DOCSLIB.ORG

The Health of Streams in the Wimmera Basin

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

ENVIRONMENT REPORT THE HEALTH OF STREAMS IN THE WIMMERA BASIN A REPORT BY EPA VICTORIA AND WIMMERA CMA Publication 1233 June 2008 1 THE HEALTH OF STREAMS IN THE WIMMERA BASIN TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 Broadscale snapshot of condition ................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 The basin............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Description of the catchments ...................................................................................................................... 4 Rainfall and stream flows .............................................................................................................................. 4 Assessment methods ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Rapid bioassessment (RBA)........................................................................................................................... 5 Data sources.................................................................................................................................................. 6 Analysis methods........................................................................................................................................... 6 Broadscale snapshot of condition...................................................................................................................... 8 Wimmera River reach 1: Lake Hindmarsh to Antwerp .................................................................................... 8 Wimmera River reach 2: Antwerp to Dimboola.............................................................................................. 8 Wimmera River reach 3: Dimboola to MacKenzie River ................................................................................. 8 Wimmera River reach 4: MacKenzie River to Mt William Creek .................................................................... 10 Wimmera River reach 5: Mt William Creek to Glenorchy................................................................................11 Wimmera River reach 6: Upstream of Glenorchy weir...................................................................................11 Concongella Creek......................................................................................................................................... 11 Six Mile Creek ................................................................................................................................................ 11 MacKenzie River: below Distribution Heads ................................................................................................. 12 MacKenzie River: Distribution Heads to Dad and Dave Weir......................................................................... 12 MacKenzie River: upstream of Dad and Dave Weir ....................................................................................... 12 Fyans Creek .................................................................................................................................................. 13 Mt William Creek........................................................................................................................................... 13 Other small Wimmera River tributaries ........................................................................................................ 13 Avon—Richardson River system.................................................................................................................... 13 Snapshot summary............................................................................................................................................ 14 References........................................................................................................................................................ 14 2 THE HEALTH OF STREAMS IN THE WIMMERA BASIN SUMMARY Health Strategy (NRE, 2002) provides the statewide framework for communities to work with government This is a joint report by EPA Victoria and Wimmera to manage and restore rivers over the long term. At a Catchment Management Authority (CMA) on the regional level, CMAs have developed river health condition of streams in the Wimmera basin. It presents strategies that provide detailed actions and plans for a broadscale snapshot of river health and attempts to the management of each individual catchment. State relate this to the impacts of drought, environmental environment protection policies (SEPP’s) developed by flows or other factors affecting streams in the basin. EPA Victoria establish objectives and attainment Macroinvertebrates are the primary indicator of river measures for the environmental values that the health used in this report and assessments are based community wishes to protect. on biotic indices specified in the State Environment Community groups take an active interest in the Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria). condition of their own local waterways and community The snapshot used data collected from spring 2004 to education about river health reaches many spring 2005. The region has been experiencing landholders. These strategies and programs drought for many years, beginning in 1997—98, periodically need to assess the health of streams in although varying in intensity during this time. The order to know whether management actions have period of sampling does not include 2006, when the been effective, or if further environmental condition drought intensified and many streams either dried up improvement actions are needed. or were greatly reduced. Data from this time period This joint report from EPA and Wimmera CMA was not available when this report was being prepared. presents a broadscale snapshot of aquatic condition, Broadscale snapshot of condition and attempts to relate this to the impacts of drought, environmental flows or other factors affecting streams Many sites within the Wimmera basin rated poorly due within the Wimmera basin. The Avon—Richardson River to a lack of flow or an absence of water over the system is included in the Wimmera basin and the summer to autumn period. While many streams in this snapshot assessment. region are naturally intermittent, this would have been The report has been done for this basin at this time exacerbated by the long-term drought. because a broadscale snapshot assessment of stream Significant flow diversions in the middle reaches of the health has not been done here before. The report Wimmera River are increasing the effects of the makes use of existing resources by utilising data drought in the lower Wimmera. The impact is mainly collected for other purposes. This basin also has some apparent downstream of Antwerp, where the majority known serious threats to freshwater environmental of ratings were ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. health. Common problems found in the Wimmera that The snapshot of stream health used data collected influenced the quality of macroinvertebrate from spring 2004 to spring 2005.This assessment is communities were high salinity levels, low (or largely concerned with the effects of drought on unnaturally high) dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, poor stream health. The region has been experiencing riparian condition and land degradation. drought for many years, beginning in 1997—98, More than half of the sites assessed in this period were although varying in intensity during this time. The rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’, with less than a third rated period of sampling does not include 2006, when the ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. However, many sites originally drought intensified and many streams either dried up selected for sampling were dry in both seasons and or were greatly reduced. could not be sampled. This must influence the results, Factors other than drought that may affect aquatic as many streams within the basin could not be health in the Wimmera include the positive effects of assessed. This will have artificially increased the ratio environmental flows, and the negative effects of of ‘good’ or ‘very good’ sites compared to the poorer increasing salinity and eutrophication. Some factors quality sites. Unfortunately, the exact number of dry may also occur simultaneously (for example, drought sites was not recorded. conditions causing increased salinity). The further contraction of the stream network due to The rapid bioassessment (RBA) of macroinvertebrate the increased severity of drought in 2006 and 2007 is community composition has been used in this report. certain to have reduced the overall health of streams This approach is well established and incorporated into in the basin to less than that found in this assessment. state (such as Index of Stream Condition (ISC)) and national (for example, National Land and Water Audit) INTRODUCTION programs. Specific regional indicators and objectives have also been defined for macroinvertebrates in the Rivers and streams are important to our economic and SEPP (Waters of Victoria). social wellbeing, as well as being
Recommended publications
  • Victorian Catchment Management Almanac 2019

