Given the solid base of the well-established it was carried over and fertilised regularly throughout the 2017 season.
Rate Application Location on Date Product (kg/ha) Method Area ha Pivot 18/04/2017 top 25/04/2017 top ???? top 12/05/2017 bottom 22/05/2017 top 23/05/2017 Whole pivot 25/05/2017 bottom 26/05/2017 bottom bottom 27/05/2017 top top 2/06/2017 top 5/06/2017 bottom 13/06/2017 top 4/07/2017 top 7/07/2017 top 18/07/2017 Whole pivot 19/07/2017 bottom 28/07/2017 Whole pivot 8/08/2017 bottom 20/08/2017 top 24/08/2017 top 24/08/2017 top 11/09/2017 whole pivot 13/09/2017 bottom 14/09/2017 bottom 19/09/2017 whole pivot 9/10/2017 top 20/10/2017 top 20/11/2017 bottom
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No weed or pest control was required.
The pivot was cut on several occasions to yield The harvesting progress is recorded in the following table. Area Date Product Yield Harvest 1/04/2017 3/05/2017 9/05/2017 20/05/2017 20/05/2017 1/07/2017 15/07/2017 17/08/2017 9/09/2017 7/10/2017 1/11/2017 24/11/2017 10/12/2017 6/12/2017
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WATER USE
A heavy wet season in 2016/17 resulted in a significant and long-lasting storage of water behind the levy banks/elevated station roads on the flat area near Blina Creek and behind the closed floodway and this was critical to crop production. The floodway is illustrated in the following pictures.
Floodway Floodway - Measuring Water Level
Uralla Creek fell to the cease to flow level (38.6 M AHD) in early August 2016 and the level declined slowly over the rest of the dry season.
Pump records show the following irrigation was applied through three pumps across the season from January to November 2016. Water was available in Durack Pool until early November 2016 when irrigation was concluded.
Water use on each of the pivots across the whole irrigation season is shown in the following table.
Pivot Total (ML) Total Pivot 1 (est) Pivot 2 Pivot 3 Total
All of the pumps have historically been set to deliver and this figure has been used with pump hours to accurately calculate the water used until the 2016 season. Historical water use is shown below.
For the 2017 water meters were installed on all pumps and pivots so measurements were taken in litres. The meter on Pivot 1 broke down during the season and could not be repaired. For Pivot 1, using the other meters for guidance, the early season records have been extrapolated for a full season figure three times the amount recorded to breakdown in August.
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Year ML from Pump Hours at and metered in 2017
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
2017
Following the good wet season total irrigation water use was above for the fourth time with three pivots under irrigation. This confirmed the value of the floodway and its closure. 2017 was the first year with meters installed on the irrigation system, as required by the Operating Strategy.
Heavier river flows in the 2016/17 wet season delayed the closure of the gates again, with the gates closed at SL 10.64 at the Barrage, well below the operating strategy level of SL 10.8. Seasonal irrigation was effective with three pivots planted and irrigated while water was relatively abundant early in the dry season and given the late flows and higher levels at the floodway, irrigation continued on all pivots towards the end of the dry season.
As explained each year, water use will always be affected by the time of planting, as influenced by rain, river flows, soil conditions and staff availability. Later plantings will always lead to lower water use as water availability is decreasing as the demand increases with the age and stage of the crop. With its low position in the topography and late season wetness, the lower half of Pivot 2 suffers particularly from this. Water that is available for irrigation late in the season is extremely valuable!
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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Table 5 in the previous operating strategy provided a summary of scheduled environmental reporting commitments for the project and we have recorded a summary of the activities against these requirements in the following table. Activity Summary 2015 Value Location Measurement Action Summary Water Quantity Fitzroy Barrage Depth over barrage sill Diversion at Barrage now ceases at stage 10.30 m, with the installation of the elevated sill in 2008. Sill repaired during 2010, still in good condition Uralla Creek Floodway Depth of water above and below floodway Gauge boards replaced late 2012, DoW gauge boards installed during Pump motor hours converted to water volume 2013 as the new standard from 2014 onwards; abstracted Floodway now installed; Gauge boards still to be installed below floodway, current measurements done accurately using tape over the floodway wall; Water use recorded by meters and reported (ML and GL); Total volume submitted in February 2017. Liveringa Pool Liveringa pool water level to be recorded weekly Monthly records no longer recorded as the pool maintains a depth during the dry season. above cease to take limit throughout the season Water Quality Uralla Creek Floodway Parameters listed in operating strategy, measured Samples taken during dry season of 2017 – results reported herein. using on site meter or samples sent to Perth Riparian Uralla Creek at 2 sites above and 1 Use pastoral monitoring techniques to record Three sites were monitored in late September 2017; Vegetation site below floodway/channel offtake. vegetation health, including a photographic Few changes recorded; record. Sites generally maintaining their health. Fish Uralla Creek, above and below Annual monitoring in conjunction with Murdoch Sampling completed in 2017 by Dr Morgan; Communities floodway University using local TO and Looma assistance. Report provided by Dr Morgan; Sampling in Durack Pool demonstrates health of the Uralla Creek system; Liveringa Pool Simplified annual monitoring in conjunction with Sampling completed in 2017 by Dr Morgan; Murdoch University using local TO and Looma Report provided by Dr Morgan; assistance. Sampling in Liveringa Pool demonstrates health of the Uralla Creek system; Local Culture On site meetings developing from Particular criteria have been established in the No on-site meeting with the local TOs in 2017, however, Station signed MOU towards a coexistence MOU, including considerations of TO heritage and Manager and Cropping Manager are in regular contact with local TOs; Agreement. cultural protection, environment and land access.
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WATER QUANTITY
There are several locations at which commitments have been made by LSB to manage water flows or quantity.
FITZROY BARRAGE
The permanent concrete sill continues to operate at the Fitzroy Barrage and was repaired during 2010. The concreted batters on the Durack Creek flume at the barrage were repaired during 2011 and the structure was in good shape at the end of the 2017 dry season. Further repairs will be made as required
Elevated Concrete Sill at Barrage – 2011 repair – September 2017
On the day of the visit water was still flowing over the barrage and did so for many weeks beyond.
Water Flowing over the Barrage, September 21, 2017
DURACK POOL
The DoW gauging board at the channel offtake was used for the measurements in Durack Pool for the 2017 irrigation season. The accepted cease to flow level is 38.6M AHD and the cease to pump level is 37.0M AHD.
Three pivots (1, 2 and 3) were irrigated in the 2017 dry season with the extraction of water from the pool , the amount in the licence period, but the first with water meters on the pivots. Once again
LSB Annual Report for 2017 Page 12
was irrigated. Water use is higher than in many early seasons, assuming the pump hours and meters generate equivalent data, with the 2017 season allowing irrigation late into the dry season, while observing the requirements of the operating strategy. The gates to the floodway remained closed until November 11th 2017, adopting the environmental flow trigger of maintaining the downstream pool within 0.5M of the cease to flow level of 38.6M AHD. Whenever the level in the downstream pool dropped to or near 38.1M AHD the environmental flow gates was used to maintain the water level at or above that level and this was correctly done until the November opening date.
The following graph shows the fall in water levels in Durack Pool through the 2017 dry season. The floodway gates were closed on May 6th, 2017 when the water level at the barrage was RL 10.64M, and the height at the floodway as 39.46M AHD. With the gates closed and Uralla Creek continuing to flow the pool rose to a peak of 39.7M AHD in May 19th 2017, never overtopping the floodway at 40.1M AHD, so storage was not maximised at any time in the dry season. Subsequently the pool dropped to its “full” or cease to flow level around 38.6 M AHD in October 2017, and continued to fall towards 37.0 M AHD through November and December, never reaching the cease to take, and then rain and a new river flow in December brought the creek back to 38.6M AHD on December 12th, 2017.
Water Levels Durack Pool 2017 (M AHD)
Water levels were also recorded at the Barrage, using the Department of Water’s River Monitoring site (http://kumina.water.wa.gov.au/waterinformation/wir/reports/publish/802003/tel.htm) to ensure the gates on the floodway could be closed in accordance with the operating strategy (RL 10.8M). In fact, the gates were closed when the level was lower than that allowed (RL 10.64M). The good wet season and late flows over the barrage allowed the floodway gates to be managed as closed for longer than anticipated. However, the floodway never overtopped (>40.1M AHD) and storage never reached its full capacity.
LIVERINGA POOL
Liveringa Pool depths were not recorded but occasional observations confirmed that it maintained a level near the tree line. The pool was observed to be well filled in late September 2017.
WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT
The operating strategy requires that the 300mm bypass pipe will be used to keep the downstream pool within 50cm of the cease to flow level (38.6M AHD), i.e. at above 38.1M AHD. The 300mm bypass pipe has excess capacity to replace any water lost through seepage and evapotranspiration. It has a gated valve to allow control of flows to the downstream pool to maintain the required level.
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In 2017 the downstream level dropped to 38.1 on six occasions and the environmental flow gate was used to raise the level above that trigger on each occasion as shown jn the table below.
Date open 18/09/2017 28/09/2017 10/10/2017 19/10/2017 29/10/2017 5/11/2017 downstream level 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.1 38.1 date closed 19/09/2017 29/09/2017 11/10/2017 20/10/2017 30/10/2017 6/11/2017 downstream level 38.25 38.21 38.2 38.28 38.22 38.2 In this way the condition of the operating strategy could be met. The water level above the floodway is detailed in the section above.
The floodway gates were closed on May 6th, 2017 with the level at 39.46M AHD, and opened on November 21st, 2017 with the upstream level at 37.54M AHD with the downstream top-up no longer possible. With the condition on the level in the downstream pool manageable using the environmental flow gate the main gates were not opened at 38.6M AHD, rather about a month later having satisfied the other (downstream) condition.
