Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program Annual Report 2013-14 1

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Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program 2013–2014 Annual Report

Prepared by: Chris Davey

2014

MDFRC Publication 45/2014

Spring 2013 to spring 2013 Spring

Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program Annual Report 2013-14 1

Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program: 2013-14 Annual Report Annual Report prepared for the Murray–Darling Basin Authority by The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre. Murray–Darling Basin Authority Level 4, 51 Allara Street | GPO Box 1801 Canberra City ACT 2601 Ph: (02) 6279 0100; Fax: (02) 6248 8053

This report was prepared by The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC). The aim of the MDFRC is to provide the scientific knowledge necessary for the management and sustained utilisation of the Murray-Darling Basin water resources. The MDFRC is a joint venture between La Trobe University and CSIRO.

For further information contact: Paul McInerney Dr Tapas Biswas The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre Murray–Darling Basin Authority PO Box 991 PO Box 1801 Wodonga VIC 3689 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: (02) 6024 9650; Fax: (02) 6059 7531 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.mdfrc.org.au Web: www.mdba.gov.au Enquiries: [email protected]

Report Citation: Davey C (2014) Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program 2013–2014 Annual Report prepared for the Murray Darling Basin Authority by The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre, MDFRC Publication 45/2014, September, 88pp. Cover Image: Site 502 on the Mitta Mitta, downstream of Dartmouth Dam, Victoria, Australia Photographer: Chris Davey

Copyright and Disclaimer: © Murray–Darling Basin Authority for and on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority logo and The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre logo, all material presented in this document is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence (http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/3.0/au/). For the avoidance of any doubt, this licence only applies to the material set out in this document.

The details of the licence are available on the Creative Commons website (accessible using the links provided) as is the full legal code for the CC BY 3.0 AU licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode). MDBA’s preference is that this publication be attributed (and any material sourced from it) using the following: Publication title: Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program Report 2013-2014 Source: Licensed from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence. The contents of this publication do not purport to represent the position of the Commonwealth of Australia or the MDBA in any way and are presented for the purpose of informing and stimulating discussion for improved management of Basin's natural resources. To the extent permitted by law, the copyright holders (including its employees and consultants) exclude all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this report (in part or in whole) and any information or material contained in it. Contact us Inquiries regarding the licence and any use of the document are welcome at: Director Communications Murray–Darling Basin Authority 51 Allara St Canberra ACT 2601 Email: [email protected]

Document history and status Version Date Issued Reviewed by Approved by Revision type Draft 1/12/2014 Paul Chris Davey Scientific Review McInerney Draft 8/12/2014 Michelle Chris Davey Copy Edit Kavanagh

Distribution of copies Version Quantity Issued to Draft 1 x PDF or Word Tapas Biswas - MDBA Final 1 x PDF or Word Tapas Biswas - MDBA

Filename and path: U:\MDBA\291-Mitta Monitoring\Knowledge Exchange\Reports\Sept 2014\FINAL\Final rept.docx Author(s): Chris Davey Author affiliation(s): The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre Project Manager: Paul McInerney Client: Murray–Darling Basin Authority Project Title: Long-term biological monitoring of river health in the Mitta Mitta River catchment, above and below Dartmouth Dam Document Version: Final Project Number: M/BUS/291 Contract Number: MD 2520

Finalised June 2015

Acknowledgements: I would firstly like to acknowledge the MDBA for providing the funding for this project. I would also like to acknowledge Paul McInerney for project management, field sampling and document revision; Lyn Smith, John Hawking and Michael Shackleton for quality control; John Pengelly for water sample analysis; Georgia Dwyer and Thelma Vlamis for field assistance. I would also like to thank Tom McCormack for access to private land, and Peter Liepkins (Goulburn-Murray Water) and Elaine Thomas (Parks Victoria) for their time and support.

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Contents Executive summary ...... x 1 Introduction ...... xii SECTION 1: Spring 2013 – Autumn 2014 ...... xiv 1 Aims and objectives ...... xiv 1.1 Project aims ...... xiv 1.2 Objectives ...... xiv 2 Methods ...... xv 2.1 Study sites and descriptions ...... xv 2.2 Field methods ...... 23 2.3 Laboratory methods, analysis and quality assurance ...... 24 3 Results ...... 29 3.1 Discharge ...... 29 3.2 SEPP objectives ...... 31 3.3 Taxonomic richness ...... 47 3.4 Community composition ...... 48 4 Discussion ...... 49 4.1 Discharge ...... 49 4.2 Water quality ...... 49 4.3 Macroinvertebrates ...... 49 SECTION 2: Spring 2014...... 51 1 Aims and objectives ...... 51 1.1 Project aims ...... 51 1.2 Objectives ...... 51 2 Methods ...... 51 2.1 Study sites and descriptions ...... 51 3 Results ...... 52 3.1 Discharge ...... 52 3.2 SEPP objectives ...... 53 3.3 Taxonomic richness ...... 57 3.4 Community composition ...... 57 4 Discussion ...... 59 4.1 Discharge ...... 59 4.2 Water quality ...... 59 4.3 Macroinvertebrates ...... 59 5 Conclusions ...... 60 6 Recommendations ...... 60 References ...... 61 Appendices ...... 63 Appendix A Taxa list by site for spring 2013 – autumn 2014 season...... 63

Appendix B Taxa list for spring 2014 ...... 85

List of tables Table 1. Geographical information of site 501...... 16 Table 2. Geographical information of site 502...... 8 Table 3. Geographical information of site 503...... 9 Table 4. Geographical information of site 504...... 10 Table 5. Geographical information of site 505...... 11 Table 6. Geographical information of site 506...... 12 Table 7. Geographical information of site 507...... 13 Table 8. Geographical information of site 510...... 14 Table 9. Geographical information of site 511...... 15 Table 10. Geographical information of site 512...... 16 Table 11. Geographical information of site 513...... 17 Table 12. Geographical information of site 514...... 18 Table 13. Geographical information of site 515...... 19 Table 14. Geographical information of site 516...... 20 Table 15. Geographical information of site 517...... 21 Table 16. Geographical information of site 518...... 22 Table 17. SEPP objectives for water quality and nutrients...... 25 Table 18. SEPP biological objectives for Victorian bioregions 1 and 2 (EPA 2004)...... 26 Table 19. AUSRIVAS bands and descriptions...... 26 Table 20. AUSRIVAS bands and their respective bandwidths for OE50 scores for each habitat in each of the models used...... 27 Table 21: Measurement uncertainty at June 2014...... 28 Table 22. SEPP objectives at site 501...... 31 Table 23. SEPP objectives at site 502...... 32 Table 24. SEPP objectives at site 503...... 33 Table 25. SEPP objectives at site 504...... 34 Table 26. SEPP objectives at site 505...... 35 Table 27. SEPP objectives at site 506...... 36 Table 28. SEPP objectives at site 507...... 37 Table 29. SEPP objectives at site 510...... 38 Table 30. SEPP objectives at site 511...... 39 Table 31. SEPP objectives at site 512...... 40 Table 32. SEPP objectives at site 513...... 41 Table 33. SEPP objectives at site 514...... 42 Table 34. SEPP objectives at site 515...... 43

Table 35. SEPP objectives at site 516...... 44 Table 36. SEPP objectives at site 517...... 45 Table 37. SEPP objectives at site 518...... 46 Table 38. SEPP objectives at site 502...... 53 Table 39. SEPP objectives at site 503...... 54 Table 40. SEPP objectives at site 505...... 55 Table 41. SEPP objectives at site 513...... 56 Table 42. List of taxa recorded at each site during the autumn 2013 to autumn 2014 survey...... 63 Table 43. List of taxa recorded at each site during the spring 2014 season...... 85

List of figures Figure 1. Map of the study area, showing the study sites...... xv Figure 2. Mitta Mitta River at site 501 in spring 2013 (a) looking downstream before a release; (b) looking downstream during a release; (c) looking upstream before a release; (d) looking upstream during a release...... 16 Figure 3: Mitta Mitta River at site 502 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip...... 8 Figure 4: Mitta Mitta River at site 503 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip...... 9 Figure 5: Mitta Mitta River at site 504 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip...... 10 Figure 6. Snowy Creek at site 505 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip...... 11 Figure 7. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) upstream; and (c) upstream from the bridge. Autumn 2014...... 12 Figure 8. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) across; and (c) upstream in autumn 2014. .... 13 Figure 9. Whiterock Creek at site 510 looking (a) upstream (spring 2013); (b) downstream (spring 2013); and (c) downstream (autumn 2014)...... 14 Figure 10. Big River at site 511 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn 2014)...... 15 Figure 11. : Big River at site 512 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn 2014)...... 16 Figure 12. Mitta Mitta River at site 513 looking (a) downstream, autumn 2014; (b) downstream, spring 2013; and (c) upstream, spring 2013...... 17 Figure 13. Mitta Mitta River at site 514b looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) downstream…...... 18 Figure 14. Cobungra River at site 515 looking (a) downstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) upstream. .. 19 Figure 15. Bingo Munjie Creek at site 516 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) downstream...... 20 Figure 16. Livingstone Creek at site 517 looking (a) upstream, spring 2013; (b) downstream, spring 2013; (c) upstream, autumn 2014; and (d) downstream, autumn 2014...... 21 Figure 17. Gibbo River at site 518 looking (a) upstream, autumn 2014; (b) across to the right bank, autumn 2014; (c) upstream, spring 2013; and (d) across to the left bank, spring 2013...... 22

Figure 18. Daily discharge at upstream (top) and downstream (bottom) sites on the Mitta Mitta and some of its major tributaries...... 30 Figure 19. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2013, autumn 2014, and for both seasons combined...... 47 Figure 20. NMDS plot of sites based on presence/absence of macroinvertebrate genera. Sites on the main channel downstream of Dartmouth are green, all other sites independent of any effects of the dam are blue...... 48 Figure 21. Daily discharge at Colemans, Snowy Creek (below Granite Flat) and Hinnomunjie gauges for the period from July to late November 2014...... 52 Figure 22. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2014, for both habitats and whole site...... 57 Figure 23. NMDS plot of samples, with taxonomic resolution to species. Riffle samples, suffixed with “R” are at the top left of the plot, edge samples, suffixed with “E” are at the bottom and top right of the plot...... 58

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Executive summary This report presents the findings from the Mitta Mitta biological monitoring from the spring 2013 to spring 2014, inclusive. The spring 2013 and autumn 2014 sampling events were analysed using a combined seasons model, and are presented in section one of this report. The spring 2014 sampling event was analysed as a single season and presented in section two.

In 1998, the Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program was initiated by the former Murray- Darling Basin Commission, to monitor the condition of the biological communities of the lower Mitta Mitta River and investigate the impacts of Dartmouth Dam on the health of the Mitta Mitta River. This project monitored the macroinvertebrates, using the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols, at five sites, of which four were on the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam, with one reference site on Snowy Creek. In 2005, two more tributary sites were added to the program.

