Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
David Schmarr and Rupert Mathwin
SARDI Publication No. F2014/000471-1 SARDI Research Report Series No. 805
SARDI Aquatics Sciences PO Box 120 Henley Beach SA 5022
November 2014
Report to the Northern and Yorke Natural Resource Management Board
Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Report to the Northern and Yorke Natural Resource Management Board
David Schmarr and Rupert Mathwin
SARDI Publication No. F2014/000471-1 SARDI Research Report Series No. 805
November 2014
II Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
This publication may be cited as: Schmarr, D. W. and Mathwin, R. (2014). Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014. Report to the Northern and Yorke Natural Resource Management Board. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2014/000471-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 805. 68pp.
South Australian Research and Development Institute SARDI Aquatic Sciences 2 Hamra Avenue West Beach SA 5024
Telephone: (08) 8207 5400 Facsimile: (08) 8207 5406 http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au
DISCLAIMER The authors warrant that they have taken all reasonable care in producing this report. The report has been through the SARDI internal review process, and has been formally approved for release by the Research Chief, Aquatic Sciences. Although all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure quality, SARDI does not warrant that the information in this report is free from errors or omissions. SARDI does not accept any liability for the contents of this report or for any consequences arising from its use or any reliance placed upon it. The SARDI Report Series is an Administrative Report Series which has not been reviewed outside the department and is not considered peer-reviewed literature. Material presented in these Administrative Reports may later be published in formal peer-reviewed scientific literature.
© 2014 SARDI This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owner. Neither may information be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission.
Printed in Adelaide: November 2014
SARDI Publication No. F2014/000471-1
SARDI Research Report Series No. 805
Author(s): David Schmarr and Rupert Mathwin
Reviewer(s): Chris Bice and Juan Livore
Approved by: Assoc Prof Qifeng Ye Science Leader - Inland Waters & Catchment Ecology
Signed:
Date: 27 November 2014
Distribution: Northern & Yorke NRM Board, SAASC Library, University of Adelaide Library, Parliamentary Library, State Library and National Library
Circulation: Public Domain III Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... VI EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3 1.1. Background...... 3 1.2. Objectives ...... 4 2. METHODS ...... 5 2.1. Study Reaches ...... 5 2.2. Site selection ...... 5 2.3. Fish Sampling Methodology ...... 7 2.4. Abiotic Data Collection ...... 8 2.5. Processing Non-Target Taxa ...... 9 2.6. Developing BCG Scores ...... 9 3. RESULTS ...... 11 3.1. Fish Results ...... 11 3.2. Non-Target Fauna...... 13 4. DISCUSSION ...... 14 4.1. Rocky River ...... 17 4.2. Bundaleer Creek ...... 19 4.3. Broughton River main channel ...... 20 4.4. Wakefield River, Wockie Creek ...... 21 4.5. Wakefield River main channel ...... 22 5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 25 6. REFERENCES ...... 27 APPENDIX A ...... 30 APPENDIX B ...... 68
IV Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Map of survey sites sampled in autumn 2014...... 7 Figure 2. A) Inserting polystyrene buoys inside fyke nets forces a section of the cod end above the waters surface . B) This area acts as a refuge for air breathing taxa allowing them to survive until the net is processed...... 8 Figure 3. Eastern long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis) were measured (maximum carapace length) before being returned to the water. Length frequency distributions show two modes are present in the observed population suggesting two age classes were collected...... 14 Figure 4. Willow Pond was dominated by gambusia which appear to have thrived in the disturbed conditions caused by bushfire runoff...... 18 Figure 5. The Bundaleer Reservoir flow diversion weir on the Balanbreni property is a significant physical structure and may be blocking upstream fish passage in the Bundaleer Creek. A SARDI ecologist can be seen standing on the lip of the weir to provide scale...... 20 Figure 6. Long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis) were found throughout the region...... 22 Figure 7. Artificial in-channel structures like this historic bridge at Martindale Hall may interrupt fish movement between refuge pools, removing recolonisation routes...... 23 Figure 8. The eel-tailed catfish (Tandanus tandanus) is native to the Murray-Darling Basin which is believed to have been translocated to The Rocks in the late 1970’s...... 24
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Details of sites sampled during the survey in autumn 2014. Sites were selected to represent both previously sampled (marked with an asterisk) and novel sites. Observers were Rupert Mathwin (RM), David Schmarr (DS) and Jennifer Munro (JM)...... 6 Table 2 The biological condition gradient (BCG) generates scores for species detected and also for expected native species that were not detected. Due to a lack of historic data in this region some assumptions have been made regarding the historic ranges of regionally common fish species that have never been reported in these catchments...... 10 Table 3. Raw abundance of fish caught during 2014 survey...... 12 Table 4. Other fauna captured in fyke nets during 2014 survey...... 13
V Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was funded by the Northern and Yorke Natural Resource Management Board, with project support and site selection carried out by Jennifer Munro. The authors would like to thank Chris Bice and Juan Livore for their revisions which have aided in the final report. Thanks also to Luciana Bucater for her assistance with the production of the map. Special thanks to all the landholders who allowed us access to their land and provided advice and context for the project. All work was conducted under a section 115 exemption of the SA Fisheries Management Act 2007.
VI Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Broughton and Wakefield River catchments lie within the Northern and Yorke Natural Resource Management (NRM) region several hundred kilometres north of Adelaide. Although they are adjacent the two catchments display marked variation with the larger Broughton catchment (5,670 km2) draining freely into Spencer Gulf each year, where the Wakefield Catchment (690 km2) reaches Gulf St Vincent only once every few decades. Although several studies have examined these rivers the primary focus has been on hydrology and water usage in the region with little focus on fish or other potential biological indicators. Historic fish data for these rivers consists of only a single survey carried out in each catchment during the late 1990s and a small collection of museum records.
Under a Caring for Our Country grant it was decided to undertake a baseline assessment of fish communities in the region. This baseline could be used to inform on the impacts of land management and conservation projects in the future. This report presents the results of the first standardised fish survey of the Broughton and Wakefield Rivers, undertaken in April 2014. It aimed to produce a robust baseline of fish distribution and abundance in the study reaches using a repeatable methodology which would allow future comparisons at sites and between catchments. A total of 19 sites were sampled using a suite of standardised sampling equipment (n = 2 double-winged fyke nets and n = 4 single-winged fyke nets).
A total of 56,259 fish were collected from eight species across 14 of the 19 sites (no fish were detected at 5 sites). These included two native species (common galaxias (Galaxias maculatus) and western blue spot goby (Pseudogobius olorum)), one translocated native species (eel-tailed catfish (Tandanus tandanus)) and five exotic species (brown trout (Salmo trutta), European carp (Cyprinus carpio), gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki)), goldfish (Carassius auratus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)). Gambusia were the most widespread (i.e. captured at 14 sites) and abundant species (i.e. comprised 94% of the total catch) sampled. Common galaxias and western blue spot goby were the most widespread native species, captured at 10 and nine sites, respectively. Goldfish were caught at five sites and the remaining species (rainbow and brown trout, European carp and eel-tailed catfish were each caught at only a single site.
In the upper Rocky River, fish were completely absent. This was likely a result of a bushfire and subsequent heavy rainfall/runoff experienced in February 2014 and the consequent impacts on water quality.
1 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
For each site that was surveyed a summary sheet has been created to provide a reference for future work in the region (Appendix 1). This summary sheet includes a Biological Condition Gradient score (BCG) (per Davies and Jackson 2006), a method for evaluating environmental condition verified by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and consistent with South Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approaches to aquatic health assessment.