WATER QUALITY
LSB takes on-site measurements of temperature, pH and salinity (electrical conductivity) with its portable equipment. Samples are taken near the sites established in 2007 on the northern bank of the pool above and below the channel offtake. In 2017 a new portable meter was purchased so the 2017 readings below are the first with that new meter and should be more accurate than the previous meter that had been on station for many years. Bottled samples are taken and frozen for a later and wider ranging laboratory analysis.
Under the new operating strategy the required laboratory analyses are pH, EC, Total P and Total N. However, some other conventional analyses were completed and are reported here.
A one monthly spike was observed for each of the N and P frozen analyses, followed by the usual result of the return to standard levels the month after, except for December, he final sample for the year. Temperature, pH and conductivity measurements are similar to previous years, with similar seasonal variations.
TEMPERATURE
Field measurements of temperature show the expected lows mid-year with temperatures rising again through September and to December 2017.
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Temperature (oC) Durack Pool 2017
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Dissolved oxygen no longer has to be measured but there are standards established over many previous years. There was one field measurement taken by Dr Morgan at the time of fish sampling. The readings reported by Dr Morgan (Liveringa Pool 5.44 ppm, Durack Pool 5.11 ppm) returned to the higher levels found in previous years.
Site Year Dissolved Oxygen (%) Dissolved oxygen (ppm)
Durack Pool 2008 90.8 6.61
2009 67.9 4.93
2010 53.0 3.73
2012 80.9 5.93
2013 65.1 4.62
2014 78.1 6.11
2015 52.6 3.70
2016 43.5 3.5
2017 67.7 5.11
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Site Year Dissolved Oxygen (%) Dissolved oxygen (ppm)
Liveringa Pool 2008 85.9 6.38
2009 65.5 4.61
2010 54.6 3.92
2012 90.1 6.70
2013 27.3 2.05
2014 70.5 5.48
2015 64.3 4.60
2016 31.3 1.2
2017 69.3 5.44
PH
Field measurements of pH showed similar variations to previous years, but were consistently within the range of pH 7 and 8.7, again with marginally higher field readings at the upstream pump station throughout 2017. The new portable field meter gave field readings that are much closer to those measured in the laboratory on the samples collected and frozen before transport to Perth.
Field pH Durack Pool (2017)
Laboratory analysis found that pH in Durack Pool varied from around pH 8.3 to pH 9.0 at all sites throughout the dry season, with no apparent seasonal influence. Readings at the freehold pump station were no higher than those recorded downstream. These readings match those from previous years.
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Laboratory Samples pH 2017, all sites
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY/SALINITY
The electrical conductivity (salinity) in Durack Pool as measured in the field increased with evaporation (concentration) as the dry season progressed, from less than100 mg/L (ppm), early in the season, to just over 500 mg/L in November and December 2017. Usually sampling had concluded in November as that was the last month when the conditions for irrigation were satisfied. All of the readings from field and laboratory analysis were of drinking water quality, based on Water Corporation standards2 and there was no evidence of deteriorating water quality, a similar result to that observed from 2006 to 2016. Field Salinity, Durack Pool (2017)
2 https://www.watercorporation.com.au/-/media/files/residential/about-us/our-performance/drinking-water- quality/annual-report-2013.pdf
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The laboratory measurements (in µS/cm) are similar to the field measurements (ppm), allowing for the conversion between units (see below), all within drinking water quality ranges. Once again water appears fresher at the downstream site (Pivot 3).
Stored Sample Conductivity (µS/cm)
(Note units X mg/L = 0.64*X µS/cm)
NITROGEN
Total nitrogen (mg/L) in 2016 was lower than found in 2015 and tended to increase until September for both sampling points in Durack Pool when there was a spike at the upstream site. This returned to more normal levels over the subsequent months but there was another spike at the upstream site in early November, the final sample for the year. No spillages were reported at either site. Total Nitrogen 2017
Ammonia N had been measured up until 2015 but under the revised Operating Strategy is no longer required.
PHOSPHORUS
Filterable reactive Phosphorus (FRP) was measured up until 2015 but is no longer required.
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Total phosphorus (mg/L) in 2016 varied between 0.09 and 0.20 mg/L, more like the readings from most prior years and well below the record levels from 2015. Total Phosphorus 2017 (mg/L)
These readings are similar to those from most past years. As has generally occurred there was an odd spike in the N (September) and P (December) readings. Discussions with the Cropping Manager have confirmed that no spills were observed. Comparisons of the 2017 results with the submitted triggers are shown in the following table. Invariably some of the upper readings are higher than triggers and previous readings. While the levels measured have sometimes been above the standards that have been established elsewhere the health of the water body and the safety of the irrigation practices have been confirmed each year by the response of the riparian vegetation and the health of fish in the water. Fish appear to respond more to low water levels and there have been some fish deaths observed at other sites on the Fitzroy following major inflows of water leading to a depletion of oxygen at the site (most recently Geikie Gorge).
2017 gave a complete set of frozen samples for laboratory analysis and apart from the odd peaks the readings were consistent. It is possible that the exceptions result from a sampling error rather than a change in the water conditions. The peaks have often occurred late in the season. Water Quality Triggers
Physical and Chemical Indicator Default Laboratory Actuals Field Actuals 2017 Trigger 2017 Total Phosphorus (µg P L-1) 10 40 - 100 Total Nitrogen (µg N L-1) 200 – 300 400 - 2800 Salinity (EC) (µS/cm or mg/L) 140 - 650 (µS/cm) 66 – 529 mg/L Temperature 19.7 to 32.8oC Dissolved Oxygen (% Saturation) (lower limit) 85 not measured (see fish report) pH (Lower Limit) 6.0 – 8.0 8.4 to 9.0 7.77 – 8.73 These figures continue to contribute to the development of standards for Durack Pool.
Highlights from the above table include the freshness of the water, and the higher temperature observed in November and December as 2017 was the first time any cropping has extended to that month. Many readings in 2017 exceed the default triggers that have been adopted from the literature for phosphorus and nitrogen but no ill effects have yet been observed in the environment (water, vegetation or fish).
RIPARIAN VEGETATION
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All three sites were monitored in late September 2016 using the 2007 manual as the basis.
A copy of the vegetation report is included as a separate item.
FISH COMMUNITIES
Dr David Morgan from Murdoch University was able to complete the full fish monitoring program in both Durack and Liveringa Pools in 2017, including the second of three years of monitoring above and below the closed floodway. In a previous report Morgan noted that the fish communities vary with the water levels across the years. Drier years, with lower water levels in Durack Pool, have supported lower numbers of some species and are different from wetter years, with higher water levels.
In 2017 he sampled when there were unusually high water levels and this resulted in a particularly low capture in Durack Pool using the established sampling methods, likely due to the dilution of fish in a greater volume of water than previously encountered at that time of year.
Morgan has noted that it appears that the drawdown of water from Uralla Creek at its current level is sustainable, but it is likely to play a role in the faunal composition of Durack Pool when water levels become very low, such as during 2016, thereby increasing predation from piscivores and also reptiles. Water levels in Durack Pool decrease each year as a consequence of irrigation, seepage and evaporation. He has also suggested that predation is a factor below the floodway when the gates are closed.
This year (2017) provides the first indication of changes that may be experienced in Durack Pool with the operation of the floodway, and monitoring of its impact on fish populations is recognised to be most important.
Morgan speculated in 2016 that the high numbers of predatory fish and reptiles in the system are suggestive of a large biomass of prey. This was certainly true for the late dry of 2016 when the density of fish captured via seines was considerably higher than at all other times of the study. Water levels during 2016were at the lowest they had been at any other point in the study, both as a consequence of an extremely dry wet season of 2015/2016, but also due to water extraction and as a consequence of evaporation. In October 2017 he observed particularly low numbers of predators, especially fresh water crocodiles.
He noted that while the flood gates are likely to act as a barrier to migrating fish, the fauna in these pools appear to be able to withstand or rapidly recover from most perturbations imposed by the natural seasonal drying of the habitat and the exacerbated drying caused by water extraction. The impacts to migratory fishes and their pathways are currently unknown, but like fish communities elsewhere that become trapped below barriers, increased mortality by predation is likely to occur.
LOCAL CULTURE
LSB remains committed to the support and maintenance of local culture and various beneficial forms of collaboration, as demonstrated by their support of the December 2005 MOU.
There was no on-site meeting in 2017 but Station and Cropping Managers met occasionally with representatives of the Nyikina Mangala traditional owner group. While it is not a condition of the licence the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation encourages regular interaction between LSB and the Traditional Owners and has suggested to the KLC that the TOs request copies of LSB’s reports.
REPORTING
We now have another full season’s irrigation activity with three pivots operating for much of the dry season. The fourth did not operate in season 2017 because it was not installed. LSB maintains sufficiently regular contact with the
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Department’s Kununurra office to ensure awareness of progress with the project. Once again there have been several meetings and regular communication between LSB and DoW staff over the last 12 months.
This report reflects the additional requirements that result from the installation and operation of the new floodway.
POTENTIAL TO VARY ESTABLISHED CEASE TO PUMP STANDARDS
The survey of Durack Pool was commissioned and submitted to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation during the last year. Permission to take water to greater depth was not approved during the three-year period of trial for the floodway. Liveringa is keen to see that option reconsidered after the trial period is completed and the impact of the gates is fully appraised.
QUERIES
Should there be any queries on this report please contact Dr Doug McGhie using established contact details.
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FISHES OF SNAKE (URALLA) CREEK, FITZROY RIVER, WESTERN
AUSTRALIA 2016-2017
Fishes of Snake (Uralla) Creek, Fitzroy River, Western Australia 2016- 2017
Report to Liveringa Station Beef, February 2018
Prepared by DL Morgan and T Ryan Freshwater Fish Group & Fish Health Unit Centre or Fish & Fisheries Research Murdoch University South St, Murdoch, Western Australia
Email: [email protected]
Acknowledgements Special thanks to thank Doug McGhie (Liveringa) for assisting with the project and to the Nyikina-Mangala Rangers for help with the fieldwork, in particular, thanks to JR Albert, Conan Lee, Nathan Green and Travis Fazeldean, and co-ordinator Damien Giles.
