4.0 Mcarthur River Diversion 4.1 Purpose 4.2 Summary
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McArthur River Mine Section 4 Modified Open Cut Project Public Environmental Report McArthur River Diversion 4 McArthur Ri ver Di version 4.0 McArthur River Diversion 4.1 Purpose As discussed in earlier sections of this report, the design of the McArthur River diversion has been modified since the preparation of the Draft EIS (URS, 2005a) to reflect optimisations in the proposed Open Cut Project and to incorporate recommendations that were provided as part of the EIS review. The purpose of this section is to address the requirements of the PER guidelines with respect to the McArthur River diversion. Specifically it includes: x An updated assessment of the geomorphology of the McArthur River following a recent site survey of critical reaches and the incorporation of the results of visual assessments of the channel geometry in the revised design of the diversion channel (Section 4.3) x Characterisation of the existing aquatic habitats along the reach of the McArthur River that is to be diverted based on the results of a recent survey (Section 4.4) x The results from a more detailed calibration of the hydraulic model of the existing river to the January 2003 flood event. (Sections 4.5.2 and 4.5.3) x Review of roughness coefficients used in the hydraulic modelling. (Sections 4.5.4 and 4.5.5) x A sensitivity analysis of the ground terrain survey accuracy on the results of the hydraulic modelling (Section 4.5.6) x Re-modelling of the existing McArthur River. (4.5.7) x Modifications to the design of the proposed diversion channel and the methodology used to refine the design with the hydraulic model. (Section 4.5.8) x Hydraulic modelling of the modified diversion design in terms of the key hydraulic parameters of velocity, shear stress, and stream power (Section 4.5.9) x Assessment of the stream power and erosion potential in the various reaches of the proposed diversion channel (Section 4.5.10) x Development of a rehabilitation strategy for the diversion channel (Section 4.6) x Assessment of the effects of the clearing of the riparian corridor on habitat fragmentation (Section 4.7) 4.2 Summary Table 4.1 provides a summary of the geomorphological, hydraulic, and ecological assessment undertaken of the revised design of the proposed diversion channel. 4-1 McArthur River Mine Section 4 Modified Open Cut Project Public Environmental Report McArthur River Diversion Table 4.1 Summary of Methodologies, Results and Conclusions Item Methodology Results Conclusion Geomorphology for Desk top analysis of aerial photographs, McArthur River comprises three reaches in the Stable river morphology upstream and downstream of McArthur River maps, orthophotos and HEC-RAS mine area: the realignment can be maintained during mine life and model outputs - Upstream anabranching reach with variable after mine closure. Ground surveys and aerial characteristics including significant rock bars Stable diversion morphology can be achieved that will reconnaissance conducted during site and waterholes ensure the McArthur River continues to function as a visit in May 2006 - Uniform mine reach consisting of a single straight river capable of transmitting bank-full flood flows Joint meetings and fieldwork with EPA straight alluvial channel with broad levees up to the 5-year ARI event. and Professor Erskine in May 2006. - Downstream bedrock confined and gorge reaches through the Bukalara Range Channel of the McArthur River is relatively simple steep sided 10 -15 m deep, adjusted to convey ~ 500 m3/sec (5-yr ARI event ) before flowing out onto its floodplain The channel is lined with dense riparian vegetation, and is stable Design of the diversion will seek to replicate the form and function of the present channel of the McArthur River Where required by subsurface conditions or revegetation needs, the design will differ from the natural channel, but will be consistent with conditions in the reaches of the McArthur River upstream and downstream of the mine reach. Revised Calibration The revised analysis utilised cross- Difference in measured and modelled water level The calibration of the HEC-RAS model to the measured of HEC-RAS model section specific Manning’s roughness at DIPE gauge = 100 mm gauge water levels for the January 2003 flood event was coefficients based field inspection with Difference in measured and modelled water level considered acceptable EPA and Professor Erskine in May at MIM gauge = 140 mm The Manning’s roughness coefficients are appropriate 2006. Manning’s coefficients for the main McArthur River based on calibration results, desktop estimation using channel varied from 0.08 to 0.23 depending on Cowan’s Method, and recent site inspection. flow rate 4-2 McArthur River Mine Section 