The findings of the current study are discussed at a reach scale and where possible consider historic fish records. Potential priorities for future research within each reach are discussed. The specific recommendations of the report are:
1. An expanded survey to cover additional catchments in the Northern and Yorke NRM Region. 2. Repeat surveys in the Broughton and Wakefield catchments at finer spatial scale with priority sites and reaches. 3. Catalogue and characterise barriers to fish movement along the Wakefield River. 4. Investigate mountain galaxias populations in the Hill and Hutt Creek tributaries of the Broughton River.
2 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
The Broughton and Wakefield catchments lay several hundred kilometres north of Adelaide in the Northern and Yorke NRM Region. Since colonisation this region has undergone large scale and rapid landscape alterations to facilitate the grazing and cropping that characterises land use along these catchments. Recent projects have been launched in the region focussed on maintaining and restoring biodiversity and this has culminated in a Caring for Our Country grant focussed on the Wakefield River catchment. To assist in the evaluation of NRM work in the region it was decided to undertake a baseline fish survey along the Wakefield and Broughton Catchments. The study of fish populations are used both in Australia (Schmarr et al. 2014) and internationally (Angradi 2006) to inform on the condition of aquatic ecosystems. Fish occupy a range of distinct niches within the aquatic ecosystem and rely on biotic and abiotic thresholds throughout their lifecycle. With a sound understanding of biology and life history traits, changes in fish communities (e.g. abundance, species composition, age distributions, and disease rates) may be related to changes in key ecosystem processes (Harris 1995; Kennard et al. 2005).
One technique to transform biological data to inform ecological health is the Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) (Davies and Jackson 2006). The BCG incorporates characteristics of fish communities and the surrounding landscape processes to generate a score that reflects the level of environmental stress displayed at each site and may be applied to any taxa (e.g. fish, invertebrates or vegetation) for which sufficient data exists. This technique has been optimised for use in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges (Mathwin et al. 2014) and is currently used by both SARDI and the South Australian EPA to produce a scorecard rating for sites as indicated by the fish and invertebrate fauna, respectively.
At the time of commencement fish records in these two catchments were sparse and consisted of one ad hoc survey in each catchment (Hicks and Sheldon 1998, 1999) and a few isolated museum records. While these records are useful to inform on distribution patterns they lack sufficient detail to act as a baseline against which to measure ecological responses. To inform on the impacts of management actions in the region on fish populations there is a requirement for data that are collected using a repeatable methodology and with sufficient intensity that key metrics may be confidently determined. Repeating this methodology through time will enable an
3 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014 understanding of fish community dynamics in these catchments and allow the detection of changes that may correspond to changes in management practices.
1.2. Objectives
The key objective of the project is to establish a systematic and standardised monitoring program to generate baseline data on fish species (native and non-native) distribution and abundance in the Broughton and Wakefield Catchments. These data will be collected using a comprehensive and repeatable methodology and may be repeated through time to observe changes in the aquatic biota within these systems. Ongoing monitoring in this fashion could be used to evaluate the impacts of aquatic management initiatives and prioritise areas for management.
The outputs of the monitoring will provide spatially explicit information regarding the distribution and relative abundance of fish species in the Broughton and Wakefield catchments. This will be considered in a regional and historic context. Potential priorities for future research in the region will be determined.
The data collected will be used to produce a summary sheet for each site. These sheets are designed to be an easily interpreted reference which may be of interest to landholders, ecologists and NRM staff. Each site sheet will include a generated BCG score and may be used to prioritise sites for management and assist with future research in the region.
4 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
2. METHODS
2.1. Study Reaches
The Broughton River Catchment has an area of 5,670 km2 about 200 km north of Adelaide. This region is semi-arid with annual rainfall varying from 350 to 650 mm across the catchment. The Broughton catchment may be loosely considered as two rivers, the Broughton River main channel and the similarly sized Rocky River with the two rivers converging near Merriton, about 40 km upstream of Spencer Gulf at Port Davis. Under moderate flows this catchment joins to Spencer Gulf which occurs several times each year. Smaller tributaries include the Hill and Hutt Rivers, Crystal Brook and Yackamoorundie Creek. Land use in the region is predominantly agricultural with a focus on cropping and sheep grazing, with some irrigated vineyards along the Hill and Hutt Rivers.
The Wakefield River has a catchment area of around 690 km2 and lies about 100 km north of Adelaide. The region is also semi-arid with annual rainfalls varying between 300 and 660 mm across the catchment. This river is largely ephemeral and characterised by irregular pulse flow events. The Wakefield River drains into the Gulf St Vincent at Port Wakefield, however, connection between the river and estuary occurs only rarely with some landholders suggesting that connection may not have occurred for several decades. Land use in the region is predominantly a mixture of cropping, sheep grazing and irrigated viticulture. A large section of the Wakefield River catchment falls within the Clare Valley Prescribed Water Resource Area.
2.2. Site selection
A total of 19 sites (Table 1) were selected from within the Broughton and Wakefield River catchments by Northern and Yorke NRM staff. Site selection considered
Sites of existing NRM projects within the region Proximity to historic fish records Pool permanence Importance of the site to tourism.
5 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Table 1. Details of sites sampled during the survey in autumn 2014. Sites were selected to represent both previously sampled (marked with an asterisk) and novel sites. Observers were Rupert Mathwin (RM), David Schmarr (DS) and Jennifer Munro (JM).
Greater Date Catchment Reach Site Name Easting Northing sampled Observers
Broughton River Rocky River Cockburn's 244554.17 m E 6340353.18 m S 13/04/2014 RM, DS Tandowie 246821.00 m E 6336111.00 m S 13/04/2014 RM, DS
Bulling's Crossing 248865.00 m E 6321081.00 m S 10/04/2014 RM, DS Willow Pond 250186.15 m E 6309252.32 m S 10/04/2014 RM, DS Sam's Hut 250755.11 m E 6306924.12 m S 13/04/2014 RM, DS US Thredgold's Crossing 247482.81 m E 6302493.28 m S 11/04/2014 RM, DS
River Glen Ford 234595.73 m E 6300060.76 m S 11/04/2014 RM, DS
Bundaleer Flairville 268302.48 m E 6307108.23 m S 12/04/2014 RM, DS Creek Balanbreni 270708.00 m E 6299203.00 m S 12/04/2014 RM, DS RM, DS, Broughton Frome Crossing* 274261.37 m E 6288890.60 m S 9/04/2014 JM River Mooroola Gauge 269536.00 m E 6286853.00 m S 9/04/2014 RM, DS RM, DS, Broughton Pipeline 266360.00 m E 6284291.00 m S 8/04/2014 JM RM, DS, White Cliffs 258479.62 m E 6280156.67 m S 8/04/2014 JM
Wakefield River Wockie Creek Wockie Dam 291703.95 m E 6244365.61 m S 7/04/2014 RM, DS RM, DS, Wakefield River Water Reserve 298019.00 m E 6244530.00 m S 7/04/2014 JM RM, DS, Martindale Hall 290524.69 m E 6242674.11 m S 7/04/2014 JM
Agostino's* 286409.00 m E 6231639.00 m S 14/04/2014 RM, DS
Bowden's 282520.68 m E 6226290.87 m S 14/04/2014 RM, DS
The Rocks* 271410.00 m E 6216440.00 m S 14/04/2014 RM, DS
6 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Figure 1. Map of survey sites sampled in autumn 2014.
