Catchment Health Indicator Program 2018

Supported by: In Partnership with: This report was written using data collected by over 200 Waterwatch volunteers. Many thanks to them. Written and produced by the following: Woo O’Reilly – Waterwatch Regional Facilitator Antia Brademann – Region Waterwatch Coordinator Martin Lind – Southern ACT Waterwatch Coordinator Bruno Ferronato – Ginninderra and Yass Region Waterwatch Coordinator Deb Kellock – Molonglo Waterwatch Coordinator Danswell Starrs - Data Management Greg McDonald – Editing Angela Cumming - Design and Maps

The views and opinions expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect those of the ACT Government or Icon Water. For more information on the Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch program go to: http://www.act.waterwatch.org.au The Atlas of Living provides database support to the Waterwatch program. Find all the local Waterwatch data at: http://root.ala.org.au/bdrs-core/umww/home.htm All images are the property of Waterwatch unless otherwise stated. Cover photo of Jan sampling at Gibralter Falls by John Corcoran b Contents Executive Summary 2 Primrose Creek PRI1 68 Queanbeyan QUE1 69 Introduction 4 QUE2 70 Cooma Region Catchment Facts 8 Queanbeyan River QUE3 71 Badja River BAD1 10 Scabbing Flat Creek SCA1 72 Badja River BAD2 11 SUL1 73 River BRD1 12 Sullivans Creek ANU SUL3 74 BRD2 13 Watson Wetlands and Ponds WAT1 75 COO1 14 Weston Creek WES1 76 Cooma Creek COO2 15 Woolshed Creek WOO1 77 Cooma Creek COO3 16 Yandyguinula Creek YAN1 78 Cooma Back Creek COB1 17 Yarralumla Creek YAR1 79 Gungoandra Creek GUD1 18 Southern ACT Catchment Facts 80 KYB1 19 Barney’s Gully MMB1 82 Creek MIC1 20 Bogong Creek Catchment CGB1 83 CMM1 21 Cooleman Ridge Dams RAN1 84 Murrumbidgee River CMM2 22 MCC1 85 Murrumbidgee River CMM3 23 Cotter River MCC2 86 Murrumbidgee River CMM4 24 GIB1 87 Murrumbidgee River CMM5 25 Goodwin Village Pond RAN2 88 Murrumbidgee River CMM6 26 Catchment CGG1 89 River NUM1 27 Hospital Creek Catchment CGH1 90 NUM2 28 Isabella Pond TIP1 91 Numeralla River NUM3 29 Lake Wetlands TLT1 92 Numeralla River NUM4 30 TLT2 93 ROC1 31 Murrumbidgee River CMM7 94 Strike-A-Light River STR1 32 Murrumbidgee River CMM8 95 Ginninderra Catchment Facts 34 Murrumbidgee River CMM9 96 GIN1 36 Murrumbidgee River CMM10 97 Ginninderra Creek GIN2 37 NNN1 98 Ginninderra Creek GIN3 38 Paddy’s River Catchment CTP1 99 Ginninderra Creek GIN4 39 Point Hut Ponds MPG1 100 Ginninderra Creek GIN5 40 MSP1 101 Ginninderra Creek GIN6 41 Swamp Creek LMS1 102 Gooromon Ponds Creek GOO1 42 CTT1 103 Gungaderra Creek GDC1 43 , Upper TUG1 104 Gungahlin Pond GUN2 44 Tuggeranong Creek, Middle TUG2 105 Kippax Creek KIP1 45 Tuggeranong Creek, Lower TUG3 106 McKellar Wetlands MCW1 46 Westwood Farm TMM1 107 Mulligan’s Flat Dam MFL1 47 Yass Catchment Facts 108 Murrumbidgee River CMM11 48 Murrumbidgee River CMM12 110 The Valley Ponds GUN1 49 Murrumbidgee River CMM13 111 Yerrabi Pond YER1 50 YAS1 112 Molonglo Catchment Facts 52 Yass River YAS2 113 Banksia Street Wetland SUW2 54 Yass River YAS3 114 BUR1 55 Yass River YAS4 115 David Street Wetland SUW1 56 Additional Waterwatch Data 116 Dickson Wetland DIC1 57 Googong Creek GGG1 58 Volunteer list 117 Creek JER1 59 Glossary 120 JER2 60 Lyneham Wetland LYN1 61 Abbreviations 121 MOL1 62 Appendix I 122 Molonglo River MOL2 63 Molonglo River MOL3 64 Appendix II 124 Molonglo River MOL4 65 Appendix III 127 Molonglo River MOL5 66 Molonglo River MOL6 67 Appendix IV 129

1 Executive Summary

Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch (Waterwatch) works with the community to monitor, raise awareness, educate, restore and protect our local waterways. Waterwatch has been running in the ACT region since 1995 and covers the Murrumbidgee catchment upstream of (with the exception of the Goodradigbee catchment). The total area monitored by Waterwatch is more than 11,400km2. Two primary functions of the Waterwatch program are to facilitate community engagement through the monitoring and care of local waterways, and to use the data (water quality, macroinvertebrate [water bug] and riparian condition) as an early warning system for aquatic ecosystem health issues. A key output of this program is the annual Catchment Health Indicator Program (CHIP) report, which provides a numerical score of catchment health, displayed in individual reach report cards, using data collected by Waterwatch volunteers. The 2018 CHIP report is based upon 2,081 water quality surveys, 192 water bug surveys and 220 riparian condition surveys conducted by over 200 volunteers. The total number of sites surveyed has increased this year from 222 to 232 with a total of 96 reach report cards produced. An important addition is that we have started to include the number of ‘dry’ surveys conducted in the overall survey tally (ie. when a volunteer has visited their site but it is completely dry). While these do not contribute to the CHIP score, they are an important factor in the condition of the catchment and highlight survey effort. A total of 118 water quality surveys were ‘dry’ in 2018, taking the number of surveys that contributed to the CHIP score down to 1,963. This is still 100 more surveys with data than in the previous CHIP report. From 2018 onwards, the CHIP report will run to a calendar year. Previous editions have run to the financial year, with the last report covering 2016/17. The last six months of 2017 data was not assessed in order to transiton to the 2018 approach. There were two new reaches created in this CHIP year. GIN6 includes the Ginninderra Falls area, and splits the GIN5 reach to better represent the lower a rural landscape (GIN5) from a conservation area (GIN6). Likewise, a new site in the Yass township has enabled us to highlight an urban reach (YAS3) and rural country downstream, before the Yass River enters Burrinjuck Dam (YAS4). All these refinements help to ensure that the data collected best represents the condition of a reach. Also. the key reach of CMM11 on the Murrumbidgee River immediately downstream of the Molonglo River , was data deficient last year due to access issues, but is now reinstated and has received a score this year. Of the 96 reaches presented in this report (Table 1), five were scored as in ‘excellent’ condition. One reach in the Cooma catchment plus four in Southern ACT. A further 37 reaches were scored as being in ‘good’ condition, eight less than last year, and 49 reaches were in ‘fair’ condition, six down on last year. Only three reaches received a ‘poor’, which is one more than last year. Overall, 55% of reaches fell into the fair/poor range which is a rise from 47%. Two reaches have report cards but didn’t receive scores; one was due to their closure for ACT Healthy Waterways construction and the other was data deficient due to being dry for most of the year – despite the volunteer visiting the creek every month. Table 1: CHIP results for 2018. CHIP Result Cooma Ginninderra Molonglo Southern ACT Yass Total Excellent (A) 1 0 0 4 0 5 Good (B) 12 2 8 12 3 37 Fair (C) 10 13 16 7 3 49 Poor (D) 0 0 1 2 0 3 Degraded (E) 0 0 0 0 0 0

The downward trend in scores in 2018 is most likely a result of it being the driest Autumn since 2004 and the driest Winter since 1994 for the ACT region. The three main CHIP parameters were all adversely affected to varying degrees, with water quality showing higher electrical conductivity and lower dissolved oxygen, water bugs being caught in lower numbers and riparian assessments highlighting increases in bare ground. Volunteers, many who have been monitoring for 10+ years, reported their sites ceasing to flow or completely drying up for the first time since they have begun monitoring.

2 The lower water bug numbers would also support the lower number of Platypus recorded in surveys during ‘Platypus Month’ in August. Given Platypus feed almost exclusively on water bugs (eating 25% of their body weight daily), it is believed that they may be forced to move further out of their territory in dry times, in order to meet their dietary requirements. A spike in Platypus sightings in in August, where Platypus are usually only occasionally seen, would also give weight to this theory. When it did rain, it often came in short sharp storms. A prize example is at the Ginninderra CSIRO rain gauge in February 2018. At the 25 February 2018, the gauge had received only 1.8 mm of rain for the entire month. On 26 February, however, it received 98.2mm in 24 hours. When this kind of rain falls on areas of bare ground, with limited trees, bushes or grasses, there is little opportunity to slow the water down and for infiltration and groundwater recharge to take place. Soil is washed into the waterway, creating high turbidity events and resulting in sediment settling on the bottom of the river and choking habitat for fish, water bugs and aquatic plants. Forecasts predict that the weather patterns of 2018 will become more frequent as the impacts of climate change take effect. Given the stress the ecosystems have demonstrated during 2018, it is more important than ever for us to build resilience into waterways and their surrounding catchments. Improving the presence and diversity of aquatic plants in our and wetlands will provide more refuge for water bugs and assist in managing oxygen levels and taking up excess nutrients in the system. Improving the native trees, shrubs and grasses along the edges of our waterways (the riparian zone) will help treat and slow water down, before it enters the system, while also shading the water and maintaining more stable, healthy temperatures. Waterwatch continues to work hard to promote the CHIP to government and community organisations involved in managing our waterways. The success of this, is evident in the increased uptake of the CHIP, with the next State of Environment report due out later in 2019, looking to feature data from the past four CHIP reports. Also, in late 2017, Waterwatch received the ACT Landcare Award for Citizen Science. This is a testament to the thousands of volunteers who have been part of this program for over 20 years. The Waterwatch staff always knew our volunteers were amazing, but it’s nice for someone else to acknowledge it too. Pictured below are some of the staff and volunteers holding said award. The 2018 CHIP report would not have been possible without the generous financial support from ACT government, in partnership with the Australian government, through the ACT Healthy Waterways Program and from Icon Water. Thank you, as always, to the volunteers. This report would not be possible without their continued efforts to collect this important data on the health of our waterways. Particularly in this past year, as volunteers go out to sites that are dry or drying up, their resolve is more important than ever to capture the condition of our waterways and better inform catchment managers. The CHIP continues to rise in profile and be used by more managers and policy makers. The continued collection of large amounts of high quality data is a real credit to the dedication of the volunteers who have demonstrated that with support, they can make a significant contribution to the improvement of our waterways.

3 Introduction

Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch (Waterwatch) engages with the community to monitor, raise awareness, educate, restore and protect our local waterways. Waterwatch has been running in the ACT region since 1995 and covers the Murrumbidgee catchment upstream of Burrinjuck Dam, with the exception of the Goodradigbee catchment. The total area monitored by Waterwatch is more than 11,400km2. Four Waterwatch coordinators support volunteers in the major sub-catchments of Cooma, Molonglo, Southern ACT, Ginninderra and Yass (see Figure 1). Each of these sub-catchments will make up sections I – V of this report. This year, the Yass catchment has increased to six report cards, and continues to be an area of growth for the program. As at 31 December 2018, Waterwatch had 232 active sites being monitored by over 200 volunteers. Waterwatch thanks the generous funding from the ACT government, in partnership with the Australian government, through the ACT Healthy Waterways initiative as well as funding for the Cooma Region through Icon Water. The Atlas of Living Australia also provides support through the maintenance of the database used by the Waterwatch program. At the time of writing this report, the database houses over 29,000 Waterwatch records. The purpose of the CHIP The Waterwatch annual report card is called the Catchment Health Indicator Program (CHIP), based upon the data collected by volunteers throughout the preceding year. The purpose of the report is to give the community a better understanding of water quality and riparian health issues in the catchment as well as providing an ongoing baseline assessment of catchment health, to assist natural resource managers and policy-makers in addressing some of these issues. The CHIP is recognised in the ACT Water Strategy 2014-44 as a way to ‘enhance knowledge and spatial planning for water and catchment management’. How does the CHIP work? Waterwatch volunteers and coordinators collect data relating to water quality, water bugs (macroinvertebrates), and riverbank (riparian) vegetation. The frequency of this data collection is outlined in Table 2. These data sources provide the basis for a composite CHIP score that encompasses physico- chemical properties of water, in-stream water bug diversity and abundance, and riparian vegetation condition. When combined for an individual stretch of waterway (a reach), the data gives us a score that indicates the overall health of that reach. This CHIP score is linked with a colour to produce maps of reaches at both an individual and sub-catchment scale. Importantly, each individual reach map is accompanied by a report card written by the local coordinator. This provides further insight into the state of that reach and possible issues influencing the score. Data from another Waterwatch initiative such as Platypus Month and Carp Love 20°C, as well as from our colleagues at Frogwatch, are also used in these report cards to provide greater context. Technical details regarding the computation of CHIP scores is provided in Appendix II.

Table 2. Summary of data collected to produce the CHIP. Parameter Frequency Number of sites Water Quality pH Monthly All sites Electrical Conductivity Monthly All sites Turbidity Monthly All sites Phosphorus Monthly All sites Nitrate Monthly All sites Dissolved Oxygen Monthly All sites Temperature Monthly All sites Macro-invertebrates SIGNAL 2.0 Biannual (Spring & Autumn) Key sites (min 1/reach) Riparian Condition RARC Biennial All sites

4 Figure 1. Overview of the Upper Murrumbidgee River catchment, outlining the five major sub-catchment areas represented in this report. The Goodradigbee catchment is not included in this report.

5 2018 CHIP The 2018 CHIP report is based upon 2,081 water quality surveys, 192 water bug surveys and 220 riparian condition surveys conducted by over 200 volunteers. The total number of sites surveyed has increased this year from 222 to 232 with a total of 96 reach report cards produced. Two of these report cards didn’t receive scores; one was due to their closure for ACT Healthy Waterways construction and the other was data deficient due to being dry for most of the year – despite the volunteer visiting the creek every month. We have started to include the number of ‘dry’ surveys conducted in the overall survey tally. While these do not contribute to the CHIP score, they are an important factor in the condition of the catchment and vital data to collect in an increasingly unpredictable climate. From 2018 onwards, the CHIP report will run to a calendar year. Previous editions have run to the financial year with the last report covering 2016/17. The last six months of 2017 data was not assessed in order to transiton to the 2018 approach. Thank you, as always, to the volunteers. This report would not be possible without their continued efforts to collect this important data on the health of our waterways. The CHIP continues to rise in profile and be used by more land managers and policy makers. Particularly in this past year, as volunteers go out to sites that are dry or drying up, their resolve is more important than ever to capture the condition of our waterways and better inform catchment managers.

6 .

7 Cooma Region Catchment Facts

The Cooma Region includes the upper Murrumbidgee River mainstem south of the ACT, and the Bredbo, Numeralla, Kybeyan and Badja River sub-catchments. These sub-catchments provide the dominant inflows for the Cooma Region as 99% of the headwaters of the Murrumbidgee River are diverted at Tantangara Dam. Landuse in the Cooma Region includes urban, rural residential, rural (grazing and cropping) and conservation. The lower lying, more fertile areas of the catchment are generally cleared and modified with more intensive landuse and limited native riparian vegetation. The headwaters of catchments are generally less modified and are in better condition. Protection of instream and riparian (riverbank) habitat needs to be prioritised in these areas. The Actions for Clean Water (ACWA) Plan sets out a strategy for improving water quality (targeting turbidity) in the upper Murrumbidgee catchment. It identifies the Numeralla and Bredbo Rivers as high priority catchments where erosion risk was assessed to be very high. Small yet resilient native fish populations are found in the upper Murrumbidgee River catchment including Murray cod, Trout cod and Macquarie perch. cray fish, Water rats, Platypus and Eastern long necked turtles are also found. This is due to the high quality aquatic habitat found in our catchment. The Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach (UMDR) initiative aims to bring together catchment organisations and the broader community to protect high value aquatic habitats and species of the upper Murrumbidgee catchment via protection of habitat, erosion control works, riparian fencing and planting, woody weed control, returning woody debris for fish habitat, native fish stocking and removing Carp. Waterwatch volunteers have been monitoring river health in the Cooma Region since 2010. Their work is helping to tracking progress of improvement works across the catchment.

8 COOMA CATCHMENT 9 ur catchment ur catchment This year Waterwatch has increased its monitoring activity in the headwaters of the upper Murrumbidgee of the upper Murrumbidgee activity in the headwaters its monitoring has increased Waterwatch This year years. the last over apparent increasingly has been habitat impact on in-stream Long Plain. Horse at River a with corelating was observed banks) stream of pugging (trampling extensive year this the snowmelt After sites. affected the worst rise in turbidity at Platypus sightings recorded at our Platypus Month surveys were down in 2018, even at Bush Heritage Bush Heritage at even in 2018, down were surveys Month Platypus at our recorded sightings Platypus was region. Only one Platypus hotspot in the Platypus is a noted which Reserve, Scottsdale Australia’s reports were there Interestingly out there. carried surveys one of the four at the Cooma Creek for recorded This supports the finding Month. Platypus during of the Cooma Creek in other areas sightings of Platypus to lesser due less frequent are sightings years during drought that Conservancy Platypus of the Australian food bugs - their primary water of in search a wider area using well as the Platypus activity as breeding source. experienced tough conditions which impacted on ground cover levels and food availability for grazing for grazing availability food and levels cover on ground which impacted conditions tough experienced riparian and in-stream many in could be noted pressure Grazing and introduced. both native herbivores, dried up completely Cooma Creek pigs. The lower from beds and damage reeds including grazed areas, Cooma in the began monitoring Waterwatch since not been observed year which has times this several in 2010. Region After a very cold, dry and extended Winter and with no significant ‘Spring break’ rain, o break’ ‘Spring and with no significant Winter extended cold, dryvery and a After 2018 in the Cooma Region was notable for its lack of rainfall which impacted heavily on flows. Condition Condition on flows. heavily which impacted rainfall its lack of for notable was Cooma Region 2018 in the this was reaches In many CHIP. the previous to compared declined slightly reaches many for scores bugs water that also showed Autumn bug surveys year’s This bug scores. water in a reduction by driven water Interestingly, sampling effort. consistent despite even some sites, at numbers low in very were seem This may year. during the Creek, in the urban section of Cooma good, to fair from quality improved results also inflows stormwater reduction of a that considers sense when one but makes first, surprising at water quality. effect on a positive which has Creek the entering in pollutants in a reduction Cooma Catchment Health Summary Health Catchment Cooma Badja River BAD1 Headwaters to Undoo Creek Reach Condition 2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) This reach includes the headwaters of one of 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) the most healthy streams in the Cooma Region. Parameter Rating No. Survey Factors which contribute to this are the intact in-stream and adjacent habitat found along the Water quality Excellent 23 river and its tributaries. Water quality readings pH Excellent were found to be excellent overall in 2018 and Turbidity Excellent these are consistent with results throughout years Phosphorus Excellent of monitoring in this reach. Although this makes Nitrate Excellent monitoring a bit monotonous for our dedicated Electrical Conductivity Excellent Waterwatch volunteer, we are very happy to Dissolved Oxygen Degraded continue seeing this data as it indicates ongoing Water bug Good 1 stable conditions continue to persist in our best catchment. Riparian condition Good 2 Water bug surveys are always interesting for sites Reach Facts in this reach because high numbers and diversity are found, especially within sensitive bug types. Reach network length: approx. 51km This year we observed ‘Killer’ mayflies (Genus Dominant land uses: Rural and conservation Mirawara) in our bug sample. Mirawara are rare This reach includes the headwaters of the Badja River and only found in fast-flowing cobble streams. down to and including Undoo Creek. The headwaters They are the only predatory mayfly nymph found of the Badja River rise in the Badja Swamps Nature in Australia. Reserve which include the nationally-listed Big Badja Swamps. The top of the reach flows through open, historically cleared country then on through steeper, uncleared areas with good native vegetation cover.

Peppers Creek at PEP050 (Photo: Jim Wharton). Badja River 1 km upstream of the Braidwood Road bridge

10 COOMA CATCHMENT 11

The Badja River at BAD100. at River The Badja Reach Condition Reach in this section of the lower been have levels Water some apart from 2018, throughout Badja River activity. storm by generated short sharp flushes such turbid after become to is known River The adjoining of the the cultivation due partly to events and an increased erosion gully Tributary floodplain. also are as Willows such weeds of woody presence activities fossicking gold while problems, causing nearzone impacting the riparian increasingly are BAD200. previous on the an improvement has seen This reach bug water a better due mainly to CHIP assessment healthiest is part of one of the This reach score. but in in the Cooma Region, in not just streams and catchment Murrumbidgee upper the entire continued of importance the highlights consequently reach. This the and improve to protect efforts Group Landcare the Numeralla that work includes landholder, local with the is doing in partnership control and BAD100 at vegetation native plant to well as erosion as reach Blackberry entire along the gullies. on tributary control 3 3 33 No. Survey Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Excellent approx. 8.6km approx. Rural and rural residential and rural Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result A- (Excellent) (Excellent) A- Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach includes the lower section of the Badja section of the Badja includes the lower This reach River the Numeralla to Undoo Creek from River country open, cleared through It flows confluence. (sheep and horses) grazing for used predominantly native Continuous and some dryland cropping. zone on both found in the riparian is vegetation reach. along the entire sides of the river Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Undoo Creek to Numeralla River confluence River Numeralla to Creek Undoo Badja River BAD2 River Badja Bredbo River BRD1 Headwaters to Cowra Creek confluence

2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Reach Condition The sites in this reach are characterised by consistent 2016/17 CHIP Result A- (Excellent) excellent water quality - even after heavy runoff Parameter Rating No. Survey events. This demonstrates the positive effect of a well vegetated catchment. Water levels became Water quality Excellent 18 low over the dry Winter and Spring, but streams pH Excellent continued to flow despite this. A site visit to Cowra Turbidity Excellent Creek downstream of our monitoring site (COW700) Phosphorus Excellent showed the effects of erosion along the creek. Thus Nitrate Excellent the lower section of the creek will become turbid Electrical Conductivity Good during runoff events from this point on. Carp are also Dissolved Oxygen Good known to occur there. Water bug Good 2 Water bug surveys in this reach have always shown an array of water bug types and this year has been Riparian condition Fair 2 no exception. There was good diversity of our three Reach Facts most sensitive water bug types found, including stoneflies, mayflies (three types) and caddis flies (four Reach network length: approx. 33km types). The stoneflies present here, belong to the Dominant land uses: Rural family Grypopterygidae (commonly known as ‘fluffy- This reach includes the headwaters of the Bredbo bums’). They have a fluffy bunch of gills at their hind River down to and including Cowra Creek. It end which they can move through the water column, runs through a mix of unmodified vegetation improving their ability to draw in oxygen from the and cleared, grazing country. Generally good surrounding water. groundcover levels are retained throughout the catchment which in turn protects water quality, however some gully erosion is found in the middle of the Cowra Creek catchment.

‘Fluffy-bum’ stoneflies (Grypopterygidae) from the Bredbo River.

12 COOMA CATCHMENT 13 Bredbo Landcare and landholders are improving the Bredbo the Bredbo improving are and landholders Landcare Bredbo control. weed woody and plantings native through River Reach Condition Reach to allowed are cows of this reach, In some areas in reported and Carp are corridor the river graze wash sand to has caused Erosion high numbers. bed the river smother which can the river into bugs, fish water for the habitat and compromise (the the River to adjacent The areas and Platypus. vegetation exotic by is dominated riparian zone) and Poplars. Willows including Blackberry, native of the reach, the end said, towards That a stabilising having and establishing beds are reed the and allow habitat which will increase effect the channel through of a river re-establishment A diversity there. found currently wide sand bars here, in some sections is found habitat of in-stream bug the Autumn and Spring water which is where this year surveys The two conducted. were surveys bugs; water on flow of low the effects highlighted dry with much of the habitat very Autumn was a ‘degraded’ received and the survey not available of sensitive and plenty flows had good Spring score such as 70+ stonefly found bugs were water ‘excellent’ an received survey The latter nymphs. score. 3 2 23 No. Survey Fair Poor Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 25km approx. Rural including dryland Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach includes the Bredbo River from from River Bredbo includes the This reach with the its confluence to Creek Cowra below on and includes a site River Murrumbidgee has of this reach end The lower Cappanana Creek. for dryland are used which floodplains wide flat, highly are areas These and grazing. cropping is limited. vegetation riparian modified and native with catchment is a high priority ACWA This reach occuring within it. sites erosion key five cropping and grazing and cropping Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Cowra Creek to Murrumbidgee River confluence confluence River Murrumbidgee to Creek Cowra Bredbo River BRD2 River Bredbo Cooma Creek COO1 Headwaters to Banksia Lane

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition This reach has continued to flow throughout 2018, 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) despite the very dry conditions resulting in low Parameter Rating No. Survey creek levels. During the first half of the year the water appeared clear and fresh, but algal blooms Water quality Fair 17 were seen in Spring, likely due to a combination pH Good of the low flows, warmer conditions and elevated Turbidity Excellent phosphorus levels. Phosphorus Degraded Nitrate Good The upper catchment is used for grazing and Electrical Conductivity Degraded cultivation. Much of the creek is unfenced in this Dissolved Oxygen Degraded reach and stock have access to the vegetation adjacent to the river (the riparian zone) which Water bug Fair 2 reduces ground cover and increases erosion. Riparian condition Poor 2 Thus, turbidity can become elevated after rain events. Natural factors such as the geology of the catchment also contribute, in part, to the Reach Facts observed levels of electrical conductivity, pH and Reach network length: approx. 22km phosphorus. These factors combine to influence Dominant land uses: Rural and urban the overall CHIP score. The headwaters of Cooma Creek rise south of Cooma and flow through open, basalt country. The fertile floodplains in this reach are used for dryland cropping and grazing agriculture. Dense and extensive in-stream vegetation (reeds/sedges) that are beneficial for stability and nutrient retention, are largely absent in this reach.

Volunteer Emily Griffin sampling Cooma Creek at COO625.