    Victorian Catchment Management Almanac 2019

    Victorian Catchment Management Almanac 2019 Our approach to catchment management is continuously developing in response to many initiatives and events. This Almanac identifies key happenings and lists them in chronological order. We welcome input to help improve the accuracy and scope of this document. Please forward suggestions to [email protected] Almanac: Victoria's Catchment Management Framework Year Event Background Imperative Consequence -100000 Climate similar to that of present Continuing climate till about year -60000 -63000 Humans move into Australia Humans originally migrating out of Inexorable spread of Human colonisation . Timing is becoming less contentious. Recent work at Africa. The origins of the first Australians humans Madjedbede (Northern Australia) dated grinding stones, and ground axe heads is not clear (but presumably through SE at -63,000BC. (Clarkson et al (2017) Human occupation of Northern Australia by Asia rather than Polynesia). They are 65 000 years ago . Nature 547 306-310). There is evidence of change in fire believed to be amongst the earliest regimes occurring up to about 100 000 years ago. migrations out of Africa. -60000 Colder and dryer climate phase Continuing climate till about year -10000. Known as the last glacial age. -50000 Megafauna / human/climate This relationship of this interaction with Extinction related to any, Megafauna extinction but dating of when this occurred is controversial. Peak of interaction megafauna extinction is fraught. or all, of climate change, extinctions calculated by various sources at about -45000 to -40000 years (see Some evidence that megafauna became human land management Van der Kaars et al (2017) Nature Communication 8 Article 14142)- intriguing as extinct within a rapid timeframe.
  • Wimmera Wetlands Asset Strategy Report Prepared By: Wimmera Catchment Management Authority 24 Darlot St | Horsham VIC 3400 16 March 2011

    Wimmera Wetlands Asset Strategy Report Prepared By: Wimmera Catchment Management Authority 24 Darlot St | Horsham VIC 3400 16 March 2011