In 2008, this program was expanded again to include nine additional sites, all of which were upstream of Dartmouth Dam, five on the main channel and four sites on tributaries.

In mid-2014 the program was cut back to four sites: one above the dam; one below the dam and above the confluence of Snowy Creek; one below Snowy Creek; and one on Snowy Creek. The data collected in the spring 2013 to spring 2014 period has been analysed and assessed, with the findings presented and recommendations made.

Key findings:

• The sites on the Mitta Mitta River upstream of Dartmouth Dam generally have a high level of diversity and meet the majority of the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives. • Dartmouth Dam continues to have an impact on the Mitta Mitta River, with the sites immediately downstream of the dam showing a significant decrease in both taxonomic richness and the number of SEPP objectives achieved.

Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program Report 2013–2014 x

• There is no -measurable recovery in the Mitta Mitta River until the confluence with Snowy Creek, which appears to be the driver of the improvement of biological health in the Mitta Mitta River downstream of the dam. • Of the tributaries, Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks were the least diverse, being assessed as severely and significantly impaired, respectively highly likely due to relatively heavy adjacent agricultural land use, limited riparian vegetation, and the resulting poor water quality. • Reference Sites at Snowy Creek (a downstream tributary), Frog Track, Glen Valley and Taylors Crossing (all on the Mitta Mitta upstream of the dam) were assessed as being in reference condition.

1 Introduction The Mitta Mitta catchment is 6250 km2 in area and accounts for 7.1% of Victoria’s runoff. The catchment area is a combination of forested areas, utilised for forestry and recreation, and cleared valleys, used for dairy and beef cattle and sheep grazing (Australian Natural Resources Atlas 2008). Dartmouth Dam was completed in 1980 and has a capacity of 4000 GL. The dam receives inflows from the Mitta Mitta River and its tributaries, the Big, Bundara, Cobungra, Gibbo and Dart Rivers. The dam acts as carry-over water storage for drought protection and flood mitigation and for hydro-electricity generation (Australian Natural Resource Atlas 2008).

The Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program was initiated in 1998, with the objective of determining the extent of environmental impacts resulting from the operation of Dartmouth Dam. The collection of data was to focus on the macroinvertebrate communities, as they are ubiquitous and diverse, easily sampled and provide an insight into stream condition over the short to medium-term (Blyth et al. 1984). Sampling was carried out using the Rapid Bio-assessment Methods (EPA 2003a). This involved collecting two macroinvertebrate samples twice per year (in spring and autumn), one from the edge habitat and the other from the riffle habitat at each site.

The program initially sampled macroinvertebrates at five sites, four of which were on the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam (sites 501 – 504), with one reference site on the unregulated Snowy Creek (site 505). In 2002, two more reference sites were added: Site 506 on Mount Wills Creek, a tributary of Snowy Creek, and site 507 on Watchingorra Creek, a small unregulated tributary of the Mitta Mitta River, which is influenced by agriculture and forestry, and enters the Mitta Mitta between sites 502 and 503.

The data collected from the above sites between 1998 and 2008 were reviewed and it was reported that the macroinvertebrate communities inhabiting the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam were severely impacted, with the decline or local extinction of many herbivores from sensitive families, which have been replaced by tolerant generalists, and exotic and invasive species (Cook et al. 2011b). The condition of the macroinvertebrate communities improved with distance downstream from Dartmouth Dam, with peak condition reached at the furthest downstream site at Tallandoon. It was concluded that

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these impacts were resultant from the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam and that most of the improvement seen in the ecological conditions further downstream could predominantly be attributed to the inflow from the unregulated Snowy Creek, acting to improve water quality, re-introduce natural flow variation and provide a source of recruitment (Cook et al. 2011b; Koehn et al. 1995; Doeg 1984). Several reports have been produced showing similar patterns and despite collaborative efforts at altering discharge patterns to improve biological condition, it appears that these assessments have largely stayed the same.

The catchment above Dartmouth Dam is subject to an alternate set of environmental issues, mainly associated with land use, and many of the tributary streams, such as Livingstone Creek, were classed as being of poor quality (North East CMA 2006). In 2008 the monitoring program was expanded to include nine additional sites, all in the Mitta Mitta catchment upstream of Dartmouth Dam. This was done with the aims of (a) providing a comparison to the river health below the dam, and (b) evaluating the impacts of land management practices on the tributaries entering the main channel.

The previous report was submitted in September of 2013, and reported on two years of data. Initially, this report was due in September 2014, and its scope limited to data collected from spring 2013 and autumn 2014. Due to financial factors, the spring 2014 sampling season was restricted to four sites: one on the Mitta Mitta upstream of Dartmouth dam (513); one immediately below the dam (502); one on the unregulated tributary of Snowy Creek (505); and one downstream of the Mitta Mitta-Snowy Creek confluence (503). Due to the uncertainty surrounding future funding and the abbreviated nature of the spring 2014 sampling season, it was decided that all three seasons be included in the one report. Spring 2013 and autumn 2014 sampling seasons are detailed in section 1 of this report, and the abbreviated sampling season of spring 2014 is detailed in section 2.

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SECTION 1: Spring 2013 – Autumn 2014

1 Aims and objectives

1.1 Project aims The aims of the Mitta Mitta Macroinvertebrate Program are to monitor the macroinvertebrate communities and assess the biological condition of the Mitta Mitta River and its major tributaries in relation to impacts from river management and catchment use.

1.2 Objectives • Sample the macroinvertebrate communities in autumn and spring, 16 sites in the Mitta Mitta catchment, in both the main channel and its major tributaries. • Assess biological condition within the Mitta Mitta catchment at each site, using Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols. • Assess biodiversity within the Mitta Mitta catchment by identifying macroinvertebrates to the lowest possible taxonomic level. • Analyse and assess water quality data with respect to the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives. • Report findings to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).

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2 Methods

2.1 Study sites and descriptions The study area spans the Mitta Mitta River from 1780 m (site 510) to 230 m (site 504) above sea level, 60 km below Dartmouth Dam (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Map of the study area, showing the study sites.

Site 501 – Dartmouth. This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 4 km Table 1. Geographical information of site 501. downstream of Dartmouth Dam, 50 m Altitude (m) 320 upstream of the Horsefall Road Bridge. Latitude 36.5424° Adjacent vegetation is predominately open Longitude 147.5008° eucalypt forest with the riparian zone Catchment area (km2) 3561 dominated by Callistemon spp. (Bottlebrush). Distance from source (km) 135.04 This site is subject to alternating inundation Typical stream width (m) 10-70 and draining due to its location between the AusRivAS Bioregion B2 dam and Lake Banimboola. The site details are summarised in Figure 2 and Table 1.

a b

c d

Figure 2. Mitta Mitta River at site 501 in spring 2013 (a) looking downstream before a release; (b) looking downstream during a release; (c) looking upstream before a release; (d) looking upstream during a release.

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Site 502 – Colemans. This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 9 km scoparius (English Broom) have been downstream of Dartmouth Dam and 3 km sprayed. Site details are summarised in downstream of Lake Banimboola. This Figure 3 and Table 2. section passes through a steep sided Table 2. Geographical information of site 502. gorge and has a substrate predominately Altitude (m) 300 of boulders and cobble with significant Latitude 36.5153° areas of exposed bedrock. The Longitude 147.4349° surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt Catchment area (km2) 3634 forest with the understorey dominated by Distance from source (km) 144.48 Leptospermum spp. (Tea Tree), Typical stream width (m) 15-30 Callistemon spp. (Bottlebrush) and Acacia AusRivAS Bioregion B2 spp. (Wattle). Past infestations of Cytisus

a b

Figure 3: Mitta Mitta River at site 502 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip.

Site 503 – Mitta Mitta. This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 16 km vegetation is a mix of Salix spp. (Willows), downstream of Dartmouth Dam and Eucalyptus spp. and grasses. Site details approximately 3 km downstream of the are summarised in Figure 4 and Table 3. Snowy Creek – Mitta Mitta River Table 3. Geographical information of site 503. confluence. The site is 25 m downstream Altitude (m) 260 of the bridge on Dartmouth Road. The Latitude 36.5202° substrate is primarily cobble and pebble, Longitude 147.3703° and the site includes a stand of Catchment area (km2) 3890 Phragmites australis (Common reed) and Distance from source (km) 159.37 a small pebbly island. The surrounding Typical stream width (m) 30-40 land is used for grazing cattle and made AusRivAS Bioregion B2 up of various pasture species. Riparian

a b

Figure 4: Mitta Mitta River at site 503 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip.

Site 504 – Tallandoon. This site is on the Mitta Mitta River were removed in 2008 and replaced with approximately 60 km from Dartmouth natives. Site details are summarised in Dam, near the picnic area located 1.5 km Figure 5 and Table 4. upstream of Tallandoon. The substrate is Table 4. Geographical information of site 504. predominately cobble and boulder and Altitude (m) 230 the stream, when in high flow, divides to Latitude 36.4393° flow around an island that was used for Longitude 147.2033° periodic gravel extraction until 1996. The Catchment area (km2) 4716 surrounding land is cleared and is used for Distance from source grazing on the eastern side while the (km) 184.42 western side beyond the road, is native Typical stream width (m) 15-20 vegetation. The riparian zone is AusRivAS Bioregion B2 dominated by Salix spp. (Willows) on the left bank. On the right bank the Salix spp.

a b

Figure 5: Mitta Mitta River at site 504 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip.

Site 505 – Snowy Creek. This site is on the Snowy Creek about 8 km Table 5. Geographical information of site 505. upstream of the Mitta Mitta township off the Altitude (m) 312 Omeo Highway and is one of the reference Latitude 36.5624° sites. The site is approximately 50 m upstream Longitude 147.4106° of the West Branch Creek confluence. Catchment area (km2) 407 Substrate is predominately pebble/cobble and Distance from source (km) 38.97 surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt Typical stream width (m) 5-12 forest. The riparian zone is made up of AusRivAS Bioregion B2 Leptospermum spp. (Tea Tree), Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood) and Bedfordia arborescens (Blanket Leaf). Site details are summarised in Figure 6 and Table 5.

b a

Figure 6. Snowy Creek at site 505 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) c looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip.

Site 506 – Mt Wills Creek. This site is on Mt Wills Creek 29 km Table 6. Geographical information of site 506. upstream of the Mitta Mitta township, 20- Altitude (m) 580 30 m upstream of the bridge on the Latitude 36.7078° Snowy Log Road. The substrate is Longitude 147.4409° predominantly cobble/pebble and the Catchment area (km2) 45 surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt Distance from source (km) 13.1 forest with Rubus fruticosus Typical stream width (m) 3-5 (Blackberries). Site details are summarised AusRivAS Bioregion B2 in Figure 7 and Table 6.

a b

Figure 7. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) upstream; and (c) upstream from the bridge. Autumn 2014.

