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An Assessment of the Physical and Ecological Condition of the Victoria River and Its Major Tributaries

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An Assessment of the Physical and Ecological Condition of the Victoria River and Its Major Tributaries Top End Waterways Project VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT An Assessment of the Physical and Ecological Condition of the Victoria River and its Major Tributaries Technical Report No. 40/2004K S.L. Kirby & J.J. Faulks Conservation and Natural Resources Group Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Katherine, NT December 2004 Photograph on front cover: Wickham River, Helimuster dreaming Photographs on this page (top to bottom): Baobab tree Water Monitor in Gregory National Park Victoria River, leave only footprints … Victoria River Photograph on next page: Jasper Gorge, Gregory National Park Top End Waterways Project VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT An Assessment of the Physical and Ecological Condition of the Victoria River and its Major Tributaries by S.L. Kirby & J.J. Faulks Conservation and Natural Resources Group Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment Katherine, NT December 2004 Technical Report No. 40/2004K i Technical Report No. 40/2004K ISBN 0 7245 4872 6 The report is available from the following locations: • DIPE Information Resource Centre, Darwin, Northern Territory Library, Darwin, and the National Library, Canberra, through interlibrary loan; • DIPE website http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/water-resources/surface/topendwaterways/index.html; and • Katherine Regional Office of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment (DIPE) as a hard copy or CD. Inquiries should be addressed to: Regional Manager, Natural Resources Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment PMB 123 Katherine, Northern Territory Australia 0851 Phone: (08) 8973 8100 Fax: (08) 8973 8122 © Northern Territory of Australia, 2005 Top End Waterways Project VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT ii Acknowledgeme nts The Top End Waterways Project commenced in 1995 to assess the ecological condition of the Daly, Roper and Victoria Rivers and their major tributaries with joint funding from the Natural Heritage Trust and Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment (DIPE). Field work for the three rivers was undertaken between 1995 and 1999 and the Daly River and Roper River Reports were completed in 1998 and 2001 respectively. Further funding for writing up this report has been provided by the Natural Heritage Trust and DIPE, and the Victoria River District Conservation Association (VRDCA) has contributed to the report printing costs. I have handled the co-ordination and management of all aspects of the project since 1995 and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Dealing with the usual staffing issues, time constraints and budgetary concerns was a constant challenge. Developing a suitable assessment method for Northern Territory Rivers was an extremely worthwhile experience, as was the production of a database and report template. Organising and undertaking the field assessment was a challenge in this Top End environment. I was assisted with field surveys and data collection throughout the Victoria River catchment by Mathew Connelly, Brent Whitworth and Jim Cryer. The memorable estuary trip was undertaken with the assistance of Nigel Scullion and Angus Cameron. The helpfulness of everyone throughout the field surveys was extremely appreciated. The great sites and experiences will never be forgotten. Particular thanks to Jane Lloyd (nee Suggit) for letting me tag along on one of her Ausrivas data collection trips with Steve Sly; allowing me to experience my first ride in a Jet Ranger helicopter and taking the time to establish the important link between our two projects. I am extremely grateful to Sally Kirby who took all the collected information and did such a wonderful job in compiling it into this finished report. Judy Faulks I was employed in March 2003 to complete the Victoria River Report and associated maps detailing findings and management issues. It was a challenge checking data and knowing I had to write a report without visiting any of the sites, however having a report template and Judy’s assistance every step of the way has made the whole experience very rewarding and enjoyable. I would also like to thank Caroline Green for her patience and all her help compiling the GIS information and producing the maps for the report. I will also take this opportunity to thank all of the DIPE staff in Katherine for allowing me to work part time from home whilst on maternity leave, and for putting up with Ella on her frequent visits to the office. I have enjoyed working on the project, and hope you are satisfied with the results. Sally Kirby Both authors would like to acknowledge the contributions made by the following people throughout the project: Redgum Technology designed and implemented the database and associated queries. This input