14 COOMA CATCHMENT 15 High School Year 7 Science class hard at work. at hard Science class 7 Year School High Monaro Reach Condition Reach from in-flows in low resulted dry conditions Very and creek this year areas catchment the upstream urban from inflows up by being topped were levels results quality water This influenced run-off. high phosphorus and electrical especially for seen throughout were blooms Algal conductivity. time since the first in Spring for this reach This is monitoring. began volunteers Waterwatch warmer flows, of low a combination due to likely phosphorus levels. and elevated conditions gross from suffers This section of Cooma Creek through town, around washes in from which litter Cooma year Each system. the stormwater clean up on Clean community runs a Waterwatch Snowy Monaro by supported Day, Up Australia School’s High Monaro Council. This year Regional an science class also conducted 7 extension Year and clean up. survey litter additional mid-year bags, plastic that found of the results Analysis were food packaging fast drink bottles and plastic found. items common the most 2 2 16 No. Survey Good Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded Degraded approx. 3km approx. Urban

Turbidity pH Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach includes of the Cooma Creek the section This reach of Cooma. Floodtownship the through flows that protect to carried out been have works mitigation from Stormwater in times of high flows. urban assets Litter untreated. the creek into is discharged town the There problem. is an ongoing drains stormwater from of this length along the path is a popular walking reach. Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Banksia Lane to Cooma Back Creek confluence Back Creek Cooma to Lane Banksia Cooma Creek COO2 Creek Cooma Cooma Creek COO3 Cooma Back Creek to Numeralla River confluence

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition Dry conditions resulted in low creek levels this year, 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) with the Cooma Creek at COO010 being recorded Parameter Rating No. Survey as dry on several occasions. A freshly killed Water rat was found at this site during one of these dry Water quality Fair 21 (2 dry) times. Teeth marks from a dog/fox hinted at the pH Good cause of death and highlights the vulnerability of our Turbidity Excellent aquatic fauna during extended periods of drought. Phosphorus Degraded This is especially troubling on streams such as the Nitrate Degraded Cooma Creek where there is a general lack of native Electrical Conductivity Degraded vegetation to provide protective cover. Dissolved Oxygen Degraded The top of this reach is our Platypus Month Water bug Fair 1 monitoring site and Platypus continue to be Riparian condition Poor 3 recorded in our surveys. Riparian vegetation is being improved along the creek to help protect Platypus habitat as part of the NSW Environmental Reach Facts Trust funded ‘Improving Cooma Creeks’ project. Reach network length: approx. 18km Platypus sightings reported to us this year show they Dominant land uses: Conservation, rural residential have been moving about more. This is likely due to and rural the drought reducing the amount of water bugs in This reach includes the Cooma Creek downstream the system (their main diet) and pushing Platypus of Cooma to its confluence with the Numeralla out of their usual range, in search of food. River. The reach is flanked by the North Ridge Nature Reserve at its upper end, then flows through more open, rural residential holdings (in the Mittagang Road area) and finally through Bunyan and which is dominated by river flats used for irrigated cropping.

Volunteer Dave Harkins monitoring at COO400.

16 COOMA CATCHMENT 17 /cm. µS project, to help enhance habitat for frogs. frogs. for help enhance habitat to project, Pam Vipond from Snowy Monaro Regional Council Regional Snowy Monaro Vipond from Pam COB010. near works off the erosion showing Our Frogwatch surveys found that the bottom end the bottom that found surveys Our Frogwatch of diversity frog had the highest of Lambie Gorge with within the Cooma township, surveyed sites are Riparian plantings recorded. being species five as part of the Gorge the out below being carried Cooma ’Improving funded Trust Environmental NSW Creeks’ near the site an erosion has also stabilised The project water to improve which will help confluence Creek’s quality. Reach Condition Reach at all sites flows low consistently had This reach our from Observations year. the throughout in-stream growth, algal heavy noted volunteers fern floating (a native growth Azolla and weeds by grazing Heavy flow). of low in areas persists that also was and rabbits wombats kangaroos, wallabies, observed. reach high in this is always conductivity Electrical goes score The and urban in-flows. its geology to due become up in dry salts and minerals as the periods was COB200 column. in the water concentrated more ofreadings with six year this problematic especially 1000 over conductivity electrical 3 1 37 No. Survey Fair Fair Poor Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded : Conservation, urban, rural urban, rural : Conservation,

Nitrate pH Turbidity Phosphorus Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Reach Facts Reach 30km length: approx. network Reach land uses Dominant and includes the Cooma Back Creek This reach and Sandy including the Jillimatong tributaries reach flows The upper sections of the Creeks. used basalt country open, cleared through The lower, dryland and cropping. grazing for reach includes the Lambie urban section of the of Aboriginal cultural is a site which area Gorge significance. residential and rural residential

Headwaters to Cooma Creek confluence Cooma Creek to Headwaters Cooma Back Creek COB1 Creek Back Cooma Gungoandra Creek GUD1 Headwaters to Murrumbidgee River confluence

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition The ’s Scottsdale Reserve, 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) where the majority of Gungoadra Creek sits within, Parameter Rating No. Survey was previously a ‘working’ farm used for dryland cropping and grazing. The catchment and the Water quality Good 22 Creek have been transformed significantly since pH Excellent monitoring began here eight years ago. Thick Turbidity Excellent stands of native reeds have been establishing along Phosphorus Excellent the length of the Creek at Scottsdale providing Nitrate Excellent positive benefits such filtering, settling sediment, Electrical Conductivity Degraded in-stream habitat and stabilising the stream Dissolved Oxygen Fair channel. Reed growth will increase rapidly when Water bug Fair 2 water levels have been low, such as during this year. Riparian condition Poor 2 Water bug surveys showed good diversity present, but tolerant species such as snails, beetle larvae, Reach Facts water boatman, springtails and fly larvae were the Reach network length: approx. 9km most abundant. Dominant land uses: Rural and conservation Bush Heritage is actively restoring the riparian This reach includes the entire Gungoandra zones along the Creek via plantings of native Creek which flows into the Murrumbidgee River canopy and shrub layer vegetation. This is downstream of Bredbo Gorge. The upper section of supported by funding from Local Land Services and the creek has been cleared and is grazed, while the the Rivers of Carbon ‘Upper Bidgee’ program which lower section runs through Bush Heritage Australia’s is carrying out riparian restoration actions as part Scottsdale Reserve. Revegetation is occurring on the of the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach. Reserve in the Creek’s catchment area and stands of in-stream macrophytes are continuing to establish.

Gungoandra Creek at GUD100.

18 COOMA CATCHMENT 19 The Kybeyan River just above the confluence the confluence above just River The Kybeyan River. with the Numeralla Reach Condition Reach throughout this reach for low were levels Water says the adjoining landholder 2018, however noted times. He also at he has seen it lower that 20 last the over changed has much the river how and Platypus being plentiful once with Trout years, would one time every being assured sightings sighted, often more Carp are Now visit the River. and schools in large present are gambusia Eastern only once in recent been sighted has a Platypus times. that fact is the favour in this reach’s Working and the water low very always are levels nutrient bug surveys Water of the time. clear most appears although of diversity level a reasonable showed such as fly larvae bugs water tolerant moderately samples. the survey and glass shrimp dominated Platypus. for source food good a provides latter The by historical is influenced Riparian condition to Poplars of rows of long clearing and the planting reeds are and Ti-tree Native banks. river stabilise channel. the in-stream colonising 1 2 12 No. Survey Fair Poor Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded 49km approx. Rural Rural

Turbidity Oxygen Dissolved pH Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach includes the Cooma Back Creek and Creek Cooma Back includes the This reach and Sandy Jillimatong including the tributaries flows reach of the The upper sections Creeks. used for basalt country cleared open, through urban lower, The and dryland cropping. grazing area Gorge Lambie reach includes the section of the significance. of Aboriginal cultural which is a site Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Numeralla River confluence River Numeralla to Headwaters Kybeyan River KYB1 River Kybeyan Michelago Creek MIC1 Headwaters to Murrumbidgee River confluence

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition Our volunteer Sarah Essex, reports that organic 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) matter build up and heavy algal fringes/rafts Parameter Rating No. Survey were seen at the sample site. The geology of the catchment may be influencing electrical conductivity Water quality Good 12 levels which ranged between 440 and 680ms/cm. pH Excellent Landuse in the catchment has resulted in a ‘poor’ Turbidity Excellent riparian condition score with very limited native Phosphorus Excellent vegetation and a dominance of exotic trees such as Nitrate Excellent Poplars and Willows. Encouragingly large stands of Electrical Conductivity Degraded native reeds are establishing in the creek through Dissolved Oxygen Degraded the Michelago village which is having a stabilising Water bug Poor 2 effect. Riparian condition Poor 1 This year’s water bug surveys showed moderate diversity. A standard sample has at least 200 individuals counted, but at our survey site less Reach Facts than that number were found, despite repeated Reach network length: approx. 55km sampling. Water bugs observed included equal Dominant land uses: Rural, rural residential and numbers of both sensitive types such as caddisflies conservation and water mites as well as tolerant bugs including predatory beetle larvae, fly larvae and glass shrimp. This reach includes the entire Michelago Creek At our Spring survey, a beetle larva was observed catchment including the Margerets and Ryries catching and killing a small tadpole. Creeks. The upper reaches of these creeks retain native, unmodified vegetation. The lower reaches The site is usually teeming with the pest fish flow through open, historically cleared country Eastern gambusia in the warmer month, though predominantly used for grazing and rural residential there were notably few of them observed during purposes (in and around the village of Michelago). Spring. This reach is monitored at only one site at its downstream end and another volunteer to monitor an additional site would greatly enhance our knowledge of this catchment.

Michelago Creek - upstream of Michelago village.

20 COOMA CATCHMENT 21 Pugged edges seen after snowmelt snowmelt seen after edges Pugged 2018. CMM998, November at Reach Condition Reach Murrumbidgee of the headwaters in the Taking quality, water Park, National within Kosciuszko River to expected are and riparian condition bug water quality water Expected reach. this high for very be crystal temperatures, cool include characteristics low and very nutrients measurable no clear water, conductivity. electrical revealed October in the snowmelt Sampling after pugged (impact from heavily were banks that appeared water animals) and the hard-hoofed which is recorded, was turbid. A turbidity of 11 NTU even and unexpected, but unprecedented not high, year This of snowmelt. flow the increased after ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ being from also slipped nitrates This is began. monitoring time since first the for of feral numbers increased with the associated likely catchment. in the observed horses high diversity showed still bug surveys Water species, sensitive most and abundance of the this year quality observed water to but changes aquatic in the sensitive trend a downward highlight in this reach. ecosystems 3 3 21 No. Survey Fair Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 53km approx. Conservation

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach is the Murrumbidgee River from its from River is the Murrumbidgee This reach and is wholly Dam wall Tantangara the to headwaters reach is in thePark. The National within Kosciuszko by which is characterised bioregion Alps Australian woodlands. bogs and subalpine grasslands, heaths, and camping is used for in this area The catchment The area trails. along unsealed fire accessed touring June and October the between snow is closed due to during this time. and is not monitored long weekends Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Tantangara Dam Tantangara to Headwaters Murrumbidgee River CMM1 River Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee River CMM2 Tantangara Dam to Goorudee Rivulet

2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Reach Condition Excellent water quality scores reflect the high quality 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) water being released from Tantangara Dam which Parameter Rating No. Survey provides the main flow in this reach. However, this flow is greatly reduced by the fact that 99% of Water quality Excellent 23 the upper Murrumbidgee River’s flow is diverted pH Excellent at this point and piped to Eucumbene Dam. The Turbidity Excellent result is that in-stream habitats and aquatic species Phosphorus Excellent are exhibiting characteristics of slower flowing Nitrate Excellent ecosystems. This includes the presence of Water Electrical Conductivity Excellent lilies, fine sediment build-up and more tolerant Dissolved Oxygen Fair water bugs which thrive on higher levels of organic Water bug Good 2 matter. These tolerant bugs include segmented worms and freshwater snails. Riparian condition Poor 2 The riparian zones in this reach were scored as ‘poor’ due to a lack of naturally occuring native Reach Facts canopy and understorey. At present this is not taken Reach network length: approx. 55km account by the riparian assessment methodology Dominant land uses: Rural used by the CHIP. Waterwatch is looking into This reach includes the Murrumbidgee River addressing this issue in future CHIPs. Grazing does and its tributaries in the Yaouk area from below occur along the edge of the river in parts of this the Tantangara Dam wall. The influence of reach and this also has a negative effect on the flow regulation is most evident in this reach. quality of vegetation found there. The catchment comprises of open valley floors (which would historically have contained tracts of swampy meadows) with a backdrop of steep unmodified country. Valley floors are now utilised predominantly for grazing purposes.

A water bug workshop on the Murrumbidgee River at Yaouk in November 2018.

22 COOMA CATCHMENT 23 Volunteers Kerryn and Mick undertaking and Mick undertaking Kerryn Volunteers CMM940. at bug surveys Reach Condition Reach is River Murrumbidgee of the This stretch is well which country gorge remote by characterised largely remains corridor river and the vegetated good scores to the contributes This unmodified. this reach. for recorded there indicates, the data what despite However, the health of issues affecting some concerning are observed are These issues of the river. this section elders Box Willows, downstream. travels as one limit upstream The present. are and Blackberries reach. in this also occurs of Carp distribution to erosion historic their for known gullies are Tributary which is sediment fine to both of which contribute bands Large river. of the bottom on the accumulating Thisproblem. to this also contibuting are of goats which are and plants rocks smother the can sediment to contributed have This may bug habitats. water key found in bug types abundance of sensitive low the upstream. to compared when surveys, the of the top out near carried was survey A Platypus time in 2018. One Platypus the first for this reach have may drought The seen. were rat and one Water result. this influenced . 2 4 18 No. Survey Fair Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 43km approx. Rural and conservation Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result A- (Excellent) A- 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach includes the Murrumbidgee River from from River includes the Murrumbidgee This reach as ‘Dry known the area to down Goorudee Rivulet which is the major tributary Alum Creek Plains’. reach the the north. Within this in from flows open, undulating more through flows first river grazing for which is used predominantly country country gorge steeper purposes and then through which cover vegetation woodland by dominated unmodified. largely remains Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Goorudee Rivulet confluence to Bridle Creek confluence Creek to Bridle confluence Rivulet Goorudee Murrumbidgee River CMM3 River Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee River CMM4 Bridle Creek to Numeralla River confluence

2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Reach Condition Low flows in the Murrumbidgee River throughout 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) the year probably contributed to the growth of Parameter Rating No. Survey thick algae observed in riffle areas (shallow, rocky sections) and Azolla (a native, floating water fern) Water quality Excellent 21 accumulating at the edges of slower flowing areas. pH Excellent Turbidity Excellent The lower end of this reach has poorer quality Phosphorus Excellent river conditions than the section upstream. It is Nitrate Good characterised by wide open floodplains which have Electrical Conductivity Excellent been historically cleared and are cultivated from Dissolved Oxygen Excellent time to time. Heavy Willow infestations occur in this area and little native vegetation is present. This has Water bug Good 3 adversely influenced the riparian condition score. Riparian condition Poor 2 Poorer water quality can also be observed including elevated electrical conductivity in the lower reach Reach Facts compared to sites upstream. The lower reach also Reach network length: approx. 31km experiences higher turbidity after rain events. Carp Dominant land uses: Rural and conservation and Eastern gambusia are also seen at the lower end of this reach in large numbers. This reach includes the Murrumbidgee River from the Bridle Creek confluence to the Numeralla River This stretch of river is the known habitat of Water confluence. The lower section has open, cleared rats, Platypus and a nationally significant population country used for predominantly grazing and of Macquarie perch. cropping purposes while the upper section includes the Binjura Nature Reserve, where the ‘Cooma Gorge’ is found. Good quality riparian and aquatic habitat are found in this section.

Murrumbidgee River looking upstream to the weir at Cooma Pumping Station.

24 COOMA CATCHMENT 25 This section of the Murrumbidgee River has a high River This section of the Murrumbidgee desposition and lots of Willows. of sand amount This reach is slow-flowing through open alluvial open alluvial through is slow-flowing This reach with dense is flanked the river floodplains where Little groundcovers. and exotic of Willows stands streambanks remains and vegetation native of sand have amounts Large be unstable. can upstream from River the Numeralla down washed in the habitats in-stream smothered and have such and algae Fine silt layers Murrumbidgee. on underwater observed were fringes as diatom factors These and the beds of pools. vegetation the ‘poor’influence and score condition riparian in this reach. observed habitat quality of in-stream good did show results bug survey Our water bug types water but less sensitive diversity, the factors possibly due to overall, present were was fish Galaxias A native above. mentioned in the Autumn survey. observed throughout observed were levels water low Very turbidity of year, half of the 2018. In the latter in sites at measured consistently 13-17NTU was the pest due to been have This could the reach. in high here recorded been fish Carp, which have at stirring up the sediments continually numbers, feeding. are when they of the river the bottom 2 2 16 No. Survey Poor Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 12km approx. Rural Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Electrical Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Reach Condition Reach This reach includes the Murrumbidgee River River includes the Murrumbidgee This reach River the Bredbo to River the Numeralla from vegetation riparian native Very limited confluence. This is a priority clearing. historic due to remains present. sites ACWA with two catchment ACWA which flank the The wide alluvial floodplain areas as cropping dryland and irrigated used for are river as grazing. well Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Numeralla River confluence to Bredbo River confluence River to Bredbo confluence River Numeralla Murrumbidgee River CMM5 River Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee River CMM6 Bredbo River confluence to Michelago Creek confluence

2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Reach Condition This reach demonstrates the importance of high 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) quality riverine habitats on overall river health, as Parameter Rating No. Survey the CHIP scores here are higher than most of the reaches upstream. Intact riparian and in-stream Water quality Excellent 23 habitats capture sediments entering the water pH Excellent and absorb nutrients out of the system, resulting Turbidity Excellent in more stable oxygen levels and clearer water. Phosphorus Excellent The benefits of intact ecosystems are many and Nitrate Excellent varied. Electrical Conductivity Good Dissolved Oxygen Excellent There is much work occuring on this reach, to protect and improve the River. This includes Water bug Good 3 fencing off the river corridor, off stream watering, Riparian condition Poor 1 improving fish habitat, woody weed control and native plantings. Bredbo and Michelago Landcare and the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach Facts Reach project, in conjunction with partners such Reach network length: approx. 35km as Bush Heritage Australia (BHA), Landcare, Dominant land uses: Rural and conservation Local Land Services, NSW DPI-Fisheries and This reach includes the Murrumbidgee River from local landholders are among those carrying out the Bredbo River to Michelago Creek confluence. projects. Waterwatch is helping to track progress. It flows through the Bredbo and Colinton Gorges Annual Platypus Month surveys carried out at which form the upper and lower sections of BHA’s Scottsdale Reserve have found the top of the reach and contain good quality riparian and this reach to be a regional hotspot for Platypus aquatic habitat. The middle section flows through and Water rats. the Bumbalong Valley contains which has more open, cleared country.

Murrumbidgee River at Scottsdale Reserve.

26 COOMA CATCHMENT 27 Numeralla River at NUM325 showing low levels and levels low NUM325 showing at River Numeralla along the edges. growing Azolla fern the water Reach Condition Reach is sites of the monitoring upstream The catchment agricultural and grazed of cultivated areas largely electrical be influencing This may country. reach with all in this observed levels conductivity in fall which 230-390ms/cm between being values the ‘fair’ and ‘poor’ ranges. the throughout low been very have levels River (a of Azolla abundances increased with year, fern) seen water native red-coloured, floating, Low sampling sites. of pools at along the edge reed native allowed have years the last over flows which along the river establish to bed and Ti-tree and stabilised habitat in-stream has improved in the bug surveys this, water Despite banks. nine but overall bug numbers low Autumn showed as a regarded which is found were types different sample. diverse Carp (ie. a fish less than one year of A young NUM325 in Autumn. This seen at old) was year be a Carp may this site supports the notion that recorded been have spawnings as area breeding years. in previous here 2 2 14 No. Survey Fair Poor Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 38km approx. Rural and conservation Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach includes the Numeralla River upstream upstream River Numeralla includes the This reach adjoining Land use confluence. River of the Kybeyan and grazing includes dryland cropping the reach sections. Sections of lower in the mid to agriculture including vegetation native retain the upper reaches is a high This reach Reserve. Nature the Dangelong risk was erosion where catchment priority ACWA high. as very assessed Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Kybeyan River confluence River Kybeyan to Headwaters Numeralla River NUM1 River Numeralla Numeralla River NUM2 Kybeyan River confluence to Badja River confluence

2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Reach Condition This reach flows through wide alluvial floodplains 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) which are cultivated and grazed. The length of the Parameter Rating No. Survey reach has been fenced to exclude grazing thanks to a decade long focus of Numeralla Landcare and Water quality Good 21 the local community to improve river bank stability. pH Excellent Native plantings have replaced the exotic trees Turbidity Excellent in the riparian zone at various sites. Low flows Phosphorus Excellent over the last years have allowed native reed bed Nitrate Excellent and Ti-tree to establish along the river which has Electrical Conductivity Poor further improved in-stream habitat and stabilised Dissolved Oxygen Degraded banks. The Numeralla Fishing Club and Numeralla Water bug Good 2 Landcare Group have been improving in-stream fish habitat via re-snagging (adding large, woody Riparian condition Fair 2 debris to the river) in this reach. These factors all contribute to the water quality, Reach Facts water bug and riparian condition scores of this Reach network length: approx. 40km reach, which are overall higher than the reach Dominant land uses: Rural and conservation upstream. This reach includes the Numeralla River from the Mark Shubert, our volunteer at NUM205, sighted a Kybeyan River to the Badja River confluence. It Platypus and a Water rat (Rakali) at his site in 2018. is flanked by wide alluvial floodplains used for dryland cropping and grazing. The Numeralla village adjoins the river at the bottom end of the reach. This reach is in a high priority ACWA catchment where erosion risk was assessed as very high.

Looking upstream to Numeralla Rd Bridge.

28 COOMA CATCHMENT 29 C. o Good stands of Ribbon gum and Ti-tree are present present are gum and Ti-tree of Ribbon Good stands River. along this section of the Numeralla Reach Condition Reach good native with is flanked half of this reach top The of Ribbon gums, stands tall including vegetation of in-stream beds and Bottlebrushes, fringing Ti-tree submerged milfoil of Water and swathes reeds Badja River of the waters The clear river. in the factors These reach. of this top at the in also flow better slightly being score the reach to contribute upstream. of NUM2 than the score CarpNUM3 is a known of section downstream The observed events with breeding hot spot, spawning 20 around to warms water Spring as the every This area is characterised by an open river channel an open river by is characterised This area Carp where present of reeds stands with large This year, during spawning. gather to known are in a shallow spawning also seen Carp were however, (a Water milfoil in covered was which section, riffle findings our This highlights plant). water submerged Carp catchment Murrumbidgee upper in the that of habitats. range in a opportunistically spawn in also seen are gambusia, Eastern fish, pest Another NUM150. at high numbers 3 2 25 No. Survey Fair Fair Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 14km approx. Rural and rural residential and rural Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach includes the Numeralla River from the from River includes the Numeralla This reach The confluence. the Cooma Creek to Badja River for floodplains used has wide parts of the reach lower of the reach top The and grazing. dryland cropping This vegetation. native good retain and its tributaries where catchment is in a high priority ACWA reach high. be very to assessed risk was erosion Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Badja River confluence to Cooma Creek confluence Creek to Cooma confluence River Badja Numeralla River NUM3 River Numeralla Numeralla River NUM4 Cooma Creek confluence to Murrumbidgee River confluence

2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Reach Condition There is very little native vegetation remaining 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) along this section of the Numeralla River due to Parameter Rating No. Survey historic clearing and riparian (riverside) vegetation is made up of invasive exotic species such as Water quality Excellent 16 Willows, Box elder, Poplars and Blackberry. The pH Excellent wide alluvial river flats are used for cultivation and Turbidity Excellent grazing which can result in high run-off events and Phosphorus Excellent turbidity, as occurred after a storm in December. Nitrate Good Water levels have been very low throughout the Electrical Conductivity Poor year contributing to a build up of diatom algae and Dissolved Oxygen Good fine sediment in-stream with no substantial flow to Water bug Good 2 flush them downstream. Riparian condition Poor 2 On a positive note, stands of native reeds are establishing in the river which has a stabilising, shading and filtering effect on the water. It is Reach Facts also encouraging to see landholders at Chakola Reach network length: approx. 17km controlling sapling Willows along the river Dominant land uses: Rural to prevent further increases in woody weed infestations. This reach includes the Numeralla River from the Cooma Creek to its confluence with the A Platypus was seen at NUM050 in October. Murrumbidgee River. It runs through wide floodplains which are used for grazing and dryland and irrigated cropping. Riparian zones are highly modified and sediment deposition is widespread in the river. This reach is in a high priority ACWA catchment where erosion risk was assessed to be very high.

Looking upstream of Chakola causeway at NUM100.

30 COOMA CATCHMENT 31 Rock Flat Creek formed a series of pools in 2018 formed Creek Flat Rock dry period. an extended following Reach Condition Reach the year throughout low very were levels Water a series of pools to reduced was and the creek been often Carp have half of 2018. in the latter was creek and when the ROC050 at sighted the Carp were this site, a pool at to reduced in the pool level As the water there. trapped rising to turbidity also increased, the dropped was the sediments up bottom Carp stirring 27NTU. cause. likely is highly along the creek Riparian vegetation largely and shrub layers canopy modified with the Similarly Willows. scattered for except absent, along this vegetation is a lack of in-stream there stock. it is accessed by especially where reach, streambanks unstable have Sections of the Creek inputs turbidity and sediment increased causing These factors habitat. available which smothers found Surveys community. bug water the influence species including tolerant of very high numbers and beetle fly larvae flatworms, worms, segmented larvae. 2 2 14 No. Survey Poor Good Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 42km approx. Rural

Turbidity pH Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach includes the entire Rock Flat Creek Creek Rock Flat entire includes the This reach predominantly through flows The creek catchment. and grazing which is used for open basalt country, highly are Riparian zones agriculture. cropping at the bottom especially catchment modified in this a high priority includes This reach of the reach. end Road Hill of the Cottage downstream just site ACWA crossing. Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Cottage Hill Road crossing Road Hill Cottage to Headwaters Rock Flat Creek ROC1 Creek Flat Rock Strike-A-Light River STR1 Headwaters to Bredbo River confluence

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition Water levels were very low throughout the year and 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) Strike-A-Light Creek was reduced to a series of pools Parameter Rating No. Survey in the latter half of 2018. Despite this, the water remained clear and free of algae although a thin Water quality Good 12 scum layer was noticed on top. Low water levels pH Excellent no doubt influenced electrical conductivity and Turbidity Excellent dissolved oxygen scores, which declined this year in Phosphorus Excellent comparison to previous years. Nitrate Good Electrical Conductivity Degraded Water bug surveys show an interesting level of Dissolved Oxygen Poor diversity including freshwater sponges, mayflies, damselflies and hydra (a simple polyp related Water bug Fair 2 to freshwater jellyfish). Both in Autumn and Riparian condition Poor 2 Spring there was a high number of fly larvae and segmented worms. One of our most sensitive water bug types, the stoneflies, were absent from both the Reach Facts water bug surveys this year. Reach network length: approx. 38km Dominant land uses: Rural Carp are noted in the lower sections of this reach, however they have not been seen up as far as This reach includes the entire Strike-A-Light STR200. A Water rat (also known as Rakali) as well River catchment from its headwaters down to its as an Eastern water dragon were noted swimming confluence. The catchment includes cleared open in the River near the Waterwatch site. There is country, utilised predominantly for grazing agriculture currently only one active monitoring site on this at the top and bottom ends of the reach. In these reach so extra volunteers are needed to assist in areas riparian vegetation has been modified. The gathering data. middle of the reach is largely native vegetation with intact riparian areas and good in-stream habitat.

