DWLBC REPORT Water Monitoring Review for the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management Region 2006/16 Water Monitoring Review for the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management Region Li Wen Knowledge and Information Division Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation July 2007 Report DWLBC 2006/16 Knowledge and Information Division 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 2007 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 978-1-921218-16-3 Preferred way to cite this publication Wen, L 2005. Water monitoring review for the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management Region, DWLBC Report 2006/16, Government of South Australia, through 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 continues 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 2006/16 iii Water Monitoring Review for the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management Region Report DWLBC 2006/16 iv Water Monitoring Review for the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management Region CONTENTS FOREWORD...........................................................................................................................iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................1 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS .....................................................................................................3 1. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................7 1.1 BACKGROUND..........................................................................................................7 1.2 DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE.......................................................................................8 1.3 PROJECT OUTLINE ..................................................................................................9 1.3.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................9 1.3.2 Methodology.......................................................................................................................10 1.3.3 Project steering group........................................................................................................12 1.3.4 Consultation .......................................................................................................................12 2. REGION DESCRIPTION.................................................................................................13 2.1 GENERAL FEATURES ............................................................................................13 2.2 CLASSIFICATION OF CATCHMENTS....................................................................14 2.3 WATER RESOURCES.............................................................................................16 2.3.1 Surface water resources ....................................................................................................16 2.3.2 Surface water quality .........................................................................................................17 2.3.3 Aquatic ecosystem (wetlands) ...........................................................................................18 2.3.4 Groundwater resources .....................................................................................................18 2.3.5 Groundwater quality...........................................................................................................18 2.4 KEY REGIONAL ISSUES ........................................................................................19 2.4.1 Stressors............................................................................................................................19 2.4.2 Sources of stressors ..........................................................................................................20 3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STAKEHOLDERS ............................................23 3.1 LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND BUSINESS NEEDS ...................................23 3.1.1 LEGISLATIVE MANDATES ...............................................................................................23 3.2 OVERVIEW OF AGENCY ROLES...........................................................................26 3.3 MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS.......................................................................................27 3.3.1 DWLBC ..............................................................................................................................27 3.3.2 EPA ....................................................................................................................................29 3.3.3 DEH....................................................................................................................................29 3.3.4 SA Water............................................................................................................................30 3.3.5 KINRMB .............................................................................................................................31 3.4 SYSTEMATIC MONITORING MODEL ....................................................................31 Report DWLBC 2006/16 v Water Monitoring Review for the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management Region CONTENTS 4. CURRENT MONITORING SYSTEMS ............................................................................35 4.1 DEFINITIONS OF WATER RESOURCE MONITORING.........................................35 4.2 MONITORING METHODS EMPLOYED ..................................................................36 4.2.1 Surface water quantity .......................................................................................................36 4.2.2 Surface water quality .........................................................................................................37 4.2.3 Groundwater ......................................................................................................................38 4.2.4 Aquatic ecosystems ...........................................................................................................39 4.2.5 Community monitoring .......................................................................................................39 5. MONITORING PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ..................................................................41 5.1 PRINCIPLES OF LONG-TERM MONITORING .......................................................42 5.2 OVERALL ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION: MONITORING PROGRAM MANAGEMENT........................................................................................................44 6. CURRENT SURFACE WATER MONITORING..............................................................49 6.1 WATER QUANTITY .................................................................................................49 6.1.1 The current stream-gauging stations .................................................................................49 6.1.2 Water use information........................................................................................................51 6.1.3 Rainfall monitoring .............................................................................................................51 6.1.4 Evaporation monitoring ......................................................................................................53 6.2 WATER QUALITY ....................................................................................................53