2.3. Fish Sampling Methodology
Each site was sampled with a series of two double-wing (2 x 5 m wings, 3 m funnel, 3 mm mesh) and four small single-wing fyke nets (3 m leader, 2 m funnel, 3 mm mesh), deployed as to sample the range of microhabitats present at each site. Polystyrene buoys were placed in each net to force a pocket of net above the water’s surface (Figure 2A), providing refuge for air- breathing by-catch (i.e. turtles, birds, water rats) (Figure 2B). Double-wing fyke nets were deployed in opposition with the first deployed at the upstream end of the site opening upstream and the second positioned at the downstream end of the site opening downstream. Single-wing fyke nets were deployed separately across the different microhabitats available at each site, (e.g. snag, bare bank, submerged vegetation, etc.). Fyke nets were set before dusk and collected after dawn ensuring that each site was set for a minimum of 14 hours. This time period allowed capture during crepuscular movement and allowed adequate temporal sampling effort. This method was used at all sites except Flairville and Mooroola Gauge. At Flairville there was
7 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014 insufficient water volume to deploy a full set of nets; only three small fyke nets were deployed at this site. Heavy rainfall during the study period made access to the Mooroola Gauge site problematic and nets could not be collected at the assigned time. As a result the nets at this site were set for 46 hours rather than the prescribed 14 hours.
Figure 2. A) Inserting polystyrene buoys inside fyke nets forces a section of the cod end above the water surface. B) This area acts as a refuge for air breathing taxa allowing them to survive until the net is processed.
2.4. Abiotic Data Collection
At each site; substrate particle size, number and size of instream snags and presence of flow and connectivity to the main channel was assessed and recorded. Percent cover of aquatic, emergent and riparian macrophytes was estimated and the dominant species for each category identified (identification of aquatic vegetation followed Sainty and Jacobs 2003).
A point of maximum depth was identified within each site where water quality was recorded. Water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen (DO), water temperature, pH and salinity, were measured on site using a Horiba U-50 series Multi Water Quality Checker. Measurements were recorded first at the water’s surface and then at 50 cm depth intervals concluding at the riverbed.
8 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
2.4.1. Fish processing
At each site, captured fish were identified to species. For each species, total length (TL) was recorded for the first 100 fish collected. This was considered a representative subset to create reliable length frequency distributions. Where the 100th fish of a species was measured part way through processing a net, measurements continued for this species until completion of the net to eliminate within-net selection bias. The only exception to this process was gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki). This species may be gravid for ten months of the year and produce up to nine broods during this time (Milton and Arthington 1983). Therefore, length frequency distributions for this species may not provide details of recruitment patterns and as such no lengths were recorded for this species. Where lengths were recorded, fish were also visually assessed for the presence of fungal infection, subcutaneous endoparasites, spawning condition and congenital abnormalities. Where sexual maturity or sexual dimorphism allowed sex to be confidently determined this was recorded. Sex and disease data were used to inform the BCG scores (Davies and Jackson 2006; Mathwin et al. 2014) presented in Appendix A and B.
2.5. Processing Non-Target Taxa
Fyke nets are also effective at sampling non-target taxa. Abundance and size parameters were recorded for specific species before all non-target taxa were returned to the water. For eastern long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis) maximum carapace length (MCL) was recorded. The number of yabbies (Cherax destructor) was recorded for each net. For the more common and abundant freshwater shrimp (Paratya australiensis) and long-armed shrimp (Macrobrachium australiense) presence was recorded at each site. Where present the number of tiger leeches (Family Hirudinidae) was recorded. The number of tadpoles and frogs were recorded for each net but these taxa were not identified to species level.
2.6. Developing BCG Scores
The BCG is a descriptive method developed by Davies and Jackson (2006) that allows quantification of environmental degradation at a site based on biological data. This methodology uses an ‘expert panel’ to score landscape processes and biological observations against a gradient of environmental stressors. This approach may be applied uniformly to a range of taxa (e.g. fish, vegetation, macroinvertebrates) and is currently used by the South Australian EPA.
9 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
BCG scores were generated using a methodology adapted to the Western Mount Lofty Ranges fish fauna (Mathwin et al. 2014). In order to tailor this approach to the Northern and Yorke NRM region a table of expected native fish fauna was generated (Table 2). Due to the absence of historic data for this region, assumptions were made regarding the historic presence of regionally common native fish species. BCG scores are presented in Appendix A in the site assessment sheets and summarised in Appendix B to provide baseline scores for future monitoring programs.
Table 2 The biological condition gradient (BCG) generates scores for species detected and expected native species that were not detected. Due to a lack of historic data in this region some assumptions have been made regarding the historic ranges of regionally common fish species that have never been reported in these catchments.
Common Name Scientific Name Broughton Wakefield Reason for River River inclusion Species Climbing galaxias Galaxias brevipinnis * considered to Detected in both have been Common galaxias Galaxias maculatus present catchments in 2014 Philypnodon historically Flathead gudgeon grandiceps * Hicks and Sheldon, Mountain galaxias Galaxias olidus 1998 Western blue spot Detected in both Pseudogobius olorum goby catchments in 2014 Translocated Detected in Eel-tailed catfish Tandanus tandanus native fish Wakefield 2014 * Decision based on suggested distribution generated by the Atlas of Living Australia, Allen et al. (2003) and Lintermans (2007).
10 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
3. RESULTS
3.1. Fish Results
Of the 19 sites sampled, 14 were found to have fish present. No fish were detected at four sites in the Broughton River catchment (Cockburn’s, Tandowie, Bulling’s Crossing and Flairville) and at one site in the Wakefield River catchment (Wockie Dam). In total 56,259 fish, comprising eight species, were collected. These included two native species (common galaxias (Galaxias maculatus) and western blue spot goby (Pseudogobius olorum)), one translocated species native to the Murray-Darling Basin (eel-tailed catfish (Tandanus tandanus)) and five exotic species (brown trout (Salmo trutta), European carp (Cyprinus carpio), gambusia, goldfish (Carassius auratus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)) (Table 3).
The most abundant species observed was the exotic gambusia which numerically constituted 94% of all fish caught. Gambusia was also the most widely distributed species, being sampled at every site where fish were observed (n = 14). Common galaxias and western blue-spot goby were the next most abundant species and widely distributed, being sampled at ten and nine sites, respectively (Table 3).
11 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Table 3. Raw abundance of fish caught during 2014 survey.