STR1 has seen low water levels during 2018.

32 COOMA CATCHMENT 33 Ginninderra Catchment Facts

Over 42% of ACT residents live in Ginninderra Creek catchment making it the most urbanised in the ACT. It carries substantial urban water runoff, from both established and newly developing suburbs, directly into the Murrumbidgee River. Ginninderra Creek itself, begins in the upper reaches of Gungahlin, within the Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve and enters the Murrumbidgee after passing through the catchment’s most significant and best-preserved remnant ecosystem; the Ginninderra Gorge, including the spectacular upper and lower falls. Gooromon Ponds Creek, joins Ginninderra Creek near Dunlop and captures run off from much of the NSW land around Wallaroo and also includes Hall Creek. Steady development in ’s north has impacted significantly over the past 30 years, with sediment from development sites and weeds, the two most significant issues. The riparian zone for most of the Creek is dominated by exotic grasses with a mix of native and exotic mid-storey and canopy. Some notable exceptions are areas where Landcare groups have been working for many years. This includes Evatt, Umbagong District Park, Macgregor and Dunlop. Ginninderra Waterwatch Volunteers have been monitoring this catchment since 1997.

34 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 3535 Waterwatch has also re-established access to the Ginninderra Falls area, sampling both the bottom of sampling both the bottom area, Falls the Ginninderra access to re-established has also Waterwatch valuable This enables River. on the Murrumbidgee the confluence and below and above Creek Ginninderra CMM11 at regularly sampling By (CMM11, CMM12 and GIN6). reaches three for be collected to data 30 mg/L) (up to of a consequence are of nitrates readings the elevated in 2018, it seems plausible that the and below Sampling above (LMWQCC). Centre Control Quality Molonglo Water the Lower outputs from support this proposition. and these measurements place taking is now LMWQCC This year, the Valley Ponds in Gungahlin (GUN1), again had water quality data, owing to the great effort of effort the great to owing quality data, had water (GUN1), again in Gungahlin Ponds Valley the This year, the Ginninderra (GIN06), which encompasses was created reach In addition, a new volunteers. some new lower the represents better but this modification be part of GIN5 reach (GIN050). This used to area Falls area (GIN6). a conservation from (GIN5) rural landscape a thus splitting Creek, section of Ginninderra Overall, two reaches had ‘good’ scores and the other 13 reaches scored ‘fair’. Compared to last year’s CHIP year’s last to Compared ‘fair’. scored 13 reaches and the other scores had ‘good’ reaches two Overall, catchment urbanised reaches in this highly majority of vast with the different, not that are scores results, worse presented while three year, previous to the scores had similar reaches ‘fair’Seven sitting in the range. key (GIN5, MCW1 and YER1). All three result their improved and three (GDC1, GIN1 and MFL1), scores the change to varying degrees in contributed bugs and riparian condition) water quality, (water parameters being the major influence. with no single parameter of scores Ginninderra Catchment Health Summary Catchment Ginninderra than in 2018, with lower catchment Creek on the Ginninderra toll their taken have The dry conditions the drier periods, During levels. water in reduction a consequent and higher temperatures rainfall, average reaches. in several evident was algae filamentous in green the increase Ginninderra Creek GIN1 Crace to Giralang Pond

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition Despite 2018 being a dry year, the flooding rains 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) in February and storm days in late Spring gave the Parameter Rating No. Survey system a good flush. Unfortunately, those storm events also brought sediments and increased Water quality Good 26 turbidity levels (35 NTU), in addition to elevated pH Excellent phosphorus readings (0.06 mg/L). Dissolved oxygen Turbidity Excellent records were much lower in 2018 compared to the Phosphorus Excellent previous year, possibly as a result of frequent low Nitrate Good flows and high temperatures. Electrical Conductivity Poor Dissolved Oxygen Degraded During the Autumn water bug survey there were nine orders of water bugs recorded, including sensitive Water bug Poor 2 ones such as mayflies, caddisflies and water mites. Riparian condition Poor 3 However, the lower water levels and the presence of filamentous algal mats during the Spring sampling, saw the numbers falling to seven orders with no Reach Facts caddisflies recorded. Reach network length: approx. 5km Dominant land uses: Urban While the areas adjacent to Ginninderra Creek in this reach, have good ground cover and little signs of Starting at the outflow of Gungahlin Pond this erosion, the absence of large trees and shrubs means reach includes the stormwater inflow from Nicholls the creek can be quite exposed and thus received a and Crace. The middle of the reach receives runoff poor score for riparian condition. from the CSIRO field test facility. The downstream section flows through the Old Palmerville township historic site 12 and Landcare Forest. The end point for this reach is Giralang Pond which is the only small stream pond present on Ginninderra Creek.

Birds using the island that appeared in Giralang Pond during the dry of July 2018.

36 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 3737 at GIN013. GIN013. at Ginninderra Lake Reach Condition Reach reach, felt in this been have The dry conditions wetland Way Valley especially in the Eastern the Lake occasions, on several (GIN008), where low reported volunteers Scout Sea Ginninderra the and no flow, waters, murky very levels, water the depths from of shopping trolleys exposure in quality parameters water the Still, of the Lake. with the year, with last consistent were this reach species, such bird several and of tadpoles presence and White- Purple swamphens as Dusky moorhens, herons. faced is Ginninderra of Lake is this area The riparian zone with many and shrubs, of grasses mainly composed available is little species. There being introduced of the Lake. along the edges wildlife for habitat throughout to be a problem Rubbish continues illegal two reported and the volunteer the reach, Protection the Environmental to traps yabbie removed. were These traps (EPA). Agency 3 2 29 No. Survey Fair Poor Poor Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 9km approx. Urban

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Starting below Giralang Pond and finishing at thePond and finishing Giralang below Starting the covers this reach Dam wall, Ginninderra Lake is The main inflow of Belconnen. main city centre which the north-east, from Creek Ginninderra from suburb of Lawson. development new includes the Lake southern end of the at the is inflow The other the into flows that urban stormwater and is mostly wetland. Way Valley Eastern redeveloped recently Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Lake Ginninderra Lake Ginninderra Creek GIN2 Creek Ginninderra Ginninderra Creek GIN3 Dam wall to Ginninderra Drive

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition While the overall water quality score was rated 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) ‘good’, it is important to note that the majority Parameter Rating No. Survey of electrical conductivity records fell in the ‘poor’ range (213-404 μS/cm) - 13 out of 18 records. This Water quality Good 18 is most likely a result of drier conditions which pH Excellent tends to make salts and minerals in the water more Turbidity Excellent concentrated. Additionally, dissolved oxygen levels Total Phosphorus Good seemed to reflect that as well, with eight records Nitrate Good below 40% dissolved oxygen saturation (range: Electrical Conductivity Poor 17-38%). Nonetheless, no fish mortality has been Dissolved Oxygen Degraded observed. Water bug Fair 2 The abundance of water bugs was much higher in Riparian condition Poor 3 Autumn than Spring sampling, although tolerant bugs, such as fly larvae and segmented worms, still Reach Facts made up the majority of the sample. In Spring, the Reach network length: approx. 4km site was much drier and had a lot of filamentous Dominant land uses: Urban algae present. Starting below the Lake Ginninderra spillway, this Even though there is a moderate presence of trees reach sits entirely within established suburbs with along the edge of Ginninderra Creek in this section, high urban stormwater inflow. The reach has good the majority are introduced species like Poplars reed cover and wide, well grassed buffer zones in and Willows . Some areas the Creek (GIN009) are most areas. During rain events the water in this choked up with them. They drop large amounts of section runs very clear and turbidity is only observed leaf litter into the waterways in Autumn causing when overflow from Lake Ginninderra occurs. Two unwanted spikes in nutrients within the system. new wetlands are to be built in this reach through the ACT Government Healthy Waterways (Basin Project).

.

Ginninderra Creek at GIN009, directly downstream of Lake Ginninderra.

38 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 3939 Research on varying water levels is being conducted at is being conducted levels water on varying Research (STW005). Pond Jaramlee Reach Condition Reach felt during late been have The dry conditions Autumn, with consistently Summer and early electrical and high levels oxygen dissolved low Park (GIN024) District in Umbagong conductivity GIN011. The dry at and further downstream and possibly influenced Winter into continued the Spring bug in bug diversity water reduced survey. in short, delivered it was did come, When the rain following samples collected Water sharp storms. to spike a turbidity saw in October a 10mm storm volunteer Our Umbagong Umbagong. 160 NTU at during their species bird a number has sighted kookaburras including crimson rosellas, monitoring are they that has also noted but and king parrots the rubbish from of amounts increased removing area. conducting are Project Waterways Healthy The ACT looking at (STW005) Pond Jarramlee at research can in urban wetlands level the water varying how of The level pollutants. trap their ability to improve in March lowered deliberately was Pond Jarramlee as part of this study. about 1.5 metres by 3 2 34 No. Survey Poor Poor Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 6km approx. Urban

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach starts downstream of Ginninderra Drive Drive of Ginninderra downstream starts This reach Park, District the Umbagong through and flows Pond with Gooromon the confluence ending at with a good vegetated is well The reach Creek. buffers zone and wide grassland riparian native restoration creek sections. Previous in many and Group Catchment the Ginninderra by projects have Groups Landcare and Macgregor Umbagong quality. water and riparian condition improved Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Ginninderra Creek at Umbagong District Park Park District Umbagong at Creek Ginninderra Ginninderra Creek GIN4 Creek Ginninderra Ginninderra Creek GIN5 Gooromon Ponds Creek confluence to Ginninderra Falls Gorge

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition There was a slight improvement in the water bug 2016/17 CHIP Result D+ (Poor) score in 2018 compared to the previous year. This Parameter Rating No. Survey was mainly due to the Autumn water bug survey at Kilby Homestead (GIN040), yielding nine different Water quality Good 16 orders of water bugs. This included some sensitive pH Excellent bugs; mayflies, caddisflies and water mites, Turbidity Fair although water boatman, a pollution-tolerant bug, Phosphorus Excellent made the bulk of the sample (300+ individuals). Nitrate Good A water dragon was also sighted at the concrete Electrical Conductivity Poor bridge during the water bug survey. Dissolved Oxygen Excellent Erosion continues to be a problem downstream Water bug Poor 2 of the confluence of Ginninderra Creek and Riparian condition Poor 2 Gooromon Ponds (GIN030). It’s positive to note, however, the regeneration of native shrubs plus some habitat such as fallen logs, along the edge Reach Facts of the creek at Kilby Homestead. This provides Reach network length: approx. 7km essential refuge for small vertebrates such as frogs Dominant land uses: Urban/Rural Fringe and lizards. Surprisingly, this is one of the few sites in This reach runs from the confluence with Ginninderra Creek drainage, that has an overall Gooromon Ponds Creek to the rural properties in ‘excellent’ dissolved oxygen reading, which was Kilby Homestead region. The upper section has consistent with last year findings. This is despite significant bank erosion and the lower section runs the more degraded conditions upstream. through sheep and cattle farms. Ginninderra Catch- ment Group, Greening Australia and the Riverview group have undertaken Willow removal and native regeneration work in the mid-section.

Significant erosion is present at GIN030, downstream of the confluence with Gooromon Ponds Creek.

40 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 4141 Lower Ginninderra Falls, just above GIN050. above just Falls, Ginninderra Lower Reach Condition Reach well is Creek section of Ginninderra This last cover vegetation and has the best conserved supporting a catchment, in the Ginninderra Although the species. plant of native diversity by mature represented well is riparian vegetation not much regeneration and gum trees, casuarinas the Despite along the creek. has been observed stressors upstream the cover, vegetation good felt still be can farming and such as urbanisation in ranged conductivity as electrical downstream, and dissolved the ‘poor’ (230-400 μS/cm) category ‘fair’ considered as 74% (as low was oxygen saturation). observed has been vegetation aquatic little Very represented which is in this section of the Creek, of in-stream This lack bottom. a rocky mainly by water in scores lower of the is reflective habitat species present tolerant with many bug diversity, glass shrimp, and lots including snails, fly larvae, (600+ individuals in a single boatman of water sample). observed regularly are dragons water Eastern during sampling. 1 2 6 No. Survey Fair Fair Poor Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 3km approx. Conservation

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water NEW REACH Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach comprises the high conservation the high conservation comprises This reach It and Gorge. Falls of the Ginninderra area value woodlands of native areas of large is composed an also represents Falls Ginninderra and shrubs. site, and heritage cultural Ngunnawal important ceremonial indigenous significant host to known and male initiations. Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Ginninderra Falls Gorge to Murrumbidgee River confluence River Murrumbidgee to Gorge Falls Ginninderra Ginninderra Creek GIN6 Creek Ginninderra Gooromon Ponds Creek GOO1 Headwaters to confluence with Ginninderra Creek

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition Fluctuations in the water levels were a common 2016/17 CHIP Result C- (Fair) feature at the top of the reach (GOO007). On several Parameter Rating No. Survey occasions there was no flow and sampling was done in the isolated pools, where dissolved oxygen Water quality Good 19 showed extremely low levels (22% saturation). It pH Excellent is interesting to note how the upstream section Turbidity Excellent (GOO007) showed high electrical conductivity (EC) Phosphorus Excellent values (1620 μS/cm) and lower nitrates (0 -1 mg/L) Nitrate Good compared to the downstream area (GOO009; 980 Electrical Conductivity Degraded μS/cm and 1-3 mg/L respectively), which seems to Dissolved Oxygen Degraded ease the influence of geology on EC downstream Water bug Poor 2 but increase the run-off of nitrates in this rural landscape. Riparian condition Poor 2 Although pollution-sensitive water bugs have been found in the surveys, such as caddisflies, mayflies Reach Facts and water mites, the samples had mainly tolerant Reach network length: approx. 17km species, such as fly larvae (180+), snails (25+) and Dominant land uses: Rural damselfly nymphs (40+). Flowing through the rural land surrounding Hall The volunteer has noted dumping of several garbage and Wallaroo, the Gooromon Ponds Creek is a bags, shoes and appliances on the bank of the site mostly ephemeral creek with intermittent pools. GOO007, which could potentially leach into the This Creek contains sections of moderate erosion Creek after a storm. and extensive areas with low habitat value.

Gooroomon Creek at Jaramlee Crossing (GOO009) with extensive reed coverage (Photo: D.Fitzsimmons).

42 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 4343 The drain at STW001 after 98mm of rain on 26 February - rain on 26 98mm of after STW001 at The drain Autumns on record. one of the driest by followed Reach Condition Reach in water decrease a marked displays This reach (GDC010) the upstream from quality parameters the showing (STW001), site downstream the to running through water of the effects cumulative lots of over travelling urban landscape, the concrete and through surfaces impermeable conductivity electrical example, For drains. of the reach, top the at 107 μS/cm averages Similarly, the bottom. at 205 μS/cm to compared 0.007 mg/L (top: and phosphorus and nitrates 0.11 mg/L, bottom:0.06 respectively; mg/L and 1.67 mg/L), much nutrients how showing Another interesting the system. through move warmer, is always water the is that observation and higher electrical oxygen dissolved with lower into it flows STW001 before at conductivity Creek. Ginninderra average than with higher of drought, The effects and in Autumn rainfall and lower temperatures results on the effect mid-Spring, had an adverse bug surveys. of both Autumn and Spring water and mainly less bug diversity found Both surveys water fly larvae, including species, tolerant and yabbies. boatman 4 3 23 Survey Fair Fair Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 10km approx. Urban

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Riparian condition Water quality Water This reach starts in the southern suburbs of suburbs in the southern starts This reach the Gungaderra through flows Gungahlin, at Creek Ginninderra and into Reserve Grassland Ginninderra. of Lake upstream just Pond Giralang channel from a stormwater also includes The reach Stadium and Canberra of Canberra the University inflow. urban stormwater and has moderate Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Gungahlin to Giralang Pond Giralang to Gungahlin Gungaderra Creek GDC1 Creek Gungaderra Gungahlin Pond GUN2 Headwaters of Ginninderra Creek north arm to Gungahlin Ponds

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition Water quality was overall ‘good’ in this reach 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) despite some elevated readings of electrical Parameter Rating No. Survey conductivity in STW006. This was especially the case during the dry spells in July and September, Water quality Good 28 with 780 and 890 μS/cm respectively. Fine brown pH Excellent algae is commonly found here among rocks, reeds Turbidity Excellent and along the substrate (the bottom layer of the Phosphorus Excellent Creek). During early Spring, low rainfall and high Nitrate Excellent temperatures probably facilitated algae growth, Electrical Conductivity Poor changing the commonly clear Gungahlin Pond Dissolved Oxygen Degraded (GUN001) into a green coloured pond, with higher Water bug Poor 2 than usual turbidity (30 NTU). Riparian condition Poor 3 Much of the areas directly adjacent to this section of Ginninderra Creek showed good ground cover which is represented by manicured and exotic Reach Facts grasses, typical of urban ponds. There is also an Reach network length: approx. 6km abundance of reeds, which serve as in-stream Dominant land uses: Urban/Rural Fringe habitat for water bugs, fish and turtles. The north arm of Ginninderra Creek originates in Despite the bulk of water bugs being of tolerant the rural lands surrounding the northern suburbs species, we did record sensitive ones, such as of Gungahlin and joins the east arm in Gungahlin caddisfly, mayflies and water mites in both Autumn Pond. The upper section is mostly ephemeral and Spring bug surveys. creeks disconnected by stock dams and flowing into the sediment control pond of Gungahlin. The reach receives a high inflow of urban stormwater from surrounding suburbs and new developing suburbs.

Reeds (and some rubbish) along the edge of Gungahlin Pond at GUN001.

44 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 4545 Kippax Creek. Kippax The lower section sits within an important native native within an important section sits The lower Significant Park. District Umbagong the at grassland the confluence. towards is evident erosion Reach Condition Reach quality water contrasting some showed This reach 2018. The heatwaves late to early from results the April reflected January to from rainfall and low %, 15 – 35 from ranging results, oxygen dissolved conductivity electrical to the highest in addition of Ginninderra in the urbanised section reading with around On the other hand, 980μS/cm. Creek; the preceding during the week 80 mm of rain some parameters in December, sampling water (10mg/L) and such as nitrates skyrocketed, phosphorus (0.125 mg/L). very is still lovegrass African Although the weed, to note it is interesting in the area, common Kangaroo of the native presence the increasing noting has been carefully Our volunteer grass. and things have issues in this reach the erosion a following years few the last over worsened number of flash floods. been sighted have Black Cockatoos Yellow-tailed a flock of 40 flying with at this site times several May. in late over 1 2 12 No. Survey Fair Poor Good Good Fair Poor Good Excellent Rating Degraded approx. 2km approx. Urban

Turbidity pH Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Kippax Creek is now mostly a system of stormwater of stormwater a system mostly is now Creek Kippax “natural” lines. The remaining and drainage drains the from stretch section is only a 400m creek the confluence to trap pollutant gross last does offer This reach Creek. with Ginninderra the impacts of a study opportunity to a great urbanised with limited is heavily that catchment water quality improvement infrastructure. Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Ginninderra Creek confluence Creek Ginninderra to Headwaters Kippax Creek KIP1 Creek Kippax McKellar Wetlands MCW1 Designed habitat wetland system, McKellar

2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Reach Condition This McKellar wetlands received the best overall 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) score in the Ginninderra catchment in 2018. It was Parameter Rating No. Survey also the only reach in Ginninderra catchment to have an ‘excellent’ electrical conductivity score while Water quality Good 20 the other reaches mainly produced ‘poor’ scores. pH Excellent Perhaps this is due to this section not receiving the Turbidity Poor high amounts of urban stormwater which can often Phosphorus Excellent elevate electrical conductivity scores. Also, given Nitrate Excellent the high amount of edge and in-stream vegetation Electrical Conductivity Excellent present in both these wetlands, it’s possible that they Dissolved Oxygen Degraded are just doing a more efficient job of treating the Water bug Fair 2 water quality. Nonetheless, the effects of low rainfall have been felt, with reduced water levels, increased Riparian condition Fair 2 turbidity and low dissolved oxygen. Although not many large native trees are present in Reach Facts the riparian zone, native tussock grasses are quite Reach network length: approx. 500m common in addition to large amounts of reeds in the Dominant land uses: Urban Dam. Water mites (350+) were the most abundant The two McKellar wetlands are designed primarily species of water bugs found, which are pollution- for frog habitat, with humans as secondary users. sensitive. Water mites are known to temporarily This is evident in the significant reed growth in both live on the surface of aquatic insects during their life wetlands, and the connecting channel linking the cycle. two wetlands, which is heavily vegetated to facilitate Icon Water worked with Waterwatch on Clean up frog movement. As it is situated in an established Australia Day at these sites and removed 20 bags of suburb, nutrient inputs are from human activity rubbish plus chairs and election corflute signs! such as gardening and leaves from deciduous trees.

Icon Water staff with their haul at Clean Up Australia Day, McKellar Wetlands.

46 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 4747 The remnants of the Mulligan’s Flat Dam at MFL011. Dam at Flat of the Mulligan’s The remnants Reach Condition Reach reach, of this condition the overall This year Creek, of Ginninderra which is the headwaters were of drought and the effects has deteriorated several mentioned has Our volunteer evident. wetland. of the levels water times about the low the in February), also turbid (150 NTU was Water very muddy and dissolved was of the Dam bottom to year last ‘excellent’ from also dropped oxygen in 2018. ‘degraded’, category, the lowest a high diversity from gone have bug scores Water and orders sample, with ten in the prior year’s to bugs, high abundance of the pollution-sensitive bugs of water order in 2018, with only three low (300+), mites water were They being recorded. (10+). This (300+) and fly larvae boatman water absence complete by the possibly influenced was which serves as habitat vegetation, of aquatic it because occurred bugs. This absence water for ‘high and dry’ either left was not persist could or the dry times. through heads were turtle long-necked eastern A few wall. the dam along water remaining in the spotted 2 2 10 No. Survey Fair Fair Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded approx. 2km approx. Conservation

Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Turbidity Phosphorus Conductivity Electrical pH Nitrate Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C- (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Riparian condition Water quality Water Mulligan’s Flat Dam was originally an old farm originally an old farm was Dam Flat Mulligan’s for habitat as an ecological repurposed dam, now The fauna and flora. and native life bird life, aquatic in established was Reserve Nature Flat Mulligan’s and woodlands grassy the box-gum protect 1995 to The Dam is area. in the Gungahlin situated fauna is grass-filtered, that rainwater normally filled with The site watchers. bird and is a popular spot for projects. a number of conservation to host plays Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach Dominant land uses: Dominant

Headwaters of Ginninderra Creek to Mulligan’s Flat Dam Flat Mulligan’s to Creek of Ginninderra Headwaters Mulligan’s Flat Dam MFL1 Dam Flat Mulligan’s Murrumbidgee River CMM11 Molonglo River confluence to Ginninderra Creek confluence

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition This reach has been reactivated after a few years of 2016/17 CHIP Result DD (Data Deficient) no data collection. The most striking water quality Parameter Rating No. Survey result is the nitrate measurements(range: 4 –30 mg/L), the second highest in the ACT region. These Water quality Good 12 results are only less than the Lower Molonglo pH Excellent reach (MOL6) which feeds into the Murrumbidgee Turbidity Excellent River just upstream of this reach. The results are Phosphorus Excellent most likely being influenced by the discharges Nitrate Degraded of the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Electrical Conductivity Poor Centre(LMWQCC), as indicated by the nitrate results Dissolved Oxygen Excellent above and below the LMWQCC. Water bug Degraded 3 Most of the water bugs found, fell in the tolerant Riparian condition Fair 2 category, with high numbers of yabbies, fly larvae and water boatman. The reduced amount of reeds and aquatic vegetation in this section of the Reach Facts Murrumbidgee River are probably influencing the Reach network length: approx. 7.1km poor bug results. Dominant land uses: Conservation, rural Carp are a common sighting in this reach and Starting below the confluence of the Molonglo occasionally Eastern froglets are heard. River this reach includes mostly rural land and Murrumbidgee River Reserve to the confluence with Ginninderra Creek. The reach also includes some sections of gorge country and the upper section of the reach receives the outflow from the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre.

Conducting riparian assessments on the Murrumbidgee River (CMM115).

48 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 4949 The Valley Ponds. The Valley Reach Condition Reach water for deficient data was this reach year Last of our effort great the to quality but owing is back sampling Scouts, Birralee the volunteers, on track. quality, water for result ‘good’ overall an Despite highest one of the reached conductivity electrical the urbanised for 230-770 μS/cm) (range: values related be This could Creek. of Ginninderra area land historical and it receives stormwater the to elevated that noted use impacts. It has been and turbidity days, rainy rubbish after of amounts (200 in this drainage level highest the reached in October. storm a 10mm after NTU) we Cubs, Bunyip the Birralee help of With the Spring bug surveys, both Autumn and conducted each. It bugs at of water orders ten recording mayflies, the pollution-sensitive see to great was but the majority of mites, water and caddisflies (80+), of flatworms composed were samples the bugs (300+). (70+) and true fly larvae 2 2 16 No. Survey Fair Good Fair Fair Good Excellent Excellent Rating Degraded Degraded approx. 2km approx. Urban

Electrical Conductivity Electrical Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Turbidity pH Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Originally an old farm dam and artificial seepage artificial seepage dam and Originally an old farm this for a unique habitat was this site grassland, has since been redeveloped The site catchment. centre town the Gungahlin for urban wetland into a high quality It is now and parts of Palmerston. wetland. recreation and education Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Wetland to Gungahlin Town Centre Town Gungahlin to Wetland The Valley Ponds GUN1 Ponds Valley The Yerrabi Pond YER1 Headwaters of Ginninderra Creek to Yerrabi Dam Wall

The reach receives a moderate inflow of urban 2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) stormwater from surrounding suburbs. 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Parameter Rating No. Survey Reach Condition Water quality Excellent 18 There were nine orders of water bugs observed in pH Excellent both the Autumn and Spring sampling at Yerrabi Turbidity Excellent Pond, with many tolerant species recorded, such Phosphorus Excellent as fly larvae, worms, water boatman and snails. On Nitrate Excellent the other hand, microcaddis, which are sensitive to Electrical Conductivity Poor pollution, were observed during Spring. They are a member of the caddisfly family that builds a small Dissolved Oxygen Fair silk case to protect themselves, and because of Water bug Fair 2 their small size they can be hard to spot. Riparian condition Poor 2 Water quality rated better this year, with dissolved oxygen, nitrates and pH records helping to push up Reach Facts the scores. Reach network length: approx. 10km Much of the riparian zone was composed of exotic Dominant land uses: Urban/Rural Fringe grasses, which are typical ground cover plants in The east arm of Ginninderra Creek originates in the ACT urban park. A few scattered trees, with the rural lands surrounding the northern suburbs casuarinas being the most representative native of Gungahlin. It includes the former rural lands, tree, do occur. During dry years, urban ponds can now significant woodland reserve, of Mulligans Flat help to buffer the effects of drought and provide Sanctuary. The upper section is mostly ephemeral refuge habitat for native wildlife. Some more creeks,disconnected by stock dams. It flows into complexity in the riparian zone would positively the sediment control pond of Yerrabi. contribute to this.