Summary
As a part of the water allocation process to Liveringa Station Beef, as set out in their agreement with the Department of Water, Government of Western Australia (see Liveringa Station Beef Pty Ltd Operating Strategy 2015), annual monitoring of the fish fauna of Uralla (Snake) Creek is required during the late dry season, when water levels are historically low. Further monitoring is also required during the time when the flood gates, which were recently installed at the downstream end of Durack Pool, are closed. Sampling of the fishes in Uralla Creek, which is commonly referred to as Snake Creek, in the Fitzroy River catchment of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, was also previously undertaken during October 2008, in early November in 2009 and 2010, in October 2012 and 2013, in late September 2014 and in October 2015 to fulfil the requirements of the water licensing placed on Liveringa Station Beef by the Department of Water, Government of Western Australia. Historically, fish surveys were conducted in Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool. During 2016, sampling occurred in winter in the pools immediately upstream and downstream of a newly installed flood gate. During 2017, sampling was again undertaken in Liveringa Pool and in Durack Pool during October. In June 2017, fish sampling occurred above and below the flood gates to determine the differences in fishes upstream and downstream of the gates, and were also compared to 2016 catches. Fish catches were compared between two major pools of Uralla Creek, i.e. Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool. The fish fauna within Uralla Creek was surveyed using a variety of methods including seine nets, fyke nets and gill nets, although fyke netting was discontinued in 2009 as catches using this method were often compromised by Freshwater Crocodiles. Additionally, fish captured in fyke nets may be predated on by other fishes, thereby leading to an underestimation of catches. In 2014 and October 2016 crocodiles were extremely active and catches were considered too high to use gill nets, amid mortality of netted fish occurring and safety concerns for the handlers. Fish captured in seine nets were compared between night and day, both within and between the sites, which allows for the capture of nocturnal species. In general, the fish fauna varied between years and pools to some extent, although sampling effort was almost identical. Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM; PRIMER) revealed that there were significant differences in the fish fauna captured in each pool between most years with a few exceptions (see Table 2). There was no significant difference between the fishes captured in 2008 and 2009 in Durack Pool or in 2008 and 2009 in Liveringa Pool. There was also no significant difference in the fishes captured in Liveringa Pool in 2008 and 2012, or within Durack Pool in 2014 and 2012 and again between in 2010 and 2015. Sampling revealed that in all other years, the fauna within and between pools was significantly different (Table 4). In total, 3366 fish were captured in Durack Pool and Liveringa Pool during 2008, with 1987 fish captured in Durack Pool and 1379 captured in Liveringa Pool. Additionally, 457 and 66 cherabin were captured in these sites, respectively. Results during 2009 were very similar, with a total of 3692 fish captured, i.e. 2327 fish captured in Durack Pool, and 1365 captured in Liveringa Pool. Although a similar number of fish was recorded in 2010 in Durack Pool (i.e. 2100), catches in Liveringa Pool were considerably lower (n = 538), and this was potentially the result of an early flood event that diluted the fauna. During 2012, 1540 fish were captured in Durack Pool, and 1682 were captured in Liveringa Pool, at a time when water levels were substantially less than in previous years. During low water levels in the study, 2013, we found 1661 fish in Durack Pool and 2645 in Liveringa Pool. In 2014, Liveringa Pool had again been flooded, which may have led to a dilution effect on our catches, with only 737 fish captured, while only 460 fish were captured in Durack Pool. Water levels were low during 2015, resulting from a poor wet season. Although some 2336 fish were captured in Durack
Pool, only 936 were captured in Liveringa Pool. We also recorded the lowest diversity (total number of species) in Liveringa Pool in 2015 compared to all other years, while diversity was second lowest on record for Durack Pool. During 2016, when water levels were lower than that recorded in 2015, we captured 3933 fish from 13 species in Liveringa Pool in seine nets in October, compared to 3455 fish from 11 species in Durack Pool; which was more than double of most previous years sampling events. Comparing the fish fauna above and below the flood gates during August 2016, at a time when flow had ceased, similar seine netting effort recorded only 581 fish from 12 species downstream of the gates, compared to 2962 fish from 9 species upstream of the gates. Gill netting captured 12 Barramundi/hour downstream of the flood gates, and 5 Barramundi/hour upstream of the flood gates. The density of Freshwater Crocodiles/100 m of creek, as determined by hourly eye shine counts during the evening was a maximum of 9 downstream of the flood gates to 44 upstream of the floodgates. This compared to a maximum of 82 Freshwater Crocodiles/100 m of creek observed upstream of the flood gates during the October 2016 sampling event, with a maximum of 36/100 m of creek in Liveringa Pool. ANOVA suggested that a significantly lower number of fish were captured downstream of the flood gates compared to upstream of the gates. Similarly, very low numbers of fish were captured in Liveringa Pool in spring 2017 (n = 197), which is by far the lowest ever recorded, despite an extremely wet year; with the diversity of species also low. Comparably, in spring 2017 in Durack Pool, some 1625 fish were captured, with a diversity of 12 species. When comparing fish abundance and diversity upstream and downstream of the flood gates in winter 2017, when Durack Pool was full, we captured 565 fish from 10 species upstream, compared to 725 fish from 18 species downstream of the floodgates. The fish upstream of the flood gate were comprised mainly (~93%) of Bony Bream, an important food source for many species of the river. The fauna downstream of the floodgates, saw a reduction in the contribution of this species (37%), and contained migratory fishes such as juvenile Barramundi (18 individuals) as well as 5 species of eel-tailed catfishes (16% of fish), with only a single individual captured upstream. There was also a large number of Spangled Perch (265) captured downstream of the flood gates. The high diversity of species below the flood gates suggests that the barrier may have created a species bottleneck, as they embark on an upstream feeding or breeding migration. Furthermore, Small fodder fishes, such as Western Rainbowfish and Prince Regent Hardyheads were almost non-detectable at these sites during 2017; these species often representing large portions of the catch. The mechanism for the extremely low abundance of fish in Liveringa Pool in 2017 is unknown, and may be related to the large and sustained flows of the system during 2017, with some impact caused to species migrations by the presence of a barrier. Crocodile numbers were also very low in 2017, with a maximum of 2 and 8/100 m of bank in Durack Pool in winter and spring, respectively, compared to 9/100 m of bank downstream of the flood gates in winter 2017 and 35/100 m of bank at Liveringa Pool during spring 2017. The high numbers of predatory fish and reptiles in the system in most years are suggestive of a large biomass of prey. This is certainly true for the late dry of 2016 when the density of fish captured via seines was considerably higher than at all other times of the study. Water levels were the lowest during 2016 than at any other point in the study, both as a consequence of an extremely dry wet season of 2015/2016, but also due to water extraction and evaporation; the low numbers in 2017 mirror the unusually low abundance of fish. While the flood gates are likely to act as a barrier to migrating fish, the fauna in Uralla Creek appear to be able to withstand or rapidly recover from most perturbations imposed by the natural seasonal drying of the habitat and the exacerbated drying caused by water extraction at the current level. The impacts to migratory fishes and their pathways are currently unknown, but like fish communities elsewhere that become trapped below barriers, increased
mortality by predation is likely to occur. The impact of the disruption to migratory routes of the various species needs to be examined. To further examine the fishes of Uralla Creek and how the structural and functional integrity of the fauna is maintained during the annual drying and flooding, with additional pressures of water extraction, a food web study should be conducted. Examinations into the spawning periods of most species in the Fitzroy River have not been examined, and would allow further explanations of the impact of barriers and water extraction to be determined; noting that a suite of species spawn and recruit in the late dry season in Uralla Creek. Further, the impediment to migratory routes around or through the floodway gates should be examined via tagging studies.
Introduction
Fishes found in freshwater habitats may be potamodromous (where they migrate wholly within freshwaters for reproductive purposes), diadromous (whereby only part of their life-cycle involves spending time in freshwaters), marine migrants (that spawn at sea and enter estuaries and freshwaters in large numbers as juveniles) or marine or estuarine vagrants that wander in from estuaries or marine environments but do not rely on freshwaters. Diadromous fishes can be further categorised as catadromous (where adults breed in the sea and the juveniles migrate into freshwater nurseries) or anadromous (which describes those fishes that have an adult phase that breeds in freshwaters and a juvenile stage that is marine). An example of a semi-catadromous fish is the Barramundi, which may or may not enter freshwaters as a juvenile following hatching in estuaries. Another group of fish that utilise freshwater habitats as juveniles includes a number of euryhaline elasmobranchs, such as Bull Sharks and Freshwater Sawfish (Morgan et al. 2014). Thus, maintaining freshwater migratory pathways can be vital in maintaining the integrity of certain fish communities and in the case of economic and endangered species. The Fitzroy River in Western Australia’s Kimberley region has a catchment of almost 100,000 km2 and a comparatively high diversity of fishes for the region, due to the high number of diadromous fishes that utilise the system as well as a large suite of obligate freshwater fishes (Morgan et al. 2004, 2011). The first study of the Fitzroy River that published distributional data relating to the fish fauna was from that of Morgan et al. (2002, 2004). These studies also represent the only overviews of the fishes of the Fitzroy River, and contained a contribution from Durack Pool in Uralla Creek (Snake Creek). In these studies, Snake Creek was found to contain 17 species of fish, and was one of the most diverse sites sampled in the survey of 70 sites across the catchment. The Fitzroy River is known to be one of the most diverse systems in Western Australia in terms of freshwater fish species (Morgan et al. 2011). A total of 23 species are known from the system, with two species essentially being endemic to the Fitzroy River catchment (Morgan et al. 2004). A further 14+ species of fish of marine or estuarine origin (i.e. breed in estuary or marine environment) utilise the river as a nursery, and this includes large species such as Barramundi (Lates calcarifer), Freshwater Sawfish (Pristis pristis) and smaller species such as mullet (see Morgan et al. 2004, 2014, Thorburn et al. 2007). Further, there are pronounced (significant) differences in the fish fauna associated with the different broad habitats of the river (e.g. tributaries, billabongs,
headwaters, lower main channel, middle and upper main channel) (Morgan et al. 2004). Thus, the fauna of Uralla Creek is unique compared to other habitat types in the Fitzroy River catchment, but its channel has previously been modified and its upstream confluence with the Fitzroy River main stem concreted and modified to divert water down its length from behind the Barrage, while a newly installed flood gate system operated for the first time during 2016. Specifically, Uralla Creek is a floodplain system that floods naturally and is supplied by water diverted from the main channel from the Camballin Barrage. This water resource is utilised by Liveringa Station Beef for growing feed that supports the livestock industry. As part of the water allocation process to Liveringa, as set out in their agreement with the Department of Water, Government of Western Australia, annual monitoring of the fish fauna of Uralla Creek is required. Here, a report of the fish fauna captured during an extremely dry year (2016) is reported and compared to an extremely wet year (2017), and the fish fauna around the newly constructed flood gate system is assessed and described.
