Blue Mountains Waterways 2019 Interim Health Report (Supplementary report in support of the 2018 and 2019 Health Snapshots)
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 1 Publication information and acknowledgements:
The City of the Blue Mountains is located within the Country of the Darug and Gundungurra peoples. The Blue Mountains City Council recognises that Darug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners have a continuous and deep connection to their Country and that this is of great cultural significance to Aboriginal people, both locally and in the region.
For Darug and Gundungurra People, Ngurra (Country) takes in everything within the physical, cultural and spiritual landscape—landforms, waters, air, trees, rocks, plants, animals, foods, medicines, minerals, stories and special places. It includes cultural practice, kinship, knowledge, songs, stories and art, as well as spiritual beings, and people: past, present and future.
Blue Mountains City Council pays respect to Elders past and present, while recognising the strength, capacity and resilience of past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Blue Mountains region.
Report: Prepared by Blue Mountains City Council’s Healthy Waterways team (Environment Branch) – Alice Blackwood, Amy St Lawrence, Emma Kennedy, Jenny Hill, Gillian Fitzgerald and Geoffrey Smith.
Date: 2019
Fieldwork (2017 and 2018): Alice Blackwood, Amy St Lawrence, Christina Day, Gillian Fitzgerald.
Identification of macroinvertebrate samples (2017 and 2018 samples): Alice Blackwood, Christina Day, Amy St Lawrence, Chris Madden (Freshwater Macroinvertebrates).
Scientific Licences: Office of Environment & Heritage (NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service) Scientific Licence number SL101530.
NSW Department of Primary Industries scientific collection permit P18/0029-1.0
Acknowledgements: For their generous contributions to Council’s aquatic monitoring programs over the years, the Healthy Waterways team thanks Ian Wright, John Gooderham, Bruce Chessman, Rob McCormack and Chris Walsh.
Thank you to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and WaterNSW for granting access to sample within their protected areas.
Image credits: photographs by Ian Brown and Amy St Lawrence.
Cover image: Glenbrook Lagoon
2 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council Summary
Blue Mountains City Council (Council) works to protect and improve the health of waterways within our Local Government Area (LGA) and aquatic monitoring programs are fundamental to Council’s ability to prioritise waterways and catchments and to track progress over time. Council conducts annual monitoring at over 50 sites from Lapstone to Mount Wilson, to assess the health of local waterways.
This interim report presents the 2018 and 2019 waterway health ratings and water quality data for sites tested within Council’s aquatic monitoring program during autumn 2017 and 18 respectively.
In 2018, seven sites were too dry to sample, due to prolonged periods of low rainfall. Of the ‘urban’ waterways that were sampled in 2018, 65% were rated as being in good or excellent health. Waterway health was rated as fair for 27% of sites, and poor for the remaining 8%.
A full report will be prepared in 2020, which will include analysis of trends over time.
Collecting water samples for testing from Jamison Creek, Wentworth Falls
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 3 Beautiful creeks and waterholes are great features Introduction of the Blue Mountains. These waterways sustain an enormous diversity of life, provide opportunities for recreation and contribute to local and regional This is an interim report providing drinking water supplies. Yet our waterways are at risk details of the results of Blue of degradation, especially due to stormwater runoff from urban areas. Mountains City Council’s Aquatic Council aims to protect, enhance, advocate for and Monitoring Program in autumn monitor the health of the City’s natural waterways and 2017 and autumn 2018. This report water catchments. The local community endorses this approach, with ‘looking after the environment’ and aligns with the Waterways Health ‘clean creeks and waterways’ consistently rated among Snapshots of 2018 (2017 results) the most important key directions and focus points for and 2019 (2018 results). Council during annual surveys of randomly selected Blue Mountains residents (Micromex Research, 2018).
A full report with an analysis of Aquatic monitoring is fundamental to Council’s trends and issues over the sampling understanding of the condition and function of local waterways over time. Council uses the data to prioritise years of 2017-2020 will be prepared waterways, catchments and issues for protection, in 2020, in line with the State restoration and further study. With almost twenty years of annual sampling, Council has developed one of the of the City Reporting. As such most extensive and long-running stream monitoring this report will only briefly cover programs of its kind, enabling rigorous and detailed measurement of stream ecosystem condition the background, methods, and (Wright, 2012). interpretation of results. This report is primarily focused on presenting the Waterway Health Ratings for sites tested within For a more in-depth explanation Council’s aquatic monitoring program during 2017 of methods, as well as a discussion and 2018. of work being done to protect Council monitors waterway health to meet the our waterways, see the Waterway following objectives: Health Reports from 2016 and • understand the condition and function of 2017 (BMCC, 2016, 2017). local aquatic ecosystems over time • help prioritise catchments, waterways and issues
• keep our community and other stakeholders up-to-date with reliable, science-based information on our waterways
4 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council Methods Council conducts annual monitoring at over 50 sites from Lapstone to Mount Wilson, to assess the health of local waterways. This is done using aquatic macroinvertebrates (water bugs) as biological indicators, as well as a range of other indicators of water quality (pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, electrical conductivity, salinity, temperature, nutrients, alkalinity, faecal coliforms and enterococci).