Yerrabi Pond at YER001.

50 MOLONGLOGINNINDERRA CATCHMENT CATCHMENT 5151 Molonglo Catchment Facts

The Molonglo catchment extends from the Murrumbidgee River, just downstream of Uriarra Crossing, to the headwaters of Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers and Jerrabomberra Creek, an area of about 2,000 km2 This diverse catchment includes the urban areas of Queanbeyan and inner Canberra, villages such as Captains Flat and rural residential areas and farmland including Burra, and Carwoola. There is new residential development occurring at Googong, south-east of Queanbeyan, and around the lower Molonglo River. Non-residential areas include native and pine forests, wetlands, national parks and the foreshores of , which supplies some of Canberra’s and Queanbeyan’s water. Lake Burley Griffin is on the Molonglo River and collects stormwater and runoff from Queanbeyan, much of north Canberra and Fyshwick industrial area, as well as treated output from the Queanbeyan sewerage treatment plant. Lake Burley Griffin water quality is monitored by the National Capital Authority and information can be found at http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/WaterQuality/index.php/en/. The Molonglo catchment has a large population with urban waterways flowing in concrete channels. This is a key issue for urban catchments where there is little riparian vegetation and habitat to slow down flows and capture and absorb nutrients and sediments. Of the six priority sub-catchments in the ACT Healthy Waterways project, four are in the Molonglo catchment. These sub-catchments are currently the focus of water quality improvement strategies such as wetlands and water-sensitive urban design. Though water quality across the Molonglo catchment is generally good, when taking account of all our catchment health indicators (water quality, water bugs and riparian condition), it is the highly urbanised catchments and rural creeks with largely cleared vegetation, that are in the poorest condition.

52 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 53 were extremely heavy and heavy extremely were localised. many flows, With lower bug surveys water scores had reduced and with less diversity of bugs numbers overall Every being collected. favours season, however, bug water particular continued species, and we bugs see unusual water to (see the and there here QUE1). at ‘Toebiter’ of riparian The state was also vegetation the drier by impacted with many conditions, bare more having sites to adjacent ground lower and waterways, rates. survival planting Of the 63 Waterwatch riparian assessed for sites Molonglo the in vegetation only eight catchment, as ‘excellent’ rated were half and over or ‘good’ as ‘poor’ rated were As with or ‘degraded’. it is mostly years, previous that the upper catchments and complexity good have habitat, of native diversity with the urban and lower barer having sites rural and a dominance ground Working trees. of exotic the complexity improve to of our riparian corridors the not only for is vital but to health of our rivers refuge and habitat provide our wildlife. for Molonglo Catchment Health Summary Health Catchment Molonglo The reduced rainfall saw 19 of 24 reaches with ‘degraded’ dissolved oxygen ratings, up from 16 reaches the 16 from up ratings, oxygen dissolved with ‘degraded’ 19 of 24 reaches saw rainfall The reduced very of incidents were there rain, When it did that). before also up on the year (which was year previous land. rural cleared previously from erosion and historical urban development, from likely high turbidity, at times which events storm following our rivers to of sediment quantities added large These incidents There were significant periods when smaller creeks were dry, including four creeks which were dry for nine dry were which four creeks including dry, were creeks periods when smaller significant were There Lake above Molonglo River well as in the as other creeks, most in flows lower and much more, or months Griffin. Burley As with other sites around the upper Murrumbidgee, a dry Autumn and Winter in 2018 had a negative negative in 2018 had a a dry and Winter Autumn Murrumbidgee, the upper around sites As with other Molonglo catchment. in the CHIP scores overall impact on Banksia Street Wetland SUW2 Sullivans Creek in O’Connor

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition This Wetland is being sampled once again, with 2016/17 CHIP Result D+ (Poor) volunteers Louise and Lyn taking on this site along Parameter Rating No. Survey with Lyneham Wetland. Water quality is based on Spring and early Summer only, but the ‘excellent’ Water quality Good 4 turbidity and electrical conductivity suggested a pH Good well-functioning wetland with sediment and plant Turbidity Excellent nutrients being captured instead of flowing into Phosphorus Poor Sullivans Creek. Nitrate Excellent Electrical Conductivity Excellent The ephemeral section of the Wetland provided Dissolved Oxygen Degraded habitat for frogs, away from the large numbers of feral Eastern gambusia fish, which are voracious Water bug Poor 2 feeders, known to eat tadpoles and frog’s eggs. The Riparian condition Fair 1 permanent water section supported some diversity of water bugs but they were in low numbers and mostly tolerant types such as snails. In Spring, the Reach Facts water was teeming with tiny crustaceans: mostly Reach network length: approx. 0.2Ha seed shrimps (Ostracoda) and some Daphnia Dominant land uses: Urban, recreation (Cladocera). Banksia Street is an artificial ‘off-line’ wetland, Despite only a ‘fair’ vegetation condition rating, constructed in 2010. It includes an ephemeral section this Wetland has very diverse plants around and in (an area that dries out from time to time). Low flows the water, as well as other habitat features such as are diverted from the westerly arm of Sullivans Creek logs, and it rated the best of the urban Wetlands. concrete channel,to pass through the wetland, then Only the upstream sections of some creeks and overflow back into the westerly channel when water rivers, with good native vegetation, have attracted levels are sufficiently high. a better vegetation score.

The permanent water section of Banksia Street Wetland.

54 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 55 Volunteer Sarah Essex at our new our new at Essex Sarah Volunteer (BUR095). Creek on Burra site Waterwatch Reach Condition Reach site upstream the most of 2018, months four For for flows With reduced dry. was Creek on Burra and conductivity electrical both much of this year, adversely were bugs water the number of sensitive impacted. and vegetation the poor streamside Despite site, bug sampling water at the main condition the for habitat mix of in-stream a good was there sand, coarse pebbles, cobbles, bugs. This included section, flowing a shallow matter, of organic patches that of vegetation and other areas pool, a deeper bugs including of water diversity in a good resulted types. sensitive some quality water of months five include It is pleasing to London close to site downstream a new from data River Queanbeyan the and site heritage Bridge falls though this even Unfortunately, confluence. riparian Reserve, Nature Foreshores within Googong of bare areas are is minimal and there vegetation ground. vegetation of streamside and lack erosion Whilst focusing on is Water Icon an issue, to be continue and has recently in this catchment problems erosion look forward We survey. an ACWA commissioned to make for landholders opportunities more to and erosion stabilise will help that improvements quality. water and vegetation improve 4 3 38 (4 dry) No. Survey Fair Poor Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded 40km approx. Native bush, grazing, rural, rural, bush, grazing, Native

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Burra Creek arises in the north-western edge edge in the north-western arises Creek Burra the into and flowing of the Tinderry Mountains Dam. of Googong upstream just River Queanbeyan subdivisions and includes the rural through It flows to the Murrumbidgee of the pipeline from outlet passing scheme, before transfer water Googong Foreshores the southern end of Googong through or absent is Riparian vegetation reserve. nature beds. some reed are There Willows. by dominated conservation Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Googong Foreshores NR Foreshores Googong to Headwaters Burra Creek BUR1 Creek Burra David Street Wetland SUW1 Sullivans Creek catchment in O’Connor

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition Water bug sampling was extremely difficult again this 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) year in the thick, soupy water. Woo O’Reilly noted: Parameter Rating No. Survey “The pond was dark, stagnant with a deep layer of anaerobic sludge on the bottom. The surface was Water quality Fair 13 also covered in a heavy layer of pollen/seed. The pH Good water was also teeming with Gambusia (a feral fish Turbidity Fair species).” Phosphorus Degraded Nitrate Excellent As the oldest and smallest wetland in the inner Electrical Conductivity Good North, David St Wetland has captured a deep layer Dissolved Oxygen Degraded of sediment over time, which is a primary part of its intended function. However, the deep sediment, Water bug Degraded 2 and a dominance of Acacia trees has reduced the Riparian condition Fair 1 growth of water plants, and suggests this wetland is not functioning as well as it could to improve water quality. Reach Facts Reach network length: approx. 0.21Ha With most water quality parameters being worse Dominant land uses: Urban, recreation this year including a ‘degraded’ dissolved oxygen rating, the overall water quality score has dropped David Street Wetland is the second ‘offline’ considerably. This makes this wetland equal worst wetland along the westerly branch of Sullivans in the Molonglo catchment (along with Lyneham Creek which flows in a concrete stormwater Wetland). The ‘degraded’ phosphorus status, possibly channel. This wetland was constructed in 2001 and contributed to the blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) takes low flows which pass through the wetland noted at the Wetland in March and April. then overflow back into the westerly concrete channel, just before it joins the main northern branch.

A thick layer of seed and pollen made the Spring water bug survey a challenge at David St Wetland.

56 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 57

The good diversity of edge vegetation is vegetation of edge diversity The good . Wetland at Dickson to mature starting Reach Condition Reach and electrical in nitrate With big improvements had the wetland urban this year, this conductivity quality in the Molonglo water highest equal third sites some river and creeks When most catchment. had high Wetland flowing, Dickson barely were This has water. looking and pristine levels water only which was quality, water excellent in resulted Queanbeyan the three by equalled or surpassed reaches. River have plants and wetland of edge variety A good have They years. eight the past over here matured excellent providing and are watered been well in an overall This has resulted bug habitat. water was higher than other that score riparian condition in the other reaches most and urban wetlands catchment. redfin fish species, the feral that report Locals was Another unusual find here. found are perch, mussels. small freshwater well looked to be continues wetland This lovely by locals valued and it is residents by local after alike. and visitors 1 2 14 No. Survey Fair Fair Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Excellent

Urban

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Dickson Wetland was constructed in 2011 and in constructed was Wetland Dickson slopes near Mt Majura. western is on the lower into channel is fed stormwater concrete A large but during high rainfall wetland, the constructed the from Water is bypassed. the wetland events channel and concrete the back into flows wetland, of the upstream just Wetland, Lyneham to through Creek. with Sullivans confluence Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach 1Ha area: approx. Reach

Sullivans Creek catchment Creek Sullivans Dickson Wetland DIC1 Wetland Dickson Googong Creek GGG1 Headwaters to Queanbeyan River confluence

This creates another dam on the creek before 2018 CHIP Result B (Good) reaching the Queanbeyan River upstream of 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Wickerslack Lane. Googong Creek flows intermittently but now takes discharge from the Googong water Parameter Rating No. Survey recycling plant. Water quality Good 17 (3 dry) pH Excellent Reach Condition Turbidity Excellent Water quality overall has reduced slightly since last Phosphorus Excellent year. A new site was added at the top of the Creek Nitrate Degraded to monitor water from Googong township. This can Electrical Conductivity Degraded then be compared to the sites downstream that Dissolved Oxygen Excellent are more influenced by spring water. The riparian Water bug No Data 0 condition score for the new site has not yet been included in this score. Riparian condition Good 2 Our volunteer, Sue, continued to report apparent pig damage to groundcover vegetation around Reach Facts the Creek at the downstream sites, as well as Reach network length: approx. 1km the presence of riparian weed species. There Dominant land uses: Native bush, grazing, urban, were concerning periods with high nitrogen infrastructure, rural residential measurements, as well as spikes of high turbidity following rain, which had a negative impact on this Googong Creek rises in the developing township Creek and the Queanbeyan River downstream. of Googong, and runs into the Queanbeyan River downstream from Googong Dam. It passes through For several months in Autumn the middle site on a stormwater holding dam on the edge of Googong the reach has no surface water flows and at the site township and crosses a pipeline access track. furthest downstream Sue said that “flow was just a trickle - the lowest I have seen it”.

Our champion Waterwatch volunteer, Sue Gibson, at the new site on Googong Creek (GGG010).

58 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 59 Jerrabomberra Creek at JER065 was dry for much of 2018. dry for JER065 was at Creek Jerrabomberra Reach Condition Reach bugs water and conductivity electrical Turbidity, a This is likely this year. scores lower all received very dry the to due flows of reduced consequence was collection. JER065 reduced data and conditions did site the upstream of 2018, while most dry for although Downstream, all year. water it’s maintain not it was been dry, always not have JER095 may and lacks years as past as frequently monitored of 2018. most for data this testing the Waterwatchers from Comments how emphasise Creek section of Jerrabomberra for water retain as they pools are, refuge vital ceased. have flows when surface months many for vital are vegetation with pools and Areas JER020 of a at reports with regular wildlife, as well kangaroos species, frogs, of bird diversity habitats These important creatures. water as many again and then disperse persist to enable wildlife return. once the flows on the of development areas new two are There to impact with potential tributary Creek Church this reach. 3 2 19 (2 dry) No. Survey Poor Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded approx. 15km approx. Native bush, Rural residential, residential, bush, Rural Native

pH Turbidity Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Phosphorus Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Jerrabomberra Creek arises in the hills surrounding arises in the hills surrounding Creek Jerrabomberra along the Royalla of area residential the rural It has a number border. side of the ACT south-east along this section. it into flowing of small creeks riparian channel has some healthy The creek subdivisions rural into flowing before vegetation vegetation. little riparian with very Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Fernleigh Drive Fernleigh to Headwaters Jerrabomberra Creek JER1 Creek Jerrabomberra Jerrabomberra Creek JER2 Fernleigh Park to Molonglo River confluence

These largely artificial wetlands capture runoff 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) from the adjoining Fyshwick industrial area. The 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) reach also includes the ephemeral Woden Creek and Kelly’s Swamp. The water in the bottom part Parameter Rating No. Survey of this reach is backed up and slowed down by Water quality Good 27 (2 dry) , which contains the waters of Lake pH Excellent Burley Griffin. Turbidity Good Phosphorus Excellent Reach Condition Nitrate Excellent Lower Jerrabomberra Creek improved its water Electrical Conductivity Degraded quality score this year, up considerably from the Dissolved Oxygen Degraded last CHIP report. Phosphorus particularly improved, Water bug Fair 2 with turbidity and nitrate readings also better. The relative influence of Kelly’s Swamp on the water Riparian condition Poor 3 quality score in the reach was less than in previous years because it was dry for two months. Reach Facts As an ephemeral wetland, Kelly’s Swamp naturally Reach network length: approx. 19km has higher nutrients (like phosphorus), salts Dominant land uses: Rural residential, light (pushing up electrical conductivity) and turbidity. industrial, urban, conservation, recreation But the cycle of wetting and drying in the Swamp provides rich habitat for many types of water birds, This reach flows from Fernleigh Park rural Eastern long-necked turtles and water bugs. residential area and runs past the suburb of Jerrabomberra, the Environa development and There are major works underway on this reach to the Hume industrial estate. It then flows through improve water quality as part of the ACT Healthy Jerrabomberra Grassland Reserve, through some Waterways Program. This includes new ponds rural land with little riparian vegetation, and in Narrabundah, and works that will connect to then through to Nature an existing channel of Jerrabomberra Creek in Reserve. the Wetlands, creating a much larger chain of functional wetlands

Water bugging at Jerrabomberra Wetlands.

60 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 61 Attracting some curious passers-by during the Spring passers-by some curious Attracting Wetland. Lyneham at bug survey Reach Condition Reach Lyneham and Louise adopted Lyn Volunteers quality sampling only so water in June, Wetland half of the year. the second covers Phosphorus year. on last is down score This year’s with more significantly deteriorated have levels the into falling than half of the measurements (>0.08mg/L). not clear category It’s ‘degraded’ if the bottom is, however this for the reason what oxygen, of is depleted in the wetland of water layer releases that reaction in a chemical result this can the into the sediments, phosphorus from existing column. water which conditions, ‘degraded’ bugs indicate Water Small pollution year. is a further decline on last particularly Daphnia, crustaceans, tolerant Occasional Wetland. this to dominate continue conditions with challenging create high flows very the slow help to present plants in-stream few pumped from has water This Wetland down. water Network. it as part of the Inner North Reticulation quite dropping levels in the water This results edge water the can leave times which suddenly at available high and dry and limiting here, plants bugs. water for habitat much less rubbish than has this Wetland Pleasingly, years. seen in previous we’ve 7 1 2 No. Survey

Fair Poor Good Good Good Good Rating Degraded Degraded Degraded

Urban

Turbidity Phosphorus pH Nitrate Electrical Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result D+ (Poor) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Lyneham Wetland is a large artificial wetland artificial is a large Wetland Lyneham stormwater by in 2011–12 and is fed constructed including Dickson, suburbs, surrounding from channel stormwater concrete the large and from Dickson Unlike Wetlands. Dickson from which flows which wetland this is an ‘online’ however Wetlands storms. following all runoff including high flows, takes Creek Sullivans into overflows Wetland Lyneham high. sufficiently are levels when water Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach 1Ha area: approx. Reach

Sullivans Creek catchment off Wattle Street Lyneham Street Wattle off catchment Creek Sullivans Lyneham Wetland LYN1 Wetland Lyneham Molonglo River MOL1 Headwaters to Captains Flat

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair Reach Condition This top reach for the Molonglo River continues 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) to lack water quality data due to the absence of a Parameter Rating No. Survey volunteer. If you know anyone who lives around Captains Flat who may be interested, we would Water quality No Data 0 love to hear from you! Thus, only water bugs and pH NA riparian condition surveys are contributing to the Turbidity NA overall CHIP score this year. Phosphorus NA Nitrate NA With low rainfall, the sensitive water bugs were Electrical Conductivity NA somewhat reduced in numbers, but over both Dissolved Oxygen NA Autumn and Spring surveys they were still the best in the Molonglo catchment. Considering the small Water bug Good 2 size of the river this far upstream in the catchment, Riparian condition Poor 1 plus its limited habitat types and riverside vegetation, the diversity and number of water bugs suggests water quality is very good. There is also Reach Facts some dense in-stream vegetation, diverse water- Reach network length: approx. 3.5km edge plants, and faster flowing water upstream. Dominant land uses: Conservation, grazing, rural residential With no official rainfall data available, anecdotal news from a local landholder saw the lowest flows From its origins in the north western section of in 20 years occur in March. Some good rainfall fell in Tallaganda National Park in the Great Dividing this part of the catchment in October, despite little Range, the Molonglo River flows north through evidence of increased flows downstream grazing properties to Captains Flat. Apart from the uppermost section of the reach, which is wet sclerophyll forest, it is largely cleared rural land with little or no riparian vegetation.

Molonglo coordinator Deb Kellock collecting bugs on the Upper Molonglo River - November 2015.

62 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 63 Wendy and Steve helping out with water bug surveys bug surveys helping out with water and Steve Wendy on the Molonglo River. Reserve Stock the Travelling at Reach Condition Reach and Steve, Wendy volunteers, resident Long term have we level “This water is the lowest remarked, conductivity Electrical this site”. seen at ever also strongly were scores oxygen and dissolved of the most for flow little or no river by impacted improved and phosphorus were but nitrate year, overall. bug water contrasting very had two This reach of the in Autumn and one with the worst surveys, and good is very habitat in Spring. Whilst best parameters, many for ‘excellent’ quality is water be It may not all is well. that bugs show water remnant the concentrate conditions flow low that cause mine but the Flat the Captains pollution from unclear. remains very was when turbidity months three were There It on this reach. site Waterwatch the only high at population Carp resident the to possibly related This in the pool upstream. up sediment stirring bug survey with the Autumn water also coincided to the factor been a contributing have so this may score. bug poor water is reserve stock in this travelling control Weed of excellent issue within this pocket an ongoing riverside where rarity in an area bush. It is a native removed. has been largely vegetation 2 1 12 No. Survey Fair Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded approx. 10km approx. Grazing, rural residential, residential, rural Grazing,

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water The upstream section of this reach of the Molonglo section of this The upstream Leachate Dam. Flat Captains the below begins River to a mine closed in the 1960s continues from and acid minewater with the river contaminate The Molonglo flows metals. with heavy potentially at land and finishes modified rural through mostly ‘Foxlow’. at (TSR) Reserve Stock the Travelling mining (historical) Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Captains Flat to Travelling Stock Reserve Reserve Stock Travelling to Flat Captains Molonglo River MOL2 River Molonglo Molonglo River MOL3 Downstream of Travelling Stock Reserve near ‘Foxlow’

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition Willows continue to re-establish along this reach, 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) and riverside vegetation at many sites is dominated Parameter Rating No. Survey by exotic species. Local landcarers continue to work towards improvements in riparian vegetation, Water quality Good 50 (1 dry) and the smaller creeks do have better vegetation pH Excellent condition. Unfortunately, the large rural properties Turbidity Excellent with highly cleared landscapes dominate the main Phosphorus Excellent river channel. Nitrate Good Electrical Conductivity Degraded This reach had very similar results to last year, and Dissolved Oxygen Degraded only poorer electrical conductivity and water bug results, reduced the overall score, both likely due Water bug Fair 2 to reduced flows from the dry conditions. There Riparian condition Poor 5 are, however, welcomed stretches of dense aquatic vegetation which, despite lacking in diversity, provide important habitat for water bugs. Reach Facts Reach network length: approx. 54km With multiple sites in the reach, Whiskers Creek Dominant land uses: Grazing, rural residential has little impact on overall water quality but it supports a beautiful algae called Nitella, which This reach of the Molonglo River extends from only grows in clean water and managed to persist below the Travelling Stock Reserve south of despite the low flows. ‘Foxlow’ to Burbong Bridge on the Kings Highway and flows through modified rural land and rural subdivisions. The reach includes Plains Creek, Whiskers Creek and Stony Creek, with runoff from the Hoskinstown Plain, which is largely treeless due to being a frost hollow. Whiskers Creek and Stony Creek are adjacent to small rural subdivisions.

Molonglo River below Briars Sharrow Road crossing.

64 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 65 Molonglo River looking downstream to to looking downstream Molonglo River bridge. Road Yass Reach Condition Reach water quality and water in With small reductions slightly has dropped score the overall bug scores, persisting conditions flow with low year, last from riparian areas, As with many December. until Willows species such as blackberries and weedy and ongoing this site over take poised to are is important. control weir the above bottom rocky river The (artificial) seen water less commonly for habitat provided and may larvae, caddisfly bugs such as uncased influence of Molonglo the positive also reflect saw flows low However, upstream. not far Gorge for in algae coated milfoil, Water plant, the aquatic period. an extended on hanging large insist Fisherman visiting the site bug making water posts, dead Carp on nearby attract also they But perhaps stinky! rather surveys we scorpion such as the big water bug types water nymph. a damselfly devouring saw 1 2 12 No. Survey Fair Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded approx. 16km approx. Grazing, rural residential, residential, rural Grazing,

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Nitrate Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach begins downstream of the Kings Highway of the Kings Highway begins downstream This reach passes border, NSW/ACT on the Burbong Bridge at Forest Kowen section of southern the through with Molonglo Gorge and through plantation, pine the and ends above vegetation, native its intact Queanbeyan the with confluence Molonglo River’s Estate. Oaks at River forestry, conservation, urban conservation, forestry, Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Downstream of Burbong Bridge to Queanbeyan River confluence River Queanbeyan to Bridge Burbong of Downstream Molonglo River MOL4 River Molonglo Molonglo River MOL5 Upstream of Lake Burley Griffin

Much of the water in this part of the Molonglo River 2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) is backed up and slowed down by the presence of 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) Scrivener Dam at the bottom of Lake Burley Griffin. Parameter Rating No. Survey Water quality Good 17 Reach Condition pH Excellent The most notable thing this year is high nitrate Turbidity Excellent readings at MOL295 which regularly got Phosphorus Excellent measurements of around 5mg/L. This resulted Nitrate Degraded in the nitrate score dropping from ‘excellent’ in Electrical Conductivity Poor the previous year to ‘degraded’. The source of this excess nitrate is unknown but the upstream Dissolved Oxygen Degraded site, MOL270 just below the confluence with the Water bug Poor 2 Queanbeyan River, has recorded very low nitrate Riparian condition Poor 1 levels, if any, so the source is somewhere between these two Waterwatch sites. Reach Facts Small amounts of blue-green algae were noted Reach network length: approx. 10km during the water bug surveys. This did not Dominant land uses: Urban, industrial, horticulture, appear to affect the bugs compared to previous grazing years, which showed an abundance of pollution- tolerant types such as glass shrimp and ‘true bugs’ This section of the Molonglo River begins at its (Hemiptera). The limited diversity and numbers of confluence with the Queanbeyan River at Oaks water bugs reflect the lack of diversity in water bug Estate, continues on past Fyshwick industrial estate habitat present along this reach. There are many and Pialligo nurseries, close to Canberra airport, then large deciduous trees lining this section of the passes an extensive turf growing business. It forms river and leaves and fluff from white Poplar trees is the northern boundary of Jerrabomberra Wetlands often evident. Nature Reserve before entering Lake Burley Griffin. Volunteer Tony Patis knows a thing or two about fish and noted “large numbers of 2cm Carp at edges” during his March sampling at MOL295.

Some blue green algae was noted during Autumn and Spring water bug surveys at MOL295.

66 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 67 Algae covered rocks in the Molonglo River at MOL401. at in the Molonglo River rocks covered Algae improving water quality. Waterways (BasinWaterways Project) with works aimed at This reach will be targeted by the ACT Healthy Condition Reach impacted strongly reach is on the site The bottom levels with nitrate the LMWQCC, from outflows by at and times higher than upstream ten least at upper Murrumbidgee in the other sites most the overall has seen this site from Data catchment. dissolved However, slightly. drop rating nitrate at this year considerably dropping values, oxygen in the a drop has meant in this reach, all the sites quality score. water overall at the bottom bugs water find unusual often We larvae black beetle with large on the reach, site in both (an unusual species of Elmidae) found and split-tailed sack-tailed less common surveys, and (Diphlebiidae & Isostictidae), damselfly larvae (Hydropsychidae) larvae caddisfly net-spinning are The net-spinners being some of the standouts. from and spin their nets water in flowing common a moth. silk, similar to as Molonglo should improve vegetation Riverside fulfil made to has improvements Reserve River for nearby offset its function as an environmental urban development. 4 3 26 No. Survey Fair Fair Poor Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent

approx. 26km approx. Urban, grazing, conservation Urban, grazing,

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach on the Molonglo River extends from from extends on the Molonglo River This reach to Griffin Burley of Lake downstream directly It includes confluence. River the Murrumbidgee urban Valley Molonglo and future the new Reserve, Molonglo River the new developments, Lower and the area picnic Coppins Crossing (LMWQCC) Centre Quality Control Molonglo Water the confluence. above just Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Lake Burley Griffin to Murrumbidgee River confluence River to Murrumbidgee Griffin Burley Lake Molonglo River MOL6 River Molonglo Primrose Creek PRI1 Headwaters to Molonglo River confluence

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition Water quality data is being collected more 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) regularly this year by new volunteers Colleen and Parameter Rating No. Survey Glenn, who say they are enjoying their outings to these sites. There are frequently horses and Water quality Good 18 cows in or near the creeks, and regular visits pH Excellent from wildlife. Primrose Creek particularly is often Turbidity Excellent teeming with water life even though this creek can Phosphorus Excellent freeze over in Winter. Nitrate Excellent Electrical Conductivity Degraded Low flows resulted in a significant drop in dissolved Dissolved Oxygen Degraded oxygen from ‘excellent’ last year to ‘degraded’, so the overall water quality has dropped slightly. Water bug Fair 1 Because of the very low flows, only the Autumn Riparian condition Poor 2 water bug survey was done. Although not many sensitive types of water bugs were present, Reach Facts those that were there, were present in large Reach network length: approx. 34km numbers. It is always impressive how many water Dominant land uses: Conservation, grazing, rural bugs of diverse types are found in this small but ecologically important creek, which also has Primrose Creek is a chain of ponds with headwaters diverse aquatic vegetation. in Yanununbeyan State Conservation Area and Mount Foxlow. It includes Chimney Creek and Antills Creek, That said, with little or no streamside vegetation and flows into the Molonglo River near Carwoola. The to provide shelter and habitat, this reach lower section of Primrose Creek is actively eroding. unfortunately has one of the worst riparian There is little or no riparian vegetation except at the condition scores in the catchment. headwaters of Primrose Creek and Antills Creek. The reach flows mostly through rural land.