    Wimmera Wetlands Asset Strategy Report prepared by: Wimmera Catchment Management Authority 24 Darlot St | Horsham VIC 3400 16 March 2011 Wimmera CMA – working for a healthy Wimmera catchment Document History Version Date Summary of Changes Author V.1 August draft 2010 Draft approved by Wimmera CMA Board for consultation Jacqui Norris V.2 16/03/2011 Draft revised following stakeholder consultation. Changes include: Jacqui Norris An Executive Summary has been added to summarise the main points of the strategy. The justifying detail sits in the main body of the report and associated appendices; Additional threats information has been added to improve the level of detail and justification regarding threat ratings; Some threat ratings have been revised, based on additional technical information, and expert opinion; Objectives and targets have been revised to ensure that they are realistic and measurable; The graph showing the trend in wetland loss and protection over time has been removed as it was based on large assumptions and unlikely to reflect reality. V.3 21/04/2011 Final version approved by the Board with photographs added. Jacqui Norris Wimmera CMA - Wetland Asset Strategy 2011 2 Wimmera CMA – working for a healthy Wimmera catchment Publication details Acknowledgements Wimmera Catchment Wimmera Wetlands Asset The following individuals or Management Authority Strategy groups were consulted during www.wcma.vic.gov.au the preparation of this report. Report prepared by: Wimmera 24 Darlot Street Catchment Management However, it is acknowledged Authority that the contents and views Horsham VIC 3400 expressed within this report PO Box 479 Horsham VIC Author: Jacqui Norris are those of Wimmera 3402 Photos: David Fletcher and Catchment Management Telephone 03 5382 1544 Wimmera CMA Authority and do not necessarily reflect the views of Facsimile 03 5382 6076 the parties acknowledged below.
  • Wimmera River Reach 2 Waterway Action Plan

    Wimmera River Reach 2 Waterway Action Plan

    Wimmera River Reach 2 Waterway Action Plan January 2003 © Earth Tech Engineering Pty Ltd All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of Earth Tech Engineering Pty Ltd. Intellectual Property Rights All Rights Reserved. All methods, processes, commercial proposals and other contents described in this document are the confidential intellectual property of Earth Tech Engineering Pty Ltd and may not be used or disclosed to any party without the written permission of Earth Tech Engineering Pty Ltd. Earth Tech Engineering Pty Ltd ABN 61 089 482 888 Head Office 71 Queens Road Melbourne VIC 3004 Tel +61 3 8517 9200 Wimmera CMA – Wimmera River, Reach 2, Waterway Action Plan Wimmera Catchment Management Authority Wimmera River Reach 2 Waterway Action Plan Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 Regional Objectives................................................................................................. 3 Review of Regional Strategies ................................................................................................. 3 The Victorian River Health Strategy......................................................................................... 3 The Wimmera Waterway Management Strategy ..................................................................... 4 The Wimmera Water Quality Strategy
  • NORTH CENTRAL WATERWAY STRATEGY 2014-2022 CONTENTS Iii

    NORTH CENTRAL WATERWAY STRATEGY 2014-2022 CONTENTS Iii

    2014-2022 NORTH CENTRAL WATERWAY STRATEGY Acknowledgement of Country The North Central Catchment Management Authority acknowledges Aboriginal Traditional Owners within the region, their rich culture and spiritual connection to Country. We also recognise and acknowledge the contribution and interest of Aboriginal people and organisations in land and natural resource management. Document name: 2014-22 North Central Waterway Strategy North Central Catchment Management Authority PO Box 18 Huntly Vic 3551 T: 03 5440 1800 F: 03 5448 7148 E: [email protected] www.nccma.vic.gov.au © North Central Catchment Management Authority, 2014 A copy of this strategy is also available online at: www.nccma.vic.gov.au The North Central Catchment Management Authority wishes to acknowledge the Victorian Government for providing funding for this publication through the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy. This publication may be of assistance to you, but the North Central Catchment Management Authority (North Central CMA) and its employees do not guarantee it is without flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on information in this publication. The North Central Waterway Strategy was guided by a Steering Committee consisting of: • James Williams (Steering Committee Chair and North Central CMA Board Member) • Richard Carter (Natural Resource Management Committee Member) • Andrea Keleher (Department of Environment and Primary Industries) • Greg Smith (Goulburn-Murray Water) • Rohan Hogan (North Central CMA) • Tess Grieves (North Central CMA). The North Central CMA would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Steering Committee, Natural Resource Management Committee (NRMC) and the North Central CMA Board.
  • Rivers and Streams Special Investigation Final Recommendations