Five new sites were added to the monitoring program in 2018. Two sites were changed location slightly between years for logistical reasons (Govetts Creek and Wentworth Creek).
Table 1. Details of new sites added in 2018
SITE CODE WATERWAY CATCHMENT NEAREST TOWN
76EBB Bedford creek tributary Erskine Bullaburra
77EWD Wilsons Glen Creek Grose Woodford
78GLN Bulls Creek Grose Linden
79EGK Erskine Creek Erskine Glenbrook
80BMG Back Creek Coxs Megalong
Macroinvertebrates and health ratings level (Gooderham and Tsyrlin, 2002; The Waterbug Company, 2016; Murray-Darling Freshwater Sampling of macroinvertebrates is based on the Research Centre, 2015; Dean et al 2004; Hawker AUSRIVAS protocol for collecting and processing and Theischinger, 1999). Binocular stereoscopes samples in NSW (DEC, 2004). A 0.25mm mesh net are used to examine the distinguishing features of is used to sample 10 metres of edge habitat within closely related families. a pre-determined 100 metres of reach at each site. ‘Edge habitat’ includes trailing vegetation, In this report, waterway health was rated by scoring overhanging banks/bedrock/boulders, submerged each site on four factors: logs, detritus and aquatic plants. Duplicate 1. SIGNAL-SF (a ‘sensitivity score’, reflecting the macroinvertebrate samples are collected at average sensitivity of families present) reference sites (e.g. 20 metres of edge habitat, divided into two sub-samples). 2. Number of aquatic macroinvertebrate families present Two field operators ‘pick’ samples live on site for 40-60 minutes per sample per site. Invertebrates 3. Number of mayfly/stonefly/caddisfly families that are accurately identifiable to family level in the present (# EPT families) field are recorded and released; others are preserved in ethanol for laboratory identification. 4. Percentage of individual macroinvertebrates recorded that were mayflies, stoneflies or Scientific keys are used to identify laboratory caddisflies (% EPT). specimens, with most taxa identified to family
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 5 Scores for the above factors are based on comparisons Ecological water quality with other Blue Mountains urban streams and pristine local reference streams. For each factor at each site, At each site pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, a score between 0 and 5 was allocated, to signify temperature, electrical conductivity and salinity are how the site’s result compared with results from recorded using a Hydrolab Quanta probe (triplicate other urban sites. This process was repeated, with readings). Water samples are collected and analysed scores from 0 to 5 assigned to signify how the site’s in Council’s Laboratory for alkalinity, available result compared with reference sites. Factor scores phosphorus, nitrate-n and faecal coliforms, as per test assigned to each site were then averaged, and an kit manufacturers’ instructions. overall waterway health rating applied according To aid interpretation of water quality results, a to Table 2 below. series of local trigger values have been developed Table 2. Allocating waterway health ratings (adapted from ANZECC, 2000, 7.4.4), using the 95th/5th percentile values from Blue Mountains reference site data (2010-2015). Separate trigger AVERAGE WATERWAY values are specified for upper (>500m ASL) and lower FACTOR SCORE HEALTH RATING (<500m ASL) mountains sites in recognition of the underlying natural differences in some indicators due 0-0.99 Very Poor to geological variation etc. This system serves as an ‘early warning’ mechanism, where test results outside 1.00-1.99 Poor of trigger values can indicate potential problems (ANZECC, 2000). 2.00-2.99 Fair
3.00-3.99 Good
4.00-5.00 Excellent
There is a separate rating system for wetlands and standing water bodies, using the same process to compare with other regional wetland sites.
For a full explanation of the methods and scoring systems, see the Waterway Health Reports from 2017 and 2016 (BMCC 2018, BMCC 2017).
Using a water quality probe to measure key aspects of water quality, such as pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen.
6 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council Results
Waterway health ratings
An overview of the results at urban sites in 2017 and 2018 sampling seasons is shown in Table 3. In addition to the 9 reference sites sampled each year, a total of 50 urban sites were sampled in 2017, and 48 in 2018. Due to extended low rainfall conditions, seven sites were not flowing enough to sample in 2018.
Table 3. Overview of urban site ratings 2017-18
RATING 2017 2018
Number % Number %
Excellent 6 12 12 25
Good 19 38 19 40
Fair 20 40 13 27
Poor 5 10 4 8
Total 50 48
Dry 7
An overview of the results at each site monitored from 2016 to 2018 is provided in Table 4.
These waterway health ratings from 2018 results are mapped below. Figure 1 shows the locations of major catchments in the LGA, and Figure 2 to Figure 9 map sites and their ratings by major catchment.
Only the portions of catchments that are within the Blue Mountains LGA are shown on the maps.
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 7 Table 4. Overview of health ratings at all urban sites monitored in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Results displayed are average factor scores, and corresponding health ratings.
