Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment (LEBRA)

2012 Monitoring Report

Bernie Cockayne^, David Schmarr#, Angus Duguidand Rupert Mathwin#

^ Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 30 Tennyson St, Mackay, QLD 4740

# South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Aquatic Sciences, PO Box 120, HenleyBeach, SA 5022

Northern Territory Department of Land Resource Management, PO Box 1120, Alice Springs, NT 0871

Suggested citation:

Cockayne, B., Schmarr, D., Duguid, A.,Mathwin, R. (2013) Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment 2012 Monitoring Report, A report to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC), Canberra, ACT

LEBRA 2012 Monitoring Report

Executive Summary

The Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment (LEBRA) is a monitoring program designed to assess the condition of watercourses and catchments in the Lake Eyre Basin (LEB), their related natural resources, and those factors likely to affect them such as water resource development and land use change. The LEBRA has been established to address a requirement of the LEB Intergovernmental Agreement, to review and report on the condition of the watercourses and catchments within the LEB Agreement Area at least every 10 years.

The aim of this report is to present monitoring results from spring 2011 and autumn 2012; the second year of the current monitoring program. The scope of this report is set by the 2012 LEBRA Project Plan (SEWPaC 2011). The current phase of the LEBRA monitoring operates under the ‘LEBRA Implementation Plan 2010-2018’ which was endorsed by LEB Ministerial Forum in April2010. A more comprehensive assessment of the condition of LEB watercourses and catchments will be produced as part of the condition assessment required under the LEB Intergovernmental Agreement.

The 2012 LEBRA Project Plan identified the monitoring indicators for the 2012 LEBRA as hydrology, water quality and fish. Monitoring was undertaken by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Aquatic Sciences Division, Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) (formally Department of Environment and Resource Management) and Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS) (now the Department of Land Resource Management).

Hydrology and water quality

Data was collected from 30 hydrological gauging stations throughout the basin and an additional 17 conductivity/temperature/depth loggers where installed in areas lacking hydrological monitoring. Comprehensive GIS-based bathymetric surveys were conducted at 20 waterholes.

All sites flowed during the 2011/12 reporting period. These sites did not experience significant dry spells to the extent that no monitoring sites completelydried. Flow volumes varied across the LEB and many sites did not experience flooding as severe or prolonged as previous years. However some sites did receive major flooding (e.g. Barcoo R at Blackall- February 2012).

Water quality parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and turbidity) were collected at each fish monitoring site and were found to be within the range of tolerance for fish species in the LEB. This report contains the first time-series conductivity data for the current phase of LEBRA.

Fish

The 2011/12 round of LEBRA monitoring builds on the basin-wide sampling regime implemented for the first time in 2011. The 2011/12 sampling round further strengthens the LEBRA program and opens the stage for expanded collaborative monitoring into the future.

A structured monitoring methodology was applied consistently throughout the LEB. This provided novel baseline data for many waterholes, tributaries, and in some cases whole river systems; updated data on fish distribution and abundance from sites previously studied; and, continuing data for long-term monitoring sites. A total of 53 fish monitoring siteswere sampled (6 sites spring 2011 and 47 sites autumn 2012). The spring 2011 monitoring at 8 sites in Queensland was abandoned due to wet weather hindering access. Key fish results were:

  • A total of 55,544 fish were processed from 21 native and three exotic species
  • Bony herring was the most common and abundant species caught (53 sites; 14,212 individuals)
  • Site richness varied from 3 to 13 species per site
  • The highest abundance caught was 4,874 fish at Cuttapirra in autumn 2012, the lowest was 14 fish at Wadlarkaninna and Retreat.
  • Population booms recorded in the previous round were no longer apparent.
  • New (reach specific) species distributions were recorded, for the WarburtonRiver (Diamantina catchment) and the PalmerRiver (Finke Catchment).
  • Most of the abundant fish species had a wide range of size-classes.
  • Disease was observed in nine species of fish.
  • Disease was predominantly observed in the Georgina (58% of sites) and NealesRivers (20% of sites).
  • Three exotic fish species were collected; sleepy cod, eastern gambusia and goldfish.
  • Exotic fishes were generally in low abundances

This monitoring round enabled further refinement of the fish sampling methodologies. Survey techniques for catching some species of fish (e.g. Finke endemic species and desert goby) may need development to increase confidence in catch and to obtain meaningful scientific data for these species.

The continued involvement of the Tjuwanpa Rangers in the monitoring program in the Finke catchment was an important outcome for indigenous participation in LEBRA.