Methods
Interannual variation in fishes of Snake Creek During October 2016 and 2017, the fish fauna of Liveringa Pool and Durack Pool was examined using seine netting, and was compared to previous sampling events in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The seine net was 26 m long net consisting of a 10 m pocket of 3 mm woven mesh and two 8 m wings of 6 mm mesh that fished to a depth of 1.5 m. In previous years gill netting, fyke netting, electrofishing, hand line and visual surveys (including spot-lighting) have also been used. Similar methods (seine netting) were employed at two main channel Fitzroy River sites, i.e. Myroodah Crossing and in a large pool ~1.5 km downstream of the Barrage in previous years. The gill netting usually comprised three replicate samples (15 minutes each during daylight hours) set from the bank and were kept to a minimum (short duration) due to the extremely high abundance of Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus jonstoni) in Snake Creek (see results). The seine netting comprised a minimum of three night replicates and three day replicates at each site; nocturnal effort designed to account for species that remain hidden during daylight hours. The seine net was deployed from a boat and sampled an area of ~108 m2.
Seine netting Durack Pool, October 2017
In order to assess population demographics of each species at the different sites, a subsample of all fish (maximum of 100 individuals) captured were measured for total length (TL) to the nearest 1 mm, while the remainder were counted and released at the site of capture. Cherabin (Macrobrachium spinipes) were measured for orbital carapace length (OCL) to the nearest 1 mm using vernier callipers.
Croc-watch In order to provide an indication of the approximate relative abundance of Freshwater Crocodiles in the Snake Creek sites, the number of eye shines (using a hand-held spotlight) was counted at regular (hourly) intervals from dusk until midnight by a maximum of two observers; a period when the crocodiles move to the water’s edge. The mean maximum abundance over a given bank length were estimated (measured using GPS) and presented as number of crocodiles per 100 m of bank. Similar methodologies have previously been used in Western Australia (e.g. Webb G. Pty Ltd 1989, CALM 2003).
Freshwater Crocodile eye-shines on the banks of Uralla Creek in 2016 (pictured), were significantly lower in 2017
Fish fauna upstream and downstream of the flood gates During August 2016 and July 2017, the fish fauna in the pool immediately downstream of the flood gates and the site within Durack Pool was examined using seine netting and gill netting, and was compared between sites. The seine net was 26 m long net consisting of a 10 m pocket of 3 mm woven mesh and two 8 m wings of 6 mm mesh that fished to a depth of 1.5 m. The gill netting comprised three replicate samples (15 minutes each during daylight hours) of a 150 mm stretched-mesh net set from the bank and were kept to a minimum (short duration) due to the extremely high abundance of Freshwater Crocodiles present. The seine netting comprised a minimum of three night replicates and three day replicates at each site; nocturnal effort designed to account for species that remain hidden during daylight hours. The seine net was deployed from a boat and sampled an area of ~108 m2. Note that no flow was recorded during this period and the gates were closed.
Downstream of the flood gates on Uralla Creek in October 2017
Analysis of data Comparisons were made between the diversity of species captured using the different methods and the mean number of each individual fish species captured in seines during the day and night were illustrated for each site using SigmaPlot. The individual seine net data were also examined (after being log-transformed) using ANOSIM in the Primer package to test for diurnal and site differences. This package was also used to graphically illustrate the data. Length-frequency histograms were prepared using SigmaPlot for each species whereby sufficient numbers were measured, and comparisons made between site and capture method.
Environmental variables Water quality was measured at each site based on three replicate records of water temperature (oC), conductivity (µS/cm), total dissolved solids (TDS, ppm), dissolved oxygen (% and ppm) and pH. Replicates were then used as the basis for reporting a mean and standard error (SE). Water stage height data was provided by Liveringa Station.
A Freshwater Crocodile captured during seine netting August 2016
Durack Pool October 2017
Results and Discussion
Water quality and quantity In contrast to the water levels during October 2016, which were the lowest encountered since sampling began in 2008, 2017 levels were extremely high, particularly upstream of the flood grates in June 2017. Water quality parameters were all within the range of previous sampling events.
Fish species captured during seine netting The number of individual fish captured using standardised-effort seine netting was high at both Liveringa Pool and Durack Pool in October 2016. During 2016, 3933 individual fish from 13 species in Liveringa Pool were captured in seine nets, compared to 3455 fish from 11 species in Durack Pool; which was more than double most previous years sampling events. Many species showed signs of recent recruitment and this was the first time since 2010 that Bony Bream, which is a keystone species in the river, was the dominant species caught. In October 2017, the abundance was much lower, with only 197 fish from 9 species being captured in Liveringa Pool, and 1625 fish from 12 species being captured in Durack Pool.
Fish fauna upstream and downstream of the flood gates in winter Comparing the fish fauna above and below the flood gates during July 2017, similar seine netting effort recorded only 565 fish from 10 species upstream of the gates, compared to 725 fish from fish from 17 species downstream of the gates. Water levels were extremely high during July 2017, and over 92% of the fish captured upstream of the flood gates was the Bony Bream, compared to this species only representing 37% of the catch downstream of the flood gates. The diversity of fishes below the flood gates was higher than has previously been recorded in either Durack Pool or Liveringa Pool over the last decade.
Site Temperature Conductivity TDS (ppm) Dissolved Dissolved pH (ºC) (µS/cm) oxygen (%) oxygen (ppm)
Durack 2008 28.8 (0.04) 469.0 (0.29) 478.9 (1.40) 90.8 (1.39) 6.61 (0.35) 7.47 (0.01) Pool 2009 31.8 (0.10) 846.2 (0.29) 586.3 (4.61) 67.9 (0.82) 4.93 (0.01) 6.9 (0.00) 2010 28.5 (0.24) 295.0 (0.11) 174.3 (2.04) 53.0 (4.48) 3.73 (0.21) 7.34 (0.13) 2012 31.1 (0.26) 706.0 (0.81) 409.3 (0.27) 80.9 (1.75) 5.93 (0.46) 8.77 (0.46) 2013 30.2 (0.12) 532.0 (2.41) 313.7 (1.97) 65.1 (1.39) 4.62 (0.42) NA 2014 27.6 (0.20) 260.4 (0.42) 161.4 (0.33) 78.1 (0.93) 6.11 (0.28) 8.11 (0.20) 2015 31.8 (0.70) 183.3 (3.52) 112.7 (7.94) 52.6 (16.23) 3.7 (0.31) 8.89 (0.02) 2016 27.2 (0.39) 187.0 (1.53) 121.8 (1.03) 43.5 (4.95) 3.5 (0.31) 8.80 (0.11) 2017 30.0 (0.03) 851.7 (6.67) 504.3 (4.33) 67.7 (4.68) 5.11 (0.35) 8.50 (0.00) Liveringa 2008 30.3 (0.25) 267.9 (0.15) 172.8 (0.20) 85.9 (1.35) 6.38 (0.05) 7.29 (0.03) Pool 2009 34.0 (0.74) 546.1 (6.67) 401.5 (0.32) 65.5 (13.61) 4.61 (1.03) 6.88 (0.00) 2010 29.5 (0.04) 305.3 (0.99) 187.0 (1.27) 54.6 (2.20) 3.92 (0.10) 7.53 (0.05) 2012 31.5 (0.58) 419.8 (1.61) 242.4 (0.40) 90.1 (2.49) 6.70 (0.63) 8.86 (0.23) 2013 29.1 (1.58) 348.9 (0.10) 210.2 (0.76) 27.3 (1.08) 2.05 (0.29) 7.63 (0.11) 2014 28.1 (0.25) 278.5 (1.10) 170.9 (0.66) 70.5 (1.66) 5.48 (0.46) 7.43 (0.12) 2015 31.7 (0.18) 194.9 (14.78) 112.9 (1.62) 64.3 (4.08) 4.6 (0.35) 8.88 (0.09) 2016 32.0 (0.33) 203.8 (1.67) 116.9 (0.38) 31.3 (7.74) 1.2 (0.46) 9.12 (0.38) 2017 27.2 (0.09) 286.3 (1.20) 177.7 (0.33) 69.3 (1.43) 5.44 (0.13) 8.30 (0.00) Durack Aug 2016 Pool -Above 22.5 (0.16) 158.2 (0.19) 102.7 (0.00) 62.6 (1.70) 5.4 (0.13) 8.33 (0.14) crossing -Below 21.2 (0.26) 177.3 (0.43) 115.2 (0.22) 60.3 (0.79) 5.6 (0.15) 8.71 (0.12) crossing Durack Jul 2017 Pool -Above 22.0 (0.08) 383.3 (0.88) 276.0 (1.0) 73.6 (1.57) 6.2 (0.12) 7.89 (0.01) crossing -Below 21.6 (0.10) 75.0 (2.77) 6.2 (0.21) 7.86 (0.01) crossing
Table 1 Water quality parameters during the study period.