SITECODE WATERWAY 2016 2017 2018 MIN MAX 3YRMEAN
Colo River catchment
Waterfall 01CMW 4.125 Excellent 4.25 Excellent 4 Excellent 4 4.25 4.125 Excellent Creek
Coxs River catchment
Fairy Dell 03BMV 4.875 Excellent 3.875 Good 4.25 Excellent 3.875 4.875 4.333 Excellent Creek
Centennial 09BBH 3.375 Good 3.25 Good 3.625 Good 3.25 3.625 3.417 Good Glen Creek
Pulpit Hill 10BMG 4.875 Excellent 3.875 Good 3.625 Good 3.625 4.875 4.125 Excellent Creek
Megalong 11BMG 4.625 Excellent 3.625 Good 3.625 Good 3.625 4.625 3.958 Good Creek
Pulpit Hill 13BMG Creek 4.25 Excellent 2.125 Fair 2.375 Fair 2.125 4.25 2.917 Fair tributary
Megalong 18BKT Creek 4 Excellent 3 Good 3.125 Good 3 4 3.375 Good tributary
80BMG Back Creek New in 2018 4 Excellent
Erskine Creek catchment
Bedford 30EHZ 4.5 Excellent 4.375 Excellent 4.625 Excellent 4.375 4.625 4.500 Excellent Creek
Terrace Falls 31EHZ 3.875 Good 4.25 Excellent 3.75 Good 3.75 4.25 3.958 Good Creek
Lawson 55ELW 2.25 Fair 2.375 Fair 2.5 Fair 2.25 2.5 2.375 Fair Creek
Cataract 57ELW 2.125 Fair 1.875 Poor 2.125 Fair 1.875 2.125 2.042 Fair Creek
Bedford Creek 74EBB 3.625 Good 3 Good 4 Excellent 3 4 3.542 Good tributary @ Red Gum
Bedford 76EBB creek 3.125 Good tributary
Wilsons Glen New sites in 2018 77EWD 3.875 Good Creek
Erskine 79EGK 4.25 Excellent Creek
Glenbrook catchment
Magdala 37.2NSP 3.125 Good 2.25 Fair Dry 2.25 3.125 2.688 Fair Creek
Glenbrook 38.2NVH Creek 3.5 Good 3.375 Good Dry 3.375 3.5 3.438 Good tributary
Florabella 47NBX 2 Fair 2 Fair Dry 2 2 2.000 Fair Pass Creek
8 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council SITECODE WATERWAY 2016 2017 2018 MIN MAX 3YRMEAN
Glenbrook 51NGK 3 Good 2.5 Fair 2.625 Fair 2.5 3 2.708 Fair Creek
Glenbrook 72NSP 4.125 Excellent 4.375 Excellent 3.75 Good 3.75 4.375 4.083 Excellent Creek
Grose River catchment
Grose River 04GMV 3.5 Good 3.625 Good 4.75 Excellent 3.5 4.75 3.958 Good tributary
Hat Hill 06GBH 4.25 Excellent 4 Excellent 3.375 Good 3.375 4.25 3.875 Good Creek
Popes Glen 07GBH 3.25 Good 2.125 Fair 2.625 Fair 2.125 3.25 2.667 Fair Creek
Bridal Veil 08GBH 4.125 Excellent 3.125 Good 3.5 Good 3.125 4.125 3.583 Good Creek
12GMB Adams Creek 4 Excellent 3.25 Good 3.5 Good 3.25 4 3.583 Good
Yosemite 15.2GKT 3.75 Good 3.875 Good 2.5 Fair 2.5 3.875 3.375 Good Creek
Katoomba 16GKT 1.75 Poor 3.25 Good 3 Good 1.75 3.25 2.667 Fair Creek
Govetts 17.2GLA 2.875 Fair 2.625 Fair 2.625 2.875 2.750 Fair Creek
Govetts 17GLA 3.375 Good 4.25 Excellent 3.375 4.25 3.813 Good Creek
Wentworth 25.2GWF 5 Excellent 4.75 Excellent 4.75 5 4.875 Excellent Creek
Wentworth 25GWF 4.375 Excellent 4.375 4.375 4.375 Excellent Creek
Water 26GWF 2.375 Fair 2 Fair 3 Good 2 3 2.458 Fair Nymphs Dell
29GLW Dantes Glen 3.25 Good 2.875 Fair 2.875 Fair 2.875 3.25 3.000 Good
Hazelbrook 33GHZ 3.625 Good 2.875 Fair 4.125 Excellent 2.875 4.125 3.542 Good Creek
Woodford 34GWD 4.625 Excellent 3.375 Good 4.125 Excellent 3.375 4.625 4.042 Excellent Creek
Linden Creek 35GFB 3.5 Good 4.375 Excellent 3.5 4.375 3.938 Good tributary
Springwood 36GSP 2.5 Fair 2.25 Fair Dry 2.25 2.5 2.375 Fair Creek
78GLN Bulls Creek New site in 2018 3.75 Good
Kedumba River catchment
Kedumba 19BKT 2.25 Fair 2.125 Fair 2.375 Fair 2.125 2.375 2.250 Fair Creek
Leura Falls 20BLA 3.25 Good 2.5 Fair 3.375 Good 2.5 3.375 3.042 Good Creek
Gordon 21BLA 2.375 Fair 1.625 Poor 2 Fair 1.625 2.375 2.000 Fair Creek