Tailed
Greater -
Galaxias Western Blue Spot Goby Eel Catfish Brown Trout European Carp Gambusia Goldfish Rainbow Trout Catchment Reach Site Name Common Total Broughton Rocky River Cockburn's No Fish River Tandowie No Fish
Bulling's Crossing No Fish
Willow Pond 3 25420 25423
Sam's Hut 262 1192 1454
US Thredgold's 198 813 1308 2319 Crossing River Glen Ford 8 93 3551 13 3665
Bundaleer Flairville No Fish Creek Balanbreni 21 106 127
Broughton Frome Crossing 12 48 1 197 34 292 River Mooroola Gauge 1 5 150 134 2 292
Broughton Pipeline 90 6 20 116
White Cliffs 418 76 1 896 235 1626
Wakefield River Wockie Creek Wockie Dam No Fish
Wakefield River Water Reserve 8407 8407
Martindale Hall 1873 1873
Agostino's 573 1 63 637
Bowden's 21 8484 8505
The Rocks 227 7 1269 20 1523
Total 1586 1290 7 1 1 52936 436 2 56259
12 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
3.2. Non-Target Fauna
In addition to fish, frogs, tadpoles, tiger leeches, freshwater and long-armed shrimp, yabbies and long-necked turtles were also sampled. A total of 335 tadpoles were caught with 321 of these caught at a single site, Bulling’s Crossing (Table 3). Freshwater shrimp were present at 11 sites and long-armed shrimp present at two sites (Table 3). In total, 475 yabbies were caught and present at 15 of the 19 sites sampled (Table 3). Long-necked turtles were caught in both the Broughton and Wakefield catchments and ranged in size from 85 to 256 mm MCL (Figure 3). Both rivers displayed a similar range of carapace lengths with local maxima at 80 – 140 mm and 180 – 200 mm suggesting that two age classes were present and that breeding cycles may be similar between the two rivers.
Table 4. Other fauna captured in fyke nets during 2014 survey.
necked necked
armed
- -
Tadpole TigerLeech Freshwater shrimp Long shrimp Yabby Long turtle Greater Catchment Reach Site Name Frog Broughton River Rocky River 4 3 21 Cockburn's 1 3 26 Tandowie 321 1 Bulling's Crossing 15 Willow Pond 1 Sam's Hut 1 US Thredgold's Crossing 52 River Glen Ford Bundaleer Creek 4 Flairville 1 2 1 Balanbreni Broughton River 36 Frome Crossing 25 1 Mooroola Gauge 4 3 Broughton Pipeline 1 3 White Cliffs Wakefield River Wockie Creek 9 43 24 Wockie Dam Wakefield River 114 Water Reserve 31 1 Martindale Hall 12 Agostino's 2 85 2 Bowden's 4 1 The Rocks Total 2 335 8 475 38
13 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
8 Broughton 7 River
6 Wakefield River 5 4 3 2
Chelodina longicollisChelodina 1
0
0-20
41-60 21-40 61-80
81-100
121-140 161-180 101-120 141-160 181-200 201-220 221-240 241-260 261-280 Number ofNumber Maximum Carapace Length (mm)
Figure 3. Eastern long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis) were measured (maximum carapace length) before being returned to the water. Length frequency distributions show two modes are present in the observed population suggesting two age classes were collected.
14 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
4. DISCUSSION
Since settlement, the Broughton and Wakefield River catchments have undergone widespread landscape alteration to facilitate the agricultural industries that now characterise the region. The fish fauna observed reflects this with gambusia observed at every site where fish were detected. This exotic species is now found in every State and Territory of Australia, most major drainage divisions (Rowe et al. 2008), and has been previously recorded in the Willochra Catchment to the north (Risby et al. 2003) and Light Catchment to the south (McNeil et al. 2011). This species was the most abundant species at all but two of these sites and comprised 94% of the total fish catch (by number) which although high, is similar proportion to that of the North Para River Catchment which is also a highly modified agricultural region (Schmarr et al. 2014).
The catchments supported two species of native fish: common galaxias and western blue spot goby. Common galaxias display a broad global distribution and are found across southern Australia and also in New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and several smaller islands along this latitude. Previous surveys failed to detect this species in either the Broughton or Wakefield catchments (Hicks and Sheldon 1998, 1999) however this is most likely an artefact of the sampling methodology of these studies. There are museum records of common galaxias in both the Broughton and Wakefield catchments and also one from the “Paskeville Reservoir” in Whyalla, however the exact location of the final record is unclear (Atlas of Living Australia). Within the Northern and Yorke NRM region this species has previously been observed in low abundance at two sites in the Light Catchment and in high abundance (n = 1150) at a third Light River site (McNeil et al. 2011).
Western blue spot goby are typically considered to be an estuarine species that sometimes inhabits freshwater reaches. They are found in several inland sites in low abundance in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges (e.g. Patawalonga and Gawler catchments; McNeil et al. 2011). In the Broughton and Wakefield catchments this species was often observed in high abundances (n > 50). This matches observations in the North Para River where this species has been observed in similar densities (Schmarr et al. 2014). This species was recorded in freshwater reaches of both catchments during the previous surveys (Hicks and Sheldon 1998, 1999). Museum records exist in the Broughton River at the Whitecliffs site and also at several estuarine sites within the Northern and Yorke NRM region (Ala.org.au 2014).
15 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Diadromy describes a life history where a species undertakes a migration between freshwater and the ocean at a particular life stage in order to complete their lifecycle (McDowell 1988). Diadromous strategies vary in the timing of movement and direction of migration. Additionally, some species which are typically considered diadromous, display marked plasticity in their life history and forego migration to complete their lifecycle within a particular environment. Both native fish species caught in this study display an ability to utilise diadromous life histories (Mathwin 2010) but with a low dependence on diadromy which allows landlocked populations to persist without seasonal access to the ocean (Schmarr et al. 2014). Exact figures on how frequently either river connects to the ocean are not available, but it has been reported that the Broughton River connects to the ocean under moderate flow conditions, while the Wakefield may only connect several times each century (Favier et al. 2000; Favier et al. 2004). Connectivity of these catchments with the marine environment, although rare in the Wakefield River, may provide opportunities for the immigration of diadromous fishes from nearby catchments improving the resilience of diadromous species in this region.
Along the Hill and Hutt Rivers, tributaries of the Broughton River, historic records exist for mountain galaxias (Galaxias olidus) (Hicks and Sheldon 1999). These tributaries were not sampled as part of the current study and so the continued survival of this species in the Broughton catchment cannot be confirmed by this report. Future fish studies in the region should consider prioritising the location and characterisation of these mountain galaxias populations.
Prior to the surveys carried out in the late 1990s, almost no historic fish data exists for these catchments. The predicted fauna for these rivers generated by Hicks and Sheldon (1998, 1999) was speculative rather than being data derived and remains largely unverified at the current time. As the combined dataset for this region remains spatially incomplete, it is likely that more species are present in these rivers than have been verified. A noteworthy absence are flathead gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps), which are one of the most widely distributed and tolerant species in the western Mount Lofty Ranges. Official surveys have failed to detect a number of species that locals report as being present in the Broughton catchment, including Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) and Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata).
16 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
4.1. Rocky River
The Rocky River tributary contained seven of the 13 sites sampled in the Broughton River catchment. At the three most upstream sites (Cockburn’s, Tandowie and Bulling’s Crossing) no fish were detected. The absence of fish from these sites is probably related to significant bushfires experienced throughout the upper catchment during February 2014, eight weeks prior to sampling. In Victoria, bushfires have been shown to have variable impacts on aquatic fauna with negative effects associated with bushfires that are followed by large rainfall events, which wash bushfire debris into waterways creating a ‘sediment slug’ (EPAVIC 2003). High flows cause sediment slugs to be carried along the watercourse causing waters to become anoxic and aquatic food webs to collapse (EPAVIC 2003). These conditions parallel events in the Rocky River region during February 2014, when month long bushfires were extinguished by heavy rains which washed topsoil and bushfire debris into the Rocky River. Residents near the Tandowie site shared their observations of the river running ‘like black milk’ following the February rainfall and shortly after an offensive odour coming from the river. This event seems to have heavily impacted the reach with no fish detected at Cockburn’s, Tandowie or Bulling’s Crossing. All three sites are deep and permanent, and it is anticipated that these sites would have supported fish prior to the bushfires; however, no historical records exist to confirm this. As a sediment slug moves along the reach, sediment is gradually deposited with deleterious effects diminishing the further it travels (EPAVIC 2003). Along the Rocky River, black sediment was still apparent at Willow Pond; however, the toxic effects appear to have had less impact with fish populations still present at the site. This population was dominated by exotic gambusia with 45% of the total number of gambusia in the study caught at this site.