This high diversity is unusual, and may be attributed to species accumulating below the barrier as they embark on upstream migrations (perhaps for breeding purposes), and facilitated by the high flows at the time of sampling. The diversity of eel-tailed catfishes was high, with four species captured below, and which contributed to over 16% of the catch. Further, newly recruiting juvenile Barramundi were consistently captured in seine nets below the flood gates, representing 2.5% of the catch, and may have been accumulating as a result of the barrier to their upstream migration. N.B. Successful recruitment of juvenile Barramundi was observed at other sites in the main channel of the river during 2017, a result that was contributed to by the high discharge that the river experienced during 2017. Similarly, while one neonate Freshwater Sawfish was captured in Durack Pool, over 100 were captured and tagged in the main channel of the river by Murdoch University researchers (Karissa Lear, Adrian Gleiss, David Morgan et al. unpublished data) and the Nyikina-Mangala Rangers, their extremely high abundance strongly influenced by the high discharge that favours survival of the species. During 2016, ANOSIM suggested that there was no significant difference in the species captured upstream and downstream of the flood gates, One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that the mean number of fish captured in each seine at each site was significantly lower (p = 0.018) downstream of the flood gates (i.e., 581 vs 2962); while a Two- way ANOVA suggested that there were no significant differences between day catches and night catches. One species that was only recorded below the barrier, was Greenway’s Grunter (Hannia greenwayi), and 32% of these were observed to have ulcers that were likely attributed to Red-spot Disease (or Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome), which is a disease of fish caused by a water mould Aphanomyces invadens and can be related to a number of factors such as sudden changes in water quality/conditions or stress.
Greenway’s Grunter captured downstream of the flood gates in August 2016 showing signs of Red-spot Disease, an indicator of stress
The downstream section of instream barriers often contain a high number of piscivorous predators, and this was reflected in the gill netting which captured 12 Barramundi/hour downstream of the flood gates, and 5 Barramundi/hour upstream of the flood gates. The site was also relatively popular with locals as a fishing location. The density of Freshwater Crocodiles/100 m of creek, as determined by hourly eye shine counts during the evening, which was a maximum of 9 downstream of the flood gates, was 4 upstream of the floodgates. This compared to a maximum of 82 Freshwater Crocodiles/100 m of creek observed upstream of the flood gates during the October 2016 sampling event, with a maximum of 36/100 m of creek observed in Liveringa Pool; density of Freshwater Crocodiles in Uralla Creek is substantially higher than within the main channel sites along the Fitzroy River. The lower number of crocodiles in 2017 may reflect the low abundances of prey (fish) found at these sites during 2017.
General conclusions and recommendations
The diversity and density of fishes in Uralla Creek is usually considerably high. As an example, a catchment wide survey in 2001-2002 found more species in Durack Pool than any other site (Morgan et al. 2004), and knowledge of the diversity of the creek has progressively increased during late dry sampling events. The densities of fish found here is usually far higher than the main channel of the Fitzroy River, and this is reflected in the high abundance of Freshwater Crocodiles, which are essentially piscivorous, as well as Barramundi. 2017 however was a year of low abundances of fish and crocodiles, yet large numbers of juvenile Barramundi were captured downstream of the flood gates. The creek is also thought to act as a bypass fishway and allows passage of fish around the Barrage during specific flows; but this theory has not been tested. The huge increase in relative abundance of fishes captured using seine nets in late 2016 was likely to be due to the water levels being extremely low, which increased their catchability. However, lower water levels are also likely to lead to increased competition and predation. Competition for food resources as well as habitat is known to increase in the Fitzroy River main channel during the dry season (Thorburn et al. 2014). To further examine the fishes of Uralla Creek and how the structural and functional integrity of the fauna is maintained during the annual drying and flooding, with additional pressures of water extraction, a food web study should commence. Examinations into the spawning periods of most species in the Fitzroy River have not been conducted, and would allow further explanations of the impact of barriers and water extraction to be determined; noting that a large suite of species spawn and recruit in the late dry season in Uralla Creek. Further, the impediment to migratory routes around or through the floodway gates should be examined using tagging studies.
A FRESHWATER M SPECIES G
B N H
C I O
J D P
E K Q
L R
F
MARINE / ESTUARINE SPECIES U S T
V
Figure 1 Some of the fish species known from Uralla Creek (from Morgan et al. (2002, 2004, 2009)). A. Nematalosa erebi. B. Neoarius graeffei. C. Anodontiglanis dahli. D. Neosilurus ater. E. Neosilurus hyrtlii. F. Porochilus rendahli. G. Strongylura krefftii. H. Melanotaenia australis. I. Craterocephalus lentiginosus. J. Ambassis sp.1. K. Ambassis sp.2 L. Glossamia aprion. M. Toxotes kimberleyensis. N. Amniataba percoides. O. Hannia greenwayi. P. Hephaestus jenkinsi. Q. Leiopotherapon unicolor. R. Glossogobius giuris. S. Pristis pristis. T. Lates calcarifer. U. Megalops cyprinoides. V. Liza alata. Photographs: D. Morgan and M. Allen.
300 Downstream of flood gates 2016 700 Upstream of flood gates 2016
600
500 200
400
300
100 200
Mean number of fish / seine Mean number of fish / seine 100
0 0
N. ater N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. hyrtlii G. giuris P. pristis S. krefftii P. pristis S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P.rendahli A. mulleriG. aprion P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei H. jenkinsiL. unicolor N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer L. calcarifer A. percoides A. percoidesH. greenw ayi Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi Ambassis sp. M. rosenbergii C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides C. lentiginosus M. cyprinoides S. multifasciata G. filamentosusS. multifasciata G. filamentosus T. kimberleyensis T. kimberleyensis
Species Species
300 300 Downstream of flood gates 2017 Upstream of flood gates 2017
200 200
100 100
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N. ater N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris G. giuris P. pristis S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P.rendahli H. jenkinsi P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis M. australis L. calcarifer L. calcarifer A. percoides A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi M. rosenbergii M. rosenbergii C. lentiginosus M. cyprinoides C. lentiginosus M. cyprinoides S. multifasciata G. filamentosusS. multifasciata G. filamentosus T. kimberleyensis T. kimberleyensis Species Species
Figure 2. Mean number of each species caught by day and night seine netting upstream and downstream of the flood gates in August 2016 compared to June 2017.
13
References
Department of Conservation and Land Management (2003). Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni). Management Plan for Western Australia 2004-2008. Morgan, D.L., Allen, G.R., Pusey, B.J. & Burrows, D.W. (2011). A review of the freshwater fishes of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Zootaxa 2816: 1-64. Morgan, D., Allen, M., Bedford, P. & Horstman, M. (2002). Inland fish fauna of the Fitzroy River Western Australia (including the Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Ngarinyin, Nyikina and Walmajarri names). Report to the Natural Heritage Trust. December 2002. Project Number 003123. Morgan, D.L., Allen, M.G., Bedford, P. & Horstman, M. (2004). Fish fauna of the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley region of Western Australia – including the Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Ngarinyin, Nyikina and Walmajarri Aboriginal names. Records of the Western Australian Museum 22: 147-161. Morgan, D.L., Gill, H.S. & Potter, I.C. (1998). Distribution, identification and biology of freshwater fishes in south-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement No. 56: 97 pp. Morgan, D.L., Unmack, P.J, Beatty, S.J., Ebner, B.C., Allen, M.G., Keleher, J.J., Donaldson, J.A. & Murphy, J. (2014). An overview of the ‘freshwater fishes’ of Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 97(2): 263-278. Thorburn, D.C., Gill, H.S. & Morgan, D.L., (2014). Predator and prey interactions of fishes of a tropical Western Australia river revealed by dietary and stable isotope analyses. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 97: 363-388. Thorburn, D.C., Morgan, D.L., Rowland, A.J. & Gill, H.S. (2007). Freshwater Sawfish Pristis microdon Latham, 1794 (Chondrichthyes: Pristidae) in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Zootaxa 1471: 27–41. Webb, G. Pty Ltd (1989). The results of Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and Freshwater Crocodile (C. johnstoni) surveys in King Sound, Stokes Bay and the Fitzroy River, Western Australia in November 1989. Report to WA Department of Conservation and Land Management.