Glenn McMahon sampling at Chimney Creek Rural(photo: cleared Colleen land McMahon). along Primrose Creek

68 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 69 in

“the resident Platypus was diving Platypus was diving “the resident The predatory Dobsonfly larva (called ‘Toebiters’) (called larva Dobsonfly ‘Toebiters’) The predatory bug survey. during the Spring water found was Volunteer John reported active erosion from the from erosion active John reported Volunteer Creek... [creating a] massive silt “head of Lyons River” Creek and Queanbeyan load in Lyons heavy following in December, January and again in the December sampling captured It was rain. higher than usual much when turbidity was data QUE125). Boolboolma Crossing (200NTU at Sandy noted QUE300, volunteer at Downstream and in August in July, of ice on the River patches and September the cold”. and bobbing - bliss - despite types sensitive found bug surveys The water than in diversity but greater numbers in lower types five These included stonefly, years, previous in the Spring caddisfly and six types of of mayfly larva) (Dobsonfly as a “Toebiter” sample, as well moth larva. and a pale pink, “long haired” Reach Condition Reach some to have continued reach on this The sites in the scores condition vegetation of the best of some areas Despite Molonglo catchment. the surrounding land, the land rural cleared native intact has largely River upper Queanbeyan good and understorey with trees, vegetation, its ability all enhancing vegetation groundcover the This meant rainfall. down and slow capture to well, to flow continued River upper Queanbeyan months. many for rainfall low very despite 2 5 54 (21 dry) No. Survey

Fair Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 143km approx. Conservation, grazing, rural rural grazing, Conservation,

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result A- (Excellent) A- 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water The upper section of the Queanbeyan River is a River The upper section of the Queanbeyan its origins runs from that of river stretch extensive Tinderry on the southern slopes of the western includes reach Dam. The Googong to Ranges Tinderry Creek, Urialla Creek, Sherlock Creek, Creek. and Bradleys Creek Roberts residential Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Upstream of Googong Dam of Googong Upstream Queanbeyan River QUE1 River Queanbeyan Queanbeyan River QUE2 Downstream of Googong Dam to city of Queanbeyan

2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Reach Condition Several creeks contribute water to this stretch 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) of the Queanbeyan River but they provide Parameter Rating No. Survey a relatively small amount of the total flow. Reduced flows due to the dry conditions this year Water quality Excellent 35 (2 dry) contributed to the electrical conductivity being pH Excellent rated as ‘degraded’ as various salts and minerals Turbidity Excellent became more concentrated by low flows. Phosphorus Excellent Montgomery Creek was dry for part of the year Nitrate Good but, unexpectedly, Gorge Creek continued flowing Electrical Conductivity Degraded well. Dissolved Oxygen Excellent Recycled water from the growing Googong Water bug Fair 2 township flows into one tributary and contributed Riparian condition Fair 4 to higher nitrate levels but water quality overall is still one of the best in the Molonglo catchment. It is also one of only two reaches to rate as Reach Facts ‘excellent’ for dissolved oxygen. Reach network length: approx. 6.7km Dominant land uses: Urban, rural residential Turbidity was generally low, but there were incidents of very high turbidity following heavy This section of the Queanbeyan River extends rain. Volunteer Sue is particularly concerned downstream from Googong Dam to the edge of about any potential impact on Platypus, which Queanbeyan city. Googong, Montgomery and need large numbers of water bugs to thrive. She Gorge Creeks near the Googong township, feed saw Platypus regularly in the River, including into this reach as well as Valley Creek flowing out in February when “we noticed a baby Platypus of Cuumbuen Nature Reserve. Googong Creek learning to dive in the pool immediately (GGG1) is treated as a separate reach in this report. upstream... We watched it surface and dive dozens of times”.

Sue testing Gorge Creek at GOR090.

70 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 71 Queanbeyan River (QUE495) under railway bridge. (QUE495) under railway River Queanbeyan Reach Condition Reach the crossing road new a large will be There section of this in the upstream River Queanbeyan beginning in April/May. with construction reach, reach is the condition along vegetation River site the bottom at bugs and the water variable, in low were Estate) Oaks at bridge (the railway species. tolerant more by and dominated numbers bug survey during the Spring water noted It was bugs, it water for habitat available despite that clogged “extensively impacted, adversely was over algae [with] lots of and sediment with algae vegetation”. and emergent submerged in regularly very seen are said, Platypus That known the highest which supports this reach, region. in the of Platypus population 3 2 33 (1 dry) No. Survey Fair Fair Fair Poor Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 9.4km approx. Urban

Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water This section of the Queanbeyan River extends extends River This section of the Queanbeyan its confluence to the city of Queanbeyan through in runoff from It takes with the Molonglo River. (including a golf and its suburbs Queanbeyan and the Reserve the Cuumbuen Nature course), The reach Jerrabomberra. slopes of Mt eastern Weir. and the Queanbeyan Creek includes Barracks Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Queanbeyan city to Molonglo River confluence River Molonglo to city Queanbeyan Queanbeyan River QUE3 River Queanbeyan Scabbing Flat Creek SCA1 Headwaters to Kings Highway

2018 CHIP Result DD (Data Deficient) Reach Condition The Creek was dry for every month except 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) December, so there was insufficient water quality Parameter Rating No. Survey data to meet the CHIP data threshold. For the one month data was available, results were very similar Water quality DD 12 (11 dry) to the previous year when it was rated as ‘good’ pH DD overall. Such a small ephemeral (intermittently Turbidity DD flowing) creek is too small and fragile to sample Phosphorus DD water bugs. Nitrate DD Electrical Conductivity DD Our thanks to volunteer John, who visited the site Dissolved Oxygen DD each month in the hope there would be water to test. Water bug No Data 0 Now that access to the downstream end of the site Riparian condition Good 1 is largely restricted, the dumping problem has been much reduced, and only the rubbish from previous Reach Facts years, and the council roadwork piles remain. Reach network length: approx. 5.1km Dominant land uses: Conservation The photo below shows how beautiful the Creek is upstream in Cuumbean Nature Reserve when there Scabbing Flat Creek is an ephemeral creek which is water. The stream forms pools and disappears arises in Cuumbeun Nature Reserve. Most of the creek underground for short distances. catchment is in the Nature Reserve, which is high value Grassy Box Woodland, bisected by Captains Flat Road. The Kings Highway marks the northern edge of the reserve and the creek flows in a concrete culvert under the Kings Highway, where it eventually flows into the Molonglo River beyond this reach.

Upstream of SCA080 on Scabbing Flat Creek in Cuumbean Nature Reserve.

72 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 73 View across Flemington Pond towards SUL018 towards Pond Flemington across View Michael Burton). (Photo: Reach Condition Reach water for deficient data was this reach year Last a With a lack of a volunteer. to quality due Flemington sampling at volunteer Waterwatch quality data of water the inclusion again, Pond oxygen Dissolved score. overall the has lifted high although frequent problematic, notably was concerning. also were of phosphorus spikes water around algae dark green strong Dense, difficult, bug sampling more made water plants tolerant by dominated and the samples were (closely related worms types including segmented leeches Autumn), (in flatworms earthworms), to types sensitive moderately (in Spring) and a few mites. such as water of water range usually supports a good The Pond numbers thought Michael volunteer but birds, by the months some over affected been have may which in close proximity, construction light-rail and rubbish. dust noise, produced rain, after of rubbish influxes large noted Michael trap pollution gross of a new but the construction this. should help reduce 2 2 18 No. Survey Fair Fair Poor Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 6km approx. Conservation, grazing grazing Conservation,

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Oxygen Dissolved Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Riparian condition Water quality Water Sullivans Creek originates in Goorooyarroo Nature Nature in Goorooyarroo originates Creek Sullivans land then grazing historical through flows Reserve, the through channel. It then flows a concrete into and adjoins of Watson, west suburb of Kenny, new it includes the where of Mitchell area the industrial Park (EPIC) Exhibition channel from stormwater wetlands. constructed two through and flows (historical), industrial (historical), Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Randwick and Flemington Road Pond, Mitchell Pond, Road and Flemington Randwick to Headwaters Sullivans Creek SUL1 Creek Sullivans Sullivans Creek ANU SUL3 Lyneham Wetland to Lake Burley Griffin confluence

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition Despite lower rainfall, Sullivans Creek at the ANU had 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) very similar results to the previous year. Consistently Parameter Rating No. Survey high phosphorus is a continuing problem, increasing the potential for algal blooms in Lake Burley Griffin. Water quality Good 27 The ‘poor’ electrical conductivity score is typical of a pH Excellent large urban catchment with an extensive network of Turbidity Excellent concrete channels. This could be improved if more Phosphorus Degraded sections of creek, supported vegetation or were Nitrate Excellent filtered through functioning wetlands. Electrical Conductivity Poor Dissolved Oxygen Degraded There is good vegetation along the edges of the creek at the water bug site (SUL765), but overall, vegetation Water bug Fair 2 condition along the reach is ‘poor’. Water bugs were Riparian condition Poor 3 found in good numbers and diversity, although they were mainly pollution-tolerant types. One highlight was finding two species of leech. Reach Facts Reach network length: approx. 3.7km At Toad Hall Pond in January, volunteer Tim noticed Dominant land uses: Urban, recreation pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), “forming dense patches along the pond edge and supporting an This section of Sullivans Creek flows into a concrete active water bug community”. channel through playing fields and parklands in O’Connor and Turner. It crosses under a number Feral fish species Carp and Eastern gambusia were of minor roads and through the Barry Drive gross seen at the downstream site just above Lake Burley pollution trap, before entering ANU campus. It Griffin, as well as native Western Carp gudgeon. Carp passes Toad Hall pond, before continuing through were again observed spawning along the edges of the the campus and flowing into Lake Burley Griffin. Creek in early Summer.

Water levels in Lake Burley Griffin influence the lower sites on Sullivans Creek.

74 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 75 Volunteer Richard Larson helps Ben out with the helps Larson Richard Volunteer WAT040. at bug surveys water Reach Condition Reach water an overall achieved ‘reach’ This variable of ‘excellent’. shy just which was quality score only one dam rainfall, the low given Surprisingly, out in dried when WAT030 dry year during the was February. in were readings turbidity highest the This year, of Justice end top the towards the dam WAT020, 400 NTU of 300 and Readings Hope Park. Robert be caused to likely were in October/November in an resulting or bacteria of algae high levels by colour” pea green-brown level “awful as the water dropped. in the Autumn and Spring bug types found Water is unusual. which identical, almost were surveys lower were numbers was that The main difference water diverse reasonably found in Spring. We types such as snails, tolerant bugs but pollution and dominated and flatworms worms segmented found. were bugs water no sensitive away is moving Richard volunteer Our long-term including greatly, will miss his contributions and we bug surveys. his help doing water 4 2 20 (1 dry) No. Survey Fair Fair Poor Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 1.4km approx. Conservation, urban Conservation,

Phosphorus pH Turbidity Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water Watson Wetlands and ponds on the lower western western on the lower and ponds Wetlands Watson with line, a drainage comprise of Mt Majura slopes gum grassy box/red yellow in remnant dams, two rainfall. during high which overflow woodland, receives wetland a small constructed down, Further wetland and a small suburb, adjacent the runoff from reach, of the at the bottom overflows takes “soak” Creek. Sullivans via pipes into then flowing with water Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Justice Robert Hope Park to Aspinall Street to Aspinall Park Hope Robert Justice Watson Wetlands and Ponds WAT1 and Ponds Wetlands Watson Weston Creek WES1 Headwaters to Molonglo River confluence

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition During drier times, most water at the downstream 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) site (WES450) comes from underground storage. Parameter Rating No. Survey This flows out into a small pool and on through a dense reed bed before flowing down a more Water quality Good 24 natural, narrow channel to the Molonglo River. pH Excellent Upstream of the pool, a concrete channel carries Turbidity Excellent any overflow water from the large connected Phosphorus Poor ponds beside Cotter Road. Nitrate Good Electrical Conductivity Good Though water quality improved slightly this year, Dissolved Oxygen Degraded high phosphorus readings continued to be a concern. The reed bed did, however, appear to Water bug Fair 2 have a positive impact on the phosphorus and Riparian condition Poor 2 electrical conductivity. Water bug surveys saw good diversity but Reach Facts few sensitive types, and there were very large Reach network length: approx. 6.7km numbers of fly larvae (both surveys) and true bugs Dominant land uses: Urban (Hemiptera, particularly in Spring). We also caught a baby Eastern long-necked turtle. Weston Creek reach includes drainage from the western side of Mt Taylor, and Stirling Ridge. It Volunteer, Gail noted the introduced pest plants - flows in a concrete stormwater channel through Blackberry, Privet and Willows - “doing particularly the Canberra suburban area of Weston Creek well along this reach”. before entering ponds south-east of the new Molonglo development. It then passes close to the new Molonglo development’s eastern side and on to the confluence with the Molonglo River.

Conducting water bug surveys above WES450 with the underground storage inlet in the background.

76 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 77 Volunteer Mel McRoberts at WOO090 under WOO090 at Mel McRoberts Volunteer bridge. Avenue Fairbairn The creek joins the Molonglo River near Fairbairn near Fairbairn the Molonglo River joins The creek Lower Griffin. Burley of Lake upstream just Avenue, site. fossil has an important Creek Woolshed Reach Condition Reach and vegetation quality in water scores Improved site middle to the attributable mostly are condition of the Majura being sampled. Because no longer land historical and extensive hydrogeology Valley’s high had very clearing, site middle the defunct the affected which adversely conductivity, electrical years. in previous rating overall site lower the to adjacent system road busy A very this small but ecologically for challenges presents road in from Rubbish washes creek. important fumes and dust is considerable and there drains of traffic. high volume with the on our volunteer Mel, smell, and the noise Despite and types of frogs several heard Creek, Woolshed also She in Spring. dragons and water tadpoles saw which dam upstream, six turtles in the up to noted rainfall. low despite did not dry up completely was water clear the how noted often Mel rain. heavy after even downstream, 2 2 22 No. Survey Fair Fair Poor Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 19km approx. Rural, urban, site of Majura of Majura urban, site Rural,

Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Woolshed Creek originates at a farm dam situated dam situated a farm at originates Creek Woolshed It flows of the catchment. the top a spring at over land with some native rural highly modified through and some in the higher section riparian vegetation of the short sections Two waterholes. significant Parkway. Majura for way make to moved were creek Parkway Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Molonglo River confluence River Molonglo to Headwaters Woolshed Creek WOO1 Creek Woolshed Yandyguinula Creek YAN1 Headwaters to Molonglo River confluence

2018 CHIP Result B (Good) Reach Condition Volunteer John, who samples a range of sites 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) around the catchment, continued to visit the Parameter Rating No. Survey remote upstream site (YAN020) despite little rainfall and it being dry for nine months in 2018. Water quality Good 24 (13 dry) He remarked about the downstream site that this pH Excellent was “The first time a dry creek bed was found Turbidity Excellent below the causeway after almost seven years of Phosphorus Excellent monitoring”. When water was present again, in Nitrate Excellent April, he noted the frog calls and turtles basking Electrical Conductivity Degraded beside the Creek, with up to four species of frogs Dissolved Oxygen Degraded calling whenever there was water. Water bug Fair 2 Thirteen taxonomic orders of water bugs were Riparian condition Good 2 found in both Autumn and Spring surveys. “Scuds” (Amphipoda, small crustaceans) were present in large numbers amongst the dense Water Reach Facts milfoil, and there were large numbers of various Reach network length: approx. 18km insect larvae including hundreds of mayflies and Dominant land uses: Conservation, grazing, wetlands damselflies. One highlight was an enormous Yandyguinula Creek is an ephemeral tributary of the 60mm+ “taper-tailed tiger” predatory beetle larva Molonglo River, with the confluence on ‘Foxlow’ (Dytiscidae) which grabbed a large damselfly larva near Hoskinstown. It arises in Tallaganda National during the survey! Park on the western side of the , and flows into modified rural land with little or no riparian vegetation other than Willows. Near its confluence with the Molonglo River, it passes through an extensive wetland area which supports a significant bird population.

Yandyguinula Creek near the Tallanganda National Park.

78 MOLONGLO CATCHMENT 79 Yarralumla Creek looking upstream at YAR400 YAR400 at looking upstream Creek Yarralumla Jiang). (Photo:Yan Yarralumla Creek then runs parallel with Curtin in a with Curtin in then runs parallel Creek Yarralumla through channel then down stormwater concrete the Molonglo River, to a deeply incised channel Dam. The reach Scrivener below immediately Pond. O’Malley includes East Reach Condition Reach bugs are of water and numbers Diversity (YAR400) site in the downstream low generally types tolerant and pollution Creek, on Yarralumla snails, and larger such as leeches, dominate, of fly larvae. numbers other flows, the highly variable Apart from included electrical YAR400 at parameters varying 80-1110µS/ from ranged which conductivity In October, November. to September cm from event rainfall with a 10mm sampling coincided and of 200NTU a turbidity spike which saw 0.25mg/Lphosphorus shoot up to which is as high The bulk kits will go. phosphorus range low as the during a system through of phosphorus will move a result get not surprising to so it’s event a rainfall to known are nutrients where this in a reach like be a problem. being are projects Waterways Healthy ACT Various of concrete network on the upstream undertaken This will much of this creek. form which channels better and provide the high flows, reduce help to and nutrients unwanted of sediment, filtration in once completed These projects, pollutants. be fully functional, to years several will take 2019, and establish. grow as plants 3 2 35 No. Survey Fair Poor Poor Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 9km approx. Conservation, urban Conservation,

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Total Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This is one of two main creek systems draining into into draining systems main creek This is one of two Dam. Yarralumla Scrivener below the Molonglo River west the one along lines, drain three includes Creek Phillip, to Farrer one from Mugga, of Mt Mugga side lines drain These Garran. Long Gully to from and one channels. in concrete run largely Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Molonglo River confluence River Molonglo to Headwaters Yarralumla Creek YAR1 Creek Yarralumla Southern ACT Catchment Facts

For this CHIP report, the Southern ACT area is divided into subcatchments based around 7 main rivers/lake systems in the region, which are Murrumbidgee River, Naas River, Gudgenby River, Cotter River, Paddy’s River, Lake Tuggeranong and Point Hut Ponds. The Naas and the Gudgenby River systems are the highest in the ACT and originate in the mountains of the Namadji National Park. The Cotter River provides our main drinking supply and flows north, adjacent to the Brindabella Ranges. Paddy’s River is a smaller rural water way flowing to the west of the Bullen Range, past forestry land and grazing properties to the immediate west of Canberra. The Lake Tuggeranong and Point Hut Ponds systems comprise predominately urban waterways flowing from the east of the ACT into the two lakes at their western ends. The Lake Tuggeranong inflows are extensively engineered with pipes and concrete channels. The Point Hut Ponds inflows are younger and feature upstream wetlands and terraced, vegetated stormwater channels. All of these waterways join the Murrumbidgee River in the ACT, which flows north from Angle Crossing, near Tharwa, to Uriarra Crossing, just before the Molonglo River confluence in the north west corner of the ACT. The Murrumbidgee River from Angle Crossing to Casuarina Sands is part of the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach (UMDR).

80 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 81 farm and reserve dams reported being at their lowest levels since many volunteers began monitoring. monitoring. began volunteers many since levels their lowest at being dams reported and reserve farm Nine reaches scored ‘fair’ or ‘poor’, down from twelve in 2016/17, although two were ‘poor’ were two in 2016/17, although and this year twelve from down ‘fair’ scored or ‘poor’, Nine reaches and dams and urban creeks or farm either rural were All nine reaches year. last that received no reaches streams The years. ten time in the first dry for completely became ponds. The dams on Cooleman Ridge works construction of a combination from the worst fared catchment Creek and ponds of the Tuggeranong and dry up exposed more are bodies means water poor riparian cover turbidity, higher than average causing common. being all too urbanised surrounds its heavily from scores quickly and high nutrient more For most months of 2018, the Southern ACT catchment received half of its average rainfall. In July, a mere a mere In July, rainfall. half of its average received catchment the Southern ACT of 2018, months most For of number record A month. for that record on lowest and the average of the which is one-fifth 7.8mm fell year. of this most for pools to reduced drywere or either completely remained have sites Waterwatch seven All in 2018, a decline in condition has shown catchment Murrumbidgee said, while much of the upper That reaches Four in scores. improvement a slight actually showing by the trend has bucked this catchment of the areas protected all in the upper, these were Not surprisingly, year. last two ‘Excellent’ up from scored falls catchment ACT chunk of the Southern a large Given Reserve. in Namadgi and the Cotter catchment with bad. Areas too dry period not looking out of a significant come it’s how explain this may in reserves, rain and will when it does the runoff filter better in hot weather, shading will provide riparian zones intact important. more even dry this will become times, of increasing In a world longer. for hold groundwater Southern ACT Catchment Health Summary Health Catchment ACT Southern Barney’s Gully MMB1 Woodcock Drive, Gordon to confluence with Murrumbidgee River

2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Reach Condition Barney’s was reduced to a chain of drying pools for 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) all but two months of 2018 as the drought pushed Parameter Rating No. Survey this little creek to its limits. On four occasions the trusty volunteer, Deb Kellock, could not sample at Water quality Good 10 (4 dry) all due to the creek being completely dry. When pH Excellent water was there, it was described as “murky/milky” Turbidity Fair or “blue-green” in apprearence. The absence of Phosphorus Excellent high nutrient loads compared to some other dried Nitrate Excellent or urban sites may in part be due to the continued Electrical Conductivity Poor growth of planted grasses, shrubs and trees in the Dissolved Oxygen Degraded heavily restored riparian zone. Water bug Degraded 1 Only an Autumn water bug survey was conducted Riparian condition Fair 1 where a small variety of very hardy bugs were found. The largest number of creatures found were water-boatmen, who carry their own oxygen Reach Facts from the air, like scuba divers, and yabbies, Reach network length: approx. 1km Cherax destructor, who burrow deep into the Dominant land uses: Peri urban, conservation and mud to prevent their gills drying out, and go into recreation ‘aestivation’ (like hibernation) to survive drought. Barney’s Gully is an ephemeral creek near Woodcock Drive, Gordon. This natural creek is connected to the suburban stormwater system of the suburb of Gordon and flows into the Murrumbidgee just over a kilometre downstream of Point Hut Crossing.

Barney’s Gully - reduced to pools in March 2018.

82 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 83 Bogong Creek, April 2018. Creek, Bogong Reach Condition Reach upland waterway is a natural Creek Bogong the post recovery signs of to show continuing to the small part in no This is thanks 2003 fires. Regenerators. Bush of the Gudgenby efforts however Martin Chalk did volunteer Long-time most the at year this notes worrying some make says he In February CGB200. site, downstream “Thewas the highest conductivity] [electrical EC 140µs/ 2003” at in May started recording since I have “turbidity is the highest and in June, cm, that possible It’s 50NTU”. at this site at recorded culvert with some coincided turbidity event the The mid year. in the area being conducted work concentrations of higher be result may high EC end of a long, the by dry Summer in the Creek inputs not providing groundwater with depleting and dilution. recharge much-needed water sensitive of the dry conditions, In spite larvae caddisfly and mayfly bugs such as stonefly, water of the Many in abundance. found were on detritus feed surveys in this year’s bugs found as known larvae, including Calocidae caddisfly of flakes shiny display who often caddis ‘shingle’ the among found commonly in their cases, mica in the high country. deposits granite 2 1 33 (3 dry) No. Survey

Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Excellent

Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved pH Riparian condition Water bug Water Parameter 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) B+ 2016/17 CHIP Result 2018 CHIP Result A- (Excellent) A- Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Part of the Gudgenby River catchment. At its At catchment. River of the Gudgenby Part wide and is a Creek Bogong end, downstream north- flowing upland creek/bog treeless mostly Park. National middle of Namadji in the east Reach Facts Reach 13km approx : length network Reach land uses: Conservation Dominant

Headwaters to Yankee Hat trail bridge trail Hat Yankee to Headwaters Bogong Creek Catchment CGB1 Catchment Creek Bogong Cooleman Ridge Dams RAN1 Two dams on Cooleman Ridge

2018 CHIP Result D+ (Poor) Reach Condition These two dams received one of the worst scores in 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) this year’s CHIP report. Cattle and feral pig activity Parameter Rating No. Survey continue to cause issues with both dams recording turbidity as high as 400NTU. The combination Water quality Fair 20 (1 dry) of sediment in the water and animals in close pH Good proximity have also meant that phosphorus levels Turbidity Degraded were at ‘degraded’ levels with 0.2mg/L measured on Phosphorus Degraded several occasions. Nitrate Excellent Electrical Conductivity Poor A water bug survey was conducted at the ‘old dam’ Dissolved Oxygen Degraded (CMC100) in difficult circumstances, as any access was through deep sticky mud. What water was left Water bug Degraded 2 in the dam was a sickly green colour. Only water Riparian condition Poor 2 mites and fly larvae were found in any numbers. European wasps were recorded in February and Reach Facts were noted again in April. An illegal yabby trap Reach network area: approx. Kathner Street Dam was fished out of Kathner Street Dam in March. In 0.05Ha, Old Dam 0.15Ha November Kathner St Dam (MBK100) went dry for Dominant land uses: Suburban reserve the first time in ten years. Kathner Street Dam is a small dam in Cooleman Ridge Nature Park. It was built to provide water for horses as part of the bicentennial horse trail. The ‘Old Dam’ is on the eastern slopes of Cooleman Ridge.