Gambusia numbers at Willow Pond comprised 45% of the total fish catch for the entire project. This species is known to thrive in impacted environments in the western Mount Lofty Ranges (Schmarr et al. 2014) and is highly tolerant to a range of water quality parameters, including elevated salinity (Chervinski 1983), low dissolved oxygen (Lewis 1970; McKinsey and Chapman 1998) and high temperatures (Meffe et al. 1995). It appears that the disturbance caused by the sediment slug has favoured this species at this site and allowed them to both survive and use their remarkable reproductive capacity (Milton and Arthington 1983) to dominate the fish assemblage.
Common galaxias were detected in low abundance (n = 3) at Willow Pond and it appears the species may have been disadvantaged by a combination of the sediment slug and dominance by gambusia at this site. The sediment slug is likely to have altered the water chemistry and the
17 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014 macroinvertebrate composition at Willow Pond, altering the food sources available to the surviving common galaxias, while the large numbers of surviving gambusia would have simultaneously exerted a range of agonistic effects on the remnant common galaxias. Gambusia are known to exert negative impacts on native fish due to competition for food (Cardona 2006; Margaritora et al. 2001), predation of fish larvae (Ivantsoff and Aarn 1999) and aggression towards adult fish (Macdonald et al. 2012). Common galaxias breed only once every year (Allen et al. 2003) and it is unclear how many favourable breeding seasons will be required to normalise common galaxias populations at this site. Likewise, it is unclear how long it will take for native fish to recolonise upstream sites like Tandowie and Cockburn’s.
Figure 4. Willow Pond was dominated by gambusia which appear to have thrived in the disturbed conditions caused by bushfire runoff.
Further downstream, at Sam’s Hut, bushfire runoff was no longer evident and numbers of gambusia were substantially diminished (Table 2). The sites in the Lower Rocky River (Sam’s Hut, US Thredgold’s Crossing, River Glen Ford) contained strong populations of common galaxias and western blue spot goby. Also at River Glen Ford, 13 goldfish were detected. This was the only site in this reach where goldfish were detected despite being commonly observed along the Broughton main channel. Goldfish have been historically detected between the River Glen Ford and US Thredgold’s Crossing sites (Hicks and Sheldon 1999) but do not appear to
18 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014 have penetrated upstream to US Thredgold’s Crossing or beyond. The reasons underlying this range restriction remain unclear but may relate to physical barriers or insufficient periods of connectivity suitable for upstream migration in this species.
4.2. Bundaleer Creek
Two sites were sampled along Bundaleer Creek: Flairville and Balanbreni. The pool at Balanbreni was deep and situated below the flow diversion weir which diverts channel flows into the Bundaleer Reservoir (Figure 3). This site contained common galaxias and gambusia in low abundance.
There were few potential refuges identified upstream of Balanbreni. At the Flairville site landholders stated that the pool was permanent and deep but that strong flows during February 2014 had significantly altered site morphology, removing a sill and reducing the size and depth of the refuge pool. The resulting pool was only large enough to accommodate three small fyke nets and no fish were detected. It is unclear if the Flairville pool or upper Bundaleer Creek have historically supported native fish as no records exist for this reach. If suitable refuges exist then the diversion weir may be acting as a physical barrier to fish movement, effectively isolating the upper catchment from immigrants. Further study would be required to determine if suitable refuges exist above the weir, if fish persist above the weir in those refuges and to what extent the weir is blocking the movement of fish in the reach.
19 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Figure 5. The Bundaleer Reservoir flow diversion weir on the Balanbreni property is a significant physical structure and may be blocking upstream fish passage in the Bundaleer Creek.
4.3. Broughton River main channel
The Broughton River main channel was sampled at four sites: Frome Crossing, Mooroola Gauge, Broughton Pipeline and White Cliffs. Both common galaxias and western blue spot goby were detected at each of the four sites in low to moderate abundance. This reach contained the highest abundance of goldfish in the study supporting 92% of the goldfish caught with 53% of these caught at White Cliffs (n = 235). White Cliffs was also the only site where European carp were detected with a single individual caught. It is unclear why goldfish are able to thrive along the Broughton River whereas carp persist in very low densities.
The Broughton and Wakefield Rivers are two of the six rivers into which trout may legally be stocked in South Australia (SA Government Gazette August 2011) however the Broughton main channel was the only reach where salmonids (rainbow and brown trout) were detected. These data suggest that few recent stocking events have taken place or that survival rates of
20 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014 translocated salmonids in the river are poor but is at odds with reports from anglers who consider this river to contain some of the best trout fishing in the State.
The Mooroola Gauge site is adjacent to a telemetered gauging station that monitors flow, water level and electroconductivity (salinity). Using a standardised approach to aquatic sampling in sites adjacent to flow gauges is a technique that underpins the Verification of Water Allocation Science Project (Schmarr et al. 2014) and Goyder Water Allocation Project, which seek to verify the effects of flow on biotic indicators. Future standardised surveys in the region should consider prioritisation of Mooroola Gauge with a view to creating a long-term dataset at this site that may be used to underpin future flow research in the Broughton River catchment.
4.4. Wakefield River, Wockie Creek
Wockie Dam, the only site sampled on Wockie Creek, is a dam located near the confluence with the Wakefield River main channel. No fish were detected at this site. It is unclear if fish populations persist upstream of this site or if the earthen dam wall is an impassable barrier to fish movement in the system. Two deep, permanent pools exist immediately downstream of this dam and a combination of sampling the pools below the dam and seeking out refuge pools above the dam may help to answer questions relating to fish movement along this tributary. Wockie Creek was the only Wakefield River tributary examined in the current study.
Although Wockie Dam contained no fish, 24 long-necked turtles were caught (Figure 6). This site appears to represent a favourable habitat for long-necked turtles and may be a key asset for long-necked turtle resilience in the region. Length frequency distributions of the turtles caught in this catchment display multiple modes suggesting that several generations coexist (Figure 3).
21 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Figure 6. Long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis) were found throughout the region.
4.5. Wakefield River main channel
Five sites were sampled along the Wakefield River main channel: Water Reserve, Martindale Hall, Agostino’s, Bowden’s and The Rocks. Common galaxias was detected at only a single site in the Wakefield catchment (Agostino’s), albeit in the highest abundance observed in the current study (n = 573). A previous fish survey, carried out in 1998, failed to detect common galaxias at any of the six sites sampled in the Wakefield River (Hicks and Sheldon 1998). This included a site at Auburn which was 800m upstream of the Agostino site. The restricted range of this species is likely to be the result of a lack of riverine connectivity in the Wakefield catchment. Anthropogenic structures like dam walls (Figure 5) and bridges (Figure 7) may act as physical barriers to fish movement while abstraction of flow reduces the frequency and duration of channel connectivity. By reducing the frequency, extent and duration of flow events and introducing physical barriers that are impassable under most flow conditions, opportunities for fish movement are limited. Such barriers to movement fragment fish populations, reducing resilience and the ability of populations to expand their range during favourable periods and recolonise areas following local extinction events. Before measures can be implemented to ameliorate the potential impacts of riverine fragmentation, a systematic approach to cataloguing and characterising barriers in the Wakefield River should be considered.