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Table 2 Percentage contribution (total number captured in parenthesis) of the different freshwater and marine/estuarine fishes captured in Durack Pool in Spring 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Fish species 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool Durack Pool % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) Freshwater origin
Bony Bream 77.2 (1533) 88.3 (2054) 45.24 (950) 16.43 (253) 2.53 (42) 21.1 (97) 3.25 (76) 60.2 (2081) 76.6 (1239) Lesser Salmon Catfish 1.41 (28) 0.82 (19) 0.19 (4) 0.39 (6) - - - - - Black Catfish 0.05 (1) 0.09 (2) - 0.52 (8) - 0.22 (1) 0.04 (1) - 2.60 (20)
Hyrtl’s Tandan 0.86 (17) 0.90 (21) - 1.36 (21) - - 0.43 (10) 0.06 (2) 1.23 (42) Rendahl’s Catfish 0.05 (1) ------Freshwater Longtom 0.15 (3) 0.04 (1) 0.05 (1) 0.32 (5) 0.18 (3) 0.65 (3) - 0.20 (7) 0.12 (2)
Western Rainbowfish 0.15 (3) 0.04 (1) - 44.81 (690) 0.06 (1) 0.65 (3) 19.73 (461) 8.39 (290) 0.12 (2) Prince Regent Hardyhead 0.35 (7) - 12.48 (262) 5.39 (83) 48.10 (799) 5.65 (26) 11.77 (275) 2.81 (97) 0.12 (2)
North-west Glassfish - - - 7.53 (116) 21.01 (349) 46.3 (213) 43.88 (1025) 14.76 (510) 1.18 (19)
Fitzroy Glassfish 0.10 (2) 0.13 (3) 25.95 (545) ------Mouth Almighty 3.37 (67) 0.52 (12) 2.62 (55) 5.58 (86) 18.00 (299) 1.96 (9) 11.64 (272) 5.09 (176) -
Kimberley Archerfish 6.04 (121) 2.49 (58) 0.14 (3) 0.20 (3) 0.24 (4) 0.22 (1) 0.09 (2) 0.29 (10) 0.25 (4)
Barred Grunter 2.82 (56) 0.09 (2) 1.14 (24) 6.56 (101) 0.66 (11) 8.26 (38) - 0.06 (2) - Greenway’s Grunter 0.05 (1) 0.90 (21) ------
Jenkins’ Grunter ------Spangled Perch 5.69 (113) 2.45 (57) - 7.14 (110) 0.30 (5) 8.04 (37) 0.56 (13) 4.34 (150) 16.39 (265) Flathead Goby 1.51 (30) 3.14 (73) 5.76 (121) 0.39 (6) 8.07 (134) 3.26 (15) 0.34 (8) 0.23 (8) 0.74 (12)
Giant Gudgeon - - - - 0.06 (1) - 0.17 (4) - - Marine/estuarine origin
Freshwater Sawfish - 0.04 (1) - 0.06 (1) - - - - - Oxeye Herring - - 0.05 (1) 0.06 (1) 0.48 (8) 0.22 (1) - - 0.56 (9) Barramundi 0.15 (3) 0.09 (2) - 0.06 (1) 0.18 (3) - - - 0.06 (1)
Total species 16 15 10 16 13 12 11 11 12
15
Table 3 Percentage contribution (total number captured in parenthesis) of the different freshwater and marine/estuarine fishes captured in Liveringa Pool in Spring (2008-2017).
Fish species 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool Liveringa Pool % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) % (#) Freshwater origin Bony Bream 16.39 (226) 23.52 (321) 16.0 (86) 19.44 (327) 1.30 (34) 0.81 (6) 8.12 (76) 1.18 (44) 80.20 (158) Lesser Salmon Catfish 1.45 (20) 2.05 (28) 2.2 (12) 2.02 (34) 0.27 (7) - - - 0.51 (1) Toothless Catfish ------Black Catfish 0.29 (4) 0.07 (1) - 0.42 (7) 0.08 (2) 0.54 (4) 0.11 (1) 0.05 (2) 1.02 (2) Hyrtl’s Tandan 0.94 (13) - - 0.12 (2) - 0.27 (2) - - - Rendahl’s Catfish - - - - - 0.81 (6) - 0.05 (2) 0.51 (1) Freshwater Longtom 0.51 (7) 0.15 (2) 0.7 (4) 0.12 (2) 0.04 (1) - - 0.05 (2) 0.51 (1) Western Rainbowfish 6.82 (94) 9.52 (130) - 40.31 (678) 5.81 (152) 3.12 (23) 28.63 (268) 12.81 (504) - Prince Regent Hardyhead 12.98 (179) 7.32 (100) 47.0 (253) 9.28 (156) 48.10 (1259) 34.19 (252) 52.99 (496) 34.88 (1372) - North-west Glassfish 26.98 (372) 8.28 (113) 3.2 (17) 14.03 (236) 16.67 (436) 2.57 (19) 1.82 (17) 21.43 (843) - Fitzroy Glassfish - - - - - 23.61 (174) - - - Mouth Almighty 18.13 (250) 34.95 (477) 20.3 (109) 7.43 (125) 27.36 (716) 12.75 (94) 6.41 (60) 22.37 (880) 4.07 (8) Kimberley Archerfish 3.63 (50) 0.88 (12) 0.4 (2) 0.60 (10) 0.11 (3) 2.71 (20) 0.43 (4) 0.05 (2) 2.54 (5) Barred Grunter 6.09 (84) 6.59 (90) 0.7 (4) 0.18 (3) 0.69 (18) 2.44 (18) 0.11 (1) 0.99 (39) - Greenway’s Grunter ------Jenkins’ Grunter - - - - - 0.41 (3) - - - Spangled Perch 3.55 (49) 0.95 (13) - 0.77 (13) 0.08 (2) 8.14 (60) 0.11 (1) 0.20 (8) - Flathead Goby 1.31 (18) 4.76 (65) 1.5 (8) 0.77 (13) 0.04 (1) 2.17 (16) 0.43 (4) 1.22 (48) 9.64 (19) Giant Gudgeon ------0.03 (1) -
- -
Marine/estuarine origin Freshwater Sawfish - - - 0.12 (2) - - - 16
Oxeye Herring 0.80 (11) 0.07 (1) 0.2 (1) - 0.42 (11) - - - - Giant Herring - 0.07 (1) ------Diamond Mullet - - 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) - - - - - Barramundi 0.14 (1) 0.81 (11) 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) 0.6 (3) - - - 1.02 (2)
Total species 15 15 12 16 14 14 10 13 9
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N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
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300 Liveringa Pool 2017
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N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
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18
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N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species 600 Durack Pool 2016 500
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N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
Figure 3. Mean number of each species caught by day and night seine netting in 2015 and 2016 in Durack Pool. 19
350 Liveringa Pool 2015 300
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N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species 500
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N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion P. pristis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
Figure 4. Mean number of each species caught by day and night seine netting in 2015 and 2016 in Liveringa Pool.
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600 600 Durack Pool 2008 Day Durack Pool 2012 Night 500 500 Durack Pool
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N. ater N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii L. alata N. ater S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion G. giuris A. dahli L. alata P.rendahli H. jenkinsi N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. graeffei L. unicolorO. selheimi S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion M. australis P. microdon L. calcarifer P.rendahli H. jenkinsi Ambassis sp. A. percoidesH. greenw ayi N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides M. australis P. microdon L. calcarifer G. filamentosusS. multifasciata A. percoides Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi T. kimberleyensis C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis Species Species
Figure 5 . Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species captured using seine nets in Durack Pool during 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
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350 350 Liveringa Pool 2008 Day Liveringa Pool 2012 Day 300 Night 300 Night Durack Pool 250 250
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N. ater A. dahli L. alata N. erebi N. hyrtlii G. giuris N. ater S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii L. alata P.rendahli H. jenkinsi G. giuris N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion M. australis P.rendahli H. jenkinsi P. microdon L. calcarifer N. graeffei L. unicolor O. selheimi A. percoides M. australis P. microdon Ambassis sp. H. greenw ayi L. calcarifer C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides A. percoidesH. greenw ayi G. filamentosusS. multifasciata Ambassis sp. M. rosenbergii C. lentiginosus M. cyprinoides S. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis G. filamentosus T. kimberleyensis Species Species
Figure 6. Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species captured using seine nets in Liveringa Pool during 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
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N. ater L. alata N. erebi A. dahli N. hyrtlii S. krefftii A. mulleriG. aprion G. giurus A. graeffei P.rendahli H. jenkinsiL. unicolor M. australis L. calcarifer A. percoides P. microdon Ambassis sp. H. greenwayi C. lentiginosus M. rosenbergiiM. cyprinoides G. filamentosusS. multifasciata T. kimberleyensis
Species
Figure 7. Diurnal variation in the mean number (+ 1SE) of each fish species (and Cherabin) captured using seine nets in the main channel sites of the Fitzroy River, i.e. Myroodah Pool in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
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24
25
VEGETATION TRANSECT MONITORING
&
BANK STABILITY SITES
SEPTEMBER 2017
FOR FEBRUARY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...... 1 THE VEGETATION TRANSECTS ...... 1 2017 Comment ...... 1 BANK STABILITY MONITORING SITES ...... 2 INKATA NO 1 – UPSTREAM ...... 3 Main Transect ...... 3 WATER LINE SEGMENT ...... 5 Summary ...... 6 Inkata No 1 – Upstream – Pictures ...... 7 Longitudinal Study ...... 7 INKATA NO 2 – DOWNSTREAM ...... 9 Main Transect ...... 9 WATER LINE SEGMENT ...... 12 Summary ...... 12 Inkata No 2 – Downstream – Pictures ...... 13 Longitudinal Study ...... 13 INKATA NO 3 – NEAR 17 MILE DAM ...... 15 Main Transect ...... 15 WATER LINE SEGMENT ...... 18 Summary ...... 19 Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam – Pictures ...... 20 Longitudinal Study ...... 20 MONITORING BANK STABILITY ...... 24 SITE 1: ABOVE THE UPSTREAM PUMP SITE ...... 24 SITE 2: ABOVE THE CHANNEL OFFTAKE ...... 25
Introduction As part of its licence conditions LSB is required to annually monitor the health of the riparian vegetation adjacent to the Durack Pool on Uralla Creek. Three monitoring sites have been chosen and this report describes their location, the monitoring process and presents the annual records of all species as well as comments on the results for 2017. The Vegetation Transects Three sites were chosen and installed, all on the northern side of Uralla Creek. One is immediately upstream and the second immediately downstream of the channel inlet just above the site chosen for the potential Inkata floodway as shown below. The two downstream sites were established in 2005.
Inkata 2 Inkata 1
A further site is located near to the top end of Durack Pool. This site was added after the initial monitoring in 2005. It was fully established with photographic records in September 2007. Fortunately this site is adjacent to the new upstream pump station where water was taken for irrigation of crops in 2013 and beyond. Given the consideration that it may be possible to take water to greater depths at this site than near the Inkata channel this is a very important monitoring site.