    Rivers and Streams Special Investigation Final Recommendations

    LAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL RIVERS AND STREAMS SPECIAL INVESTIGATION FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS June 1991 This text is a facsimile of the former Land Conservation Council’s Rivers and Streams Special Investigation Final Recommendations. It has been edited to incorporate Government decisions on the recommendations made by Order in Council dated 7 July 1992, and subsequent formal amendments. Added text is shown underlined; deleted text is shown struck through. Annotations [in brackets] explain the origins of the changes. MEMBERS OF THE LAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL D.H.F. Scott, B.A. (Chairman) R.W. Campbell, B.Vet.Sc., M.B.A.; Director - Natural Resource Systems, Department of Conservation and Environment (Deputy Chairman) D.M. Calder, M.Sc., Ph.D., M.I.Biol. W.A. Chamley, B.Sc., D.Phil.; Director - Fisheries Management, Department of Conservation and Environment S.M. Ferguson, M.B.E. M.D.A. Gregson, E.D., M.A.F., Aus.I.M.M.; General Manager - Minerals, Department of Manufacturing and Industry Development A.E.K. Hingston, B.Behav.Sc., M.Env.Stud., Cert.Hort. P. Jerome, B.A., Dip.T.R.P., M.A.; Director - Regional Planning, Department of Planning and Housing M.N. Kinsella, B.Ag.Sc., M.Sci., F.A.I.A.S.; Manager - Quarantine and Inspection Services, Department of Agriculture K.J. Langford, B.Eng.(Ag)., Ph.D , General Manager - Rural Water Commission R.D. Malcolmson, M.B.E., B.Sc., F.A.I.M., M.I.P.M.A., M.Inst.P., M.A.I.P. D.S. Saunders, B.Agr.Sc., M.A.I.A.S.; Director - National Parks and Public Land, Department of Conservation and Environment K.J.
  • 3 Researchers and Coranderrk

    3 Researchers and Coranderrk

    3 Researchers and Coranderrk Coranderrk was an important focus of research for anthropologists, archaeologists, naturalists, historians and others with an interest in Australian Aboriginal people. Lydon (2005: 170) describes researchers treating Coranderrk as ‘a kind of ethno- logical archive’. Cawte (1986: 36) has argued that there was a strand of colonial thought – which may be characterised as imperialist, self-congratulatory, and social Darwinist – that regarded Australia as an ‘evolutionary museum in which the primi- tive and civilised races could be studied side by side – at least while the remnants of the former survived’. This chapter considers contributions from six researchers – E.H. Giglioli, H.N. Moseley, C.J.D. Charnay, Rev. J. Mathew, L.W.G. Büchner, and Professor F.R. von Luschan – and a 1921 comment from a primary school teacher, named J.M. Provan, who was concerned about the impact the proposed closure of Coranderrk would have on the ability to conduct research into Aboriginal people. Ethel Shaw (1949: 29–30) has discussed the interaction of Aboriginal residents and researchers, explaining the need for a nuanced understanding of the research setting: The Aborigine does not tell everything; he has learnt to keep silent on some aspects of his life. There is not a tribe in Australia which does not know about the whites and their ideas on certain subjects. News passes quickly from one tribe to another, and they are quick to mislead the inquirer if it suits their purpose. Mr. Howitt, Mr. Matthews, and others, who made a study of the Aborigines, often visited Coranderrk, and were given much assistance by Mr.
  • Victoria Begins