Volunteer Colin Carpenter with the Cooleman‘Old Dam’ Ridge water ‘Old bug Dam’ sample. (CMC100)

84 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 85 The Cotter River at the campground campground at the River The Cotter (Photo:M.Blume). Reach Condition Reach scores excellent have to our only reach This was for this a first parameters, quality all water across Environmental began. since CHIP reporting reach low but at Dam the main Cotter from flows release helped. When no doubt have all year rates steady the from available enough water wasn’t there the Murrumbidgee from pumped was Dam, water needed over This was this reach. back into River this In December, and early Spring. the dry Winter the lower through of flow the only source was Cotter. algae diatom found Fleur and Maree Volunteers a clear indicator all year, rocks on the submerged of the Cotter feature regular and a flows of low Campground. as as well rocks need diatom-free bugs that Water and net quality such as stonefly water excellent found in abundance were larvae caddisfly weaving from upstream riffle sections flowing in the faster the campground to contributed Fleur Horan year the last This was this to Her commitment group. this Waterwatch has been tireless. 14 years for program 2 2 12 No. Survey Fair Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 2.5km approx. Recreation

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach covers the relatively short stretch of stretch short the relatively covers This reach Dam. It Cotter Enlarged the below River the Cotter at River Paddy’s with the confluence the includes with the confluence at and terminates Flat Blundell’s through flowing Water River. the Murrumbidgee the from water by influenced is heavily this reach pumped from is regularly that River Murrumbidgee wall. dam of the to the base Pumphouse the Cotter Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Cotter Dam to Murrumbidgee River confluence River to Murrumbidgee Dam Cotter Cotter River MCC1 River Cotter Cotter River MCC2 Pipeline Road Crossing to Vanity’s Crossing

This is due to this area being a significant part of 2018 CHIP Result A- (Excellent) the ACT’s water utility as well as having a remnant 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) population of the endangered Macquarie perch. Parameter Rating No. Survey Water quality Excellent 10 Reach Condition pH Excellent This section of the Cotter River continues to show Turbidity Excellent mostly excellent water quality results. Even when Phosphorus Excellent sampling took place the day after heavy rainfall in Nitrate Excellent late February, the River still ran clear, highlighting Electrical Conductivity Excellent the importance of a well-vegetated catchment. That said, the volunteer noted “low” river levels Dissolved Oxygen Degraded for half of the year with observations including Water bug Excellent 2 “more exposed rocks” and the presence of diatom Riparian condition Fair 1 algae which is usually a sign of reduced flow. Dissolved oxygen was the only water parameter to not receive an ‘excellent’ score. The eflow data Reach Facts highlights releases as low as 10 ML/day in Autumn, Reach network length: approx. 11km with low observations seeming to align with low Dominant land uses: Drinking water catchment, dissolved oxygen. Conservation In November, however, there was an ‘excellent’ This reach runs along the stretch of the Cotter River diversity of water bugs after a threefold increase between the Cotter and Bendora Dams. Vanity’s in dam releases over early Spring to coincide with Crossing is the only current Waterwatch site and Macquarie Perch breeding season. This included sits just upstream of the tail of the Enlarged Cotter highly sensitive stonefly and hundreds of mayfly Dam. This section of the Cotter has restricted and caddisfly larvae, mostly in the riffles. In the access for vehicles and is heavily monitored and pool above the crossing, large numbers of fly managed by Icon Water and the ACT Government. larvae were in the sediment, but these were the ‘toughest’ bugs found.

Looking upstream at Vanity’s Crossing, November 2018.

86 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 87 An Alpine Spiny crayfish found in Spring at GIB200. found in Spring crayfish An Alpine Spiny Reach Condition Reach clear, maintain able to was Creek Gibraltar level the water despite all year water cool This months. as ‘low’ most for being recorded riparian healthy that role emphasises the crucial condition overall has in supporting the vegetation to continuing this creek with of a waterway, health. catchment for score perfect a near achieve in levels, oxygen dissolved low ongoing However, it’s lowest the that’s in a score resulted this creek and highlights began program seen since the CHIP in this became ecosystems our local stressed how dry period. Reserves Woods at conducted bug surveys Water pleasing results. in Autumn and Spring produced ten found Landcarers Intrepid of A.N.U. A team larvae, of mayfly types of bugs including hundreds (Coloburiscidae) so horses’ especially ‘stream movement. their ‘galloping’ for called GIB200, at survey bug During the Spring water and the Waterwatch Tyrell Tom volunteer crayfish an Alpine Spiny found Coordinator 20 with over covered It was crassus. Euastacus that tentacles with a flatworm temnocephalans, do no apparently They on crayfish. exclusively lives their host. harm to 2 2 24 No. Survey Fair Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 8.5km approx. Recreation and forestry. and Recreation

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result A (Excellent) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result A+ (Excellent) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Gibraltar Creek is a small stream running from running from stream is a small Creek Gibraltar River. Paddy’s to east near and flowing of upland bog stretches The upper sections have for used land was of the surrounding Most habitat. the 2003 bushfires. until up plantations softwood Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Headwaters to Woods Reserve Woods to Headwaters Gibraltar Creek GIB1 Creek Gibraltar Goodwin Village Pond RAN2 Small Pond at Goodwin Village Monash

2018 CHIP Result C- (Fair) Reach Condition Goodwin Village Pond had a drop in water levels 2016/17 CHIP Result C- (Fair) well below the edge water plants for most of the Parameter Rating No. Survey year. By September this had the same effect as it did on other still bodies of water, increasing Water quality Excellent 12 turbidity (50NTU) and lowering dissolved oxygen pH Excellent (58% saturation). Turbidity Good Phosphorus Excellent The small floating wetland in this Pond continued Nitrate Excellent to look healthy. Its overall effect on water quality, Electrical Conductivity Excellent though, is difficult to assess. Nutrient levels here Dissolved Oxygen Degraded were certainly healthier than other small ponds in the Southern ACT catchment. Water bug Degraded 1 Only one water bug survey was conducted this Riparian condition Degraded 1 year, in October, assisted by the enthusiastic students of Caroline Chisholm High School and Reach Facts Bruno Ferronato from Ginninderra Catchment Reach network area: approx. 0.4Ha Group. They netted only six types of bugs and Dominant land uses: Recreation most of these were fly larvae (maggots) living in the mud and water boatmen floating in the still Goodwin Village Pond is a small pond built into water. Lots of Carp were also spotted splashing a natural drainage line at the southern end of and getting frisky in the warm, shallow water. the suburb of Monash. Its primary purpose is to provide recreational space and visual amenity for the residents of Goodwin Village retirement home.

Bruno and the Caroline Chisholm School students studying water bugs at Goodwin Village Pond.

88 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 89 Excellent in-stream habitat provides refuge for the for refuge provides habitat in-stream Excellent (TOR100). River bugs on the Orroral water ‘Gudgenby Canyon’ at Smith’s Rd Bridge near Tharwa near Tharwa Rd Bridge Smith’s at Canyon’ ‘Gudgenby D.Kellock) (Photo: Reach Condition Reach the monitored who has Deb Kellock, Volunteer years, eight for (CGG100) mouth of this reach bed is the best of 2018 “creek the start at noted cobble...with with a mix of rock, it has looked creek”. areas in the and flow depths different – a milfoil Water of presence the Deb also noted excellent provide that plant aquatic submerged, year previous bugs and fish. The water for refuge exclusively almost was her site at the riverbed in sand. covered in March, CGG100 at bug survey The water as well gambusia, as Eastern fish pest the found water smelt. The Spring Australian the native River the Orroral at conducted was bug survey selection of bug A healthy (TOR100). campsite water of the low in spite collected types were available of the importance reinforcing flows, ‘Shingle’ (Calocidae) and ‘Stick’ habitat. in-stream found in were larvae caddisfly (Leptoceridae) (Coloburiscidae) mayfly horse’ abundance. ‘Stream on the all feeding also prevalent, were larvae this supply at good in is that debris woody decaying quite which are larvae, dragonfly Corduliid site. and also numerous were and spider-like, fuzzy matter. plant hiding in the rotting 3 2 41 No. Survey

Fair Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Conservation and rural grazing and rural Conservation

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B (Good) 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water This reach includes five branches off the Gudgenby off the Gudgenby branches includes five This reach as Nursery, as well River the ; Namadji in the and Dry Middle Creeks, Rendezous, of stretch arm is the lower The main Park. National mixed through running mostly River, the Gudgenby section largely River The Orroral properties. grazing bogs. upland wetland comprises : approx 120km length: approx network Reach land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach Murrumbidgee River confluence River Murrumbidgee Headwaters of small creeks and Orroral River to the to River and Orroral creeks of small Headwaters Gudgenby River Catchment CGG1 CGG1 Catchment River Gudgenby Hospital Creek Catchment CGH1 Headwaters of Hospital, Breakfast and Little Dry Creeks to the confluence with the Gudgenby River

2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Reach Condition The drought conditions affected this reach more 2016/17 CHIP Result A- (Excellent) than other upland bogs in Namadji National Park. Parameter Rating No. Survey Little Dry Creek (CGT100), that usually has winter flows, remained dry all year, even after snow melt. Water quality Good 44 (19 dry) pH Excellent Hospital Creek also had periods at CGH200 where Turbidity Excellent it was completely dry, and on many other occasions Phosphorus Good throughout the year, the entire creek was reported Nitrate Good as ‘low’. At these times, high turbidity, low oxygen Electrical Conductivity Good and high phosphorus concentrations were evident. Dissolved Oxygen Degraded Evidence also, of feral pig activity was frequently recorded and was possibly contributing to the Water bug Good 2 turbidity issues. Reports of the pigs were sent to Riparian condition Good 2 the Parks and Conservation rangers. It is pleasing to note that, despite the dry conditions, water Reach Facts temperatures remained below 17oC all year. Reach network length: Hospital Creek arm (on the left) 12km, Little Dry Creek arm (on right) 7km Numerous reports were also made by the two Dominant land uses: Conservation Waterwatch teams, of Blackberry infestations. Some more welcomed sightings were also Hospital Creek is mostly a forested gully situated recorded; the volunteer ‘Southwell Venturers’ south south east of Bogong Creek. It runs reported a Wedge-tailed eagle fledgling flapping north, forming an upland bog before joining the its wings at its nest at Little Dry Creek and a “white Gudgenby River near its headwaters. dingo” was seen around Hospital Creek. Little Dry Creek is an ephemeral arm to the east of Hospital Creek.

Volunteers Michaela, Sam and Stefan sampling Hospital Creek in November 2018.

90 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 91 A drained Isabella Pond facing south, September 2018. south, September facing Isabella Pond A drained Reach Condition Reach facelift an extensive has undergone Pond Isabella Healthy ACT as part of the 18 months in the last to infrastructure to build aiming initiative, Waterways quality. water improve in undertaken refurbishment largest the It was of hectares with several catchment ACT Southern was also a There plantings. vegetation ‘wetland’ and hold capture bed to Pond’s of the restructure Lake into it flows runoff before urban stormwater Tuggeranong. carried if would, that nutrients remove The aim is to toxic to significantly contribute Lake, the main into construction wetland blooms. The algal blue-green of the enlargement coincide with to also timed was has the Pond This has meant weir. Drive Drakeford of well as drained public as to the off limits been this be assessed for to unable it was Thus, water. CHIP report. year’s students Chisholm School Caroline December, Last in the Pond, sites of three monitoring recommenced in the it changes how to see so it will be interesting months. twelve next 2 0 14 No. Survey

DD DD DD DD DD DD Fair Rating No Data No Data approx. 5.8Ha approx. Suburban

Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved pH Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result DD (Data Deficient) DD (Data Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Dominant land uses: Dominant This reach is the main settlement pond for pond is the main settlement This reach from Tuggeranong Lake entering stormwater Water suburbs. Tuggeranong the south western Lake end into western at its weir a high over flows (TLT1). Tuggeranong Reach Facts Reach area: network Reach

Large pond south of Monash pond south Large Isabella Pond TIP1 Pond Isabella Lake Tuggeranong Wetlands TLT1 Drakeford Drive weir to South Quay foot-bridge weir

2018 CHIP Result D+ (Poor) Reach Condition 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) The southern ‘wetland’ end of Lake Tuggeranong, directly downstream of the Isabella Pond works (see Parameter Rating No. Survey TIP1) suffered temporary, adverse impacts during Water quality Fair 20 (3 dry) 2018. It had concerning levels of turbidity all year as pH Good construction upstream continued and post February, turbidity never dropped below 100 NTU. Other Turbidity Degraded water quality issues included an ‘oily film’ on the Phosphorus Degraded water in January, alarmingly low dissolved oxygen Nitrate Good levels in April and a big spike in nutrient loads in Electrical Conductivity Poor October (0.15mg/L phosphorus). Dissolved Oxygen Degraded Water bug Degraded 2 Part of the function of this body of water is to treat water quality before it enters Lake Tuggeranong Riparian condition Fair 2 proper. Results in TLT2 will attest that the water quality there is better for it. The scores for this Reach Facts reach will most likely improve again next year as the upstream plantings take hold, however we are Reach network length: approx. 4.3Ha left with the legacy of the sediments and nutrients Dominant land uses: Urban captured in TLT1. This is the southern section of Lake Tuggeranong To add to the pressures, at least 50 Carp were seen upstream of the weir that runs under a pedestrian spawning in the extremely low muddy water and no walkway near the new South Quay Development. doubt stirring the sediment up even more. In better It forms a narrow neck at the southern end which news, there was also a confirmed sighting (with is fed by a large zigzag dam wall which overflows photos) of a Platypus in this section by construction from Isabella Ponds. workers in December.

Looking upstream at TLT300, August 2018.

92 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 93 Wanniassa Creek (MTW100), Creek Wanniassa P.Horniak). December 2018 (Photo: Reach Condition Reach its to in contrast Tuggeranong, main part of Lake The most clear for remained (TLT1), wetland upstream the northern stormwater from Flows of the year. but also carried and clear, low very remained system pollution gross cloggedlots of rubbish which the Ben Bryant Waterwatcher of this by Reports traps. Government. the ACT by on quickly acted were at conducted was bug survey An Autumn water from with students (TLT100) beach Park the Town The enthusiastic Centre’. ‘Learning School’s Namadji lots of the of water-boatmen, hundreds found team shrimp.well as glass gambusia as Eastern fish, pest of inlet northern the in Spring at survey Another a little better, (MTW100) was Creek Wanniassa ‘fair’ a received result. The survey only though still such as species of mainly tolerant comprised was frogs marsh Spotted and fly larvae. worms snails, calling also heard were tasmaniensis Limnodynastes reeds. the from 5 2 33 No. Survey Poor Poor Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded approx. 56Ha approx. Urban and recreation

Turbidity Phosphorus Conductivity Electrical pH Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C- (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Reach Facts Reach area: network Reach land uses: Dominant This is the main body of Lake Tuggeranong, which Tuggeranong, This is the main body of Lake of 13 southern systems the stormwater by is fed at are traps pollutant major gross Two suburbs. Tuggeranong Lake the northern end of this reach. of this upstream immediately are (TLT1) wetlands reach.

Main lake body lake Main Lake Tuggeranong TLT2 Tuggeranong Lake Murrumbidgee River CMM7 Michelago Creek confluence to Tharwa Sandwash

2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Reach Condition The Murrumbidgee River enters the ACT at Angle 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Crossing from the Monaro region in the south and Parameter Rating No. Survey it can at times show evidence of the erosion issues upstream. Turbidity at Angle Crossing was higher Water quality Excellent 23 than at other ACT Murrumbidgee River sites in pH Excellent 2018 as it appears that the sediment drops out of Turbidity Good the water column as you move downstream. Phosphorus Excellent Nitrate Excellent In October, Waterwatch Facitiator, Woo O’Reilly Electrical Conductivity Good noted “decent rainfall last weekend after a long, Dissolved Oxygen Excellent dry spell” while conducting the Spring Bug Blitz. Angle Crossing supported a huge number of Water bug Good 2 stonefly larvae and a good diversity of other Riparian condition Fair 2 sensitive bug species with four types of mayfly and five types of caddisfly larvae found. Reach Facts Downstream at the Tharwa Sandwash, volunteer Reach network length: approx. 24km Deb Kellock noted that diatom crusts, evidence of Dominant land uses: Rural grazing and a significant lack of flushing flows, were present conservation almost all year, along with exposure of mid-stream sandbars. The water bug survey there in March, This stretch of the Murrumbidgee River begins assisted by Waterwatcher Wendy Warren along at Willows Road in NSW, includes Angle Crossing with Max and Hugo from the A.N.U, found a on the ACT/NSW border and runs through the dominance of more tolerant water bug types such Gigerline Gorge Reserve in the ACT. It ends at as shrimp and ‘true bugs’ (Hemiptera) such as Tharwa ‘Sandwash’. water boatmen. Recreational fishing is banned in the ACT section and the riparian vegetation is significantly healthier than downstream around the Tharwa township.

The Murrumbidgee River at Tharwa Sandwash.

94 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 95 A large Macrobrachium found at Point Hut Crossing. Point at found Macrobrachium A large Murrumbidgee River near Gudgenby River confluence. River near Gudgenby River Murrumbidgee Reach Condition Reach flat relatively this through flows low extremely The sediment gave River, section of the Murrumbidgee water out of the to settle time upstream from salts allowed also however, levels, low The column. thus concentrated, more become to and minerals increases. conductivity the electrical moved were surveys Month’ ‘Platypus August The 20 community Over this year. Hut Crossing Point to students College Tuggeranong and Lake volunteers mornings and two two in surveying assisted River. of the stretch along a one kilometre evenings, and a single individual Platypus of three A total the month. over sighted were rat) Water (aka Rakali both the at conducted were bug surveys Water (CMM390) Log Jam’(ELJ) Tharwa in site ‘Engineered (CMM310). The Autumn Hut Crossing Point and at impressive an produced Hut Crossing Point at survey a macrobrachium shrimp called water fresh 10cm long. over was that arms’) (meaning ‘large the at found of bugs were diversity While a greater of numbers healthy produced Crossing Hut Point ELJ, typesfive of and 300 mayfly over bugs with sensitive survey. at that detected larvae caddisfly 3 3 27 No. Survey Fair Fair Poor Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 10km approx. Rural grazing Rural

Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water This reach covers the stretch of Murrumbidgee River River of Murrumbidgee the stretch covers This reach Most Hut Crossing. Point to Sandwash Tharwa from Lanyon borders bank of this reach of the eastern a number past bank flows western The Homestead. Lambrigg Hill and including Castle of properties district. Tharwa in the among others Homesteads Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Tharwa sandwash to Point Hut Crossing Point to sandwash Tharwa Murrumbidgee River CMM8 River Murrumbidgee Murrumbidgee River CMM9 Point Hut Crossing to Kambah Pool

2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Reach Condition In March, volunteer Bill Kerrigan noted “Very low 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) flow and probably lowest water level I’ve seen” Parameter Rating No. Survey at Pine Island, with low levels persisting through much of 2018. In May, Bill noted unusually high Water quality Excellent 17 electrical conductivity levels compared to his other pH Excellent site at upstream at Point Hut Crossing. Both sites Turbidity Excellent usually get similar readings. Phosphorus Excellent Nitrate Good Overall, the water bugs in this reach didn’t fare too Electrical Conductivity Fair well. While a good diversity of ten different types Dissolved Oxygen Fair were detected in the faster-flowing riffle zone at Pine Island in October, they were only found in Water bug Poor 2 low numbers. That said, Education Officer, Ben Riparian condition Fair 2 Huttner-Koros and the Caroline Chisholm ecology class found plenty of net spinning caddisfly larvae. These require clean rocky river beds to build their Reach Facts homes. The survey downstream at Kambah Pool in Reach network length: approx. 6.7km May, received a ‘degraded’ score with hundreds of Dominant land uses: Urban, conservation and tolerant ‘true bugs’ such as water boatmen making recreation up a large portion of the catch. This reach covers the section of Murrumbidgee There was the possible sighting of a Platypus by River from Point Hut Crossing to Kambah Pool. Bill at Pine Island in March along with two foxes Both spots are popular recreational sites. Red Rock and some swamp wallabies “seemingly playing a Gorge and the confluence with Tuggeranong Creek game of follow the leader”. are also within this reach.

Caroline Chisholm ecology class assisting with the Spring water bug surveys at Pine Island.

96 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 97 were were ”. ”. Euastacus armatus Euastacus C cooler on that same weekend in same weekend on that C cooler o C. Water in the Murrumbidgee River River in the Murrumbidgee C. Water o Murrumbidgee River at Uriarra Crossing. Uriarra at River Murrumbidgee spotted at both sites for the first time by the time for the first at both sites spotted Coordinator. Waterwatch Water temperature at Uriarra Crossing began the began Crossing Uriarra at temperature Water 30 at year Reach Condition Reach both Uriarra has seen months twelve The last levels their lowest and Casuarina Sands at Crossing Uriarra who monitors Barbara, years. ten in over level, water low “Very March, in noted Crossing, the middle!” and the ‘Sands’ walk out to I could Casuarina monitored who have team, Waterwatch was the River that in May noted Sands since 2003, recall can we level the “lowest January. A lack of mature riparian canopy species riparian canopy A lack of mature January. provide to or width continuity with significant to this. It’s contribute the sun may from protection of deep, the importance highlight to also important Sands, for Casuarina at pools such as those refuge temperatures. water optimum maintaining bugs were 13 types of water Crossing, Uriarra At stonefly, sensitive in Spring including many caught The Endangered larvae. and mayfly caddisfly crayfish River Murray 15 kms upstream at Casuarina Sands was recorded recorded was Casuarina Sands at 15 kms upstream 10 around at 2 2 24 No. Survey Fair Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent approx. 11km approx. Rural grazing, forestry, forestry, grazing, Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach covers the section of Murrumbidgee covers This reach Much Crossing. Uriarra to Pool Kambah from River plantations forest old pine past flows of this reach farming. and for grazing used still and areas recreation and conservation and recreation Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Kambah Pool to Uriarra Crossing Uriarra to Pool Kambah Murrumbidgee River CMM10 River Murrumbidgee Naas River NNN1 Headwaters to Gudgenby River confluence

2018 CHIP Result B+ (Good) Reach Condition A new volunteer this year, Rodney Yeo, found the 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) only flowing water in the Naas River was at the top Parameter Rating No. Survey sites in Namadji National Park (NNN300 and 400). Access was restricted over Winter months due to Water quality Good 29 (4 dry) the construction of a new river crossing at Caloola pH Excellent Farm. Corin Pennock, another new volunteer, saw Turbidity Excellent no flowing water at her two sites lower down in this Phosphorus Excellent sub-catchment. Water was scooped out of small Nitrate Excellent pools, or frozen puddles in Winter. Electrical Conductivity Fair Dissolved Oxygen Degraded Bug surveys at Caloola Farm in April and December were conducted in deep residual pools. A surprising Water bug Fair 2 diversity was found, but species requiring good- Riparian condition Good 5 flowing water, such as stonefly larvae, were absent this year. ‘Stick’ caddisfly (Leptoceridae) were found, which tolerate low to no flow environments. They Reach Facts build a range of cases from neatly rolled up plant Reach network length: approx. 40km matter to hollowed out sticks. They are omnivorous Dominant land uses: Rural residential, grazing, and would find plenty of live and dead plant conservation material to shread in those Naas pools. Of course. water boatmen were found in their hundreds along The Naas River runs south then hooks east and with many snails and aquatic worms, which also flows north running through the southern tip of enjoy these conditions. the ACT in Namadji National Park. The lower part of the river runs past grazing properties before joining the Gudgenby River 10 km south of Tharwa. This reach also includes a site on the bottom of the Gudgenby Creek.

There were only remnant pools to sample during the Autumn water bug survey at Caloola Farm, NNN200.

98 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 99 A very low flowing Paddy’s River at River Paddy’s flowing low A very in April 2018. Bridge Tidbinbilla Road Reach Condition Reach almost for levels clear water had low River Paddy’s at finally noted Blume Maree Volunteer 12 months. “The (CTP450) Corner in December that Murray’s of because months recent in than higher is level water Unfortunately week”. past the over rains substantial in turbidity an increase with it, also brought this rain bridge, Tidbinbilla Road the above just site the top at (CTP300) recorded. being with 120NTU this incidents some interesting had This reach illegal John and Jan reporting with volunteers year, Tidbinbilla Road near the months two for camping police the rural dealt with by This was bridge. used as an gratefully which was report the following official notification. of ‘Baetid’ hundreds found bug surveys Water conditions flow living sandy in the low larvae mayfly on this sites Waterwatch and bottom the top at good also in were larvae caddisfly ‘Calocid’ reach. build their tubular sand to making use of the numbers the by assisted was survey The Autumn bug cases. group. Landcare’ ‘Intrepid A.N.U enthusiastic 3 2 35 No. Survey Fair Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Excellent approx. 24km approx. Rural grazing Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B+ (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B (Good) 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water Paddy’s River runs mostly through active grazing grazing active through runs mostly River Paddy’s reach This plantations. and softwood properties high up on the headwaters section below the covers The river Park. National Namadji in the Mt Tennant large through erosion massive has been subject to consequences The years. recent in events flooding significant. is still of this soil disturbance Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Tidbinbilla Road bridge to Murray’s Corner Murray’s to bridge Road Tidbinbilla Paddy’s River Catchment CTP1 Catchment River Paddy’s Point Hut Ponds MPG1 Headwaters of Conder Creek to Murrumbidgee River confluence

The water from this system then flows into the 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Murrumbidgee River just downstream of Point 2016/17 CHIP Result C (Fair) Hut Crossing. Parameter Rating No. Survey Water quality Good 48 Reach Condition pH Excellent Point Hut Ponds and Conder Wetlands were both Turbidity Excellent clear, with low water levels for most of the year and Phosphorus Excellent the only decent flows occuring last December. This Nitrate Excellent drying out led to the predictable exposure of ‘mud Electrical Conductivity Fair flats’ in the northern end of the Pond and assorted large masses of algal growth. The upstream wetland Dissolved Oxygen Degraded (MMW150) had notable ‘blanket weed’(Cladophora) Water bug Fair 2 all year. The northern end of Point Hut Pond had Riparian condition Poor 4 smelly blue green algal blooms last Summer and the southern section saw the appearance of large amounts of ‘bright green floating filaments’ (probably Reach Facts Spirogyra). Reach network length: approx. 2.5km Dominant land uses: Urban There was a return of a diverse population of water birds to the Point Hut Ponds as the urban lake system Conder Creek arises in the Rob Roy Nature Reserve became a refuge in the wake of a prolonged dry and flows into Point Hut Pond. Point Hut Pond is period. Volunteer Vera Kurz even saw a pelican up a sediment control pond in the suburb of Gordon. in the top of the Conder Wetlands, which she said Together they make up a stormwater system that was unusual. Alan Parker regularly spotted pelicans, has been engineered with flow reduction and herons, cormorants, ibis and swans joining the usual verge vegetation to reduce negative impacts from swamp hens, ducks and cootes downstream at suburban runoff. MPG100. Pest fish Carp and Eastern gambusia were also seen becoming very active in large numbers when the waters warmed up.

Point Hut Ponds - October 2018.