Acknowledgments

The LEBRA requires the cooperation and goodwill of many. The contribution of many people in Lake EyreBasin groups is acknowledged including: the Ministerial Forum; the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) the Scientific Assessment Panel (SAP), and the Technical Reference Group. Derek White, Dr Sonia Colville, Gayle Partridge and Sue Stefanoski provided valuable support from the Australian Government. Many state government people are also involved in sustaining the program and are thanked collectively.

We acknowledge the current land owners and managers and the traditional Aboriginal custodians of the lands at all of the sites surveyed for this project and pay our respects to the Aboriginal elders.

The following people are acknowledged for their participation in surveying sites in the NT. Angus Duguid, Peter MacDonald, Christie Stenhouse, Kelly Knights, Deon Grantham, Simon Rathbone, Daniel McCormack, Luke McLaren and Michelle Rodrigo (NRETAS); David Schmarr, Rupert Mathwin, David Cheshire, Gabriel Shepherd, Dale McNeil and Jed Macdonald (SARDI); Bernie Cockayne, David Preston, Sonia Robins and Jessica Saunders(Qld Govt.); Stephen Booth, James Malbunka, Byron Ratara, and Damien Williams (Tjuwanpa Rangers); Naomi Wilson (BLCA); Heidi Groffen (TNRM); Camilla Osbourne (CLMA). Leanne Rathbone participated as a volunteer.Ian Fox provided managerial support for NT participation in LEBRA and various NRETAS staff assisted with equipment and other support. The Scott family at Lake Nash Station are thanked for their generous hospitality. Ross Morton from Henbury Station provided additional information on the history of Snake Hole.Other landholders and managers readily provided advice on access conditions. Anthony Easman, Allan Russ and Hayden Lowe provided NT hydrological data for this report.

The following SARDI staff and volunteers conducted the monitoring in South Australia: David Schmarr, Rupert Mathwin, David Cheshire, Rod Ward, Gabriel Shepherd, Dale McNeil and Jed Macdonald. Owners and managers of several stations in South Australia are acknowledged for their help. Paul Broad and Jason Dunn at Etadunna station assisted us on several occasions with repairing equipment and giving directions to sites. Sharon Oldfield at Cowarie station is thanked for her support of the field work and her support of the LEBRA concept. Managers and owners of Peake, Allandale, Macumba and PandiePandie stations were, as always, very welcoming and patient with our enquiries. Gary Overton from Mulka station has helped us greatly with access to LakeHope and advice. As usual, the staff and owners at Mungeranie and Pink roadhouse and many other businesses went out of their way to nourish and entertain us.

In Queensland we would like to thank Sam and Patricia Brown, Waddy Campbell, Joe and Michelle Cobb, Steve Cramer, Angus and Karen Emmott, Dot Gorringe, Lalena Graham, Judith Harrison, Wayne Hooper, Darren Lorenz, Gavin Miller, Linda and Gerard Penna, Steve and Wayne (Retreat station), Colin Saltmere, David Thompson, William and Elizabeth Tudehope, Brian and Marina Tully, Garth and Kathi Tully and Cheyne and Casey Williams.

Conducting fieldwork throughout the Lake EyreBasin region required dozens of contributors and together we hope to gain a better understanding of this unique system.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Acknowledgments

1Introduction

1.1Background to the current Phase of LEBRA

1.2Scope

1.3Items for Later Reporting

2Methods

2.1Draft Hypotheses and Thresholds of Potential Concern (ToPC)

2.2Fish and Water Quality Site Selection and Sampling Frequency

2.3Hydrology and Water Quality

2.4Fish

3Results

3.1Hydrology

3.2Water Quality

3.3Fish

4Conclusion

5References

6Appendices

List of Figures

Figure 1. Fish monitoring sites during spring 2011 and autumn 2012 were spread through SA, QLD and the NT.

Figure 2. Map showing existing state and territory operated gauging stations and locations of installed CTD-Diver loggers (September 2012).

Figure 3. Example of an installed CTD-Diver. Note the secured cap (with stainless steel cable) and slotted galvanised pipe which was secured to a stable structure.

Figure 4. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Sandover River at junction waterhole for the period between May 2011 to April 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling.

Figure 5. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Ooratippra Creek at Ooratippra waterhole for the period between May 2011 to April 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling.

Figure 6. River flow (ML/day) at Burke River at Boulia (top graph) and Georgina River at Roxsborough Downs (bottom graph) for the period between 2008 and 2012.

Figure 7. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Rankin River at Big Rankin waterhole for the period between May 2011 to April 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling. Conductivity data from this site should be treated with caution due to dissimilar in situ and data logger measurements.

Figure 8. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Rankin River at Big Rankin waterhole for the period between May 2011 to April 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling.