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 9 SITECODE WATERWAY 2016 2017 2018 MIN MAX 3YRMEAN
Kedumba River Catchment continued
22.2BWF Lillians Glen 4.25 Excellent 3.25 Good 4 Excellent 3.25 4.25 3.833 Good
Jamison 23.2BWF 3.25 Good 3.5 Good 3.375 Good 3.25 3.5 3.375 Good Creek
Wentworth 24BWF 4 Excellent 4.5 Excellent 4.625 Excellent 4 4.625 4.375 Excellent Falls Lake
Leura Falls 58BLA 1.875 Poor 1.125 Poor 2.125 Fair 1.125 2.125 1.708 Poor Creek
Leura Falls 59BLA 3.375 Good 2.875 Fair 1.75 Poor 1.75 3.375 2.667 Fair Creek
Jamison 61BWF 2 Fair 2.125 Fair 1.75 Poor 1.75 2.125 1.958 Poor Creek
Jamison Very 62BWF 2 Fair 0.5 1.625 Poor 0.5 2 1.375 Poor Creek Poor
Nepean River catchment
Fitzgerald 39NSV 2.75 Fair 2.5 Fair 2.75 Fair 2.5 2.75 2.667 Fair Creek
Long Angle 40NSV 2.625 Fair 2 Fair 3.25 Good 2 3.25 2.625 Fair Creek
Blue Gum 41NWL Swamp 2.875 Fair Dry 2.875 2.875 2.875 Fair Creek
43.2NYK Frasers Creek 4.125 Excellent 3 Good 3.5 Good 3 4.125 3.542 Good
Frasers Creek 44NYK 2 Fair 3.625 Good Dry 2 3.625 2.813 Fair tributary
Cripple 45.2NBX 2.25 Fair 2.375 Fair 2.875 Fair 2.25 2.875 2.500 Fair Creek
Strathdon 46NEH 2.875 Fair Dry 2.875 2.875 2.875 Fair Creek
Lapstone 48NGK 2.125 Fair 2.125 Fair Dry 2.125 2.125 2.125 Fair Creek
Glenbrook 49NGK 2.00 Fair 1.75 Poor 1.75 Poor 1.25 2.00 1.833 Poor Lagoon
Knapsack 50NEP 2.375 Fair 1.25 Poor Dry 1.25 2.375 1.813 Poor Creek
10 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council Figure 1. Location of major catchment areas within the Blue Mountains LGA
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 11
Figure 2. Colo River Catchment‐ waterway health ratings
Figure 2. Colo River Catchment waterway health ratings
12 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council
Figure 3. Upper Grose River catchment‐ waterway health ratings
Figure 3. Upper Grose River catchment waterway health ratings
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 13
Figure 4. Lower Grose River catchment‐ waterway health ratings
Figure 4. Lower Grose River catchment waterway health ratings
14 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council
Figure 5. Coxs River catchment‐ waterway health ratings Figure 5. Coxs River catchment waterway health ratings
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 15
Figure 6. Kedumba River catchment‐ waterway health ratings
Figure 6. Kedumba River catchment waterway health ratings
16 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council
Figure 7. Erskine Creek catchment‐ waterway health ratings
Figure 7. Erskine Creek catchment waterway health ratings
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 17
Figure 8. Glenbrook Creek catchment‐ waterway health ratings
Figure 8. Glenbrook Creek catchment waterway health ratings
18 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council
Figure 9.Nepean River catchment‐ waterway health ratings Figure 9. Nepean River catchment waterway health ratings
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 19 20 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council Water quality
Tables 5 and 6 present the 2017 and 2018 average water quality results for the Upper and Lower Blue Mountains respectively.
Table 5. Water quality averages for sites in the Upper Blue Mountains (>500m) in 2017-18. Highlighted values are outside of desirable trigger values.
