DWLBC REPORT Ecological Condition Assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast 2005/36 Ecological Condition Assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast David Deane, Laura Phipps and Paul Magarey Knowledge and Information Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation October 2005 Report DWLBC 2005/36 Knowledge and Information Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation 25 Grenfell Street, Adelaide GPO Box 2834, Adelaide SA 5001 Telephone National (08) 8463 6946 International +61 8 8463 6946 Fax National (08) 8463 6999 International +61 8 8463 6999 Website www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au Disclaimer The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and its employees do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use, of the information contained herein as regards to its correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency or otherwise. The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and its employees expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility to any person using the information or advice. Information contained in this document is correct at the time of writing. © Government of South Australia, through the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation 2005 This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission obtained from the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be directed to the Chief Executive, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, GPO Box 2834, Adelaide SA 5001. ISBN 0-9758235-5-8 Preferred way to cite this publication Deane, D, Phipps, L & Magarey, PD 2005, Ecological condition assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast, Report DWLBC 2005/36, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Adelaide. FOREWORD South Australia’s unique and precious natural resources are fundamental to the economic and social wellbeing of the state. It is critical that these resources are managed in a sustainable manner to safeguard them both for current users and for future generations. The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) strives to ensure that our natural resources are managed so that they are available for all users, including the environment. In order for us to best manage these natural resources it is imperative that we have a sound knowledge of their condition and how they are likely to respond to management changes. DWLBC scientific and technical staff continue to improve this knowledge through undertaking investigations, technical reviews and resource modelling. Rob Freeman CHIEF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF WATER, LAND AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Report DWLBC 2005/36 iii Ecological Condition Assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast Report DWLBC 2005/36 iv Ecological Condition Assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks are conveyed to members of the community who provided a wealth of much needed information. Particular thanks are also extended to Simon Westergaard, from Native Fish SA, for assistance in fish sampling. The assistance of the following people, who contributed valuable time, knowledge, information, ideas and constructive criticism during the preparation of this report, is gratefully acknowledged. Northern and Yorke Natural Resource Management Board Michael Head, Trudie Stanley, Anita Crisp, Kerry Ward, Phyllis Robinson, Lindy Pearson, David Sloper, Saideh Kent. Landholders and Community Members Graham and Iris Herde, Gordon Leue, Kevin Pole, Neville Davis, Peter Dennis, Harvie and Joan Spencer, Cyril and Nancy Mudge, Darcy Evans (Nukunu representative). Native Fish SA Simon Westergaard (fish sampling), Mike Hammer. State Agencies Stuart Beinke (National Parks, DEH); Kym Hoffrichter, Jeff Robinson, Monique Blason (SA Water); Paul McEvoy, Sally Maxwell (Australian Water Quality Centre — macro-invertebrate analysis, App. E); Peter Goonan and Tracy Corbin (EPA); Sharon Connor, Carice Holland and Ann Young (PIRSA Publishing Services — Geological mapping, Figs 2, 3); Bruce Murdoch, David Cresswell, Mark Walter, Scott Evans, Anne Walters and Glen Scholz (DWLBC). Photography: Unless noted otherwise, all photographs within this report were taken by the authors during field surveys in February, June and September 2005. This work was funded by the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. Report DWLBC 2005/36 v Ecological Condition Assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast Report DWLBC 2005/36 vi Ecological Condition Assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast CONTENTS FOREWORD...........................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................1 1. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................5 2. AIM....................................................................................................................................7 3. METHODOLOGY..............................................................................................................9 3.1 CONSULTATION PHASE ..........................................................................................9 3.2 FIELD SURVEYS .......................................................................................................9 3.2.1 Survey methods ...................................................................................................................9 3.3 DESKTOP ANALYSIS..............................................................................................10 3.3.1 Literature review ................................................................................................................10 3.3.2 Spatial analysis ..................................................................................................................10 3.3.3 Hydrology...........................................................................................................................10 4. RESULTS........................................................................................................................13 4.1 CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION .................................................................................13 4.1.1 History ................................................................................................................................15 4.1.2 Historical water resource development..............................................................................15 4.2 LAND USE ...............................................................................................................16 4.2.1 Land-use classification.......................................................................................................16 4.2.2 National parks and reserves system..................................................................................17 4.3 GEOLOGY ...............................................................................................................18 4.4 GEOMORPHOLOGY ...............................................................................................21 4.4.1 Sediment transport processes ...........................................................................................21 4.4.2 Impacts on stream geomorphology ...................................................................................22 4.5 CATCHMENT HYDROLOGY...................................................................................23 4.5.1 Surface water hydrology ....................................................................................................23 4.5.2 Surface water development ...............................................................................................36 4.5.3 Groundwater hydrology......................................................................................................38 4.5.4 Groundwater development.................................................................................................39 4.6 AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS .......................................................................................41 4.6.1 Location of permanent aquatic habitat...............................................................................41 4.6.2 Biological components .......................................................................................................43 Report DWLBC 2005/36 vii Ecological Condition Assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast CONTENTS 5. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................51 5.1 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER...................................................................................51 5.1.1 Flow-related ecology..........................................................................................................52 5.1.2 The importance and significance of groundwater..............................................................54 5.1.3 Biotic and abiotic structuring factors ..................................................................................55 5.2 SUMMARY OF ECOLOGICAL DRIVERS................................................................59 5.3