Site 507 – Watchingorra Creek. This site is on Watchingorra Creek grasses. Site details are summarised in (previously known as Callaghans Creek) Figure 8 and Table 7. and is approximately 1 km upstream of Table 7. Geographical information of site 507. the confluence with the Mitta Mitta River, Altitude (m) 280 which is approximately 19 km Latitude 36.5078’ downstream of Dartmouth Dam. The Longitude 147.4175° substrate is mostly bedrock with a mixture Catchment area (km2) 102 of cobble and gravel. The site is Distance from source (km) 19.2 surrounded by grazing land and pine Typical stream width (m) 1-3 plantations. Riparian vegetation consists AusRivAS Bioregion B2 primarily of Salix spp. (Willows), Rubus fruticosus (Blackberries) and various

a b

Figure 8. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) across; and (c) upstream in autumn 2014.

Site 510 – Whiterock Creek. At 1745 m above sea level, site 510 is the habitat. Site details are summarised in highest site in the project, situated in an Figure 9 and Table 8. alpine environment. It is 2 km from the Table 8. Geographical information of site 510. source and has a catchment area of Altitude (mASL) 1745 2.3 km2. The site is dominated by alpine Latitude 36.8177° heath and sphagnum bog, with riparian Longitude 147.3175° vegetation of alpine shrubs. The substrate Catchment area (km2) 2.3 in the stream is composed of cobbles, Distance from source (km) 2 pebbles and some exposed bedrock, with Typical stream width (m) 1-3 few slow-flowing sections and little edge AusRivAS Bioregion B1

a b

Figure 9. Whiterock Creek at site 510 looking (a) upstream (spring 2013); (b) downstream (spring 2013); and (c) downstream (autumn 2014).

Site 511 – Frog Track. Site 511 is on Big River, at approximately Table 9. Geographical information of site 511. 800 m below the tree line and 18 km Altitude (m) 910 downstream of site 510. The forest here is Latitude 36.7854° dominated by Eucalyptus delegatensis Longitude 147.3878° (Alpine Ash), with an understorey of Catchment area (km2) 72 Daviesia latifolia (Hop Scrub) and Grevillia Distance from source (km) 25 victoriensis (Royal Grevillia). The stream is Typical stream width (m) 12-14 12 to 14 m wide and is fast flowing, with a AusRivAS Bioregion B1 substrate composed of boulders and cobbles. Site details are summarised in Figure 10 and Table 9.

a b

Figure 10. Big River at site 511 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn 2014).

Site 512 – Glen Valley. Site 512 is on Big River, approximately 17 Table 10. Geographical information of site 512. km downstream from site 511. The stream Altitude (m) 730 width is between 15 and 20 m, with a Latitude 36.8903° substrate dominated by cobbles. The site Longitude 147.4621° is 500 m upstream of the Omeo Highway Catchment area (km2) 260 Bridge. Surrounding land includes Distance from source (km) 42 residential, recreational and grazing on Typical stream width (m) 15-20 the left (east) bank and open eucalypt AusRivAS Bioregion B2 forest on the right (Figure 11 and Table 10).

a b

Figure 11. : Big River at site 512 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn 2014).

Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge. Site 513 is situated on the Mitta Mitta downstream with a sandy substrate. Site River approximately 3 km downstream details are summarised below (Figure 12 from its emergence into the Omeo Valley. and Table 11). The site is 40 m downstream of Table 11. Geographical information of site Hinnomunjie Bridge. The surrounding land 513. is cleared and grazed and the riparian Altitude (m) 540 zone is dominated by grasses, with Latitude 36.9456° scattered Cytisus scoparius (English Longitude 147.6083° Broom) and Salix spp. (Willows). The Catchment area (km2) 1600 substrate is dominated by cobbles and Distance from source (km) 74 boulders. There is a small cobble island Typical stream width (m) 30-40 stabilized by a Willow tree in the middle AusRivAS Bioregion B2 of the reach and a deep pool immediately

a b

Figure 12. Mitta Mitta River at site 513 looking (a) downstream, autumn 2014; (b) downstream, spring 2013; and (c) upstream, spring 2013.

Site 514 – Taylors Crossing. Site 514 (Frasers Tableland) was located dominated by boulders and cobble, and a 26 km downstream of site 513, however, small island forms part of the study site this site was inundated when the levels in (Figure 13 and Table 12). Lake Dartmouth were 95% in March 2013. Table 12. Geographical information of site The site has subsequently been moved 514. 5km upstream, 600m upstream of Taylors Altitude (m) 500 Crossing. The surrounding land is open Latitude 36.8190 eucalypt forest on right bank, and partially Longitude 147.6551 cleared land on the left bank. The riparian Catchment area (km2) 1800 zone consists mainly of Acacia Distance from source (km) 93 melanoxylon (Sally Wattle/Australian Typical stream width (m) 25-35 Blackwood), Salix spp. (Willows) and AusRivAS Bioregion B2 Eucalyptus spp. The substrate is

a b

Figure 13. Mitta Mitta River at site 514b looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) downstream.

Site 515 – Cobungra River. Site 515 is located on the Cobungra River summarised below (Figure 14 and Table approximately 4.5 km upstream of its 13). confluence with the Mitta Mitta River and Table 13. Geographical information of site 600 m upstream of the Blue Duck Inn. The 515. sampling reach consists of a fast flowing Altitude (m) 660 riffle of predominantly boulders and some Latitude 36.9981° cobbles, followed by a slow flowing pool Longitude 147.4871° with a sandy gravel substrate, and a Catchment area (km2) 400 shallow bed of pebbles. The surrounding Distance from source (km) 62 area is dominated by open forest, with the Typical stream width (m) 8-12 riparian zone dominated by Acacia and AusRivAS Bioregion B2 Eucalyptus spp. Site details are

a b

Figure 14. Cobungra River at site 515 looking (a) downstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) upstream.

Site 516 – Bingo Munjie Creek. Site 516 is on Bingo Munjie Creek. This is scattered Willows. Site details are the smallest of the streams sampled in the summarised below (Figure 15 and Table project, with a stream width not usually 14). exceeding 2 m and usually with very little Table 14. Geographical information of site flow. The site was originally located on 516. private land, 3.5 km from the confluence Altitude (m) 690 with the Mitta Mitta River. Due to Latitude 37.0018° difficulties in contacting the land owner in Longitude 147.5647° autumn 2009, the site was moved to the Catchment area (km2) 40 bridge, 1.2 km upstream. The surrounding Distance from source (km) 11 land has been cleared for grazing, with a Typical stream width (m) 1-2 riparian zone dominated by grasses and AusRivAS Bioregion B2

a b

Figure 15. Bingo Munjie Creek at site 516 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) downstream.

Site 517 – Livingstone Creek. Site 517 is located on Livingstone Creek, Site details are summarised in Figure 16 approximately 22 km downstream of the and Table 15. township of Omeo, through which it Table 15. Geographical information of site flows, and 1.8 km upstream from its 517. confluence with the Mitta Mitta River. The Altitude (m) 560 surrounding area is cleared grazing land. Latitude 36.9641° The site is located on private land stocked Longitude 147.604° with sheep. It has a riparian zone Catchment area (km2) 550 dominated by grasses, with one Willow Distance from source (km) 54 tree towards the upper extent of the site Typical stream width (m) 2-4 and obvious bank erosion. The substrate is AusRivAS Bioregion B2 dominated by pebbles, gravel and sand.

a b

c d

Figure 16. Livingstone Creek at site 517 looking (a) upstream, spring 2013; (b) downstream, spring 2013; (c) upstream, autumn 2014; and (d) downstream, autumn 2014.

Site 518 – Gibbo River. Site 518 is situated on the Gibbo River, Table 16. Geographical information of site 518. 7.5 km upstream of its confluence with Altitude (m) 500 the Mitta Mitta River. The Gibbo River is Latitude 36.7533° typically around 8 to 12 m in width and Longitude 147.7104° moderately fast flowing. The substrate is Catchment area (km2) 325 predominantly cobbles and boulders with Distance from source (km) 46 some pebbles on the inside banks. The Typical stream width (m) 5-10 surrounding land is eucalypt forest. Site AusRivAS Bioregion B2 details are summarised below (Figure 17 and Table 16).

a b

c d

Figure 17. Gibbo River at site 518 looking (a) upstream, autumn 2014; (b) across to the right bank, autumn 2014; (c) upstream, spring 2013; and (d) across to the left bank, spring 2013.

2.2 Field methods

Field samples were collected in spring 2013 (between 17 September and 31 October) and autumn 2014 (between 20 March and 5 May). Macroinvertebrate, physico-chemical measurements, water samples for nutrient analysis and habitat descriptions were taken at each site on each sampling occasion in accordance with Victorian AUSRIVAS sampling protocols (http://ausrivas.canberra.edu.au/), (EPA 2003a).

Water quality Water samples were collected in accordance with Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) quality control method (QCM) SM5.17. Physio-chemical measurements (conductivity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity) were measured in situ, using a Hydrolab, Quanta QD3449 in accordance with EPA publication 441 (EPA 2003b). The results were recorded on field sheets on site. Three water samples were collected in HDPE bottles, one for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), one for alkalinity, and one for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) (EPA 2003c).

Macroinvertebrates All macroinvertebrate sampling was undertaken according to SM5.10 of the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) quality control manual (QCM) using the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) (http://ausrivas.canberra.edu.au/) rapid bio- assessment protocol (EPA 2003a). Two samples (edge and riffle) were collected from each site with the exception of the riffle sample at site 501 in autumn 2014, which could not be collected due to flooding.

Each habitat type was sampled in approximate proportion to their representation in the edge or riffle habitats. Samples were live-picked on site for between 30 and 60 minutes, in accordance with the AUSRIVAS protocols (EPA 2003a), and were preserved in 69% ethanol.

For quality assurance purposes, 10% of live-pick residues were kept and examined in the laboratory.

2.3 Laboratory methods, analysis and quality assurance

Water quality Nutrients and alkalinity of water samples were analysed by using the MDFRC methods 03, 04 and 06; APHA 2005). The MDFRC Chemistry Laboratory is a NATA accredited laboratory (Accreditation number 1400).

Macroinvertebrates Each sample was sorted into ten major taxonomic groups. Chironomids were then mounted on microscope slides, according to SM5.22 of the QCM, and sent to a dipteran specialist for identification. All other macroinvertebrates were identified according to SM5.23 of the QCM. Macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest possible level using a prescribed set of taxonomic keys, including the MDFRC Online Bug Guide (Hawking et al. 2013) and keys to species (listed in SM5.23 of the QCM) in conjunction with the MDFRC macroinvertebrate voucher files and reference collection.

Some specimens were too damaged or immature to identify to species level. When analysing the data for diversity and community structure, these records were only included as distinct taxa if there were no other species of that group identified to a higher resolution in the same sample or subset of samples.

In accordance with SM4.33 of the QCM, 10% of samples were re-identified by a senior taxonomist for quality control purposes.