NITRATE- FAECAL DO (% EC (US/ TURBIDITY ALKALINITY SITECODE WATERWAY YEAR PH NITROGEN COLIFORMS SATURATION) CM@25C) (NTU) (PPM CACO3) (MG/L) (CFU/100ML)
4.37- Trigger Values (desirable range) 63.28- 100.38 <65 <12.25 <10.9 <0.24 <20 7.24
Colo River catchment
Waterfall 01CMW 2017 6.41 86.97 55.67 8.30 10 0.15 Creek
Waterfall 01CMW 2018 6.59 90.77 91.00 12 10 Creek
Coxs River catchment
Fairy Dell 03BMV 2017 7.30 97.10 78.00 5.67 0.10 0 Creek
Fairy Dell 03BMV 2018 6.32 93.23 89.67 12 0.07 30 Creek
Centennial 09BBH 2017 7.19 89.10 53.00 7.40 0.21 0 Glen Creek
Centennial 09BBH 2018 6.00 97.27 72.33 20 0.12 Glen Creek
Pulpit Hill 10BMG 2017 7.23 56.37 59.67 3.70 10 0.09 20 Creek
Pulpit Hill 10BMG 2018 6.40 68.23 79.00 12 2.24 0 Creek
Megalong 11BMG 2017 7.04 85.43 51.67 4.47 8 0.12 20 Creek
Megalong 11BMG 2018 6.79 89.23 66.33 12 0.14 0 Creek Pulpit 13BMG Hill Creek 2017 7.20 55.77 105.67 3.57 18 0.09 30 tributary Pulpit 13BMG Hill Creek 2018 6.48 58.63 139.00 16 0.10 0 tributary Megalong 18BKT Creek 2017 5.49 80.07 37.67 7.90 4 0.09 0 tributary Megalong 18BKT Creek 2018 5.62 97.07 44.00 6 0.16 tributary
80BMG Back Creek 2018 44 0.17 0 Identifying waterbugs at Megalong Creek Tributary at Megalong Creek Identifying waterbugs
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 21 NITRATE- FAECAL DO (% EC (US/ TURBIDITY ALKALINITY SITECODE WATERWAY YEAR PH NITROGEN COLIFORMS SATURATION) CM@25C) (NTU) (PPM CACO3) (MG/L) (CFU/100ML)
Erskine Creek catchment
30EHZ Bedford Creek 2017 6.48 85.47 51.67 7.17 8 0.05 0
30EHZ Bedford Creek 2018 6.51 102.57 63.33 8 0.28 10
Terrace Falls 31EHZ 2017 5.58 88.23 53.67 9.40 4 0.00 90 Creek
Terrace Falls 31EHZ 2018 5.95 104.83 65.67 6 0.21 0 Creek
55ELW Lawson Creek 2017 6.74 76.60 134.00 7.53 28 0.34 0
55ELW Lawson Creek 2018 6.42 87.50 135.33 23 0.24 30
57ELW Cataract Creek 2017 6.60 75.47 102.67 67.73 15 0.47 0
57ELW Cataract Creek 2018 6.52 96.10 120.00 25 0.47 10
Bedford Creek 74EBB tributary @ 2017 6.86 84.00 94.33 6.30 16 0.23 0 Red Gum Bedford Creek 74EBB tributary @ 2018 6.83 98.53 143.33 28 0.31 0 Red Gum Bedford creek 76EBB 2018 6.68 94.70 110.00 10.00 14 0.10 0 tributary
Wilsons Glen 77EWD 2018 7.67 97.97 111.00 7.00 8 0.04 0 Creek
79EGK Erskine Creek 2018 6.79 107.73 77.67 12 0
Kedumba River catchment
Kedumba 19BKT 2017 7.13 89.00 73.50 8.10 6 0.24 200 Creek
Kedumba 19BKT 2018 7.37 99.93 63.67 10 0.40 1680 Creek
Leura Falls 20BLA 2017 7.50 89.17 107.33 6.93 16 1.32 4000 Creek
Leura Falls 20BLA 2018 7.25 99.07 150.67 20 1.30 440 Creek
21BLA Gordon Creek 2017 7.07 76.70 72.33 5.10 12 0.20 100
21BLA Gordon Creek 2018 6.73 99.63 74.00 12
22.2BWF Lillians Glen 2017 6.62 89.57 59.33 7.53 0.49 20
22.2BWF Lillians Glen 2018 6.48 102.30 71.67 16 0.19 0
22 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council NITRATE- FAECAL DO (% EC (US/ TURBIDITY ALKALINITY SITECODE WATERWAY YEAR PH NITROGEN COLIFORMS SATURATION) CM@25C) (NTU) (PPM CACO3) (MG/L) (CFU/100ML)
23.2BWF Jamison Creek 2017 6.71 87.67 69.33 8.33 8 0.31 0
23.2BWF Jamison Creek 2018 6.80 98.40 77.33 9 0.76
Wentworth 24BWF 2017 6.84 69.97 47.33 5.43 8 0.08 0 Falls Lake
Wentworth 24BWF 2018 6.82 97.60 63.00 8 0.18 0 Falls Lake
Leura Falls 58BLA 2017 6.84 64.57 163.33 13.33 32 0.98 23000 Creek
Leura Falls 58BLA 2018 6.99 90.57 198.00 32 0.41 160 Creek
Leura Falls 59BLA 2017 6.35 81.47 106.67 9.13 12 2.84 0 Creek
Leura Falls 59BLA 2018 6.24 97.50 138.00 8 2.92 10 Creek
61BWF Jamison Creek 2017 6.39 61.70 85.00 14.17 20 0.12 0