100 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 101 New volunteers Colin and Nev during Colin and Nev volunteers New Pond. Stranger at training Reach Condition Reach ‘Friends of Stranger group Landcare urban A new duties. the Waterwatch on taken have Pond’ both ends at levels oxygen dissolved low Extremely with the twice this year reported were of the Pond at MSP200. in January being 13% saturation lowest events. rain high after also appeared water Turbid during again also reported were odours Strong at these though weir, the over periods of no flow some clarity. gained water times the breeding displaying spotted Carp were Many only was when the water in October behaviour populations bird lakes, our other urban 17°C. Like including along with other wildlife, increased White-plumed black snake. a Red-bellied in the riparian also spotted were honeyeaters bushes. in mites water mostly found bug surveys Water living damselfly larvae both seasons and many the of bull rushes at among the dense stands in mayfly an increase saw rain Spring edge. lake on an improvement which is larvae and caddisfly years. previous 2 2 14 No. Survey Fair Fair Fair Good Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 4Ha approx. Urban.

Phosphorus pH Turbidity Nitrate Electrical Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water Stranger Pond is the small lake to the south of Lake the south of Lake to small lake is the Pond Stranger treatment similar stormwater providing Tuggeranong the enters Overflow of Bonython. the suburb for . at River Murrumbidgee Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach area: network Reach

Stranger Pond in North Bonython in Pond Stranger Stranger Pond MSP1 Pond Stranger Swamp Creek LMS1 Uriarra Creek confluence to Murrumbidgee River Confluence

2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Reach Condition Swamp Creek only had running water during three 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) non-consecutive months this year. One of those Parameter Rating No. Survey months, August, saw a large spike in turbidity, leading to an investigation by the Environment Water quality Excellent 12 Protection Authority. The possible cause was pH Excellent roadside disturbance near the Turbidity Excellent border, but controls were found to be in place and Phosphorus Excellent the issue quickly subsided as the Creek returned to Nitrate Excellent the chain of isolated pools it has been for most of Electrical Conductivity Fair this year. Dissolved Oxygen Poor The clear pools played host to large population of Water bug Poor 2 whirligig beetles (Family: Dytiscidae) in Autumn Riparian condition Fair 1 and masses of diving beetles (Family: Gyrinidae) in Spring. Some ‘true bugs’ were also abundant including water striders along with a few water Reach Facts boatman and backswimmers. Many of the adult Reach network length: approx. 1.5km stages of these insects breathe air that they collect Dominant land uses: Rural grazing. when they break the surface and carry an air Swamp Creek is an ephemeral creek running bubble underwater with them. This enables them through Uriarra Homestead. It intersects with to survive in the poorly oxygenated pools during Uriarra Creek 1km upstream to the west and flows dry conditions, when other less-tolerant water under the Fairlight Road into the Murrumbidgee bugs would be absent. River next to Uriarra Crossing. Old maps name the stretch of creek to Murrumbidgee ‘Uriarra Creek’. Signage at the reserve refer to it as Swamp Creek. We have opted for the latter.

Swamp Creek, May 2018.

102 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 103 Ashbrook Creek (CTA050) in the upper sections of this (CTA050) Creek Ashbrook conditions. dry year despite all to flow continued reach, Reach Condition Reach and ‘Sanctuary’ both the River Autumn, By wetlands showing were Reserve the Tidbinbilla Nature at with a serious drop lack of rain, from signs of stress Sanctuary March the by at levels oxygen in dissolved theat was dry River The Tidbinbilla (30% saturation). Winter of (CTT050) site the start by downstream most it was in July that noted Fiona Spier and volunteer seven in test to water there has been time “first the of the sections well-vegetated upper, The ”. months of thefor most flows had low and its tributaries, River after even to run clear continued water and the year rainfall. found group Parkcare of Tidbinbilla The Friends bugswater sensitive of pollution numbers reasonable (CTT070) of Tidbinbilla section River the upper at diversity. a lack of overall was there but in Autumn, an produce in Spring helped some rain In contrast, of sensitive numbers with healthy result excellent scorpionfly bugs including the high scoring water in the silty deposits of live larvae Scorpionfly larvae. suited well so are streams, well-vegetated small, cool, reach. the upper sections of this to 2 5 51 (6 dry) No. Survey Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Excellent approx. 8.5km approx. Conservation, tourism and Conservation,

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result A- (Excellent) A- 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water rural grazing grazing rural and Tidbinbilla River of the most covers This reach wetlands (the Sanctuary). artificial the adjacent Reserve Tidbinbilla Nature is in the of the river Most catastrophic a from recovered and has significantly is a small upland Creek in 2003. Ashbrook bush fire the past of the reserve the top running from creek site. Aboriginal shelter Hanging Rock Reach network length: network Reach land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach Road crossing Road Headwaters of Tidbinbilla River and Ashbrook Creek to Gilmores Gilmores to Creek Ashbrook and River of Tidbinbilla Headwaters Tidbinbilla River CTT1 River Tidbinbilla Tuggeranong Creek, Upper TUG1 Headwaters of Tuggeranong Creek catchment to Theodore

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition The head of Tuggeranong Creek only had flowing 2016/17 CHIP Result C- (Fair) water during three months; January, October and Parameter Rating No. Survey December. The section under the was dry over January and February. As a ‘base flow’ Water quality Good 22 (9 dry) creek fed by groundwater, this is a serious indication pH Excellent of how dry the year has been. The creek remained Turbidity Excellent clear, but always has slightly higher electrical Phosphorus Excellent conductivity than similar creeks elsewhere in our Nitrate Excellent catchment. Electrical Conductivity Degraded Dissolved Oxygen Degraded Bridgeworks over the creek, along with associated sediment traps, were noted in March, when the Water bug Fair 2 Autumn water bug survey was conducted. In Spring, Riparian condition Poor 2 a greater diversity was found with a big increase in water beetle larvae, all hiding under the masses of leaves from the Poplar trees that comprise much Reach Facts of the riparian canopy along the creek, before it Reach network length: Monks Creek (upper arm becomes a concrete drain. This site is also a great 3.2km), Tuggeranong Creek (lower arm) 4km one for yabbies with every bug survey in the past Dominant land uses: Rural grazing four years noting their presence. The monitoring site is near the Monaro Highway Again, this year there were many reports of assorted at the eastern border with NSW and is fed from discarded items dumped at this site, including the Monks Creek to the east and Tuggeranong Creek usual car tyres. to the south. The Tuggeranong Creek arm runs adjacent to the Monaro Highway in NSW.

Spring water bug survey at CTT300 (Photo:M.Gardner).

104 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 105 . Confluence of Tuggeranong Creek Creek Tuggeranong of Confluence channel stormwater and Fadden Reach Condition Reach only ‘Medium’ flows all year. low were Flows Creek Tuggeranong in the times three occurred higher electrical This section also had branch. ranging between readings with levels conductivity Tom volunteer, A new all year. 400 and 600µs/cm to and Stuart in May Eileen from over Nilsen, took this branch. cover had a persistent this reach side of The Fadden bugs in water for but when checked fringe algal A of fly larvae. species a few only supported May, Drive under the Ashley drain in the of water pocket bugs of water catch the biggest revealed bridge worms, fly Lots of aquatic in this reach. seen so far This, mite. and a water beetles water two larvae, score. ‘degraded’ a produced still unsurprisingly, long-necked an Eastern photographed Tom this site at along the drain turtle making its way an otherwise for A nice surprise in December. waterway. featureless 2 4 47 No. Survey Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded approx. 8km approx. Urban.

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Water bug Water Riparian condition 2016/17 CHIP Result C- (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C- (Fair) 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water This reach consists of a Y shaped network of two of two of a Y shaped network consists This reach channels. The main arm runs stormwater concrete in Theodore. under Leinhop Street from north west south west This joins another channel following the channel where near Isabella Drive Fadden from Pond. Isabella into then flows Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Concrete drain system upstream of Isabella Pond of Isabella upstream system drain Concrete Tuggeranong Creek, Middle TUG2 Middle Creek, Tuggeranong Tuggeranong Creek, Lower TUG3 Tuggeranong Creek to Murrumbidgee River confluence

2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Reach Condition Lake Tuggeranong College’s ‘Sustainability Unit’ took 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) on this reach below the lake in earnest this year. Parameter Rating No. Survey The creek remained clear with low to medium flows but the lake’s ability to absorb nutrients this year Water quality Good 8 appeared to be limited. Nitrates and phosphorus pH Excellent levels were consistent within the lake, with highs Turbidity Excellent of 3 and 0.08mg/L respectively. The last time levels Phosphorus Fair were up like that was in 2016. Nitrate Poor Electrical Conductivity Good Water bug surveys conducted with the students, Dissolved Oxygen Fair revealed good diversity. Lots of net weaving caddisfly larvae (some are filter feeders- and Water bug Fair 2 probably made up the bulk of those caught) were Riparian condition Fair 1 found along with many water boatmen (a type of ‘true bug’) and fly larvae. Pest fish, Eastern gambusia, were also found in abundance in Autumn Reach Facts but not in Spring when common Eastern froglets Reach network length: approx. 1.8km Crinia signifera were heard, calling close to the site, Dominant land uses: Suburban reserve a rarity for this creek. This reach includes the natural stretch of A member of the public also reported seeing a Tuggeranong Creek fed by the overflow from Lake Platypus in October. Tuggeranong. This creek enters the Murrumbidgee River 2kms downstream of Pine Island Reserve.

Lake Tuggeranong College students conducting water testing at CTT100 - September 2018.

106 SOUTHERN ACT CATCHMENT 107 McQuoid’s Creek Dam TMM150, November 2018. Dam TMM150, November Creek McQuoid’s Reach Condition Reach level the “lowest to dam got the main This year was Creek staff” current and McQuoid’s seen by quite hosted The dam May. to February dry from half of the in the first birds of water a variety and a pair of heron faced a white including year, plovers. Spurred-wing from students by assisted bug survey The water Dam Creek McQuoid’s at Namadji Highschool of little else other than hundreds (TMM150), found bug’ – a type of ‘true boatmen (Hemiptera). water walk could so dry you the dam was September By noted turtles were November by it, and across shallows. huddled in the remaining (TMM100) creek in the tiny bug survey The water types of bugs including ten found in October Crabb, Ian stonefly larvae. pollution sensitive Lions Youth at Shed’ program of the ‘Ed teacher the run off from that a clue revealing gave Haven, may months Winter over course neighbouring golf state. its healthy to contributed have 2 2 24 (3 dry) No. Survey Fair Poor Poor Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded approx. 2.5km approx. Rural grazing and recreation grazing Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Total Nitrate Oxygen Dissolved Electrical Conductivity Electrical Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water This reach covers McQuoid’s Creek and the Creek McQuoid’s covers This reach A Kambah. Farm, dam on Westwood associated Murrumbidgee the runs past of the creek tributary the into flows Creek Golf Club. McQuoid’s The Pool. near Kambah River Murrumbidgee land, cleared predominantly sections are upstream vegetated. well still section is downstream while the Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach land uses: Dominant

McQuoid’s Hill to Murrumbidgee River River Murrumbidgee Hill to McQuoid’s Westwood Farm TMM1 Farm Westwood Yass Catchment Facts

The Yass catchment is approximately 2,800km2, and is situated to the north of the ACT. It is made up of two major rivers. The first is the Yass River that has its headwaters approximately 100kms to the south east around Wamboin. The river flows north west past Sutton and downstream to the township of Yass and then through steep gorge country until it flows into Burrinjuck Dam from the east. The major tributaries of the Yass River include Brooks Creek, Gundaroo Creek, Murrumbateman Creek, Dicks Creek and Manton Creek. The second major river is the Murrumbidgee River that becomes part of the Yass catchment (in terms of the CHIP report) below the confluence with Ginninderra Creek just after both waterways exit the ACT. The Murrumbidgee runs north through Wallaroo and Cavan, to the west of Murrumbateman, before entering Burrinjuck Dam from the south. This lower section of the Murrumbidgee has large sand deposits resulting from reduced flows and the impounded waters of Lake Burrinjuck. The natural river bed is smothered by the sand creating wide shallow sections with little or no in-stream structure. A large portion of this catchment is cleared grazing land and, as a result, major issues include dryland salinity and erosion. Many of these issues could be ameliorated through stock exclusion and the regeneration of the riparian zone. This is occurring on a number of fronts throughout the region with the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups (YAN) playing a major part.

108 YASS CATCHMENT 109 In 2018, three reaches were rated ‘good’ and three were ‘fair’. The reaches in the Murrumbidgee River River in the Murrumbidgee The reaches ‘fair’. were and three ‘good’ rated were reaches In 2018, three and in the upper- with a ‘fair’ and the reaches year last score similar to remained (CMM12 and CMM13) to a due ‘good’ ‘fair’to from YAS3 improved ‘good’. remained YAS2) and (YAS1 River Yass mid-section of in the Yass River reeds along the presence of elevated by the improved potentially score, bug water better in the Murrumbidgee be detected to continue readings High nitrate serving habitat. as good township, be could (LMWQCC) Centre Quality Control Molonglo Water The Lower 30mg/L to with up River recorded. up to results of 5mg/L nitrate elevated getting (YAS4) is also Yass River lower The this elevation. influencing scores. ‘excellent’ received have reaches town while the above the township, below Other differences from the last CHIP report include: a new sampling site in Brooks Creek (BRO015) in YAS1 in (BRO015) Creek in Brooks site sampling a new report include: CHIP the last from Other differences in the upper coverage increase to in CMM13 reach, (CMM050) River and one in the Murrumbidgee reach A respectively. in the Murrumbidgee, records and nitrate flow of the coverage and Yass River sections of reactivated. was in CMM13, and CMM110 site also included (MUL005) was in Mullion Creek site This is the fourth year that data has been collected in the Yass catchment thanks to all the volunteer efforts. all the volunteer to thanks catchment in the Yass has been collected data that year fourth This is the the urbanised represents now of YAS3 the reach (YAS350), Gorge Yass the at site sampling With a new YAS4. now included in town is of the downstream of the river, The section Yass River. of the section Yass Catchment Health Summary Health Catchment Yass Murrumbidgee River CMM12 Ginninderra Creek confluence to above Mullion Creek confluence

2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) Reach Condition Perhaps because of the size and volume of 2016/17 CHIP Result C- (Fair) Murrumbidgee River, parameters that are readily Parameter Rating No. Survey affected by drought conditions, such as dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity (EC), have not been Water quality Good 11 as pronounced in this reach (although EC was still a pH Excellent bit elevated). The parameter that continues to show Turbidity Excellent concern is nitrates, with concentrations reaching 30 Total Phosphorus Excellent mg/L in February and May. The source of this is most Nitrate Degraded likely the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Electrical Conductivity Poor Centre (see also reach CMM11). Dissolved Oxygen Excellent The riparian condition in the upstream site Water bug Poor 2 (CMM110), which is located in the conserved Riparian condition Fair 2 Ginninderra Falls region, shows more native vegetation with shrubs and canopy layers than downstream (CMM100), which is surrounded by Reach Facts sheep farms. Reach network length: approx. 18Km Dominant land uses: Grazing, conservation Wedge-tailed eagle, flocks of cockatoos, ravens and frogs have been recorded. Unfortunately Carp are still This Murrumbidgee River reach starts at the commonly sighted in the River. confluence with Ginninderra Creek, and ends above confluence with Mullion Creek in Wallaroo. Much of this reach is surrounded by cleared grazing lands, and a very narrow riparian zone. In a few notable places, private landowners are undertaking riparian vegetation replantings to improve river condition.

The Murrumbidgee River at CMM100.

110 YASS CATCHMENT 111 The shallow, sandy Murrumbidgee River River sandy Murrumbidgee The shallow, CMM010. Bridge Taemas at Reach condition: Reach and reach, in this common are levels water Low CMM010, where in evident this is particularly has a sandy is shallow, River the Murrumbidgee reflected This is habitat. and little in-stream bottom with high abundance bug scores, water in the low boatman especially water species, of tolerant in some numbers their large (350+). Owing to a considered are boatman bodies, water water turtles and fish. for source food good on the cover ground has good Although this reach of exotic land, it is mainly composed surrounding bank. the river along reeds few with very grasses, in the trees of native presence the limited Also, the riparian condition drag helped to riparian zone down. scores than but lower high levels, shown have Nitrates of the Lower The influence reaches. upstream (the likely Centre Quality Control Molonglo Water ease the further downstream to appears source) CMM11). (see also reach go you 3 2 20 No. Survey Poor Poor Poor Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded 20Km approx. Rural

pH Turbidity Phosphorus Total Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result C- (Fair) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result C (Fair) Result 2018 CHIP Water quality Water This reach of the Murrumbidgee River is the most is the most River Murrumbidgee of the This reach Murrumbidgee on the of 13 reaches downstream is bridge Taemas at end The downstream River. of waters impounded of the upstream immediately is cleared Burrinjuck. Much of this catchment Lake and a habitat with poor in-stream land, grazing zone. riparian degraded heavily times, and at narrow Dominant land uses: Dominant Reach Facts Reach length: network Reach

Mullion Creek confluence to Taemas Bridge above Burrinjuck Dam Burrinjuck above Bridge Taemas to confluence Creek Mullion Murrumbidgee River CMM13 River Murrumbidgee Yass River YAS1 Headwaters to Brooks Creek confluence, including Brooks Creek

2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Reach condition. This reach showed ‘excellent’ results for most 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) water quality parameters, With the exceptions Parameter Rating No. Survey being dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity. These may have been influenced by the dry Water quality Good 21 (2 dry) conditions where low water levels would increase pH Excellent the concentration of salts and reduce oxygen Turbidity Excellent saturation. Substantial tannin has been observed Total Phosphorus Excellent in Brooks Creek (BRO015). Nitrate Excellent Electrical Conductivity Degraded Mayflies, caddisflies and water mites, which Dissolved Oxygen Degraded are pollution-sensitive, were a common finding in this reach. During the Spring sampling in Water bug Fair 2 YAS005, mayflies were the most abundant bug Riparian condition Fair 2 (180+), being mainly represented by the Family Leptophlebidae, noted for their prominent gills to absorb oxygen. Despite the dry conditions, Reach Facts the sampled pool had a good amount of aquatic Reach length: approx. 60km plants and water, helped by the shade provided Dominant land uses: Rural, rural residential by gum trees planted by our volunteer along the riparian zone. Native tussock grasses were also The upper Yass River and Brooks Creek represent present and it is pleasing to see the regeneration the top of the Yass River catchment. This reach is of native shrubs and gum trees. likely to represent the reference condition for this catchment. Improving condition in this reach will have benefits for the Yass River downstream.

The upper reaches of the Yass River at YAS005.

112 YASS CATCHMENT 113 Kate Wilson sampling at ‘Goldenholm’. Wilson sampling at Kate Reach condition: Reach and Autumn during Summer dryThe conditions with higher in this reach, felt been have This has flow. and reduced temperatures results, oxygen dissolved low the to contributed region in April. This 44% saturation which measured (EC) conductivity electrical elevated have to tends geologyby the influenced which are readings, to interesting It’s land use. and historical (natural) range EC the typical events, storm after that note 240 μS/cm and drops. dilutes (670 – 1060 μS/cm), 50 ml after in December YAS100 at observed was also noted in turbidity was although a spike of rain, (30 NTU). has positively habitat of in-stream amount A good bugs sampled water of the diversity influenced of bugs orders in both Spring and Autumn. Ten a pollution- mites, with water each, at found were common bug the most being species, sensitive during Autumn sampling (380+). in observed were eagle A pair of wedge-tailed the and Carp leaping and flapping above YAS100 YAS200. in Spring at common was water 2 2 16 No. Survey Fair Fair Good Good Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Degraded Degraded rural

Nitrate Conductivity Electrical Oxygen Dissolved Total Phosphorus Phosphorus Total pH Turbidity Riparian condition Water bug Water 2016/17 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2016/17 CHIP Result Parameter 2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) 2018 CHIP Result Water quality Water

Dicks Creek confluence to Manton Creek confluence Creek to Manton confluence Creek Dicks Yass River YAS2 River Yass Reach Facts Reach 30km length: approx. Reach land uses: Dominant major the contains Yass River This mid-section of the Creek. and Manton of Murrumbateman tributaries grazing. and used for cleared is largely The catchment with pasture poor, generally is Riparian condition bank and stock river the up to right improvement in this issues Likely being evident. the river, access to reducedto leading include high sedimentation reach due conductivity and high electrical habitat in-stream land use. historical to Yass River YAS3 Yass township

2018 CHIP Result B- (Good) Reach condition: The large presence of in-stream vegetation in 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) YAS370, such as ribbon weed, serves as habitat Parameter Rating No. Survey for water bugs, fish and turtles. There were nine species of water bugs recorded in both Autumn Water quality Good 15 and Spring sampling, with good numbers of pH Excellent the pollution-sensitive mayflies, caddisflies and Turbidity Excellent water mites. However, the majority were water Phosphorus Excellent boatman, yabbies and bloodworms, which are Nitrate Degraded considered tolerant. As their common name Electrical Conductivity Degraded indicates, bloodworms are a type of fly larvae that Dissolved Oxygen Excellent contain the red blood pigment haemoglobin, which Water bug Fair 2 enables them to absorb oxygen from the water more readily. Riparian condition Fair 2 The Yass Gorge (YAS350) is a heritage site and one of the most conserved sections of Yass River, with Reach Facts a large presence of large, native trees, shrubs and Reach network length: approx. 10km lomandra plants. The Friends of Yass Gorge have Dominant land uses: Urban/Rural Fringe been instrumental in restoring this landscape and controlling weed species. This section of the Yass River includes the township of Yass. Flow is heavily influenced by Yass Dam Wood ducks, Coots and Dusky moorhens and urban inputs from the town are also likely are commonly observed and Pobblebonks to influence water quality in this reach. There is Limnodynastes dumerilii are heard calling. Carp ongoing habitat rehabilitation occurring in the Yass have also been sighted in this reach. Gorge at the top of the reach. The township of Yass was named after Yarrh or Yharr, the word for running water in the Ngunnawal language.

The well-vegetated Yass Gorge at new site YAS350.

114 Yass River YAS4 Hattons Corner to Burrinjuck Dam

Despite the presence of reeds along the River 2018 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) and some patches of native tree regeneration, 2016/17 CHIP Result C+ (Fair) most of the riparian zone is lacking good canopy cover and shrubs, which are necessary to provide Parameter Rating No. Survey shade, erosion control, and habitat for birds and Water quality Good 21 mammals. pH Good Nitrate levels continue to be a problem in this Turbidity Excellent reach, especially at Hattons Corner (YAS400). It is Phosphorus Excellent possible that this is coming from Yass township Nitrate Degraded upstream and the levels are still measurable a few Electrical Conductivity Degraded kilometres downstream. Dissolved Oxygen Excellent Water bug Fair 2 Water bugs were abundant, especially tolerant species such as fly larvae (600+), but it was positive Riparian condition Fair 2 to also see increasing numbers of the pollution- sensitive mayflies (140+) and water mites (270+). Reach Facts Eastern long-necked turtles have been sighted in Reach network length: approx. 23km both sites in this reach. This species of turtle is a Dominant land uses: Rural Fringe carnivore, and its diet is mainly composed of water bugs and small fish. It will, however, also scavenge This downstream section of the Yass River runs on dead Carp, and they are considered the ‘vacuum through gorge country and farmlands before cleaners of the rivers’. running into Lake Burrinjuck. This reach is marked by its scenic beauty and significant geological history. The Hume Limestone, which caps the escarpment above the river at Hatton’s Corner, is particularly rich in fossils. Rehabilitation work by landholders has been happening at the bottom of this reach.

Jan and John helping out with water bug surveys at YAS400.

115 Additional Waterwatch Data

While the CHIP exclusively uses data on water quality, water bug surveys and riparian condition, a range of other data sources collected by Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch provide additional information and important context to the CHIP. Platypus Month 2018 The 2018 Platypus Month census in August consisted of 24 surveys conducted by over 100 enthusiastic volunteers at six ‘river reach’ sites across the ACT region. Waterwatch conducted more Platypus Month surveys this year than ever before, with most sites having at least four surveys conducted, rather than the two typically undertaken in previous years. This was in an effort to improve detectability rates and increase confidence in the data. The six survey sites (each averaging one kilometre in length) were on Cooma Creek, Jerrabomberra Creek, the Molonglo River below Coppins Crossing, and three on the Murrumbidgee River; Adaminaby, Bush Heritage Australia’s Scottsdale Reserve near Bredbo and Point Hut Crossing in southern Canberra. Despite the increased survey effort in 2018, numbers were consistently down over all sites compared with previous years. A total of 11 individual Platypus were sighted over the six reaches with last year’s count producing 16 individuals. Likewise, Rakali (Water rat) numbers, which are also counted during the survey, totalled six individuals in 2018 down from 11 in 2017. While it’s hard to know what’s causing this result, the Australian Platypus Conservancy has done some recent work linking dry Autumn and Winter conditions with fewer Platypus sightings in the following breeding season. Such dry conditions could reduce productivity in streams which may force Platypus (and rakali) to branch out from their usual territories in order to find food (water bugs). This could be even more likely during August as the end of Winter is when food supply is at its lowest. During the very dry Autumn and Winter in the ACT region this year, we detected lower numbers of Platypus in the surveys, plus we had a record number of sightings in Lake Burley Griffin over August! It’s possible that this was all linked and Platypus were moving out from their core habitat and showing up in places where they’re not regularly seen. Continuing with a higher number of surveys in future, Platypus Months will help us further test the above possibility and gain a better understanding of our local Platypus populations and how they change over time. Many thanks to all the volunteers who braved the winter conditions and took part in this year’s surveys. Also thanks to the team at the Bush Heritage Scottsdale reserve who conducted six surveys for the third year in a row, providing us with a valuable reference point for this initiative. Nationally, our understanding of Platypus numbers and population dynamics is quite limited and that is certainly the case here in the ACT region. So every survey conducted adds to the picture and better enables us to manage these marvellous monotremes. Thank you for contributing to this work.