The Macroinvertebrate Laboratory is NATA accredited (Accreditation number 17064) for Aquatic Biology (class 8.65 Aquatic Biology, and subclasses 8.65.61 Identification and Enumeration of Macroinvertebrates to specified level (species), and 8.65.68 Sampling of Macroinvertebrates).

Data analysis Daily mean flow data for the period from June 2013 to May 2014 was obtained from the Department of Sustainability and Environment Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse website (DSE 2011a). The flow data was taken from the gauging stations at Jokers Creek (Big River); Hinnomunjie, Colemans and Tallandoon (Mitta Mitta River); below Granite Flat

(Snowy Creek) and at Gibbo Park (Gibbo River). Mean daily flows and monthly averages were plotted.

All water quality, nutrient and macroinvertebrate data were entered onto the MDFRC Macroinvertebrate Database (SM5.30). Data were then exported from the database to a spread sheet (SM5.31), where it was prepared for importing into other software programs. For the spring and the following autumn sampling events, macroinvertebrate data were combined and physio-chemical data were averaged, so all the data could be analysed by year rather than season.

Water quality and nutrient measurements were compared to the SEPP objectives for the corresponding region (Table 17), and presented in Tables 22 to 37. No SEPP objectives exist for temperature, alkalinity or oxides of nitrogen.

Table 17. SEPP objectives for water quality and nutrients. Objectives Sites 510 and 511 All other sites Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 95 – 110 90 – 110 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 100 pH 6.4 – 7.7 6.4 – 7.7 Turbidity (NTU) 5 5 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 150 350 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 20 25

Total families, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) and Stream Invertebrate Grade Number Average Level (SIGNAL) scores for edge and riffle samples were calculated for each site. Habitats were combined to calculate scores for key families at each site. Scores were compared to the SEPP objectives for bioregion 2, except sites 510 and 511, which were compared to the SEPP objectives for bioregion 1 (Table 18).

Macroinvertebrate data were entered into the AUSRIVAS modelling software and the resulting scores for Observed/Expected with p>50% (OE50) determined which AUSRIVAS bands were allocated to each site (Table 19, Table 20). Edge and riffle samples from all sites were run through the Victorian combined seasons bioregion 2 edge and riffle models, with the exception of sites 510 and 511, which were run through the Victorian combined seasons

state edge and riffle models, as no other models exist for this region (bioregion 1). Where the edge and riffle sample from the same site were allocated different AUSRIVAS bands, the site was classified according to the precautionary principle, whereby the lower of the two bands is allocated to the site as a whole.

Table 18. SEPP biological objectives for Victorian bioregions 1 and 2 (EPA 2004). Region/ Total SIGNAL EPT Key Habitat Families Score index Families B1 Edge 13 6.2 4 18 B1 Riffle 22 5.8 10 B2 Edge 22 5.7 7 20 B2 Riffle 21 6.0 9

Table 19. AUSRIVAS bands and descriptions. Band X More biologically diverse than reference.

More taxa found than expected. Potential biodiversity hot-spot. Possible mild organic enrichment.

Band A Reference condition.

Most/all of the expected families found. Water quality and/or habitat condition roughly equivalent to reference sites. Impact on water quality and habitat condition does not result in a loss of macroinvertebrate diversity.

Band B Significantly impaired.

Fewer families than expected. Potential impact either on water quality or habitat quality or both, resulting in loss of taxa.

Band C Severely impaired.

Many fewer families than expected. Loss of macroinvertebrate biodiversity due to substantial impacts on water and/or habitat quality.

Band D Extremely impaired.

Few of the expected families remain. Extremely poor water and/or habitat quality. Highly degraded.

Table 20. AUSRIVAS bands and their respective bandwidths for OE50 scores for each habitat in each of the models used. Bioregion B2 (Forests A) State (sites 510 and 511)

Habitat EDGE RIFFLE EDGE RIFFLE

Band X >1.14 >1.16 >1.14 >1.16

Band A 0.85 - 1.14 0.83 - 1.16 0.84 - 1.14 0.82 - 1.16

Band B 0.56 - 0.85 0.54 - 0.83 0.55 - 0.84 0.49 - 0.82

Band C 0.27 - 0.56 0.25 - 0.54 0.26 - 0.55 0.16 - 0.49

Band D <0.27 <0.25 <0.26 <0.16

Taxonomic diversity was measured at species level, or the lowest taxonomic level possible. In calculating taxonomic richness, the larval stages of insect were not counted separately to the adult stage of the same species. Taxa which were not the lowest possible resolution were only counted if no other identifiable specimens were encountered at the same site.

Multivariate analysis was performed on the macroinvertebrate data, transformed to presence/absence. A Bray-Curtis resemblance matrix was constructed, from which non- metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) plots were made of the edge and riffle samples. All multivariate analysis was performed using Primer Version 6 (Clarke & Warwick 2001).

Quality assurance / Quality control The MDFRC macroinvertebrate laboratory is NATA accredited (No. 17064) and is committed to compliance with the International Standard AS ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. As part of the NATA accreditation requirements, the laboratory undertakes routine quality control procedures on project samples. At each processing stage, 10 % of samples were reassessed. These samples were randomly selected and covered all sample types and all staff. Quality control data from all projects is used to estimate the measurement uncertainty (Table 21) for each processing stage. Measurement uncertainty is estimated in accordance with ISO/TS 19036 (2006) and ISO/TS 19036 -1 (2009) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuff -

Guidelines for the estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations. Field sampling quality assurance is conducted via an annual field training day for all staff and competency assessment in-field for new staff.

Table 21: Measurement uncertainty at June 2014.

Coefficient of Result estimate Method - Level Measure Units variation for [lower, upper limits] reproducibility

SM5.16 Live Sorting - Family Taxa Count 22 taxa [18, 28] 2.89%

315 animals [269, SM5.21 Lab Sorting - Order Count Animals 369] 1.38%

SM5.23 Identification - Taxa Count Family 18 taxa [14, 22] 2.15% 160 animals [156, Count Animals 165]

SM5.23 Identification - Taxa Count Genus 11 taxa [6, 23] 8.28% 270 animals [221, Count Animals 330]

SM5.23 Identification - Taxa Count Species 12 taxa [4, 33] 11.36% 278 animals [217, Count Animals 355]

Note: Identification taxa data includes indeterminate (immature or damaged) specimens

3 Results

3.1 Discharge Daily discharge at unregulated sites consisted of peak flows in June 2013, continuing through the spring of 2013 to December, and then decreasing in intensity to 2000 ML.day-1 during summer. From mid-December through to June 2014, the unregulated streams returned to low flows.

Releases from Dartmouth were also high from mid-June (4000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge), increasing through July and August to peak at over 7000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge. From mid-September to December, discharge at Colemans gauge followed a similar pattern to unregulated streams, with releases from Dartmouth pulsed at lower magnitudes, fluctuating between approximately 4000 and 2000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge. While discharge in unregulated streams decreased to below 500 ML.day-1 after December, the pulsed releases from Dartmouth continued, increasing to 5000 to 6000 ML.day-1 in December and January, and then slowly decreasing to around 2000 ML.day-1 in March, before two more peaks of approximately 4000 ML.day-1 in March and April (Figure 18).

8000 Gibbo Hinnomunjie Big Samples taken 6000

4000 Discharge ML/day Discharge 2000

12000 Tallandoon 10000 Colemans Snowy Ck Samples taken 8000

6000

4000 Discharge ML/day Discharge

2000

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

Figure 18. Daily discharge at upstream (top) and downstream (bottom) sites on the Mitta Mitta and some of its major tributaries.

3.2 SEPP objectives Site 501 – Dartmouth All Macroinvertebrate indices at site 501 failed to meet the SEPP objectives, and fell into AUSRIVAS band D – extremely impaired (Table 22). Results for riffle and combined habitat indices were calculated in the absence of the autumn 2014 riffle sample.

Table 22. SEPP objectives at site 501. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 12.16 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 48.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.185

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 15.25 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 95.65 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.08 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 36 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 222.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 15.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 4.782609 EPT families 7 3 Total families 22 16 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.31 *Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 4.333333 EPT families 9 0 Total families 21 3 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.12 Combined habitats **Key families 22 11 Band A D *Spring sample only: AUSRIVAS spring riffle model used for OE50. **Autumn riffle sample missing.

Site 502 – Colemans Site 502 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of C – severely impaired. Total phosphorus, total families and key families failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 23).

Table 23. SEPP objectives at site 502. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 11.12 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 45.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.115

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 13.65 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 93.7 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.11 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 63.5 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 332.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 29.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.162162 EPT families 7 10 Total families 22 26 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.54 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.225806 EPT families 9 9 Total families 21 19 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.52 Combined habitats Key families 22 20 Band A C

Site 503 – Mitta Mitta Site 503 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. The OE50 score in each habitat failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 24).

Table 24. SEPP objectives at site 503. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 12.215 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 45.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.41

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 17.75 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 95.75 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.1 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 53 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 160 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 11.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.317073171 EPT families 7 11 Total families 22 27 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.76 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.4 EPT families 9 9 Total families 21 21 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.65 Combined habitats Key families 22 24 Band A B

Site 504 – Tallandoon Site 504 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. The OE50 score in each habitat failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 25).

Table 25. SEPP objectives at site 504. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 14.85 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 45.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.385

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 12.2 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 102.85 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.205 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 51 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 185 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 15.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 5.829787 EPT families 7 9 Total families 22 29 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.8 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.363636 EPT families 9 11 Total families 21 21 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.69 Combined habitats Key families 22 23 Band A B

Site 505 – Snowy Creek Site 505 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. All SEPP objectives were achieved (Table 26).

Table 26. SEPP objectives at site 505. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 13.58 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 43 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.5

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 18.75 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 98.85 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.09 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 8 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 103.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 16.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.35 EPT families 7 16 Total families 22 41 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 1.12 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 7.018182 EPT families 9 16 Total families 21 34 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 1.04 Combined habitats Key families 22 35 Band A A

Site 506 – Mount Wills Creek Site 506 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality measurements and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. While the riffle sample had an OE50 score in band A, the edge score was in band B (Table 27).

Table 27. SEPP objectives at site 506. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 8.87 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 28.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.44

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 13 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 92.85 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.57 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 37.5 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 130 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 30 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 7.102564 EPT families 7 14 Total families 22 26 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.81 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 7.340909 EPT families 9 15 Total families 21 29 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.9 Combined habitats Key families 22 29 Band A B

Site 507 – Watchingorra Creek Site 507 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality measurements, total nitrogen and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. While the edge sample had an OE50 score in band A, the riffle score was in band B (Table 28).

Table 28. SEPP objectives at site 507. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 16.03 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 71.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.385

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 30.25 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 91.65 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 8.87 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 277 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 505 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 36.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.090909 EPT families 7 9 Total families 22 37 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.92 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.369565 EPT families 9 13 Total families 21 32 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.78 Combined habitats Key families 22 29 Band A B

Site 510 – Whiterock Creek Site 510 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, pH and dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. Total number of families in both habitats, plus key families from the site as a whole failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 29).