22 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Figure 7. Artificial in-channel structures like this historic bridge at Martindale Hall may interrupt fish movement between refuge pools, removing recolonisation routes.
Patterns of distribution of both eel-tailed catfish and goldfish, which were both detected at only a single site (i.e. The Rocks) also suggest habitat fragmentation caused by barriers to movement. The population of eel-tailed catfish (a species endemic to the Murray-Darling Basin) has been known at this site since 1998 and is believed to date back to a translocation event in the late 1970s (Hicks and Sheldon 1999). This species appears to be persisting but not dominating at the site with seven fish caught, varying in length between 29 and 88 mm (Figure 8). This species may reach 90 cm TL and the 29 mm fish is almost certainly a new recruit indicating that spawning and recruitment of this species had recently taken place at The Rocks. The eel-tailed catfish is protected under the Fisheries Management Act within the Murray-Darling Basin; however, strong translocated populations are known elsewhere in the state (McNeil et al. 2012). The restriction of eel-tailed catfish and goldfish to The Rocks is further evidence for a lack of functional riverine connectivity in the Wakefield River catchment.
23 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Figure 8. The eel-tailed catfish (Tandanus tandanus) is native to the Murray-Darling Basin which is believed to have been translocated to The Rocks in the late 1970s.
24 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
5. Conclusion and Recommendations The sections of the Broughton and Wakefield Rivers that were sampled during this survey represent highly altered environments, which are reflected in the fish populations that were observed. The nature of disturbance in the region is highly varied and includes; extensive land clearing, bushfires and runoff events, historic species translocations (Hicks and Sheldon 1998), and the creation of artificial barriers to movement, some of which date back over a century (Figure 5 and 7). Despite these challenges, native fish populations still exist within the system.
Opportunities for conservation, restoration and enhancement of aquatic assets should be underpinned by a sound understanding of the landscape, ecosystem processes and distribution and population dynamics of resident biota. This study constitutes the first standardised fish sampling survey in the region and collected baseline data on fish population distribution and abundance to gauge future population trajectories. These data will be fundamental in determining the ecological outcomes of future environmental interventions in the Broughton and Wakefield Rivers. The primary recommendation of this study is the expansion of the current methodology to collect standardised baseline data for other reaches in the region. This could include the Light and Willochra catchments, several tributaries and lower reaches of the Wakefield and Broughton Rivers, and also areas on the Yorke Peninsula. This broad geographic approach to collecting baseline data can then provide a context for environmental changes and impacts into the future.
A finer scale approach to the collection of baseline data could also be considered, focussing on data-poor tributaries such as Yackamoorundie Creek and Crystal Brook in the Broughton Catchment or Woolshed and Skillogalee Creek in the Wakefield Catchment. Four more specific recommendations are also included for consideration based on the findings of the current study;
Prioritise Mooroola Gauge for future monitoring due to its proximity to the flow gauge. Confirm the survival of mountain galaxias populations in the Hill and Hutt Creek tributaries of the Broughton River (per Hicks and Sheldon 1999) which constitute the only records of this species in this region; Catalogue and characterise barriers along the Wakefield River to determine the causes and extent of population fragmentation in this system. This could be used to prioritise future works in the region aimed at restoring fish passage and boosting the resilience of the aquatic biota;
25 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Re-examine Bundaleer and Wockie creeks in more detail to determine if native fish remain in these catchments and the role anthropogenic barriers play in fish movement in these reaches.
It is suggested that current and future works in the region should be monitored and evaluated using the current methodology to sample a combination of novel sites and previously surveyed sites tailored to answer specific management questions.
26 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
6. REFERENCES Ala.org.au (2014). Atlas of Living Australia. [online] Available at: http://www.ala.org.au/ [Accessed 1 Oct. 2014].
Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. and Allen, M. (2003). Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Australia (revised edition). Collingwood, Victoria, Australia, CSIRO publishing.
Angradi, T.R. (editor). 2006 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: Great River Ecosystems, Field Operations Manual. EPA/620/R-06/002 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
Cardona, L. (2006). "Trophic cascades uncoupled in a coastal marsh ecosystem." Biological Invasions 8(4): 835-842.
Chervinski, J. (1983). "Salinity tolerance of the mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis (baird and girard)." Journal of Fish Biology 22(1): 9-11.
Davies, S.P. and Jackson, S.K. (2006). "The biological condition gradient: A descriptive model for interpreting change in aquatic ecosystems." Ecological Applications 16(4): 1251-1266.
Environmental Protection Agency Victoria, 2003. The impacts of bushfires following a flash flood event in the catchment of the Ovens River
Favier, D., Rixon, S. and Scholz, G. (2000) A River Management Plan for the Wakefield Catchment, Environment Protection Agency, Adelaide.
Favier, D., Scholz, G., VanLaarhoven, J., Bradley, J. and Phipps, L. (2004) A River Management Plan for the Broughton Catchment, Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation.
Harris, J.H. (1995). "The use of fish in ecological assessments." Australian Journal of Ecology 20(1): 65-80.
Hicks, D. and Sheldon, F. (1998). Biotic survey of the Wakefield River for the mid-north riverine management planning project, University of Adelaide: 63.
Hicks, D. and Sheldon, F. (1999). Biotic survey of the Broughton River for the mid-north riverine management planning project. Adelaide, University of Adelaide: 71.
Ivantsoff, W. and Aarn (1999). "Detection of predation on Australian native fishes by Gambusia holbrooki." Marine and Freshwater Research 50(5): 467-468.
Kennard, M.J., Arthington, A.H., Pusey, B.J. and Harch, B.D. (2005). "Are alien fish a reliable indicator of river health?" Freshwater Biology 50(1): 174-193.
Lewis, W.M. (1970). "Morphological adaptations of Cyprinodontoids for inhabiting oxygen deficient waters." Copeia 2: 319-326.
Lintermans, M. (2007) Fishes of the Murray-Darling Basin: An introductory guide. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, Murray -Darling Basin Commision
27 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Macdonald, J.I., Tonkin, Z.D., Ramsey, D.S.L., Kaus, A.K., King, A.K. and Crook, D.A. (2012). "Do invasive eastern gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki) shape wetland fish assemblage structure in south-eastern Australia?" Marine and Freshwater Research: 63(8):651-671
Margaritora, F.G., Ferrara, O. and Vagaggini, D. (2001). "Predatory impact of the mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki Girard) on zooplanktonic populations in a pond at Tenuta di Castelporziano (Rome, Central Italy)." Journal of Limnology 60(2): 189 - 193.
Mathwin, R. (2010). Using otolith strontium and barium to trace diadromy in two southern Australian fishes. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Adelaide, The University of Adelaide. Bachelor of Science with Honours: 69.
Mathwin, R., McNeil, D. and Schmarr, D. (2014). A biological condition gradient model approach for fish-based ecological condition monitoring in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2013/000020-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 758. 35pp.
McDowell, R.M. (1988). Diadromy in fishes: Migrations between freshwater and marine environments. Portland, Oregan, Timber Press.
McKinsey, D.M. and Chapman, L.J. (1998). "Dissolved oxygen and fish distribution in a Florida spring " Environmental Biology of Fishes 53(2): 211-223.