    Victoria Begins

    VICTORIA. ANNO QUADRAGESIMO QUINTO VICTORIA BEGINS. No. DCCII. An Act for the Reform of the Constitution. [Reserved 27th Jane 1881. Royal Assent proclaimed 28th November 1881.] HEREAS it is desirable to make provision for the effectual Preamble, W representation of the people in the Legislative Council : Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same as follows (that is to say) :— 1. This Act shall be called and may be cited as The Legislative short title and Council Act 1881, and shall commence and come into force on the day commencement on which the Governor shall signify that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent thereto and it is divided into parts as follows— PART L—Number of provinces and number and distribution of members, ss. 4-7. PART II.—Periodical elections and tenure of seats, ss. 8-10. PART III.—Qualifications &c. of members, ss. 11-17. PART IV.—Qualification of electors, ss. 18-26. PART V.—Rolls of ratepaying electors, ss. 27-31. PART VI.—Miscellaneous provisions, ss. 32-48. 2. The Acts mentioned in the First Schedule to this Act are Repeal of Acts in hereby repealed from and after the commencement of this Act to the First Schedule. extent specified in the third column of the said Schedule : Provided that— (1.) Any enactment or document referring to any Act hereby repealed shall be construed to refer to this Act or to the corresponding enactment in this Act.
  • The Murray–Darling Basin Basin Animals and Habitat the Basin Supports a Diverse Range of Plants and the Murray–Darling Basin Is Australia’S Largest Animals

    The Murray–Darling Basin Basin Animals and Habitat the Basin Supports a Diverse Range of Plants and the Murray–Darling Basin Is Australia’S Largest Animals

    The Murray–Darling Basin Basin animals and habitat The Basin supports a diverse range of plants and The Murray–Darling Basin is Australia’s largest animals. Over 350 species of birds (35 endangered), and most diverse river system — a place of great 100 species of lizards, 53 frogs and 46 snakes national significance with many important social, have been recorded — many of them found only in economic and environmental values. Australia. The Basin dominates the landscape of eastern At least 34 bird species depend upon wetlands in 1. 2. 6. Australia, covering over one million square the Basin for breeding. The Macquarie Marshes and kilometres — about 14% of the country — Hume Dam at 7% capacity in 2007 (left) and 100% capactiy in 2011 (right) Narran Lakes are vital habitats for colonial nesting including parts of New South Wales, Victoria, waterbirds (including straw-necked ibis, herons, Queensland and South Australia, and all of the cormorants and spoonbills). Sites such as these Australian Capital Territory. Australia’s three A highly variable river system regularly support more than 20,000 waterbirds and, longest rivers — the Darling, the Murray and the when in flood, over 500,000 birds have been seen. Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, Murrumbidgee — run through the Basin. Fifteen species of frogs also occur in the Macquarie and despite having one of the world’s largest Marshes, including the striped and ornate burrowing The Basin is best known as ‘Australia’s food catchments, river flows in the Murray–Darling Basin frogs, the waterholding frog and crucifix toad. bowl’, producing around one-third of the are among the lowest in the world.
  • Heritage Rivers Act 1992 No

    Heritage Rivers Act 1992 No

    Version No. 014 Heritage Rivers Act 1992 No. 36 of 1992 Version incorporating amendments as at 7 December 2007 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Section Page 1 Purpose 1 2 Commencement 1 3 Definitions 1 4 Crown to be bound 4 5 Heritage river areas 4 6 Natural catchment areas 4 7 Powers and duties of managing authorities 4 8 Management plans 5 8A Disallowance of management plan or part of a management plan 7 8B Effect of disallowance of management plan or part of a management plan 8 8C Notice of disallowance of management plan or part of a management plan 8 9 Contents of management plans 8 10 Land and water uses which are not permitted in heritage river areas 8 11 Specific land and water uses for particular heritage river areas 9 12 Land and water uses which are not permitted in natural catchment areas 9 13 Specific land and water uses for particular natural catchment areas 10 14 Public land in a heritage river area or natural catchment area is not to be disposed of 11 15 Act to prevail over inconsistent provisions 11 16 Managing authority may act in an emergency 11 17 Power to enter into agreements 12 18 Regulations 12 19–21 Repealed 13 22 Transitional provision 13 23 Further transitional and savings provisions 14 __________________ i Section Page SCHEDULES 15 SCHEDULE 1—Heritage River Areas 15 SCHEDULE 2—Natural Catchment Areas 21 SCHEDULE 3—Restricted Land and Water Uses in Heritage River Areas 25 SCHEDULE 4—Specific Land and Water Uses for Particular Heritage River Areas 27 SCHEDULE 5—Specific Land and Water Uses for Particular Natural Catchment Areas 30 ═══════════════ ENDNOTES 31 1.
  • Central Region