Table 29. SEPP objectives at site 510. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 11.295 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 6.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 6.08

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 5.1 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 77.7 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 8.35 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 2 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 59.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 6.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.541667 EPT families 7 9 Total families 22 19 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.91 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 7.242424 EPT families 9 10 Total families 21 20 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.93 Combined habitats Key families 22 21 Band A A

Site 511 – Frog Track Site 511 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, only dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 30).

Table 30. SEPP objectives at site 511. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 11.625 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 18.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.325

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 10.75 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 82.55 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 8.82 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 14 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 101 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 19.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 7.291667 EPT families 7 15 Total families 22 30 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 1.01 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 7.147541 EPT families 9 19 Total families 21 39 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 1.05 Combined habitats Key families 22 26 Band A A

Site 512 – Glen Valley Site 512 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, only dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 31).

Table 31. SEPP objectives at site 512. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 11.56 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 17 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.075

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 8 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 89.2 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 9.695 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 32.5 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 112.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 17 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.522727 EPT families 7 13 Total families 22 33 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.98 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 7.119403 EPT families 9 19 Total families 21 41 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 1.05 Combined habitats Key families 22 35 Band A A

Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge Site 513 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements met the SEPP objectives. Most macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives, the exception being the OE50 score for the edge habitat, which was in band B (Table 32).

Table 32. SEPP objectives at site 513. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 13.75 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 39 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.43

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 16.5 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 96.55 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 9.98 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 29.5 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 227.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 14.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.096774 EPT families 7 10 Total families 22 25 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.8 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.42 EPT families 9 14 Total families 21 32 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.98 Combined habitats Key families 22 30 Band A B

Site 514 – Taylors Crossing Site 514 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, only total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 33).

Table 33. SEPP objectives at site 514. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 16.74 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 45.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.275

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 20.5 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 90.75 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 8.635 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 40 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 282.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 36 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.36 EPT families 7 11 Total families 22 38 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.89 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.632653 EPT families 9 12 Total families 21 29 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.94 Combined habitats Key families 22 30 Band A A

Site 515 – Cobungra River Site 515 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality measurements only total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives with the exception of the OE50 score from the riffle habitat (Table 34).

Table 34. SEPP objectives at site 515. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 13.05 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 57 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.725

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 23.5 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 93 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 9.69 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 40 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 275 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 35.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.270833 EPT families 7 13 Total families 22 39 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 1.03 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.791667 EPT families 9 13 Total families 21 33 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.83 Combined habitats Key families 22 33 Band A B

Site 516 – Bingo Munjie Creek Site 516 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All of the water quality measurements failed to meet the SEPP objectives. The SIGNAL and OE50 scores from both habitats failed to meet the SEPP objectives, as did the number of EPT families in the edge habitat (Table 35).

Table 35. SEPP objectives at site 516. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 13.23 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 662 pH 6.4 – 7.7 8.17

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 232 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 86.8 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 8.99 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 79 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 937.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 84 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 5.342857 EPT families 7 5 Total families 22 25 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.65 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 5.489362 EPT families 9 10 Total families 21 30 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.7 Combined habitats Key families 22 23 Band A B

Site 517 – Livingstone Creek Site 517 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of C – severely impaired. Of the water quality measurements, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. The only macroinvertebrate indices to meet the SEPP objectives were EPT families and total families from the edge habitat (Table 36).

Table 36. SEPP objectives at site 517. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 13.46 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 297.5 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.415

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 61.5 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 80.55 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 8.285 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 82.5 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 955 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 121.5 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 5.230769 EPT families 7 7 Total families 22 32 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.64 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 5.333333 EPT families 9 4 Total families 21 17 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.46 Combined habitats Key families 22 19 Band A C

Site 518 – Gibbo River Site 518 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements met the SEPP objectives. The only macroinvertebrate indices to fail the SEPP objectives was the OE50 score from the edge habitat (Table37).

Table 37. SEPP objectives at site 518. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 12.01 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 41 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.095

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 17.75 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 96.25 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.155 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 33 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 112.5 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 21 Turbidity (NTU) 5 22.15 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.135135 EPT families 7 7 Total families 22 25 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.804348 EPT families 9 15 Total families 21 28 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.91 Combined habitats Key families 22 25 Band A B

3.3 Taxonomic richness A total of 339 distinct taxa were recorded in this survey. Most of these taxa were identified to species, but some represent a genus, family, or higher level of classification, and as such, may include several different species. Taxonomic richness ranged from 109 to 123 taxa per site on the main channel upstream of Dartmouth dam. At the site immediately below the dam taxonomic richness was 20. This figure increased with distance downstream of the dam to 84 at Tallandoon. There were 115 taxa recorded in the main channel upstream of Dartmouth dam that were not recorded downstream of the dam. There were 45 taxa which were not found between the dam and the confluence with Snowy Creek, but were recorded below the confluence and in either Snowy Creek, Mt Wills Creek or Watchingorra Creek.

Snowy Creek was the most diverse site in this survey with 124 taxa. Of the other tributaries, Cobungra River (111 taxa) and Watchingorra Creek (108 taxa) both had high taxonomic richness. The least diverse were the nutrient-enriched Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks, with 62 and 77 taxa, respectively.

160 2013 Spring 140 2014 Autumn Spring + autumn

120

100

60 Speciesrichness

0 510 511 512 513 514 501 502 503 504 515 516 517 518 505 506 507

Upstream of Dam ---I--Downstream--I--Tributaries------Figure 19. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2013, autumn 2014, and for both seasons combined.

3.4 Community composition For taxonomic reasons, Veliidae were analysed at family level, and the genera of the Taschorema complex (Hydrobiosidae) were combined. The NMDS plot shows sites which are on the main channel downstream of the dam in green, and all other sites which exist independently of the dam in blue. Site 501 is to the far left, site 502 in the centre and sites 503 and 504 closer to the reference sites. A PERMANOVA (permutational multiple analysis of variance) was performed on this data, which indicated that the two groups were significantly different (Pseudo-F = 2.8475; P (perm) = 0.005). A SIMPER analysis indicated that the taxa contributing the most to the differences between these two groups were Austropeplea, the Lymnaeid snail; the coleopterans Sclerocyphon and Austrolimnius; the Chironomid Echinocladius; the dragonfly Austroaeschna; and the mayfly Ipracaenis.

Figure 20. NMDS plot of sites based on presence/absence of macroinvertebrate genera. Sites on the main channel downstream of Dartmouth are green, all other sites independent of any effects of the dam are blue.

4 Discussion

4.1 Discharge

High volume releases from Dartmouth Dam in winter and spring of 2013 mirrored discharge of adjacent unregulated streams, although continued releases through summer were in contrast to natural flows. While discharge from Snowy Creek may have added some natural variation in the Mitta Mitta below the confluence, flows at Tallandoon were dominated by releases from the dam.

4.2 Water quality

Sites 516 and 517, as in previous years, had very high levels of total nitrogen and phosphorus, alkalinity and electrical conductivity. This is most likely due to the adjacent agricultural practices, with livestock having direct access to the waterway.

Site 507 displayed a high concentration of oxides of nitrogen, and this may be a product of upstream forestry operation. The water quality recorded in Whiterock Creek was typical of an alpine stream, being characterised by low pH, alkalinity and electrical conductivity.

With the exception of turbidity readings and the instances outlined above, water quality in the catchment generally met all SEPP objectives, and the results were consistent with previous findings (Davey & Cook, 2013; Davey & Hawking, 2012; Cook et al., 2011).

4.3 Macroinvertebrates

Macroinvertebrate diversity was significantly lower at site 501 (immediately downstream of the dam) than it was at main channel sites upstream of Dartmouth Dam. A gradual recovery in taxa richness was observed with longitudinal distance downstream of the dam, however these sites did not return to diversity levels recorded upstream of the impoundment. As is suggested in previous reports (Davey & Cook, 2013), it is likely that the unregulated and taxonomically rich tributaries (e.g. Snowy Creek, Mt Wills Creek) are acting as points of population recruitment and are major contributors to the recovery of the macroinvertebrate community.

All tributaries and sites upstream of the dam were more diverse than those on the main channel downstream of the dam, with the exception of some of the lower order streams such as the alpine Whiterock Creek and the nutrient-enriched Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks.

The only sites to not achieve more than half of the SEPP biological objectives were 501, 516 and 517, while sites 505, 511, 512 and 514 achieved all of the objectives. The lowest AUSRIVAS band was D, assigned to the riffle sample from site 501 in spring. Sites 502 and 517 were both assigned an AUSRIVAS band of C. The bands assigned to these poorer sites were generally lower than in the previous two years (Davey & Cook, 2013).

SECTION 2: Spring 2014

1 Aims and objectives

1.2 Objectives Project objectives are as follows: • Sample the macroinvertebrate communities at four sites in spring. • Assess biological condition within the Mitta Mitta catchment at each site, using Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols. • Assess biodiversity within the Mitta Mitta catchment by identifying macroinvertebrates to the lowest possible taxonomic level. • Analyse and assess water quality data with respect to the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives. • Report findings to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).

2 Methods

2.1 Study sites and descriptions The sites used in this study are sites 502, 503, 505 and 513, listed in section one of this report. These sites were selected from the initial 16 sites in order to have: • an impacted site that is downstream of Dartmouth dam and upstream of any major tributary (502) • an impacted site downstream of the dam but also downstream of a major tributary which may be a source of recovery (503) • a reference site which is on the tributary providing the source of recovery (505) • a reference site on the main channel upstream of the dam (513).

The methods used here are the same as in section one of this report.

3 Results

3.1 Discharge Daily discharge at unregulated sites consisted of peak flows at the beginning of August and mid-September of 4028 and 5820 ML.day-1 respectively. Smaller peaks occurred in late September and early October. From mid-October, flows in unregulated streams subsided.

From July to mid-September, releases from Dartmouth were low, with the exception of two larger pulses of approximately 3000 ML.day-1 in August. From late-September releases from Dartmouth have been fluctuating between approximately 7000 and 3000 ML.day-1 over a 30 day cycle (Figure 21).

8000 Colemans Snowy Hinomunjie Samples taken 6000

4000

2000 Mean daily discharge ML/day discharge daily Mean

0 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Figure 21. Daily discharge at Colemans, Snowy Creek (below Granite Flat) and Hinnomunjie gauges for the period from July to late November 2014.

3.2 SEPP objectives Site 502 – Colemans Site 502 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All macroinvertebrate indices failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 38).

Table 38. SEPP objectives at site 502. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 11.64 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 44 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.15

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 16 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 97.8 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.43 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 42 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 160 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 12 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 5.54 EPT families 7 5 Total families 22 13 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.48 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 5.86 EPT families 9 5 Total families 21 14 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.6 Combined habitats Key families 22 16 Band A B

Site 503 – Mitta Mitta Site 503 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements met the SEPP objectives. The number of key families, and the OE50 and total families in both habitats failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 39).