2017 Comment Once again the monitoring and analysis confirms that the three sites are stable with the larger trees shown in base line photographs maintaining their good condition. Any numeric changes, where evident, result from the gains, mainly through germination and establishment of relatively small plants (seedlings), or the resprouting of damaged plants that had not shown life in the preceding year. Whitewood showed this ability in 2016. The losses could be caused by many activities, including trampling or chewing by cattle, flooding and coverage by silt, or some damage by human intervention (fire, breakage of stems, occasionally vehicles) of mainly the small seedlings, but, in particular, Whitewood at the upstream site has been trampled and damaged in recent years. No significant impact has been observed over recent years that could be attributed to the impact of irrigation from Uralla Creek. The 2016 observations were made on the 20th and 21st day of September 2016 on two moderately hot days, with temperatures around 37oC each day. Many smaller plants (seedlings) appeared water or heat stressed although not as severely as in 2015 and the three blocks of vegetation appeared much the same as in previous years (see comparative photographs). Small numbers of seedlings (particularly acacia) are gained and lost across the segments each year. The small whitewood trees at the upstream site were more still stressed this year although not as severely as in 2015 and some had been damaged by stock. Once again some were lost during the past year. Access to the sites by stock ensures they are representative of the stream bank, but there is the associated risk of damage. The photographic records of the appearance of the blocks from the long established photographic point provide a sufficient indicator of the ongoing health of the vegetation transects.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 1
The noxious weed Parkinsonia was evident at the downstream site for the second time and the Cropping Manager was notified. Noogoora Burr, another noxious weed that has previously been common on the Fitzroy River, was again recorded within the transects in 2016 and is becoming common in some segments. The 2015/16 wet season was shorter again than the previous year, but this was the first season when the floodway was in place and water could be stored to floodway height. Due to the short wet season the floodway did not overtop so the full storage was not realised so irrigation had to be carefully managed to enable irrigation of the upstream site into October 2016. Bank Stability Monitoring Sites Given the approval and subsequent installation in September/October 2015 of the new floodway and the associated requirements of the revised Operating Strategy one permanent bank stability measurement site was established in October 2015, using paint-marked steel fence pickets on the bank near the 17 Mile Dam site. All bank stability posts were also flagged to improve visibility in photographs. Benchmark photographs were taken for that site. The second site at the floodway, based on significant trees on the lower bank was again marked with fluorescent tape and photographs taken for comparison with the 2015 benchmark for that site. More detail of both sites is given later in this report.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 2
Inkata No 1 – Upstream
Date: September 20, 2017 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Numb Num Number Number Number Health/ Species Name Oct 15 Segment Base # # Numb Numb Num er Oct ber Sep 16 Sep 17 Comment Num Sept er er Oct ber Oct 13 Oct Sept 17 ber 09 Sept 11 Sep 14 08 10 12 Sept 07 1 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
2 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
3 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 only 1 (Coolibah) seedling, chewed Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 seedling (Berrigan) persisted Acacia Farnesiana 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 not found Whitewood 1 1 seedling
5 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 0coolabah 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 5 0 5 seedlings not found
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 3
Noogoora Burr 1 Dead but seede
6 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 seedlings (Berrigan) lost Acacia farnesiana 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 Seedling found Parkinsonia aculeata 1 1 1 1 Broken but large
7 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 7 2 5 seedlings (Berrigan) lost
8 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 6 6 6 7 (1 7 7 7 6 5 5 5 (Coolibah) new seedli ng) Eremophila longifolia 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Berrigan)
9 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 4 4 stable (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
10 Terminalia arostrata 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 stems 3 stems 3 stems (Nutwood) stems stems stems stem stems stem s s Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 0 1 1 1seed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ling Once again, the population of larger plants remains stable, but some new seedlings germinated over the last year, and a others were lost. Plants were generally in good health. The site was still dry, as would be expected at the end of the dry season. The Berrigan seedlings did not survive the year, but small seedlings have always been under pressure from grazing, trampling and dryness in the upper layers of soil.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 4
Water Line Segment
- 20 to 30 m on base line Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Numb Numbe Number Segment Species Name Sep 07 Oct 08 Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Oct 13 Sep 14 er Oct Health/ 15 r Sept Sept 17 Comment 16 Sept 16 1 (0-5) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 longifolia (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 1 1 1 1 2 5 2 3 seedlings lost seedlin seedli seedli gs ng ng
2 (5-10) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 stems 3 stems 4 3 1 seedling lost longifolia stems stems (Berrigan)
3 (10-15) Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Nutwood) Melaleuca 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 lost coolabah (Coolibah) Eremophila 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 longifolia (Berrigan) Freshwater 3 4 4 + 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 + 3 4 + 4 1 gained sapling + 1 Mangrove stems sapling seedlin seedlings shoot shoot gs
4 (15+) No trees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 >10 dry 0 possibly Berrigan seedling s,
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 5
The larger plants appeared stable and healthy. There was no further change in the firebreak/track from recent years, and no damage has been done to the monitoring site. The track is well established so there is little need or incentive to vary from the main track. ,There was no more human and cattle traffic evident than in recent years. The site remains a useful indicator of the health of Uralla Creek and its surrounds. On the day of sampling Durack Pool above the floodway was at 39.10M AHD, a relatively high level, and more than 2.0M above the 37.0M cease to take level. Pumping continued well into November 2017 on all Pivots. Durack Pool, September 2017, depth above floodway was approximately 39.1M AHD
Summary The upstream site (Inkata 1) showed only small changes in numbers with just small seedlings lost. Once again some Terminalia had leaves that were spotted, and appeared to be under stress. The photographs of the segment (below) illustrate that the vegetation was very similar in 2017 to previous years. Overall the segment appeared healthy with monitoring completed late in September 2017. Temperatures at sampling were high (near 40oC), so some stress could be attributed to the prevailing conditions. Sampling is always completed well after rain has ceased, with the vegetation dependent on water reserves in the soil and access to water from the adjacent pool. Durack Pool was at the highest level ever with the floodway successfully retaining water and the downstream pool within the range to allow the gates to be closed and the environmental bypass opened as necessary. Irrigation was continuing for all Pivots, with several more irrigations anticipated. Overall the site appeared healthy with only minor annual variations in the number of small seedliongsobserved.
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Inkata No 1 – Upstream – Pictures
2016 Photographic Records 2017 Photographic Records
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site have been plotted for the 10 years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the transect and extends beyond the baseline five metre monitoring width to the extent of vegetation towards the waterline. All species have been plotted for each year of recording. The many straight lines confirm the stability of the vegetation at the site and any variations show as minor. Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 2
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 7
Inkata 1, Water Line Sample, Segment 3
The above plots highlight the stability of plant numbers at that site, the changes being only very small increases or decreases when they occur.
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Inkata No 2 – Downstream
Date: September 20, 2017 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Segment Species Name # # # Sept # Sept # Oct # Sep # Oct 13 # Sep # Oct 15 Number Number Health/ 09 10 11 12 14 Sept 16 Sept 17 Sept 07 Oct 08 Comment Sept 17 1 Terminalia arostrata 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 good (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
2 Terminalia arostrata 12 12, 9 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 9, 3 dead 9, 3 9, 3 dead 9, 3 9, 3 dead As previous good 3 dead dead dead dead dead (Nutwood) dead dead stems Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 (2 big 1 (2 big 1 (2 big 1 (2 big 1 (2 big 1 (2 big 1, 2 big 1, 2 big 1, 2 big Good stems) stems) stems) stems) stems) stems) stems (Cadjeput) stems stems Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan)
3 Terminalia arostrata 6 4 4, 1 4, 1 1 OK, 1 1 good 1 1 1, some 1 1, + 3 large plant OK dead, 1 dead, 2 struggli seedling (Nutwood) seedlings small small ng, 2 seedling seedling dead Melaleuca leucadendra 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees, 2 trees, 7 2 trees, 2 trees, 7 2 trees, 2 trees, 7 Good with 7 with 7 with 7 with 7 with 7 7 stems stems 7 stems (Cadjeput) 7 stems stems stems stems stems stems stems stems Eucalyptus coolabah 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 + 1 1 1 1 Small (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Whitewood seedling 1 0 Uncertain seedling lost
4 Terminalia arostrata 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput)
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Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Seedling, chewed (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Noogoora Burr 6 dead but well seeded
5 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 6 small 3 small 6 small 5 small 12 4 15 15 Seedlings seedling seedling seedling seedlings seedlings (Nutwood) s s s Melaleuca leucadendra 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with 5 1 with 1 with 5 stems stems stems stems stems stems stems stems stems (Cadjeput) 5 stems stems Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Parkinsonia 1 1 1 Large plant, somewhat broken
6 Terminalia arostrata 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Nutwood) Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Seedling, 1M high (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia farnesiana 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 seedling
7 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 >20 >20 , assuming Terminalia. (Nutwood) seedling seedlings s Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 1 small 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 seedling (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Whitewood 1 1 1 1 +1 seedling, long narrow leaves
8 Terminalia arostrata 1 plus 1 1 plus 1 1 1 1 1 1 + 7 1 + 7 1 + 8 1 + 20 1 + 6 Many small dead dead seedlings seedlin seedlings (Nutwood) seedlin seedling seedlings lost stem stem gs gs s Melaleuca leucadendra 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Good (Cadjeput)
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Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 0 1 small 1 plus 5 5+ 5+ 1 1 1 1 seedling seedling seedling seedlings (Coolibah) s s Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 1 0 1 1 seedling
9 Terminalia arostrata 1 1 1 dead, 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 Seedlings, some 1 seedling (Nutwood) chewed. seedling s Melaleuca leucadendra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good - small (Coolibah) Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Acacia Farnesiana 2 1 2 0 Seedlings lost Noogoora Burr 1 3 3 Dead but well seeded
10 Terminalia arostrata 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 5 . Some earlier (Nutwood) considered to be Coolibah may be Terminalia. Melaleuca leucadendra 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Good large tree (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 4 4 5 5 query on species (seedlin seedling seedling seedlings seedlin (Coolibah) g) s s gs Eremophila longifolia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Berrigan) Noogoora Burr 1 1 1 dead but well seeded
Over the 12 month period there have been some losses and some gains, all within small seedlings, generally acacia or terminalia. The more substantial shrubs and trees are generally healthy and strong as shown in the base line photographs that have been similar each year. Changes remain most prominent in the understorey where various seedlings come and go. Many of the Terminalia seedlings that were new last year were lost this year.