Figure 9. River flow (ML/day) at Georgina River at Roxborough Downs (blue line) and Burke River at Boulia (red line) for the period January 2011 to April 2012.

Figure 10. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Bourke River at Barracks waterhole for the period between May 2011 to May 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling.

Figure 11. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at King Creek at Bedourie FNARH waterhole for the period between August 2011 to May 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling. Conductivity data from this site should be treated with caution due to dissimilar in situ and data logger measurements.

Figure 12. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Eyre Creek at Glengyle for the period between August 2011 to May 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling. Conductivity data from this site should be treated with caution due to dissimilar in situ and data logger measurements.

Figure 13. River flow (ML/day) at Diamantina River at Diamantine Lakes (blue line) and Mills Creek at Oondooroo (red line) for the period January 2011 to April 2012. The arrow indicates the period of fish sampling at Mills Creek.

Figure 14. River flow (ML/day - blue line) at Diamantina River at Diamantina Lakes (top graph) and Mills Creek at Oondooroo (bottom graph) for the period between 2008 and 2012. The arrow indicates the period of fish sampling.

Figure 15. River flow (ML/day - blue line) at Diamantina River at Birdsville for the period between 2008 and 2012. Arrows indicates the period of fish sampling.

Figure 16. River flow (ML/day) at Thomson River at Stonehenge (blue line) and Darr River at Darr (red line) for the period January 2011 to April 2012. The arrow indicates the period of fish sampling (blue – Stonehenge; red Darr).

Figure 17. River flow (ML/day) at Barcoo River at Retreat for the period January 2011 to April 2012. The arrows indicate periods of fish sampling.

Figure 18. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Towerhill Creek at Lammermoor for the period between May 2011 to May 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling.

Figure 19. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Vergemont Creek at Noonbah for the period between May 2011 to May 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling.

Figure 20. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Thomson River at Ag college waterhole for the period between May 2011 to May 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling. Conductivity data from this site should be treated with caution due to dissimilar in situ and data logger measurements.

Figure 21. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Cooper Creek at Windorah Bridge for the period between August 2011 to May 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling. Conductivity data from this site should be treated with caution due to dissimilar in situ and data logger measurements.

Figure 22. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Cooper Creek at Lake Hope for the period between June 2011 to April 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling.

Figure 23. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Barcoo River at Killman waterhole for the period between May 2011 to May 2012. The arrow indicates the periods of fish sampling. Conductivity data from this site should be treated with caution due to dissimilar in situ and data logger measurements.

Figure 24. River flow (ML/day - blue line) at Cullyamurra Waterhole on the Cooper Creek for the period between 2008 and 2012. Arrows indicates the periods of fish sampling.

Figure 25. River flow (ML/day - blue line) at Barcoo River at Blackall (top) and Barcoo River at Retreat (bottom) for the period between 2008 and 2012. Arrows indicate periods of fish sampling.

Figure 26. River flow (ML/day - blue line) at Cornish Creek at Bowen Downs (top) and Alice River at Barcaldine (bottom) for the period between 2008 and 2012. Arrows indicate periods of fish sampling.

Figure 27. River flow (ML/day - blue line) at Darr River at Darr (top) and Thomson River at Longreach (bottom) for the period between 2008 and 2012. Arrows indicate periods of fish sampling.

Figure 28. River flow (ML/day - blue line) at Thomson River at Stonehenge (top) and Cooper Creek at Nappa Merrie (bottom) for the period between 2008 and 2012. Arrows indicate periods of fish sampling.

Figure 29. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Finke River at Snake Hole for the period between December 2011 to March 2012. Fish and water quality were sampled at the beginning and end of the period of record.

Figure 30. River flow (ML/day - blue line) on the Finke River at the Stuart Highway for the period between 2008 and 2012. Arrows indicates the times of fish sampling.

Figure 31. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Macumba River at Eringa for the period between December 2011 to March 2012. Conductivity data from this site should be treated with caution due to dissimilar in situ and data logger measurements.

Figure 32. Water level (cm) (top graph), water temperature (°C) (middle graph) and electrical conductivity (mS/cm) (bottom graph) at Neales River at Warrarawoona waterhole for the period between May 2011 to November 2011. Conductivity data from this site should be treated with caution due to dissimilar in situ and data logger measurements.

Figure 33. River flow (ML/day) (top graph), electrical conductivity (µS/cm) (middle graph) and water temperature (°C) (bottom graph) collected at Thomson River at Longreach (003202a) for the period from 2009 to 2012.

Figure 34. Comparison of data logger and in situ electrical conductivity readings from 17 sites. Data periods of collection were within 2 hours of each other. Circled sites are those where both readings were considerably different.