McNeil, D.G., Schmarr, D.W. and Mathwin, R. (2011). Condition of freshwater fish communities in the adelaide and mount lofty ranges management region. SARDI Research Report Series No. 590. Adelaide, SARDI Aquatic Sciences. SARDI Publication No. F2011/000502-1: 65pp
McNeil, D.G., Schmarr, D.W., Mathwin, R. and Thwaites, L. (2012). Chapter 5: Fish monitoring in river torrens water quality improvement trial -summer 2011/12. Goyder Institute for Water ResearchTechnical Report Series No 12/4. Brookes, J.D. Adelaide.
Meffe, G.K., Weeks, S.C., Mulvey, M. and Kandl, K.L. (1995). "Genetic differences in thermal tolerance of eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki; Poeciliidae) from ambient and thermal ponds." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52(12): 2704-2711.
Milton, D.A. and Arthington, A.H. (1983). "Reproductive biology of Gambusia affinis holbrooki Baird and Girard, Xiphophorus helleri (Gunther) and X. Maculatus (Heckel) (Pisces; Poeciliidae) in Queensland, Australia." Journal of Fish Biology 23(1): 23-41.
Risby, L., Scholz, G., Vanlaarhoven, J. and Deane, D. (2003) Willochra catchment hydrology and ecological assessment, DWLBC Report 2003/20-21 Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Government of South Australia
Rowe, D.K., Moore, A., Giorgetti, A., Maclean, C., Grace, P., Wadhwa, S. and Cooke, J. (2008) Review of the impacts of gambusia, redfin perch, tench, roach, yellowfin goby and streaked goby in Australia. Prepared for the Austrlian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
Sainty, G. and Jacobs, S. (2003). Waterplants in australia: A field guide (expanded 4th edition). Potts Point, New South Wales, Australia, Sainty and Associates Pty Ltd.
Schmarr, D.W., Mathwin, R. and Cheshire D. L. M. (2014). Western Mount Lofty Ranges Fish Condition Report 2012-13. Incorporating the Barossa Valley Prescribed Water Resource Area
28 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Fish Community Study, the Verification of Water Allocation Science Project (VWASP) and the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Fish Community Monitoring. South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI Publication No. F2014/000113-1. SARDI Research Report Series No. 780. 87pp.
South Australian Government (2011) Government gazette of South Australia. http://www.governmentgazette.sa.gov.au/archives/default.htm
29 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
APPENDIX A Broughton River Catchment, Rocky River Cockburn’s
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 244554.17 m E 6340353.18 m S Date(s) sampled: 13/04/14 Site type: Private (Pastoral) Suitability for ongoing monitoring: No fish during 2014 but permanence suggest fish would be supported if immigration occured. Sample area dimensions: 10 m x 20 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 326 m Average yearly rainfall: 475.5 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 99
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >3 Connected Low
30 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
4.85 0 15.82 1.94 8.41 59
Total fish catch at site.
No fish were caught at this site.
Yabbies, tiger leeches and tadpoles were present at this site.
31 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Catchment, Rocky River Tandowie
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 246821 m E 6336111 m S Date(s) sampled: 13/04/14 Site type: Public Suitability for ongoing monitoring: No fish during 2014 but future sampling will inform on immigration capacity of fish species in the system. Sample area dimensions: 10 m x 150 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 295 m Average yearly rainfall: 475.5 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 45 6
32 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >1 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
5.75 1.3 15.66 1.4 8.75 41.7
Total fish catch at site.
No fish were caught at this site.
Yabbies, tiger leeches and a frog were recorded at this site.
33 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Catchment, Rocky River Bulling’s Crossing
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 248865 m E 6321081 m S Date(s) sampled: 10/04/14 Site type: Reserve Suitability for ongoing monitoring: No fish during 2014 but future sampling will inform on immigration capacity of fish species in the system. Sample area dimensions: 10 m x 200 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 238 m Average yearly rainfall: 457.9 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 80
34 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >2 Connected Moderate
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
4.93 3 18.56 0.1 8.6 0
Total fish catch at site.
No fish were caught at this site, all nets affected by flow overnight.
A single long necked turtle was caught. Tadpole’s were present in high abundance at this site.
35 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Catchment, Rocky River Willow Pond
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 250186.15 m E 6309252.32 m S Date(s) sampled: 10/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Site overwhelmed by gambusia following 2014 bushfire runoff but future sampling will inform on immigration capacity of fish species in the system and time lag between recovery of native fishes. Sample area dimensions: 10 m x 100 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 190 m Average yearly rainfall: 441 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 99
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >0.5 Connected Low
36 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
7.49 7.42 17.76 6.25 9.07 0.05
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Common Galaxias G. maculatus 3 Gambusia G. holbrooki 25,420 Total 25,423
Yabbies were present at this site.
37 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Catchment, Rocky River Sam’s Hut
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 250755.11 m E 6306924.12 m S Date(s) sampled: 13/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 10 m x 250 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 172 m Average yearly rainfall: 441 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 3 to 4
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 95
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >2.5 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
7.91 0 16 3.8 9 32.55
38 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Common Galaxias G. maculatus 262 Gambusia G. holbrooki 1,192 Total 1,454
Frogs and glass shrimp were present at this site.
39 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Catchment, Rocky River US Thredgold’s Crossing
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 247482.81 m E 6302493.28 m S Date(s) sampled: 11/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 40 m x 300 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 116 m Average yearly rainfall: 399.3 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 3 to 4
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 60
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >5 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
7.29 0 17.64 8.27 8.9 2.68
40 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Common Galaxias G. maculatus 198 Gambusia G. holbrooki 1,308 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 813 Total 2,319
Glass shrimp and a long-necked turtle were present at this site.
41 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Catchment, Rocky River River Glen Ford
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 234595.73 m E 6300060.76 m S Date(s) sampled: 11/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 20 m x 200 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 61 m Average yearly rainfall: 399.3 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 3 to 4
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 90 2
42 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >2.5 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
7.34 0 18.58 6.05 8.88 19.13
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Goldfish C. auratus 13 Common Galaxias G. maculatus 8 Gambusia G. holbrooki 3,551 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 93 Total 3,665
Yabbies and glass shrimp were present at this site.
43 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Catchment, Bundaleer Creek Flairville
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 268302.48 m E 6307108.23 m S Date(s) sampled: 12/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Unsuitable Sample area dimensions: 10 m x 10 m Fishing effort: 3 x small fykes Elevation: 450 m Average yearly rainfall: 473.7 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex Bedrock 99
44 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow 0.8 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
11.64 10.06 16.43 0.9 9.3 70.13
Total fish catch at site.
No fish were caught at this site.
Yabbies were present at this site.
45 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Catchment, Bundaleer Creek Balanbreni
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 270708 m E 6299203 m S Date(s) sampled: 12/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 20 m x 35 m Fishing effort: 1 x double-wing fyke, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 300 m Average yearly rainfall: 418.1 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 90
46 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >3.5 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
10.01 8.56 13.09 1.97 9.38 84.9
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Common Galaxias G. maculatus 21 Gambusia G. holbrooki 106 Total 127
Yabbies, tadpoles and glass shrimp were present at this site. A single long necked turtle was also caught.