Table 39. SEPP objectives at site 503. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 9.94 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 43 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.21

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 18 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 93.9 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.42 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 53 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 160 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 18 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.93 EPT families 7 8 Total families 22 15 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.76 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.73 EPT families 9 9 Total families 21 16 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.81 Combined habitats Key families 22 21 Band A B

Site 505 – Snowy Creek Site 505 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. All SEPP objectives were achieved (Table 40 ).

Table 40. SEPP objectives at site 505. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 7.44 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 35 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.32

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 16 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 94 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 11.1 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 11 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 105 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 22 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.52 EPT families 7 11 Total families 22 24 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.9 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.68 EPT families 9 12 Total families 21 25 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.95 Combined habitats Key families 22 27 Band A A

Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge Site 513 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, and pH exceeded the SEPP objectives. Most macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives, the exception being the number of total families in the edge habitat (Table 41).

Table 41. SEPP objectives at site 513. Objective Result Water quality Temperature (°C) - 7.78 Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 28 pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.74

-1 Alkalinity (mg.L .CaCO3) - 11 Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 98.1 Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 11.46 Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 5 Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 115 Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 15 Edge SIGNAL 5.7 6.39 EPT families 7 8 Total families 22 19 OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.95 Riffle SIGNAL 6.0 6.48 EPT families 9 10 Total families 21 23 OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.96 Combined habitats Key families 22 26 Band A A

3.3 Taxonomic richness A total of 108 distinct taxa were recorded from the spring 2014 survey. The highest richness was found at site 505, where 60 taxa were recorded. The lowest recorded was 31 taxa at site 502. With the exception of site 513, the edge samples were always more diverse than those from the riffle.

At site 513 upstream of Dartmouth Dam, 57 distinct taxa were recorded. Of these, only 17 were recorded at site 502 downstream of the dam. Site 503 registered 33 taxa that were not present at site 502. Of these 33 taxa, 21 were common to site 505.

Total 60 Edge Riffle

Taxonomic richness Taxonomic 20

0 502 503 505 513

Site Figure 22. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2014, for both habitats and whole site.

3.4 Community composition The NMDS plot displays each sample taken for the period. The edge and riffle samples group together, the riffle samples forming a tighter group in a line across the top-left of the plot. In both groups of samples site 502 is the outlier of the group, sites 503, 505 and 513 being more similar to each other.

Figure 23. NMDS plot of samples, with taxonomic resolution to species. Riffle samples, suffixed with “R” are at the top left of the plot, edge samples, suffixed with “E” are at the bottom and top right of the plot.

4 Discussion

4.1 Discharge The discharge in the unregulated sections followed the pattern of high flows in winter and spring, decreasing in the summer. The discharge above Dartmouth dam at Hinnomunjie rarely dropped below 1000 ML.day-1 until mid-October, after which it remained below that level. This is in contrast to the flow recorded at the Colemans gauge below Dartmouth. With the exception of the two peaks in late August, the average daily discharge was at or below approximately 500 ML.day-1 until late September. From October the discharge does not drop significantly below 3000 ML.day-1. Such shifts in seasonality of peak flows can disrupt reproductive cues (Bunn & Arthington, 2002), decreasing reproduction and recruitment, ultimately altering the community assemblage.

4.2 Water quality

Most water quality measurements did not vary much across the sites. The most variation was in total nitrogen and oxides of nitrogen, which were both considerably higher at the two sites downstream of the dam, albeit well within the SEPP objectives. With the exception of turbidity, the only water quality objective not met was pH which was slightly elevated at site 513 above Dartmouth Dam.

4.3 Macroinvertebrates Site 502 below Dartmouth Dam had the poorest macroinvertebrate community, failing to meet any of the SEPP biological objectives, and having the lowest taxonomic diversity. At site 503, below the confluence with Snowy Creek, the macroinvertebrate community was more diverse, and met approximately half of the SEPP biological objectives. The reference sites had almost twice the diversity of site 502.

Of the taxa which were recorded at site 503 but not at 502, 21 of these were recorded at site 505. This recruitment may be due to larval drift. Further investigation into the dispersal mechanisms of these taxa would be beneficial in determining the mechanisms of recovery downstream of Dartmouth Dam.

5 Conclusions The Mitta Mitta River macroinvertebrate community continues to be the impacted by the operation of Dartmouth Dam. Although the water quality during the study period was generally good, the macroinvertebrate community downstream of the dam is not as diverse as the community at reference sites upstream. This would suggest that flow regime, as determined by frequency, magnitude and timing of releases from the dam, is still having a significant impact on the macroinvertebrate community.

The impacts observed in the macroinvertebrate community due to the operation of Dartmouth Dam become are significant at the site 9 km downstream of the dam. These impacts are less pronounced at the next site, 16 km downstream of the dam. A major contributing factor to the rehabilitation of invertebrate populations may be the influence of Snowy Creek and other tributaries providing a source of recruitment.

6 Recommendations We recommend that monitoring of macroinvertebrate communities in the Mitta Mitta River continue for two reasons. Firstly, information generated by the monitoring program can detect changes to biotic communities resulting from improved operation of Dartmouth Dam. Secondly, monitoring of macroinvertebrates can provide baseline data that informs managers of stream health within the greater catchment. This is of particular relevance upstream of Dartmouth Dam, where land-use impacts to stream health have been identified. We recommend targeted studies to identify specific drivers of altered macroinvertebrate communities below and above Dartmouth Dam. Some interesting aspects of macroinvertebrate community dynamics that require further investigation include improved stream health below the confluence of Snowy Creek, elements of invertebrate life history responses to altered thermal and hydrological regimes and drivers of land-use impacts in the upper catchment. Filling these knowledge gaps will provide clearer recommendations for Dam and land-use management.

References AS ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Standards Australia, Sydney Australian Natural Resources Atlas (2008) http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/water/overview/vic/swma-mitta-mitta-river.html Blyth JD, Doeg TJ, St Clair RM (1984) Response of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta River, Victoria, to the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam. 1. Construction and initial filling. Occasional papers from the Museum of Victoria, 1: 83-100. Bunn SE, Arthington AH (2002) Basic principles and ecological consequences of altered flow regimes for aquatic biodiversity. Environmental Management, 30, 492-507. Clarke KR, Warwick RM (2001) Change in Marine Communities: An approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. Primer-E-Ltd, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK. Cook R, Hawking J, Davey C (2007) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program Project Report 2007. A report prepared for the Murray Darling Basin Authority and Goulburn Murray Water Authority. Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Wodonga. Cook R, Davey C, Hawking J, Paul W (2011) MDBA Mitta Mitta River Monitoring Program. Review of monitoring 1998 to 2009. MDFRC Publication 14/2011, August, 140pp. Davey C and Cook R (2013) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Report – 2011/12 and 2012/13 Draft Report prepared for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority by The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, MDFRC Publication 25/2013, September, 90pp. Davey C, Hawking J (2012) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program: 2008/09 – 2010/11 Final Report. Report prepared for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority by The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, MDFRC Publication 38/2011, March 2012, 95pp. Doeg TJ (1984) Response of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta River, Victoria, to the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam. 2. Irrigation release. Occasional papers from the Museum of Victoria, 1: 101-108. EPA (2003a) Rapid bioassessment methodology for rivers and streams. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.nsf/PubDocsLU/604.1?OpenDocument EPA (2003b) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Water quality objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp EPA (2003c) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Nutrient objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp EPA (2004) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Biological objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp Hawking JH, Smith LM, LeBusque K, Davey C (editors) (2013) Identification and Ecology of Australian Freshwater Invertebrates. Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre. http://www.mdfrc.org.au/bugguide

ISO/TS 19036 (2006) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Guidelines for the estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations. International Organization for Standardization, Switzerland. ISO/TS 19036-1 (2009) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Guidelines for the estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations AMENDMENT 1: Measurement uncertainty for low counts. International Organization for Standardization, Switzerland. Koehn JD, Doeg TJ, Harrington DJ, Milledge GA (1995) The effects of Dartmouth Dam on the Aquatic Fauna of the Mitta Mitta River. Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra. North East CMA (2006) North East Regional River Health Strategy 2006. North East Catchment Management Authority, Wodonga. Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2009) Advisory List of Threatened Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2009. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria. Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2011a) Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse. http://www.vicwaterdata.net/vicwaterdata/home.aspx. Accessed November, 2014.

Appendices

Appendix A Taxa list by site for spring 2013 – autumn 2014 season

Table 42. List of taxa recorded at each site during the autumn 2013 to autumn 2014 survey.

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 Hydrozoa Hydridae 1 Hydrozoa Olindiidae Craspedacusta sowerbyi 1 Tricladida Dugesiidae 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 Nematoda 1 2 Gastropoda 1 Hypsogastropoda Hydrobiidae Potamopyrgus antipodarum 1 Hygrophila Lymnaeidae 1 Austropeplea huonensis 2 2 1 2 1 Ancylidae Ferrissia 1 Ferrissia petterdi 1 1 1 Ferrissia tasmanica 1 1 1 2

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Hygrophila cont.) Planorbidae Glyptophysa 1 Physidae Physa acuta 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 Veneroida Corbiculidae Corbicula 1 Oligochaeta 3 4 4 3 1 1 2 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 4 2 Rhynchobdellida Glossiphoniidae 1 Acarina Halacaridae 1 Hydryphantidae Diplodontus 1 Hydrodromidae Hydrodroma 1 Oxidae Flabellifrontipoda 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 Oxus 1 Limnesiidae Limnesia 1 Tubophorella 1 1 Hygrobatidae Australiobates 1 1 1 1 Caenobates 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Acarina cont.) Coaustraliobates 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 Hygrobatidae 1 1 Kallimobates 1 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 Procorticacarus 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 Unionicolidae Recifella/Koenikea 1 2 Pionidae Piona 1 Torrenticolidae Monatractides 1 Pezidae Peza ops 1 Oribatida 1 1 Isopoda Phreatoicidea (sub-order) Synamphisopus 1 Amphipoda Chiltoniidae Austrochiltonia subtenuis 3 1 Decapoda Atyidae Paratya australiensis 2 2 1 1 3 Parastacidae Cherax 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalomicria AV1 2 Atalophlebia albiterminata 1 Atalophlebia AV 13 2 Atalophlebia AV 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 Atalophlebia AV 4 1 3 1 1 2 Atalophlebia AV 5 1 1 Atalophlebia AV 7 2 1 Atalophlebia AV 9 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 Austrophlebioides 1 2 1 2 Austrophlebioides AV 2 1 4 1 Austrophlebioides marchanti 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 Austrophlebioides pusillus 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 3 1 3 1 Garinjuga AV1 1 1 2 3 2 Jappa 1 Jappa AV 3 1 1 2 Jappa kutera 1 Koorrnonga AV1 1 1 1 2 1 Nousia 1 1 Nousia AV 1 1 3 2 2 2 4 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 Nousia AV 2 2 2 1 Nousia wiltkorringae 2 2 Ulmerophlebia 1 1 Caenidae Caenidae 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 Irpacaenis deani 1 1 1 1 Irpacaenis sp.D 1 1 4 2 1 1 2 Tasmanocoenis sp. B 2 Tasmanocoenis tillyardi 1 Tasmanocoenis tillyardi/rieki 1 1 1 Baetidae Baetidae 1 Centroptilum sp. Snowy 1 2 2 2 2 Cloeon paradiensiense 1 Offadens 1 1 Offadens baddamsae 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 Offadens confluens 1 1 4 4 Offadens G1 sp. 4 1 1 1 Offadens G2 sp. MV2 4 2 3 Offadens hickmani complex 2 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 2 3 3 Offadens MV1 Timbarra 1 2 Offadens MV5 1 Offadens sp. Armidale 1 1 Offadens sp. Nariel/Snowy 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Offadens TC 1063 2 1 Offadens TC 1064 1 Coloburiscidae Coloburiscoides complex 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 Coloburiscoides munionga 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 Coloburiscoides sp. C 1 Ameletopsidae