4 Modified Open Cut Project Public Environmental Report McArthur River Diversion Item Methodology Results Conclusion Desktop estimation of Manning’s coefficients using Cowan’s Method resulted in similar roughness values (typically within 10%). Sensitivity Analysis Random cross-sections within the HEC- Differences in water level were acceptable at <1% The relatively small inaccuracies in the photogrammetric of the ground RAS model were varied between -0.2 m Differences in velocity, shear stress, and stream survey will not result in significantly different hydraulic terrain survey to +0.2 m for various flow rates. power vary from 0% to 20% and were not results that could potentially impact the design and accuracy significant. Higher percentages were for low function of the McArthur River diversion. values and a 20% increase was still a low value. Model hydraulic The calibrated HEC-RAS model was The model results for the revised diversion design The model results for the revised diversion design performance of used to determine acceptable velocities, were as follows: indicate that: diversion channel. shear stress and stream powers as Upstream Alluvial Section - The diversion channel will have a similar hydraulic follows: - The velocity, shear stress and stream power performance to the existing river and will convey - Use detailed hydraulic analysis of are similar to that of the existing mine reach of similarly sized bank-full flood flows the existing river system to define the McArthur River - The diversion channel will be stable over the mine ‘natural’ levels of velocity, shear - The velocity, shear stress and stream power life and beyond and will not be subject to significant stress and stream power for stable erosion or sediment deposition sections of the river where bed and values are within those recommended in the bank materials are similar ACARP guidelines - The diversion channel will not result in detrimental - The maximum stream power results are less impacts to the existing McArthur River upstream or - Model velocity, shear stress and downstream of the diversion. stream power of the diversion and than the calculated threshold erodibility values compare to existing river values using the Annandale (1995) methodology. and guidelines for diversions Downstream Rock Section through similar geology - The maximum velocity, shear stress and - Modify the design of the diversion stream power values are within those by varying geometric parameters recommended in the ACARP guidelines and the inclusion of rock riffles and - The maximum stream power results are less large woody debris to achieve than the calculated threshold erodibility values acceptable hydraulic parameters. using the Annandale (1995) methodology. Rehabilitation Existing aquatic, riverine and riparian A rehabilitation strategy was developed for the A functioning aquatic ecosystem will be able to be Strategy habitats were characterised following diversion which included the following: established along the diversion channel which will field surveys conducted in May 2006 - The inclusion of large woody debris in along provide a suitable environment for fish passage Specialist advice was sought on the channel bed to provide micro-habitats for Revegetation of the diversion channel banks will enable technical aspects of species selection, fish a functioning ecosystem to be established and seed collection and vegetation - Revegetation of the channel banks including: sustained within a timeframe that would not cause establishment. fragmentation of fauna populations. 4-3 McArthur River Mine Section 4 Modified Open Cut Project Public Environmental Report McArthur River Diversion Item Methodology Results Conclusion Use of seeds and seedlings from local species already growing along the river bank Planting in topsoil that has been placed within rough rocky banks along the diversion channel to prevent the topsoil being washed away Provision of soil and fine sediment in the porous substrate on the channel banks will encourage root development and sustain moisture for plant establishment and survival. For areas of the diversion channel through rock, crevices and rough rocky banks (scree) will be created to contain pockets of soil. For areas of the diversion channel through alluvial materials, topsoil in the bank cover rock will provide a medium for root development and moisture retention. Implementation of an effective maintenance program including fertilising, watering and weed control Implementation of an effective monitoring and replacement program 4-4 McArthur River Mine Section 4 Modified Open Cut Project Public Environmental Report McArthur River Diversion 4.3 McArthur River Geomorphology 4.3.1 Introduction The geomorphology of McArthur River upstream and downstream of the mine has been described in order