Platypus seen in Lake Burley Griffin, August 2018. (Photo: Shinji Horiuchi)

116 Volunteer list

Cooma Mick Castles Theo Schoo Kerryn Milligan Tim Scrace Phil Irons Ingrid Hagstrom David Harkins Julee Harden Alison Howell Catherine Dodd Maria Linkenbagh Alison Dooley Emily Griffin-Morton John Booker Laurene Lewis Robert & Rowena Evans Jim Wharton Taylor Beggs Mark Shubert Lavinia Petrescu Alistair Bestow Mary Ziesak Gill Robinson Fiona Currie and family Sarah Essex Samantha Donohoe Edel Stephans Kim Burnet Rita Brademann Chris Millroy Ed & Sue Dawson Sandra Mortimer Matt Kent Tony Barford Mark & Melinda Kent

117 Ginninderra Valentina Columbo Clarissa Barbosa Lesley Harland Fleur Leary Gregg Berry Diego Bastos Johanna Wallner Evangeline Packett Samantha Burn Ana Maria Londono Julia Boyd Teresia Vakacegu Luke Wensing Ruchi Renavikar Joe Zhou Nicholas Metherall Sari Ruuska Garry Jolly-Rogers Woo O’Reilly Cynthia Jolly-Rogers Lyndsay Britt Sebastian Mathew David Fitzsimmons Rhianna Brady Mike Bassanelli Elizabeth Kretschmer Bruce Cowell CIT students James Cumming Scouts ACT Environment

Molonglo Peter Abbott & Fraser Argue Mel McRoberts ANU Green Sustainability Office John Moore Louise Amos & Lyn Grigg Gail Neumann John Bissett Tony Patis Tanya Boston Peter Robertson & Deb Shaw David Bromhead Royalla Landcare Michael Burton Mike Sim Des Cannon Kerry Smith Captains Flat & District Landcare Group Lucy Snodgrass Eva Culek Anna van Dugteren Sarah Essex Melissa Varty Fernleigh Park Landcare Kat Vincent Miranda Gardner Kate WK Sue Gibson Watson Woodlands Working Group Hilary Gunn & Christine Bond Terry Williams Peter Horniak Ben Huttner-Koros Molonglo Water buggers Yan Jiang John, Yan, Friends of Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Bernard Kertesz Wendy & Steve, Richard, Michael, Tim, Sherri, Jacob, Sarah, Ben, Martin, Mel, Sue G, Lucy, Sue P, Maree Latimer and Kate. Sandy Lloyd Colleen & Glenn McMahon

118 Southern Anne & Bill Kerrigan Outward Bound Australia Peter Horniak ACT Parks and Conservation Service (Ranger Tom Nilsen Bernadette Brown) Jaydon O’Donoghue Australian National University ’Intrepid Landcare’ group David Cahill Friends of Stranger Pond (Nev Sheather & Colin Jeni DeLandre Carpenter) Anthony Cory & Sue Bond Caroline Chisholm School Richard Bland Namadji High School Ben Bryant Lake Tuggeranong College: ‘Sustainability Unit’ Eileen Becker & Stuart Young Carers of Point Hut Pond (Alan Parker, Laureen John Corcoran & Jan Koeh-ler Harrison & Stephen Dellar) Rodney Yeo Conder Wetlands Waterwatch (Vera Kurz & Mark Wendy Warren Kerwin) Uriarra Parkcare Group (Barbara Mackin) ‘Paddy’s River’ Waterwatch Group (Fleur Horan & Maree Blume) ‘Sands’ Waterwatch Group (Wendy Rainbird, Anne I’Ons & Tom Tyrrell) Friends of Tidbinbilla Parkcare group Cooleman Ridge Parkcare Group (Pat Ryan) Tidbinbilla Sanctuary Volunteer Assist Program Lions Youth Haven ‘Ed Shed’ Program Gudgenby Bush Regenerators Waterwatch Group (Martin Chalk, Michaela Popham & Samantha Park Carers of Southern Murrumbidgee (P.O.S.M) Donohoe & Stefan) (Deb Kellock) Southwell Scout Group Venturers

Yass Richard Bland Paul Churcher Kate Wilson Janette Ryan Jane Major Iain Fyfe Fiona Hamer Jill McGovern Rebecca Widdows Richard Miller Carol Boughton Ben Serafin

119 Glossary

Baseline monitoring: Galaxias: The collection of data prior to a planned A small species of native freshwater fish intervention/project Gorge: A narrow, steep-sided, often rocky area Biennial: immediately adjacent to a waterway Occurring once every 2 years Groundwater: Water that is sourced from deep within the soil Confluence: The intersection of two waterways Hydrograph: The relationship between river discharge and time Cyanobacteria: Photosynthesizing bacteria often responsible for Leachate: Liquid effluent containing harmful blue-green algae blooms substances Data deficient: Metamorphic: A type of rock, related to its process Being either unsampled or having insufficient of formation information to provide a confident assessment Macrophytes: Aquatic plants Dissolved oxygen: The amount of oxygen present within water, Nitrate: A naturally occurring form of Nitrogen. High either presented as an absolute amount (mg/L) or levels can indicate excessive nutrient inputs into as a percentage of the total oxygen saturation at a waterways given temperature pH: A measure of the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) Eastern gambusia: A small invasive pest fish of a solution introduced from central America Phosphorus: A naturally occurring element Electrical conductivity: essential to life. High levels are often implicated A measurement of the total combined salts/minerals in algal blooms in waterways. Measured as within water and used as a proxy for salinity Orthophosphate on CHIP Ephemeral: Reach: A length of waterway defined by Contains water intermittently, as opposed to hydrological, environmental, landuse and social permanent attributes for the purpose of reporting on ecosystem health Erosion: The loss of soil from the land into waterways Riparian: The zone immediately adjacent to a waterway, which both directly receives and Eutrophication: contributes to the aquatic ecosystem The rapid blooming of algae and cyanobacteria in nutrient-rich water, which can lead to depletion of Runoff:Water that flows into a waterway after rain dissolved oxygen Sand slug: A large intrusion of sand within a river Fish kill: channel A natural or artificially induced mass die-off of fish Sediment: Soil that has become washed into a occurring in a small space of time, often related to waterway rapid depletion of dissolved oxygen Stormwater: Same as runoff Flashy: A term used to describe the temporal response of Stressors: river discharge following rain Natural and man-made processes that can negatively affect natural ecosystem function Fragmented: Areas of habitat that have become disconnected Turbidity: due to habitat change The degree of suspended solids in water that gives it a muddy colour Frost hollow: An area of land that is subject to severe frosts. Willows: an introduced riparian tree species Often occurs near waterways

120 Abbreviations

ACWA: Actions for Clean Water Plan (an initiative N: Nitrogen to reduce turbidity in the upper Murrumbidgee) QAQC: Quality Assurance, Quality Control DO: Dissolved Oxygen P: Phosphorus EC: Electrical Conductivity RARC: Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition mg/L: Milligrams per Litre TSR: Travelling Stock Reserve μS: MicroSiemens UMDR: Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Units

121 Appendix I

Cooma region CHIP scores by parameter

Molonglo region CHIP scores by parameter

122 Ginninderra region CHIP scores by parameter

Southern region CHIP scores by parameter

Yass region CHIP scores by parameter

123 Appendix II

CHIP Methodology Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch (Waterwatch) produces an annual catchment health report called the Catchment Health Indicator Program (CHIP), based upon the data collected by volunteers throughout the preceding year. This report is a key output of this program, and is used as both a communication tool and to inform management and policy regarding water resource use and protection. However, multiple complex calculations are involved in producing the CHIP, and numerous catchment groups around Australia produce similar (albeit slightly different) CHIPs. Conversely, specific details regarding these CHIPs are not generally forthcoming. This document aims to clearly outline the underlying philosophy and methodology regarding the Waterwatch 2015–2016 CHIP.

Multiple Types of Data Waterwatch volunteers and coordinators collect data relating to water quality, macro-invertebrate abundance and diversity, and riparian condition. Each of these data sources are ‘indices’ or ‘parameters’, which, when combined, form an ‘indicator’. Currently, the goal for volunteers is to collect water quality data every month, at every site. Volunteers and coordinators also collect aquatic macro-invertebrate data twice a year, in Spring and Autumn at key sites within each reach, generally near the bottom of each reach (to provide an indication of the entire reach). Finally, Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition (RARC; Jansen et al. 2005) assessments are conducted by volunteers and coordinators at each site once every 2 years (biennially). RARCs are conducted at lower frequency, as riparian condition changes at a slower rate than macro-invertebrate assemblages, and water quality. All these data are combined into the CHIP. Finally, additional data regarding algae abundance and diversity, frog abundance and diversity, and Platypus abundance are used to provide context regarding catchment health, but are not formally included in the CHIP calculations (Table 1). More details regarding these additional data sources can be found in the section “Additional Data”

Water Quality Parameters Currently, volunteers strive to collect water quality data for multiple parameters every month (Table 1). These parameters have been widely established as the best indicators of water quality while being relatively easy to measure and have been discussed in detail previously (eg. Waterwatch Victoria 1999). While there are known (and unknown) site-specific variations in these parameters, it is generally accepted for a majority of these that a specific range of values indicate good catchment health (eg. ANZECC 2000). Deviations away from these ideal values indicate declining health of the waterway. It is this philosophy that underpins the computations of the CHIP, and the grading of catchment health (see Appendix III). Table 1. Summary of waterway health parameters collected by volunteers and coordinators, that are included in the CHIP. The values here reflect current goals, but are not always achieved in all instances. Parameter Frequency Number of sites Water Quality pH Monthly All sites Electrical Conductivity Monthly All sites Turbidity Monthly All sites Phosphorus Monthly All sites Nitrate Monthly All sites Dissolved oxygen Monthly All sites Temperature Monthly All sites Macro-invertebrates SIGNAL 2.0 Biannual (Spring & Autumn) Key sites (min 1/reach) Riparian Condition RARC Biennial All sites

124 Macro-invertebrates Aquatic fauna (and flora) are ideal indicators of catchment health, as they are entirely dependent on the waterway for their existence. Aquatic macro-invertebrates differ greatly in their requirements, and their tolerances to changes in their aquatic environment. Numerous programs exist to assess waterway health based upon abundance and diversity of macro-invertebrate assemblages (eg. AUSRIVAS, SIGNAL, ALT) and are similar in many respects. Waterwatch use SIGNAL 2.0, with macro-invertebrate identification to the order level (not family as with AUSRIVAS). Specific details of the sampling methodology are outlined in the SIGNAL 2.0 user manual (Chessman 2001; Chessman 2003). The SIGNAL 2.0 score obtained at each site receives an additional calculation to produce a modified stream pollution index. This helps to control for the diversity of macro-invertebrates found at a site. We have included an additional criteria this year, that examines whether the three key sensitive orders of Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies) and Trichoptera (caddisflies) are present, to aid with standardising scoring across the three data sources (WQ, Water bugs and RARC). This number is transformed (similar to the water quality parameters, above), and the median value of all the sampling periods within the reach (including Spring and Autumn surveys), before being included in the CHIP (Table 2). Further details are present in Appendix III.

Table 2. Summary of SIGNAL 2.0 scores, and thresholds between the CHIP score categories. Number of Taxa SIGNAL Score EPT Present EPT Absent >7 >5.5 Excellent Good >7 >5.5 Good Fair ≤ 7 ≤ 5.5 Fair Poor ≤ 7 ≤ 5.5 Poor Degraded

Riparian Condition The riparian zone along a waterway is integral to waterway health. The riparian zone performs several important functions, including acting as a buffer and filter to incoming runoff, and extracting nutrients from the waterway itself. Currently, RARC assessments are conducted biennially at all sites. A substantial number of surveys were conducted in Summer and Autumn 2015. This data has been incorporated for the first time into the CHIP in 2014–2015. RARC was developed for use along the Murrumbidgee River in open floodplains dominated by a River Red Gum overstorey. As such, its applicability to the upper Murrumbidgee River catchment, urban environments and non-riverine habitats is questionable. However, it is still likely to be an effective tool for recording changes in riparian composition over time, irrespective of the score. The thresholds applied in the 2015- 2016 CHIP are as follows (Table 3). These thresholds may be revised in the future, to better reflect the actual distribution of RARC scores present in the Upper Murrumbidgee River catchment. Table 3. Summary of RARC scores, and thresholds between CHIP score categories. RARC Score CHIP Parameter 41–50 Excellent = 1 31–40 Good = 2 21–30 Fair = 3 11–20 Poor = 4 0–10 Degraded = 5

125 Combining Water Quality, Macro-invertebrate and RARC Data Using the scores calculated for water quality, macro-invertebrates and RARC assessments, these values are averaged for each site. Currently, water quality, macro-invertebrates and RARCs are equally weighted in the CHIP. However, in the event that one of these is missing, a CHIP score is still produced. If two of the three assessments are missing for a reach, no CHIP score is produced. Data Density A potential source of bias can arise from insufficient data collection at sites within reaches. In order to overcome some of these issues, a rule has been applied to the water quality data to ensure a minimum amount of data is present, before a CHIP score is produced. Currently, a minimum of 25% of total potential water quality data must be present for a CHIP score to be produced. This is calculated by dividing the total number of sampling events available for analysis in the preceding year, by the number of sites within a reach, multiplied the number of total sampling events that should have occurred (12). This provides a proportional measure of the amount of sampling that has taken place within a reach in the preceding 12 months. In the event that <25% of data was collected, the water quality data is not included in the computation of a CHIP score.

The CHIP Score The resulting CHIP score for each reach provides an indication of the overall health of that particular reach. While specific site-level variations (eg. some sites have naturally high electrical conductivity, low pH etc) may receive lower scores, it therefore requires that careful interpretation of these CHIP values be undertaken prior to making inferences of catchment health. In addition, the application of SIGNAL 2.0 in non-flowing aquatic habitats and RARC assessments in heavily urbanised environments may produce unusually low scores. In these instances, comparing within reaches, between years will be more appropriate than comparing between reaches, within years. These considerations must be taken into account when using and interpreting the CHIP. Finally, vitally important context is provided by the Waterwatch coordinators, who know the underlying geology, hydrology, landuse and history of the catchments. Their expert knowledge is critical to valid interpretations of the CHIP scores.

References ACT Government (2005) Environment Protection Regulation (2005) ANZECC (2000) Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality Volume 1. October 2000 Chessman, B (2003) New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates. Marine and Freshwater Research 54: 95-103 Chessman, B. (2001) SIGNAL 2. A scoring system for macro-invertebrates (‘water bugs’) in Australian rivers. Version 2. November 2001. Jansen, Robertson, Thompson and Wilson (2005). Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition. Version 2. Land and Water Australia Walker, J. and D.J. Reuter (1996) Indicators of catchment health. A technical perspective. CSIRO Publishing Waterwatch Victoria (1999) Specific Indicators [Online] Available at: http://www.vic.waterwatch.org.au/ file/file/Data%20Interpretation%20Manual/Pages%20from%20WW_DI_MANUAL_PART%20B%20%28p_19- 35%29.pdf accessed 10/09/2014

126 Appendix III

Refining macroinvertebrate scores for the 2015–2016 CHIP

Background: As part of the continual process of improving the rigour and transparency behind the calculation of CHIP scores, this year we have re-evaluated the process regarding how macro-invertebrate survey data contributes to producing final reach scores. Throughout the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 CHIP reports, macro-invertebrate scores have been based upon the divisions defined in the SIGNAL 2.0 manual (Chessman 2003; Table 1). Table 1. Previous approach to computing CHIP scores based on macro-invertebrate sensitivities and and abundance, as defined by SIGNAL 2.0 (Chessman 2003). Number of macroinvertebrate orders SIGNAL SCORE 0 - 7 >7 >5.5 Fair Excellent ≤ 5.5 Poor Good

Macro-invertebrate surveys are categorised into 1 of 4 categories based on the number of taxonomic groups (Orders) and the weighted sensitivity of those orders collected (Chessman 2003). For example, where the weighted sensitivity is >5.5 and the number of taxa >7, will result in a CHIP score of “Excellent”. Conversely, a weighted sensitivity of ≤ 5.5 and ≤ 7 taxa would result in a CHIP score of “Poor”. Unfortunately, this does not fit well with our 5 category ranking of catchment health. Indeed, under the previous scheme, it would be impossible to score a reach as “Degraded”, as there is no “Degraded” category for macro-invertebrates.

Adjusting the score to 5 levels TTo make the adjustment to a 5-level scoring system for macro-invertebrates, we have incorporated an additional criteria to the computation of the CHIP score for each macro-invertebrate survey (Table 2). This additional criteria examines whether all three EPTs (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) are present. If 2 or less are present (eg. any one or more of these taxonomic groups are missing), then scores are penalised (Table 2). Table 2. New macroinvertebrate scoring system for the 2015-16 CHIP. Number of Taxa SIGNAL Score EPT Present EPT Absent >7 >5.5 Excellent Good >7 ≤5.5 Good Fair ≤ 7 >5.5 Fair Poor ≤ 7 ≤ 5.5 Poor Degraded

Why EPTs? The “EPTs” (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) are the three orders of highly sensitive water bugs – The mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. These three orders are generally present where both water quality and aquatic habitat are in excellent condition. Indeed, in all surveys undertaken in the Upper Murrumbidgee catchment by waterwatch in the last two years, all surveys listed as “Excellent” contained these three orders. Both nationally and internationally, there is a strong focus on the EPTs as they are universally considered to be good indicators of good catchment health (eg. Marchant et al. 1995).

127 What do these changes mean for the CHIP?’ The main effect this change will have on the CHIP report is providing greater differentiation between Good, Fair and Poor reaches. Furthermore, it will now be mathematically plausible to score a reach as “Degraded”. All previous sites scored as Excellent are unlikely to change, however reaches scored as Good, Fair and Poor have greater scope to shift downwards, if these three important taxa are missing from their macro- invertebrate surveys.

How does this change the previous CHIP? By way of examination of these changes on the CHIP result, here we present a comparison of CHIP scores from the 2014–2015 CHIP report, with the old CHIP scores, and the new (Table 3). Table 3. Summary of changes to the reach scores from the 2014-15 CHIP with the update in macroinvertebrate scoring. SCORE OLD NEW Excellent 4 4 Good 45 34 Fair 36 42 Poor 5 10 Degraded 0 0

In the 2015-2016 CHIP, we present the 2014-2015 CHIP results with the updated macro-invertebrate scoring system, to facilitate direct comparison between the two reports. Chessman, B (2003) New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates. Marine and Freshwater Research 54: 95-103 Marchant, R., Barmuta, LA., and BC Chessman (1995) Influence of sample quantification and taxonomic resolution on the ordination of macroinvertebrate communities from running waters in Victoria, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 46: 501-506

128 Appendix IV

Refining water quality thresholds for the CHIP

Background: In developing the 2013–2014 CHIP, a set of thresholds had to be applied to the water quality parameters in order to produce water quality scores. These are summarised in Table A2 of Appendix III of the 2013–2014 CHIP report (Table 1). Table 1. Summary of 2013–2014 water quality thresholds for the CHIP report. Indicator Rating Excellent - 1 Good - 2 Fair - 3 Poor - 4 Degraded - 5 5.5 – 5.9 or 5 – 5.5 or pH 6.0 – 6.9 8.0 – 8.5 <5 or >9 7.0 – 7.9 8.5 – 8.9 EC (mS) <= 65 <= 200 <= 350 <= 400 > 400 Turbidity (NTU) <= 10 <= 12.5 <= 15 <= 20 > 20 Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) (Not included in CHIP) 85 – 95 or 65 – 75 or Dissolved oxygen saturation(%) 95 – 105 75 – 85 < 65 or > 120 105 – 110 115 – 120 Phosphorus < 0.01 0.01 – 0.02 0.02 – 0.05 0.05 – 0.09 > 0.09 Nitrate (mg/L) < 1.0 1 – 4.9 5 – 9.9 10 – 15 > 15

These thresholds are based largely on those developed by the Molonglo CHIP report (M-CHIP). The M-CHIP values were developed in 2 parts – an urban and rural scale. The rural-scale values were used for the 2013–2014 CHIP report, with a few minor tweaks (mostly to dissolved oxygen) before being implemented. Unfortunately, there is no clear evidence trail of how these thresholds were developed, and so we treated them as based upon expert knowledge. For the 2014–2015 CHIP report, we aimed to develop a new set of thresholds based upon water quality data collected in the ACT region. The key issues in developing these new thresholds will be outlined here.

Identifying a data set: independence, data quality and reference sites Numerous sources (ANZECC, ACT Water Regulations, other catchment report cards) promote the development of meaningful thresholds based upon a ‘training dataset’. A training dataset is a relevant water quality dataset used to determine thresholds which can be applied to data collected throughout the catchment for the purposes of reporting. The strengths of this approach are that thresholds are locally relevant, are developed in a transparent manner and are updateable and repeatable. Ideally, an independent dataset would be used to redefine thresholds. This has two major benefits. Firstly, an independent dataset would not be burdened with any real or perceived data quality issues that volunteer collected data may have. Key issues regarding sampling bias, accuracy and precision of equipment and reporting of data can be eliminated. Secondly, thresholds developed from an independent dataset may be retrospectively applied to all Waterwatch data. The use of Waterwatch data would prevent the application of thresholds to data used to define the thresholds (a problem of circularity). There are limited sources of data available in the ACT region which may be used to develop thresholds. The most obvious data sources are those collected and maintained by the ACT Government, Icon Water and University of Canberra.

129 In examining the external water quality to develop thresholds, a key consideration is the choice of sites with which to use to create new thresholds. Obviously, the choice of sites will have a major impact on the threshold values produced. Sites that are considered to represent ‘reference condition’ are preferred over all others. Reference condition is defined, for the purposes of the CHIP, as sites that represent minimally impacted areas in the ACT region. Ideally, these sites will exist in minimally impacted agricultural or conservation managed lands, without significant impacts from urban centres or major developments. A second key issue is the amount of data available. This is further complicated by the impact that the millennium drought had on reference site condition. For example, data from reference sites of the AUSRIVAS macro-invertebrate monitoring program showed major declines in the relative health of some reference sites during the millennium drought. This is not surprising, but including data that shows negative impacts of drought would influence the discriminatory power that the reference condition approach could provide. These impacts are likely to be present in water quality data that exists from the same time period.

Defining the thresholds There are numerous ways water quality data could be categorised to produce a score, but we have chosen to use percentiles derived from a frequency histogram of water quality data taken from reference sites to define the thresholds for the CHIP. Our approach is outlined in figure 2. After creating a frequency histogram from reference condition data, the threshold values for each parameter are defined using the 80th (Excellent), 90th (Good), 95th (Fair), 99th (Poor) and >99th (Degraded) percentiles. The implicit assumption is that parameter values that occur in excess of 80% of the time in the reference sites reflect excellent quality, with rarer occurring events being of lower quality. Finally, it is assumed that ‘degraded’ water quality would only be observed <1% of the time in a reference condition site. Figure 2. Depiction of defining thresholds based upon a frequency distribution of data.

Identification of ‘reference sites’ The selection of sites from which to produce thresholds will have a major impact on final scores produced in the CHIP report. Site selection is critical to how scores are interpreted. While arguably the score is irrelevant, and rather the change in any site/reach through time is more important, the reality is that scores will be interpreted directly without appropriate thought to how they were derived. Preference will be to select sites that exhibit minimal levels of agricultural and urban impacts. Avoiding urban influences should be relatively straightforward, however agriculture is widespread throughout the upper Murrumbidgee catchment, hence obtaining sites without agricultural impacts will be difficult. Furthermore, historical impacts from agriculture, mining and land clearing may still be having pervasive impacts on water quality, which may be hard to identify in the first instance, and may not be readily avoidable, in any case. As such, ‘reference condition’ must not be interpreted as ‘pristine’. Rather, it reflects the condition of minimally impacts sites within the catchment. As such, long-term goals aspiring towards water quality in sites equivalent to that of reference condition is a worthy goal, yet by no means suggests a return to pristine or non-impacted conditions.

130 There are limited sites in the Upper Murrumbidgee River catchment that have long-term data records from which to derive frequency distributions. Data available from Icon water for the Upper Cotter River catchment (above, and including Corin reservoir) and water quality collected from the catchment represent the most practical ‘reference condition’ datasets for the CHIP. The catchments to the east of the Murrumbidgee River have a different underlying geology compared to the catchments west of the Murrumbidgee River (eg. The Cotter River, and Goodradigbee River.) Likewise, the Ginninderra and Yass catchments may tend to exhibit high electrical conductivity compared to other catchments. With additional data, electrical conductivity thresholds would be developed for the Molonglo, Ginninderra and Yass catchments, provided suitable data from ‘reference condition’ sites could be found. This is highly unlikely to occur.

Data availability Icon Water generously provided water quality data for 2 riverine sites upstream of Corin reservoir, three sites within the upstream-most section of Corin reservoir, and data from 3 sites on the Goodradigbee River, and 3 sites on tributaries of the Goodradigbee River, collected by University of Canberra (Table 1). Table 1. Summary of sites used to define reference condition for CHIP thresholds Site Name Years of data Parameters

Cotter Hut 2007-2014 pH, turbidity, EC, DO

Gingera 2003-2015 pH, turbidity, EC, DO

Corin Reservior site 7 1994-2015 TN, TP

Corin Reservior site 8 1993-2015 TN, TP

Kangaroo Ck 2003-2015 TN, TP

Goodradigbee River site 1 2006-2015 pH, Turbidity, EC, TN, TP

Goodradigbee River site 2 2006-2015 pH, Turbidity, EC, TN, TP

Goodradigbee River site 3 2006-2015 pH, Turbidity, EC, TN, TP

Goodradigbee Tributary 1 2006-2015 pH, Turbidity, EC, TN, TP

Goodradigbee Tributary 2 2006-2015 pH, Turbidity, EC, TN, TP

Goodradigbee Tributary 3 2006-2015 pH, Turbidity, EC, TN, TP

Data analysis Data analysis involved producing frequency histograms of each of the water quality parameters at each site. Firstly, the impact of the millennium drought was explored by comparing histograms for data collected 2010-current, against pre-2010 data. If no observable difference in distributions was present, data was combined. If significant differences were present, only data post-2010 was considered for threshold production. After identifying non-drought impacted data, sites were combined and examined. If substantial differences in distributions were evident across sites, they were not combined. Conversely, if no major discrepancies were present, data across sites was combined. The exception to this rule was made for electrical conductivity –the upper Cotter River is very low in electrical conductivity, compared to the Goodradigbee catchment. We chose to combine data from the Cotter River and Goodradigbee River to produce EC thresholds for the CHIP as this will better reflect the apparent naturally higher EC readings from other areas in the catchment such as the Molonglo and Ginninderra.

131 Current thresholds Table 2 presents the threshold values applied in the current CHIP. Thresholds were developed based upon the 80th (excellent), 90th (Good), 95th (Fair), 99th (Poor) and > 99th (Degraded) percentiles, for each parameter. For pH and dissolved oxygen, the 10th and 90th (Excellent), 5th and 95th (Good), 2.5th and 97.5th (Fair), 0.5th and 99.5th (Poor) and <0.5th and >99.5th (Degraded) percentiles were used to define thresholds. These thresholds were redefined for the 2014-15 CHIP report onwards. Table 2: Water quality CHIP thresholds. Parameter Excellent Good Fair Poor Degraded

6.1 – 6.5, 5.7 – 6.0, 5.4 – 5.6, pH 6.6 – 7.8 < 5.4, > 8.6 7.9 – 8.0 8.1 – 8.2 8.3 – 8.6

EC (uS) ≤ 98 99 – 156 157 – 212 213 – 404 > 404

Turbidity (NTU) ≤ 10 11 – 16 17 – 36 37 – 90 > 90

DO (mg/L) (Not included in CHIP)

81 – 83, 78 – 80, DO Sat. (%) 88 – 99 84 – 87, 100 < 78, > 115 101 – 106 107 – 115

Phosphorus (mg/L) < 0.02 0.02 – 0.03 0.04 – 0.05 0.06 – 0.08 > 0.08

Nitrate (mg/L) < 1.0 1.0 – 1.3 1.4 – 1.7 1.8 – 2.6 > 2.6

Going forward: interpreting the CHIP Interpreting CHIP scores must explicitly consider how the scores were derived. The data used to derive the water quality thresholds come from water quality monitoring sites in the upper Cotter River catchment and the Goodradigbee River catchment. As such, all WQ CHIP scores are to be considered in relation to the ‘reference condition’.

132