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 Mirawara AV 2 1 2 Mirawara AV2 TC 1047 1 Oniscigastridae Tasmanophlebia 1 1 Tasmanophlebia AV1 1 1 1 1 1 Tasmanophlebia TC 1025 1 Tasmanophlebia TC 1037 1 Tasmanophlebia TC 1072 1 Odonata Coenagrionidae 1 Ischnura 1 Ischnura heterosticta 1 Megapodagrionidae Austroargiolestes icteromelas/calcaris 1 1 Synlestidae Synlestes weyersii tillyardi 1 2 Gomphidae Austrogomphus 1 1 1 Austrogomphus guerini 1 Hemigomphus gouldii/heteroclytus 1 2 Telephlebiidae Austroaeschna 2 1 1 1 Austroaeschna inermis 1 1 1 1 1 Austroaeschna multipunctata 1 Austroaeschna pulchra 1 1 1 1 2 Austroaeschna unicornis unicornis 1 1 2

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Odonata cont.) Notoaeschna sagittata 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 Synthemistidae 1 Eusynthemis 1 Eusynthemis brevistyla 1 1 2 Eusynthemis guttata 1 Eusynthemis tillyardi 1 Synthemis eustalacta 1 1 1 Plecoptera Eustheniidae Cosmioperla kuna 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 2 Eusthenia venosa 1 Austroperlidae Acruroperla atra 1 2 2 2 1 1 Austroheptura 1 Austroheptura sp1 2 1 Austroheptura sp2 1 1 Austroheptura TC 1069 1 Gripopterygidae Dinotoperla 1 1 Dinotoperla brevipennis 1 1 1 2 1 2 Dinotoperla christinae 1 Dinotoperla eucumbene 4 4 2 2 2 Dinotoperla fontana 3 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 Dinotoperla TC1070 1 1 Dinotoperla thwaitesi/serricauda 4 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Plecoptera cont.) Eunotoperla kershawi 1 Illiesoperla 1 1 Illiesoperla australis 1 1 1 Illiesoperla brevicauda 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 Leptoperla kimminsi 2 Leptoperla longicauda/bifida 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 Leptoperla primitiva 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 3 Leptoperla rubiconis TC 1052 1 1 Leptoperla tasmanica 1 1 1 1 1 1 Newmanoperla thoreyi 1 2 1 Riekoperla karki 1 2 Riekoperla karki/reticulata 2 1 1 1 Riekoperla reticulata 2 Riekoperla rugosa 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 Riekoperla tuberculata 1 2 2 2 2 1 Trinotoperla 1 Trinotoperla montana 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 Trinotoperla nivata 1 Trinotoperla nivata/minor 2 1 1 1 1 2 Notonemouridae 1 Austrocerca tasmanica 2 1 2 Austrocercella marianne 1 1 3 1 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 Hemiptera Hydrometridae Hydrometra strigosa 1 Gerridae Rheumatometra dimorpha 1 Rheumatometra philarete 1 1 1 1 1 Rheumatrometra 1 Veliidae 1 1 1 Drepanovelia 1 1 Drepanovelia dubia 1 1 1 1 Microvelia 1 2 2 1 1 Microvelia fluvialis 1 1 1 Microvelia peramoena 1 2 1 1 2 Hebridae Hebrus axilliaris 1 Corixidae 1 1 Agraptocorixa 1 Agraptocorixa eurynome 1 Sigara 1 1 1 1 Sigara truncatipala 1 1 Micronectidae 1 Austronecta australiensis 1 1 2 1 1 Micronecta annae/illiesi 2 3 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 4 2 2 Micronecta robusta 1 2 Notonectidae Anisops 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Hemiptera cont.) Anisops gratus 1 Anisops thienemanni 1 1 1 Enithares 1 1 Enithares woodwardi 1 1 1 1 1 Pleidae Paraplea halei 1 Megaloptera Corydalidae 1 Archichauliodes guttiferus grp. 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 Archichauliodes R. deceptor grp. 1 1 Neuroptera Osmylidae 1 Nevrorthidae Austroneurorthus bruneipennis 2 1 Coleoptera Gyrinidae Macrogyrus (L) 1 1 1 Macrogyrus oblongus (A) 1 Macrogyrus TC 1066 oblongus/rivularis (A) 1 1 Dytiscidae Allodessus bistrigatus 1 1 Antiporus (A) 1 Australphilus saltus (A) 1 1 1 1 1 Australphilus saltus (L) 1 Necterosoma (L) 1 2

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Coleoptera cont.) Necterosoma penicillatum (A) 1 4 Platynectes decempunctatus (A) 1 Rhantus suturalis (A) 1 Sternopriscus (A) 1 1 1 1 Sternopriscus wehnckei (A) 1 Hydraenidae Gymnocthebius truncatus (A) 1 Hydraena (A) 1 1 Ochthebiinae TC 1076 1 Ochthebiinae TC 477 (A) 1 Hydrochidae Hydrochus horni (A) 1 1 Hydrophilidae Anacaena horni (A) 1 1 Anacaena lindi (A) 1 Berosus involutus (A) 1 Berosus majusculus (A) 1 Helochares (A) 1 Laccobius decipiens (A) 1 1 2 1 Paracymus (A) 1 Paracymus pygmaeus 1 Curculionidae Curculionidae TC 747 (A) 1 Scirtidae (L) 1 3 3 2 2 3 2 1 1 2 1 Elmidae

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Coleoptera cont.) Austrolimnius (A) 1 1 1 Austrolimnius (L) 1 1 1 1 1 2 Austrolimnius alcine (A) 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 Austrolimnius anytus (A) 1 1 1 Austrolimnius dayi (A) 2 Austrolimnius diemensis (A) 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 Austrolimnius metasternalis (A) 1 1 1 Austrolimnius metasternalis/victoriensis (A) 1 Austrolimnius oblongus (A) 2 1 1 1 Austrolimnius resa (L58E) 1 Austrolimnius troilus (A) 1 2 1 2 1 Austrolimnius waterhousei (A) 2 1 2 Kingolus (L) 1 Kingolus aeratus (A) 1 1 Kingolus aeratus (L) 1 1 1 Kingolus aeratus/metallicus (A) 1 Kingolus flavosignatus (L) 1 Kingolus metallicus (A) 1 1 1 Kingolus metallicus (L) 1 1 Kingolus tinctus (A) 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 Kingolus yarrensis (A) 2 1 Kingolus yarrensis (L) 1 Notriolus (L) 1 1 Notriolus (A) Co-0322 1 Notriolus allyensis (A) 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Coleoptera cont.) Notriolus humeralis (A) 1 Notriolus quadriplagiatus (A) 4 2 1 1 1 Notriolus setosus (A) 1 1 1 Notriolus setosus (L) 1 1 1 2 1 Notriolus TC 1000 (A) 1 1 Notriolus TC 1073 (L) 1 Notriolus victoriae (A) 2 3 2 3 1 Notriolus victoriae (L) 2 Simsonia (A) CO-0321 1 Simsonia angusta (A) 1 1 2 3 Simsonia angusta (L) 3 2 1 Simsonia L12E (L) 1 Simsonia L2E-A (L) 1 1 Simsonia longipes (A) 1 Simsonia longipes (L) 1 1 Simsonia wilsoni (A) 1 Simsonia wilsoni (L) 2 1 1 2 1 1 Austrolimnius (L) 2 1 2 1 1 2 Psephenidae Sclerocyphon (L) 1 Sclerocyphon maculatus (L) 1 1 Sclerocyphon striatus (L) 2 2 2 3 3 1 2 1 4 Sclerocyphon zwicki (L) 1 Ptilodactylidae Byrrocryptus (L) 2 2 1 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 Diptera Blephariceridae Edwardsina australiensis 1 1 Tipulidae Tipulidae EPA 1 1 Tipulidae EPA 18 1 Tipulidae EPA 2 1 1 1 Tipulidae EPA 27/37 1 1 1 1 1 1 Tipulidae EPA 3 1 1 Tipulidae EPA 30 1 Tipulidae EPA 36 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 Tipulidae EPA 37, TC 1061 1 Tipulidae EPA 38 1 1 2 Tipulidae EPA 39 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 Tipulidae EPA 40 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 Tipulidae EPA 42 1 1 1 1 1 Tipulidae EPA 8 2 2 Tipulidae EPA 9 1 1 1 2 1 Tipulidae EPA sp 3/42 TC 1071 1 1 1 1 Simuliidae Austrosimulium 3 1 1 Austrosimulium bancrofti 3 1 1 Austrosimulium furiosum 4 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 Austrosimulium montanum 1 Austrosimulium torrentium 3 2 1 3 1 1 2 2 2 1 Austrosimulium victoriae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Ditpera cont.) Simulium melatum 1 Simulium ornatipes 1 2 2 Culicidae Anopholes annulipes 1 Dixidae 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 Chironomidae Tanypodinae (sub-family) Ablabesmyia 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Apsectrotanypus 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 Australopelopia 1 1 1 1 Larsia 1 Nilotanypus 1 Paramerina 1 2 3 1 2 2 1 1 1 Pentaneurini 1 Pentaneurini Genus A 1 1 1 Procladius 1 2 1 2 1 1 4 2 Telmatopelopia? 1 1 Aphroteniidae (sub-family) Aphroteniella tenuicornis 2 Podonomina (sub-family) Podochlus 1 Podonomopsis 1 1 2 1 2 1 Chironominae (sub-family) Chironomini (tribe) Chironomus 1 2 1 1 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Ditpera cont.) Cladopelma 1 Conochironomus 1 1 Dicrotendipes 1 Harrisius 1 Kiefferulus "tinctus" 1 Nilothauma 1 Parachironomus 1 1 Paracladopelma K2 2 1 2 1 1 1 Paracladopelma M1 1 1 1 Polypedilum 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 Polypedilum nubiferum 1 Polypedilum prasiogaster 1 1 1 Polypedilum watsoni 1 2 1 Riethia 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 1 1 2 2 2 Tanytarsini (tribe) Cladotanytarsus 1 1 2 2 Paratanytarsus 2 3 3 1 2 1 Rheotanytarsus 2 3 1 4 1 2 1 1 3 3 3 1 1 3 Tanytarsus 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 Orthocladiinae (sub-family) 1 1 Botryocladius 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 Cardiocladius 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 Corynoneura 1 1 1 1 1 Cricotopus 3 4 4 4 2 3 4 2 4 2 2 3 3 2 3 2 Echinocladius 1 1 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Ditpera cont.) Eukiefferiella 1 2 1 3 2 1 1 Nanocladius 1 Orthocladiinae "genus Australia" 1 1 1 1 1 Parakiefferiella 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 Parametriocnemus 1 1 1 1 2 1 Pirara australiensis 1 1 1 1 SO4 1 Stictocladius 1 1 1 1 1 1 Thienemanniella 1 2 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 Diamesinae (sub-family) Paraheptagyia tonnoiri 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogonidae EPA 17 1 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 28/50 1 1 1 2 3 3 1 1 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 3 2 1 1 1 2 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 40 1 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 45 2 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 47 2 Ceratopogonidae EPA 53 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 6 1 1 Stratiomyidae 3 Tabanidae 1 1 Athericidae 1 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 1 Dolichopodidae 1 1 1 1 Empididae