47 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Main Channel Frome Crossing
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 274261.37 m E 6288890.6 m S Date(s) sampled: 9/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 50 m x 350 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 244 m Average yearly rainfall: 435 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex >1 60
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >2.5 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
7.51 2.17 18.10 3.33 8.98 12.93
48 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Goldfish C. auratus 34 Common Galaxias G. maculatus 12 Gambusia G. holbrooki 197 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 48 Brown trout S. trutta 1 Total 292
Yabbies, long-armed shrimp and glass shrimp were present at this site.
49 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Main Channel Mooroola Gauge
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 269536 m E 6286853 m S Date(s) sampled: 9/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Desirable. Long term datasets at flow gauges provide the basis for flow response modeling. Sample area dimensions: 15 m x 250 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 198 m Average yearly rainfall: 406.7 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 60
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >2.5 Connected Low
50 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
12.5 9.89 18.226 3.44 9.35 0.32
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Goldfish C. auratus 134 Common Galaxias G. maculatus 1 Gambusia G. holbrooki 150 Rainbow Trout O. mykiss 2 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 5 Total 292
Yabbies and glass shrimp were present at this site. A single long necked turtle was also caught.
51 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Main Channel Broughton Pipeline
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 266360 m E 6284291 m S Date(s) sampled: 10/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 30 m x 300 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 174 m Average yearly rainfall: 406.7 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 3 - 4
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 90
52 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow 2 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
7.59 6.05 18.36 3.44 9.05 16.98
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Common Galaxias G. maculatus 90 Gambusia G. holbrooki 20 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 6 Total 116
Yabbies, long-armed shrimp and glass shrimp were present at this site. Three long necked turtles were also caught.
53 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Broughton River Main Channel White Cliffs
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 258479.62 m E 6280156.67 m S Date(s) sampled: 8/04/14 Site type: Public Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 20 m x 500 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 139 m Average yearly rainfall: 392.7 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 3 - 4
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 90
54 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >7 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
7.38 0 18.12 4.9 9.02 15.8
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Goldfish C. auratus 235 European carp C. carpio 1 Common Galaxias G. maculatus 418 Gambusia G. holbrooki 896 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 76 Total 1,626
Yabbies and glass shrimp were present at this site. Three long necked turtles were also caught.
55 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Wakefield River Catchment, Wockie Creek Wockie Dam
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 291703.95 m E 6244365.61 m S Date(s) sampled: 07/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Unsuitable for fish. Strong population of long-necked turtles. Sample area dimensions: 150 m x 300 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 393 m Average yearly rainfall: 597.1 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 95
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >4.5 Isolated Still
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
6.04 0 16.31 0.25 7.7 60.55
56 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Total fish catch at site.
No fish were captured at this site.
24 long-necked turtles were detected at this site. Yabbies and tadpoles were also present.
57 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Wakefield River Main Channel Water Reserve
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 298019.00 m E 6244530 m S Date(s) sampled: 08/04/14 Site type: Public Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Landholder: Crown Land Sample area dimensions: 10 m x 1000 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 425 m Average yearly rainfall: 473.2 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 5 to 6
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 95
58 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow 1.3 Isolated Still
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
6.81 2.91 16.07 7.27 8.78 111.8
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Gambusia G. holbrooki 16,480 Total 16,480
Yabbies were in high abundance at this site.
59 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Wakefield River Main Channel Martindale Hall
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 290524.69 m E 6242674.11 m S Date(s) sampled: 7/04/14 Site type: National Park Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: Main pool 30 m x 80 m. Small shallow pools present immediately upstream were also sampled. Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 372 m Average yearly rainfall: 597.1 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 5 to 6
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 70 3
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >3 Isolated Still
60 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
8.52 0 16.12 3.68 8.49 18.9
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Gambusia G. holbrooki 1,873 Total 1,873
Yabbies were present at this site. A long necked turtle was also caught.
61 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Wakefield River Main Channel Agostino’s
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 286409 m E 6231639 m S Date(s) sampled: 14/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 30 m x 30 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 296 m Average yearly rainfall: 590 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 3 to 4
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 99
62 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >4 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
6.8 3.63 16.74 2.03 8.69 7.2
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Common Galaxias G. maculatus 573 Gambusia G. holbrooki 63 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 1 Total 637
Yabbies and glass shrimp were present at this site.
63 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Wakefield River Main Channel Bowden’s
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 282520.68 m E 6226290.87 m S Date(s) sampled: 14/04/14 Site type: Private Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 60 m x 400 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 230 m Average yearly rainfall: 404.7 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex <1 95
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >1.5 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
8.89 4.39 16.79 3.27 9.19 49.9
64 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Gambusia G. holbrooki 8,484 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 21 Total 8,505
Yabbies, tiger leeches and glass shrimp were present at this site. Two long necked turtles were also caught.
65 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Wakefield River Main Channel The Rocks
Site Data:
GPS: 54 H 271410 m E 6216440 m S Date(s) sampled: 14/04/14 Site type: Public Suitability for ongoing monitoring: Suitable Sample area dimensions: 30 m x 1000 m Fishing effort: 2 x double-wing fykes, 4 x small fykes Elevation: 105 m Average yearly rainfall: 380.7 mm Biological Condition Gradient score: 4 to 5
Aquatic habitat characteristics at site.
Dominant Substrate Snags Size (mm) Cover (%) Large Complex Large Simple Small Complex 5-10 40 1 1
Hydrological characteristics at site.
Max Depth (m) Connectivity Flow >3 Connected Low
Water quality at site.
DO MAX DO MIN AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE (mg/L) (mg/L) TEMP (°C) SALINITY (ppt) pH TURBIDITY (NTU)
9 1.69 17.47 6.58 8.96 11.62
66 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
Total fish catch at site.
Common Name Species Number Goldfish C. auratus 20 Gambusia G. holbrooki 1,269 Blue-spot Goby P. olorum 227 Total 1,523
Yabbies and glass shrimp were present at this site. A long necked turtle was also caught.
67 Schmarr, D. W and Mathwin, R. Baseline Fish Monitoring Program for the Northern and Yorke NRMB Region 2014
APPENDIX B Scoring the BCG was carried out by Rupert Mathwin, David Schmarr and David Cheshire on the 25/6/2014. It preserves methodology set out in Mathwin et al. (2014). Variations to this methodology have been included in the text.
Site Name I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X BCG Score Cockburn's 6 6 3 1 5 4 4 to 5 Tandowie 6 6 3 1 5 4 4 to 5 Bulling's Crossing 6 6 3 1 5 4 4 to 5 Willow Pond 6 5 3 5 4 3 4 4 to 5 Sam's Hut 6 1 3 5 1 3 3.5 3 to 4 US Thredgold's Crossing 6 1 5 2 1 3 3.5 3 to 4 River Glen Ford 6 5 2 5 2 3 3.5 3 to 4 Flairville 6 6 3 1 4 6 4 to 5 Balanbreni 6 3 3 5 4 4 5 4 to 5 Frome Crossing 6 5 2 5 4 4 3.5 4 to 5 Mooroola Gauge 6 5 3.5 5 4 4 3.5 4 to 5 Broughton Pipeline 6 1 3.5 2 3 4 3.5 3 to 4 White Cliffs 6 1 2 5 2 4 3.5 3 to 4 Wockie Dam 6 6 3 1 5 5 4 to 5 Water Reserve 6 6 3 6 5 5 5 to 6 Martindale Hall 6 6 3 6 5 5 5 to 6 Agostino's 6 1 4 2 1 5 5 3 to 4 Bowden's 6 6 4 5 4 5 5 5 The Rocks 6 6 5 5 2 5 5 4 to 5
68