    Central Region

    Section 3 Central Region 49 3.1 Central Region overview .................................................................................................... 51 3.2 Yarra system ....................................................................................................................... 53 3.3 Tarago system .................................................................................................................... 58 3.4 Maribyrnong system .......................................................................................................... 62 3.5 Werribee system ................................................................................................................. 66 3.6 Moorabool system .............................................................................................................. 72 3.7 Barwon system ................................................................................................................... 77 3.7.1 Upper Barwon River ............................................................................................... 77 3.7.2 Lower Barwon wetlands ........................................................................................ 77 50 3.1 Central Region overview 3.1 Central Region overview There are six systems that can receive environmental water in the Central Region: the Yarra and Tarago systems in the east and the Werribee, Maribyrnong, Moorabool and Barwon systems in the west. The landscape Community considerations The Yarra River flows west from the Yarra Ranges
  • Brim Sunday 29 November

    Brim Sunday 29 November

    THE GOOD OIL Brim – Sunday 29 November 2020 Today's riding: Rainbow to Brim – 58 kilometres We had planned to ease into the first day of riding with a 58-kilometre flat ride from Rainbow to Brim, with the highlight of rolling past the original silo art mural in Brim. So, if you’re planning a ride today, keep an eye for any public art in your neighbourhood along the way! Check out World Walking to plan a replacement ride – see the route and daily ride distance and start planning some trips to fill that Great Vic hole. WELCOME TO BRIM Located between Warracknabeal and Hopetoun on the banks of the Yarriambiack Creek, Brim takes its name from the Aboriginal word for "spring". The Yarriambiack Creek will bring you back to nature and is an ideal spot for a swim after a ride in the warm sun. 9 kilometers north of Brim on the Henty Highway is the Netting Fence, constructed in 1885 to stop rabbits invading the Mallee from the south and to keep the dingos to the north. The fence is also the division between the Wimmera and the Mallee regions. BRIM’S BIG BIKE QUIZ IN THE NEWS Answers on page 2 Cycleways down the centre of popular Sydney 1. Australia's Richie Port finished third in this streets year's Tour de France behind two riders from which country? Sydney continues to utilize pop-up cycleways to plug 2. What town did the first Great Vic Bike Ride in gaps in their network, announcing three new pilot lanes 1984 start from? on Oxford Street, Liverpool Street and College Street.
  • Wimmera-Mallee-WRP-Part-4.Pdf

    Wimmera-Mallee-WRP-Part-4.Pdf

    4. Water resources Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Part 4. Water resources This part outlines the key water resources and features in the Wimmera-Mallee Water Resource Plan’s surface water area: Wimmera-Avon, Avoca and Mallee, as well as the Wimmera-Mallee Water Resource Plan’s groundwater area resources. 4.1 Managing water resources: types of water resource supply systems Rivers in the Wimmera-Mallee water resource plan area vary from unregulated, like the Avon and Avoca rivers, to regulated like the Wimmera River. All rivers in the Wimmera-Mallee water resource plan area are undeclared. 4.1.1 Unregulated surface water systems An unregulated catchment is one that does not contain a storage such as a dam or weir, which significantly alters and regulates the flow of the river downstream. An unregulated catchment may contain rivers, creeks and small waterways, and in the case of several unregulated catchments in Victoria, can extend well over 1,000 km2 in area. Unregulated catchments are all undeclared which means that entitlements are bundled. Therefore, an entitlement includes rights to allow both the take and use of water. In unregulated catchments entitlements to water include take and use licences and bulk entitlements (see Chapter 6). All water taken for commercial or irrigation purposes from unregulated catchments must be licensed, including water taken from harvesting dams. The licences are called take and use licences or section 51 licences after the relevant section of the Victorian Water Act. The use of water, and trade of licences between users, is managed by Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater) in accordance with Ministerial trading rules (Minister for Water, 2014a).