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Ditpera cont.) Empididae NMV 2 1 1 Empididae NMV 3 2 Trichoptera Glossosmatidae Agapetus AV 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 Polycentropodidae Neureclipsis napea 1 1 Philopotamidae Chimarra AV 3 1 1 2 Chimarra AV3/australica TC 1077 1 Chimarra monticola 1 1 1 1 2 Hydrobiosella AV7 1 Hydrobiosella waddama 1 Helicopsychidae Helicopsyche murrumba 2 3 1 Helicopsyche tillyardi 2 4 Hydroptilidae Hellyethira malleoforma 1 1 2 1 Hellyethira simplex 2 3 1 1 Hydroptila scamandra 1 1 1 Orthotrichia MDFRC 2 1 1 Oxyethira columba 2 1 1 2 1 Ecnomidae Ecnomus continentalis 1 2 1 1 Ecnomus pansus 2

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Trichoptera cont.) Ecnomus russellius 2 Ecnomus sp. 1 Hydropsychidae 1 Asmicridea AV 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 Cheumatopsyche 1 1 Cheumatopsyche AV 2 2 1 Cheumatopsyche AV 3 1 1 Cheumatopsyche AV 4 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 Cheumatopsyche AV 5 1 Cheumatopsyche AV 6 1 Smicrophylax AV 1 1 Limnephilidae Archaeophylax canarus 2 2 1 Archaeophylax ochreus 1 Odontoceridae Marilia bola 1 1 1 Hydrobiosidae Apsilochorema 1 Apsilochorema obliquum 1 1 2 1 1 1 Ethochorema brunneum 1 1 2 Ethochorema turbidum 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 Koetonga clivicola 1 Taschorema complex 1 1 1 1 1 Taschorema complex TC 1027 1 Taschorema evansi 3 3 2 1 2 1 1 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Trichoptera cont.) Ulmerochorema 1 2 2 Ulmerochorema lentum 3 1 3 1 Ulmerochorema onychion 1 1 2 Ulmerochorema rubiconum grp. 2 1 3 2 1 1 2 3 3 1 Philorheithridae 1 Aphilorheithrus AV 3 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 Aphilorheithrus AV 4 2 1 2 Austrheithrus 1 1 Kosrheithus tillyardi 2 1 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 1 Leptoceridae Condocerus paludosus 1 2 1 1 1 Lectrides varians 1 Notalina bifaria 1 3 3 4 4 4 4 2 4 3 3 1 4 Notalina fulva 1 1 1 2 1 Notalina ordina 2 3 3 2 1 Notalina spira 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Oecetis 1 1 Triaenodes 1 1 1 1 Triplectides 1 1 Triplectides australicus 2 1 Triplectides australis 1 1 Triplectides ciuskus 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 1 2 Triplectides elongatus 2 Triplectides proximus 2 1 3 2 4 Triplectides similis 2 2 1 1 4 1 2 2 3 2 2

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 (Trichoptera cont.) Triplectides truncatus 1 1 1 Triplectides volda 1 1 1 Calamoceratidae Anisocentropus 3 3 2 1 1 Atriplectididae Atriplectides dubius 2 1 1 Conoesucidae 1 1 Coenoria AV1 1 3 Coenoria AV 4 1 Coenoria AV 5 1 1 Conoesucus 1 Conoesucus AV 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 Conoesucus AV 5 2 2 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 2 Costora ebenina 1 Lingora AV sp. 1 1 2 3 1 4 1 Matasia AV 1 1 Matasia satana 1 1 2 2 Tamasia acuta 2 4 1 1 Calocidae Caenota plicata 1 1 Tamasia variegata 1 1 3 1 3 1 1 Helicophidae Alloecella grisea 1 Calocidae/Helicophidae Calocid/Helicophid Genus C AV2 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 Lepidoptera Pyralidae/Cambridae Parapoynx nitens 2

Appendix B Taxa list for spring 2014

Table 43. List of taxa recorded at each site during the spring 2014 season.

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 502 503 505 513 Tricladida Dugesiidae 1 Hygrophila Lymnaeidae Austropeplea huonensis 2 1 Oligochaeta 2 1 2 1 Acarina Oxidae Flabellifrontipoda 1 1 Hygrobatidae Caenobates 1 Procorticacarus 1 Decapoda Atyidae Paratya australiensis 1 1 Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalophlebia AV 4 2 1 Austrophlebioides marchanti 1 1 2 1 Austrophlebioides pusillus 1 1 1 1 Garinjuga AV1 1 Koorrnonga AV1 1 Nousia AV 1 1 1 1 Caenidae Tasmanocoenis 2 Baetidae Centroptilum 1 Offadens confluens 1 1 Offadens G2 sp. MV2 1 1 Offadens hickmani complex 1 2 2 Coloburiscidae Coloburiscoides complex 1 1 Coloburiscoides munionga 1 1 1 Oniscigastridae Tasmanophlebia 1 1 Tasmanophlebia TC 1037 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 502 503 505 513 Odonata Gomphidae Hemigomphus gouldii/heteroclytus 1 Telephlebiidae Austroaeschna unicornis unicornis 1 Synthemistidae Eusynthemis virgula 1 Plecoptera Eustheniidae Cosmioperla kuna 1 1 Austroperlidae Acruroperla atra 2 Gripopterygidae Dinotoperla fontana 2 1 1 Dinotoperla thwaitesi/serricauda 2 2 2 1 Illiesoperla brevicauda 1 2 Leptoperla longicauda/bifida 1 1 2 Newmanoperla thoreyi 1 1 Riekoperla compressa 1 Riekoperla karki 1 Riekoperla karki/reticulata 1 1 1 1 Riekoperla tuberculata 1 2 Trinotoperla montana 1 1 2 Trinotoperla nivata/minor 1 Notonemouridae Austrocerca tasmanica 1 Hemiptera Veliidae Drepanovelia dubia 1 Corixidae Sigara sublaevifrons 1 Micronectidae Austronecta australiensis 1 1 Micronecta annae/illiesi 1 1 1 Megaloptera Corydalidae Archichauliodes 2 1 Coleoptera Dytiscidae Sternopriscus wehnckei (A) 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 502 503 505 513 Hydrophilidae Enochrus elongatulus (A) 1 Helochares tristis (A) 1 Hydrophilidae TC 1078 1 Paracymus pygmaeus (A) 1 Scirtidae (L) 1 1 Elmidae Austrolimnius (L) 1 1 Austrolimnius alcine (A) 1 Austrolimnius diemensis (A) 1 1 Kingolus aeratus (A) 1 Notriolus quadriplagiatus (A) 1 Psephenidae Sclerocyphon striatus (L) 2 1 Diptera Blephariceridae Edwardsina australiensis 1 Tipulidae Tipulidae EPA 1 1 Tipulidae EPA 36 1 Tipulidae EPA 38 1 1 Tipulidae EPA 39 1 1 Tipulidae EPA 40 2 1 Tipulidae TC 1071; EPA 3/42 1 1 Simuliidae Austrosimulium bancrofti 2 Austrosimulium furiosum 2 1 1 1 Austrosimulium torrentium 1 2 2 Chironomidae Tanypodinae (sub-family) Aspectrotanypus TC 1087 1 1 Pentaneura TC 1081 1 Tanypodinae 1 Telmatelopia TC 1085 1 Podonomina (sub-family) Podonomopsis 1 2 Chironominae (sub-family) Chironomini (tribe) Polypedilum 1

(Diptera cont.) Riethia TC 1082 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 502 503 505 513 Riethia 1 Tanytarsini (tribe) Rheotanytarsus 1 1 Rheotanytarsus TC 1083 1 Tanytarsus 1 1 Tanytarsus TC 1080 1 Orthocladiinae (sub-family) Cardiocladius 1 Corynoneura 1 Cricotopus 1 1 2 Cricotopus TC 1079 1 Eukiefferiella 1 1 1 Orthocladiinae TC 1086 1 Pirara australiensis 1 Stictocladius TC 1084 1 Diamesinae (sub-family) Paraheptagyia tonnoiri 1 Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogonidae EPA 17 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 28/50 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 40 1 Ceratopogonidae EPA 53 1 Ceratopogonidae TC 1051 1 1 1 Tabanidae 1 1 Athericidae 2 Trichoptera Helicopsychidae Helicopsyche murrumba 1 Hydroptilidae Hellyethira simplex 1 1 Ecnomidae Ecnomina AV4 1 Hydropsychidae Asmicridea AV 1 1 Cheumatopsyche AV 4 1 2 1 Limnephilidae Archaeophylax canarus 1 1 Hydrobiosidae Apsilochorema obliquum 1 (Trichoptera cont.) Ethochorema brunneum 1 Ethochorema turbidum 1

Order/Major group Family SITE Species 502 503 505 513 Taschorema complex 1 Ulmerochorema rubiconum grp. 1 1 2 Philorheithridae aphilorheithrus AV 3 1 Kosrheithus tillyardi 1 1 Leptoceridae Condocerus paludosus 1 Notalina bifaria 2 2 2 Notalina fulva 1 Triplectides ciuskus 1 1 1 Triplectides proximus 1 Triplectides similis 1 Calamoceratidae Anisocentropus 1 Conoesucidae Coenoria AV 4 1 1 Coenoria AV 5 1 1 Conoesucus AV 5 1 1 Lingora AV 1 1