61BWF Jamison Creek 2018 6.69 79.20 68.33 9 1.46 100
62BWF Jamison Creek 2017 6.52 72.43 101.00 11.30 16 0.16 0
62BWF Jamison Creek 2018 6.52 96.57 77.33 110
Kedumba 73BKT 2017 7.18 106.07 87.33 5.77 0.41 0 River
Kedumba 73BKT 2018 6.67 95.93 99.67 16 0.29 0 River
Upper Grose River catchment
Grose River 04GMV 2017 6.66 85.97 48.00 7.43 0.12 0 tributary
Grose River 04GMV 2018 6.38 87.30 62.50 12 1.85 0 tributary
06GBH Hat Hill Creek 2017 5.80 85.15 43.00 8.10 3 0.07 0
06GBH Hat Hill Creek 2018 7.32 98.60 42.00 4 0.19 0
Popes Glen 07GBH 2017 7.04 82.17 96.33 6.20 18 0.21 0 Creek
Popes Glen 07GBH 2018 6.90 96.80 110.33 12 0.33 0 Creek
Bridal Veil 08GBH 2017 7.81 85.60 55.67 5.10 0 Creek
Bridal Veil 08GBH 2018 6.99 100.73 73.67 8 0.30 0 Creek
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 23 NITRATE- FAECAL DO (% EC (US/ TURBIDITY ALKALINITY SITECODE WATERWAY YEAR PH NITROGEN COLIFORMS SATURATION) CM@25C) (NTU) (PPM CACO3) (MG/L) (CFU/100ML)
12GMB Adams Creek 2017 7.32 94.70 50.33 7.40 0.08 0
12GMB Adams Creek 2018 6.63 101.00 72.00 10 0.14
Yosemite 15.2GKT 2017 6.75 81.65 83.50 13.75 12 0.63 10 Creek
Yosemite 15.2GKT 2018 7.09 101.03 99.00 12 0.38 50 Creek
Katoomba 16GKT 2017 6.21 82.07 94.33 3.13 12 0.46 70 Creek
Katoomba 16GKT 2018 6.50 96.23 94.67 16 0.41 300 Creek
17.2GLA Govetts Creek 2017 6.30 82.40 65.67 6.93 8 0.62 220
17.2GLA Govetts Creek 2018 6.25 96.92 66.80 12 0.61
17GLA Govetts Creek 2017 6.66 85.00 60.33 6.63 8 0.63 0
Terrace Falls, Hazelbrook
24 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council Table 6. Water quality averages for sites in the Lower Blue Mountains (<500m) in 2017-18. Highlighted values are outside of desirable trigger values
NITRATE- FAECAL DO (% EC (US/ TURBIDITY ALKALINITY SITECODE WATERWAY YEAR PH NITROGEN COLIFORMS SATURATION) CM@25C) (NTU) (PPM CACO3) (MG/L) (CFU/100ML)
5.21- Trigger Values (desirable range) 72.99- 108.37 <208 <15.09 <27.6 <0.24 <64 7.73
Glenbrook Creek catchment
37.2NSP Magdala Creek 2017 5.92 57.07 144.33 3.40 12 0.12 200
Glenbrook 38.2NVH 2017 6.47 56.03 116.33 5.60 6 0.30 0 Creek tributary
Florabella Pass 47NBX 2017 6.58 47.47 153.00 6.80 8 0.06 0 Creek
Glenbrook 51NGK 2017 5.82 56.80 136.67 5.53 4 0.18 0 Creek
Glenbrook 51NGK 2018 5.67 94.53 187.67 8 0.16 50 Creek
Glenbrook 72NSP 2017 6.16 100.17 120.33 4.93 0.12 0 Creek
Glenbrook 72NSP 2018 5.71 89.13 188.00 6 0.05 0 Creek
Lower Grose River catchment
Wentworth 25.2GWF 2017 6.46 86.60 46.33 9.00 8 0.16 0 Creek
Wentworth 25.2GWF 2018 5.99 98.37 44.67 0.44 0 Creek
Water Nymphs 26GWF 2017 7.39 87.53 95.00 6.20 16 0.31 0 Dell
Water Nymphs 26GWF 2018 6.75 98.07 118.00 12 0.33 40 Dell
29GLW Dantes Glen 2017 7.05 93.77 93.33 9.60 16 0.42 0
29GLW Dantes Glen 2018 7.11 96.90 138.00 4.10 12 0.09 0
Hazelbrook 33GHZ 2017 6.86 88.73 109.00 4.40 12 0.43 20 Creek
Hazelbrook 33GHZ 2018 7.30 89.00 129.00 1.43 16 0.25 0 Creek
Woodford 34GWD 2017 6.55 83.10 84.00 5.33 6 0.08 0 Creek
Woodford 34GWD 2018 5.68 96.33 91.67 10 0.09 40 Creek
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 25 NITRATE- FAECAL DO (% EC (US/ TURBIDITY ALKALINITY SITECODE WATERWAY YEAR PH NITROGEN COLIFORMS SATURATION) CM@25C) (NTU) (PPM CACO3) (MG/L) (CFU/100ML)
Linden Creek 35GFB 2017 6.93 100.90 109.00 5.47 8 0.05 0 tributary
Linden Creek 35GFB 2018 6.99 84.10 179.00 0.00 14 0.08 0 tributary
Springwood 36GSP 2017 7.60 89.03 159.33 3.87 20 0.08 80 Creek
78GLN Bulls Creek 2018 6.58 101.30 74.33 8 0.07 0