has been invaluable, as the database can now be built on, and the queries have been set up so that new data can be interrogated to give meaningful results, with little effort. The GIS support, mapping and vegetation sketches were provided by Caroline Green, DIPE (Katherine). Caroline’s attention to detail is tireless, and we are extremely grateful for her expertise and patience. Data entry and general assistance was provided by Jenny Orton, Megan Morris and Gwen Anderson. Flow and water quality data was supplied by Steve Tickell, Rodney Metcalfe, Gary Willis and Peter Dostine, DIPE (Darwin). Stream ordering was thankfully undertaken by Dave Williams, DIPE (Darwin). Landform information was reworked and kindly provided by Brian Lynch, Co-operative Research Centre for Tropical Savannah Management. Most of the photographs in the report were taken during field surveys; however Annemarie vanDoorne, Patrick Carmody and Royce Sample provided some additional photos which are appreciated. Background information was supplied by various people within DIPE (Darwin), the VRDCA Co-ordinator(s), Parks and Wildlife Services NT (PWS), Timber Creek Local Council and DBIRD. Special thanks to Maria Wauchope for answering endless questions about Gregory and Keep River National Parks. Identification of the large quantity of vegetation samples was carried out by the NT Herbarium (PWS). Support, information and comments were also supplied by a number of other DIPE staff members within the Katherine and Darwin offices. Thanks also to the property owners/managers and Aboriginal communities who allowed access to the survey sites located on their lands and provided background information on the rivers and creeks. This first hand knowledge of the area is an invaluable contribution to the project. Top End Waterways Project VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT iii Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii LIST OF FIGURES v LIST OF TABLES vi LIST OF CHARTS viii LIST OF MAPS ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY x Overview x Summary of Victoria River Catchment Condition xi Summary of Victoria River Sub-catchments Condition xiv Conclusions and Broad Management Issues xvi Recommendations xxi 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. OVERVIEW OF THE VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT 2 2.1 Location 2 2.2 Climate 2 2.3 Geology, Geomorphology and Landform 4 2.4 Vegetation, Important Habitat Areas and Fauna 7 2.5 Land Tenure, Use and Management 11 2.6 Water Resources 14 3. METHODS 23 3.1 Background to Methodology 23 3.2 Scope and Limitations 23 3.3 Follow-up Surveys 24 3.4 Sampling Strategy 24 3.5 Survey Components 25 3.6 Data Analyses and Presentation of Information 29 4. CATCHMENT RESULTS 31 4.1 Reach Environs and Site Features 31 4.2 Channel Habitat Types, Diversity and Dimensions 32 4.3 Bank Condition and Stability 34 4.4 Bed and Bar Condition and Stability 36 4.5 Bed and Bank Sediments 37 4.6 Riparian Vegetation 39 4.7 Aquatic Vegetation 43 4.8 Instream and Bank Habitats 44 4.9 Overall Condition 45 Top End Waterways Project VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT iv Table of Contents 5. SUB-CATCHMENT RESULTS 46 5.1 Victoria River 47 5.2 Bullo River 55 5.3 Baines River 57 5.4 Angalarri River 59 5.5 Gregory and Delamere Creeks 61 5.6 Battle Creek 63 5.7 Jasper Creek 65 5.8 Wickham and Humbert Rivers 67 5.9 Gordon Creek 69 5.10 Armstrong River 71 5.11 Camfield River 73 5.12 Giles or Wattie Creek 75 6. SUMMARY – VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT 77 7. CONCLUSIONS, BROAD MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS 79 REFERENCES 85 GLOSSARY 91 APPENDICES 97 Appendix A List of Sites 98 Appendix B Summary of Data Sheet Information 100 Appendix C Summary of the Condition and Stability Ratings 106 Appendix D Riparian Vegetation Species Recorded in Victoria River Catchment 115 MAPS 120 Top End Waterways Project VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT v List of Figures LIST OF FIGURES 2. OVERVIEW OF THE VICTORIA RIVER CATCHMENT Figure 2.1 Mean Monthly Rainfall for Timber Creek (1981-2003) 2 Figure 2.2 Mean Monthly Rainfall for Victoria River Downs (1885-2003) 2 Figure 2.3 Total Annual Rainfall for Timber Creek (1982-2003) 3 Figure 2.4 Total Annual Rainfall for Kidman Springs (1970-2003) 3 Figure 2.5 Total Annual Rainfall for Victoria River Downs (1886-2003) 3 Figure 2.6 Location and Reference Details for Land System, Land Unit and Soil Mapping Surveys in the Victoria River Catchment 5 Figure 2.7 Elevations throughout the Victoria River Catchment 6 Figure 2.8 Location of Flow Gauge Stations and Water Quality Sampling Sites throughout the Victoria River Catchment 16 Figure 2.9 Mean Monthly Discharge Recorded for Victoria River 18 Figure 2.10 Mean Monthly Discharge Recorded for East Baines, West Baines and Wickham Rivers 18 Figure 2.11 Mean Monthly Discharge Recorded for Timber Creek, Surprise Creek, Armstrong River and Delamere Creek 18 5. SUB-CATCHMENT RESULTS Figure 5.1 Locality Map of Sub-section 1a – Victoria River Estuary
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