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Water Line Segment
Segment Species Name Number Numb Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Health er 08 Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sept 12 Oct 13 Sep 14 Oct 15 Sept 16 Sept 17 07 Comment Sept 17 1 (0-5) Terminalia arostrata 3 2 2 2 2 trees 2 trees 2 trees 14 6 17 2 trees and 15 are (Nutwood) with 3 plus 6 plus 5 seedlings seedlin seedlin seedlin gs gs gs Melaleuca 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 leucadendra (Cadjeput) Eucalyptus coolabah 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (Coolibah) Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 longifolia (Berrigan)
2 (5-10) No trees beyond 0 to 5 m section. Noogoora Burr >10 dead More plants common
3
There is no tree or seedling growth beyond the 0 to 5m section of the central transect that is closest to the base line. There was a loss of small seedlings in segment five of that first five metres, likely a result of the long dry season and prevailing hot conditions with no rain in this latter stage of the season.
Summary The segment appears stable with changes in the population of small seedlings as some did not survive from last year due to seasonal conditions or the impact of animal grazing, as predicted in last year’s report. Of concern is that Noogoora Burr is becoming more common each year.
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Inkata No 2 – Downstream – Pictures
2016 Photographic Records 2017 Photographic Records
The sampling was completed late in September 2016. The base line pictures appear similar to those of 2015 and earlier, an ongoing indication of the health of the plants in the transect, but demonstrating the impact of heat and dryness at the end of the season. Sampling an extra week later from any one season to the next has tended to show the later samples as drier and more stressed than the early.
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site have been plotted for the nine years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the fifty metre transect and extends beyond the base line monitoring width of five metres. All species have been plotted for each year of recording. Inkata 2, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 13
The highlight of this series is the now more stable increase in Nutwood seedlings. Mature Cadjeput and Coolibah trees have been stable throughout. Overall numbers have been stable.
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Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam
Date: September 21, 2017 – annual monitoring
Main Transect
Segment Species Number Numb Numb Number Number Number Number Number Numbe Number Number Health Comment Sept 07 er Oct er Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 r Oct Sept 16 Sept 17 Name 08 Sept 15 09 Sept 17 1 Whitewood 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 0 0 0 seedling not found Farnesiana
2 Whitewood 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 2 3 3 2 lost and survivors stressed Terminalia 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 River Gum 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 shoo ting
3 Whitewood 15 15 14 15 + 1 12 11 11 11 8 8 9 increased by 1 seedli ng Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 1 Seedling Farnesiana
5 5 4 Whitewood 6 6 9 9 8 7 7 8 8 small losses again Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 Eremophila 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 -1 Acacia 1 1 1 1 1 1 Farnesiana
5 Whitewood 4 1 7 7 + 3 7 7 7 4 3 6 5 recovering and reshooting seedli ngs
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Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana
6 Whitewood 4 4 + 6 7 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 +1 2 spro uting Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 New seedlings Farnesiana River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Still healthy Gum
7 Whitewood 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 reshoot seedl seedlin seedlin seedlin seedling seedlin ings g g g g Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 1 7 7 5 4 5 5 3 8 5 new seedlings Farnesiana seedli seedli ngs ngs River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum
8 Whitewood 7 8 8 8 8 8 6 6 5 5 5 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 1 2 2 4 4 2 2 1 1 0 0 -1 Farnesiana (clu mps) River Red 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 seedling Gum seedli seedlin seedlin ng g g
9 Whitewood 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 6 Loss with grazing and trampling
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Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 New seedlings Farnesiana River Red 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Gum
10 Whitewood 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 0 Not found Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bauhinia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eremophila 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 4 small seedlings, 2 gained Farnesiana River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gum
This transect again showed the effect of heavy grazing and other damage such as trampling. In spite of this pressure and the relative dryness of the site the numbers are largely stable..
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Water Line Segment
Segment Species Name Number Numb Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Number Sept 07 er Oct Sept 09 Sept 10 Oct 11 Sep 12 Sep 13 Oct 14 Oct 15 Health 08 Sept 16 Sept 17 Comments Sept 17 1 Whitewood 8 7 13 17 11 12 10 9 8 11 10 1 lost Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gum Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mangrove
2 Whitewood 0 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Terminalia 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 Acacia 2 6 6 8 9 14 14 11 12 12 14 all small Farnesiana small seedlings River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Mangrove
3 Whitewood 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 Terminalia 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Acacia 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 3 1 3 0 no Farnesiana small seedlings River Red 2 2 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 Seedling, Gum struggling Cadjeput 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 3 3 3 14, 14, 16 16 16 16 >16 >13 Mix of large Mangrove many and small seedl seedlings ings
4 Whitewood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Corrected to Fresh Water
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Mangrove seedlings Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gum Cadjeput 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fresh Water 3 3 0 0 0 9 9 9 9 20 16 many seedlings Mangrove Noogoora 5 10 All dead but Burr well seeded
5 Whitewood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terminalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Farnesiana River Red 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gum Cadjeput 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Fresh Water 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mangrove
The water line segment again had many healthy Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings, but with some decrease on the previous year. Noogoora burr is increasingly present down towards the water line and the spread is concerning.
Summary The appearance of this transect of vegetation at this upstream end of the Durack Pool was no more stressed than any other transects, and still maintains a consistent structure at the macro level with the transect photo similar to all previous years. Once again the whitewood plants in this transect appear most prone to stress from heat and grazing and many of the medium sized trees have suffered damage over the years. Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings were numerous but a few were lost from the previous year. They were generally healthy, likely due to higher water levels in Durack Pool during the dry season. . The permanently marked bank stability site is located adjacent to this vegetation site.
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Inkata No 3 – Near 17 Mile Dam – Pictures
2016 Photographic Records 2017 Photographic Records
Longitudinal Study Results for the water line segment part of this site are included for the ten years of records. The water line segment includes the central ten metres of the vegetation transect and extends beyond the base line five metre monitoring width. All species have been plotted for each year of recording. Fresh Water Mangrove and Whitewood are both very prominent at this site, the Whitewood on the upper bank and the Mangrove on the slopes of the levee.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 20
Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 1
Whitewood is the dominant species in this segment and these have suffered from hot dry seasons and grazing by cattle, resulting in broken plants that then appear more prone to the hot part of the dry season. All Acacia plants that have been recorded have been small seedlings. Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 2
Apart from the regular small fluctuation in Acacia seedlings the major change has been increasing numbers of Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings.
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Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 3
18 16 14 12 Whitewood Terminalia 10 Acacia 8 River Red Gum 6 Cadjeput 4 Fresh Water Mangrove 2 0
Apart from the Fresh Water Mangrove all species maintained relatively constant numbers. Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings increased in 2010, after the wet season of 2009/2010. Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 4
Apart from the Fresh Water Mangrove all species maintained relatively constant numbers. Fresh Water Mangrove seedlings increased in 2010, after the wet season of 2009/2010.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 22
Inkata 3, Water Line Sample, Segment 5
The one large Cadjeput tree has been very stable throughout the sampling period.
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Monitoring Bank Stability It is a requirement of its water licence that LSB must ensure banks of Uralla Creek are stable with no collapse. With a higher spillway and closure of the gates at the new floodway water levels will be stored to a higher level during the early part of the dry season than has previously been the case. These levels will be maintained at higher levels than has been the case until the cease to flow level of 38.6M AHD is reached by the declining Durack Pool. The approved 2015 Operating Strategy requires LSB to establish photographic monitoring sites: 1. above the upstream pump site, and 2. above the channel offtake, by October 2015 to monitor bank structure and stability. Photographs should then be taken in September/October each year to ensure the bank does not show evidence of collapsing as water levels vary. Two monitoring sites were established in October 2015, one (above the upstream pump site) with fixed steel pickets as markers and the other (above the channel offtake) with significant trees marked with fluorescent tape as no steel pickets were available for that site. Both sites have been recorded photographically and the results are presented below. Site 1: Above the upstream pump site A line of steel pickets has been established upstream of the Pivot 1 and 4 pump site, parallel to the top of the bank as illustrated below. All pickets were marked with fluorescent paint and tape. This will need regular replacement.
Durack Pool Water Level
15M 20M 15M 10M Photo Point 5M
Top of Bank Pump Station
Steel Picket
Baseline photographs are shown again below. They confirm the site has a steep slope into the water but is stable and well grassed at the time the baseline is established.
These baseline photos will be the standard for judgement of any damage to the banks at the two sites. Photos and observations were made at the same sites in late September 2016, the first year after floodway closure.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 24
Record Label Peg Markings
Upstream Bank Monitoring Site – 2017 Upstream Bank Monitoring Site – 2016
The photos and observation at the upstream pump site confirm the stability of the banks. There is no apparent variation after the first season of floodway closure.
Site 2: Above the channel offtake The second site is located just above the new floodway and is characterised by large Cadjeput trees lining the upper bank with the soil below covered by fallen leaves late in the dry season. The trees were marked with fluorescent tape and photographs taken looking upstream from a significant tree near to the new floodway. Steel pickets will be installed next year when they are available. The 2015 photos provided the baseline for the status of the banks and photos and observations in September 2017 confirm there is no change to the bank. The elevation of the water level while the floodway was closed has had no deleterious effect on the banks, even where they are relatively devoid of cover as a consequence of submersion when the creek is full. The higher water level made impossible any approach to the trees for marking them but the picture confirms a stable bank.
LSB Riparian Vegetation and Bank Stability Report 2017 Page 25
Downstream Bank Monitoring Site – Stable
2017 2016
Downstream Bank Monitoring Site – Marked Cadjeput Trees
2017 2016
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