Nepean River catchment
Fitzgerald 39NSV 2017 6.95 90.17 169.33 13.07 32 0.17 120 Creek
Fitzgerald 39NSV 2018 6.32 55.27 321.33 32 0.32 260 Creek
Long Angle 40NSV 2017 5.75 83.27 170.67 4.50 8 0.07 Creek
Long Angle 40NSV 2018 4.89 34.93 322.33 11 0.35 10 Creek
Blue Gum 41NWL 2017 6.43 60.40 111.00 5.57 8 0.08 0 Swamp Creek
43.2NYK Frasers Creek 2017 6.37 83.57 177.00 4.73 8 0.24 0
43.2NYK Frasers Creek 2018 5.33 82.60 264.00 17 0.19 10
Frasers Creek 44NYK 2017 6.77 73.50 207.67 6.23 16 0.04 20 tributary
45.2NBX Cripple Creek 2017 6.76 84.73 170.67 8.90 20 0.00 170
45.2NBX Cripple Creek 2018 6.41 90.50 258.67 24 0.28 10
Strathdon 46NEH 2017 6.90 58.07 177.00 4.97 20 0.04 0 Creek
Lapstone 48NGK 2017 7.26 89.27 251.00 7.00 20 0.14 60 Creek
Glenbrook 49NGK 2017 6.48 52.00 158.25 7.73 24 0.08 10 Lagoon
Glenbrook 49NGK 2018 6.36 86.90 204.67 20 0.02 0 Lagoon
Knapsack 50NEP 2017 7.02 86.73 265.00 5.23 28 0.12 250 Creek
Glenbrook 63NGK 2017 6.54 53.70 161.67 6.70 20 0.13 10 Lagoon
26 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council NITRATE- FAECAL DO (% EC (US/ TURBIDITY ALKALINITY SITECODE WATERWAY YEAR PH NITROGEN COLIFORMS SATURATION) CM@25C) (NTU) (PPM CACO3) (MG/L) (CFU/100ML)
Glenbrook 63NGK 2018 6.37 76.60 209.00 20 0.05 20 Lagoon
Glenbrook 64NGK 2017 6.66 58.17 159.00 5.47 20 0.13 50 Lagoon
Glenbrook 64NGK 2018 6.43 85.97 211.00 16 0.16 20 Lagoon
Glenbrook 65NGK 2017 6.69 56.60 169.33 5.33 24 0.11 100 Lagoon
Glenbrook 65NGK 2018 6.91 122.07 211.33 20 0.57 Lagoon
Glenbrook 66NGK 2017 6.71 52.67 164.33 5.07 24 0.07 40 Lagoon
Glenbrook 66NGK 2018 6.68 88.10 211.33 24 0.02 140 Lagoon
Glenbrook 67NGK 2017 6.65 51.30 169.00 4.70 Lagoon
Glenbrook 67NGK 2018 6.70 87.13 209.33 20 0.04 20 Lagoon
Cedar Creek, a local Reference Site, which has not been impacted by urban development.
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 27 • Ensure the location is free from signs of pollution Recreational such as discoloured water, odour or ‘urban’ debris in the water (such as rubbish, exotic leaves etc) water quality • Keep water out of ears, eyes, nose and mouth (i.e. keep head above water) The waterway health ratings contained in this report • Avoid water contact with broken skin such as cuts, represent the condition of the aquatic ecosystems and bites or grazes do not necessarily correlate with how water quality at each site may affect human health. For example, • Remember that the very young, very old and those Megalong Creek at Old Ford Reserve, Megalong Valley with compromised immunity are at greater risk of was given a ‘good’ waterway health rating in 2018 illness due to contact with poor quality water. (based on its diverse and sensitive macroinvertebrate community), yet the same site is generally rated as For more information on recreational water quality in having ‘poor’ recreational water quality due to raised the Blue Mountains, including full results, please refer enterococci levels thought to come from upstream to Council’s 2019 Recreational Water Quality Report grazing. (Beachwatch, 2019). Megalong Creek is not alone: many Blue Mountains waterways are susceptible to faecal pollution (from sewer faults, stormwater pollution and inputs from agricultural animals) and bacterial water quality is not always suitable for swimming. Faecal pollution is more likely during and for up to three days following rain, however it is possible for contamination to occur at any time, even during dry weather.
Common ailments associated with swimming in contaminated water are eye, ear, nose and throat infections, skin diseases and gastrointestinal disorders. Following these general rules will help minimise the risk of infection due to contact with contaminated water:
1. Avoid all contact with waterways during and for up to three days following rain
2. If considering swimming during dry weather conditions:
• Understand the catchment area for the waterway and the associated risks of water pollution (look at Google Maps/Earth, a topographic map or ask Council for advice)
Megalong Creek near the Old Ford camping area.
28 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council In 2018-19, all historical data from the program was Discussion and consolidated into two databases (one for water quality, and one for macroinvertebrates and health ratings). This enables the data to be used more frequently and conclusion flexibly, to inform management, and to respond to requests for information for specific catchments and In 2018, seven sites were too dry to sample, due waterways. Council’s aquatic monitoring programs to prolonged periods of low rainfall. Of the ‘urban’ will continue to assess the condition of local waterways that were sampled in 2018, 65% were rated waterways over time, guiding catchment and as being in good or excellent health. Waterway health waterway management and keeping our community was rated as fair for 27% of sites, and poor for the up-to-date with reliable, science-based information. remaining 8%. A full report with an analysis of trends and issues over Results are consistent in indicating that impairment at the sampling years of 2016-2019 will be prepared in degraded sites is generally due to stormwater runoff 2020, in line with the State of the City Reporting. from urban areas.
Council is working to protect good condition waterways and improve the health of impaired waterways, by implementing the Local Environment and Development Control Plans, constructing stormwater treatment systems, rehabilitating creeklines, delivering catchment restoration projects and running community engagement and education programs. The forthcoming Water Sensitive Blue Mountains Strategic Plan will help the city manage our water resources more holistically.
The results from this monitoring program have recently been used to inform the development of a Water Sensitive Blue Mountains Catchment Plan. This categorises catchments within the Blue Mountains LGA based on information including waterway health ratings, ‘directly connected imperviousness’ (i.e. proportion of a catchment with hard surfaces that discharge stormwater into waterways), and profile of downstream sites. This allows different management approaches to be identified for each catchment, such as ‘Active Management’, ‘Monitoring’ or ‘Targeted Restoration’.
Megalong Creek near the Old Ford camping area. Wentworth Falls in flood
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 29 Hawking, J. and Theischinger, G., 1999. Dragonfly References Larvae (Odonata): A guide to the identification of larvae of Australian families and to the identification and ecology of larvae from NSW, Murray-Darling Australian and New Zealand Environment and Freshwater Research Centre, Albury Conservation Council (ANZECC), 2000. Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine Micromex Research (2018) Blue Mountains City Council water quality. Volume 1, The guidelines Beachwatch, Community Satisfaction Research 2018. Available at 2019. Assessment of potential recreational swimming bmcc.nsw.gov.au/publications/looking-forward- locations in the Blue Mountains City Council integrated-plans local government area. Available at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/waterquality Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, 2015. Online guide for the identification and ecology of Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC), 2018. Australian freshwater invertebrates, Murray-Darling Blue Mountains Waterways Health Report 2017. Freshwater Research Centre. Available at: Available at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/waterquality mdfrc.org.au/bugguide/
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC), 2017. Waterbug Company, 2016, The Waterbug App, Blue Mountains Waterways Health Report 2016. The Waterbug Company, Hobart. Available at: Blue Mountains City Council, Katoomba. Available thewaterbugapp.com/ at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/waterquality Wright, I.A. 2012, Review of Blue Mountains City Dean, J., St Clair, R. and Cartwright, D. 2004. Council’s Macroinvertebrate Data and Monitoring Identification keys to Australian families and genera Program 2009-2010: Final Report, prepared for of Caddis-fly larvae (Trichoptera), Co-operative Blue Mountains City Council Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, Albury
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) NSW, 2004, New South Wales (NSW) Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) Sampling and Processing Manual, DEC, Sydney
Gooderham, J. and Tsyrlin, E. 2002. The Waterbug Book, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne A native spiny crayfish (Euastacus australasiensis) being returned to the creek after being weighed and measured during crayfish surveys. during crayfish weighed and measured after to the creek being returned being australasiensis) (Euastacus crayfish spiny A native
30 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council A native spiny crayfish (Euastacus australasiensis) being returned to the creek after being weighed and measured during crayfish surveys. during crayfish weighed and measured after to the creek being returned being australasiensis) (Euastacus crayfish spiny A native
Blue Mountains City Council - Blue Mountains Waterways 31 Contact
Katoomba Office Postal Address 2 Civic Place Locked Bag 1005 Katoomba NSW 2780 Katoomba NSW 2780 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm Email Springwood Office [email protected] 104 Macquarie Road Council Website Springwood NSW 2777 bmcc.nsw.gov.au Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Have Your Say Website Telephone bluemountainshaveyoursay.com.au For local call cost: Lower Mountains 4723 5000 Upper Mountains 4780 5000
32 Blue Mountains Waterways - Blue Mountains City Council