water quality assessment for the ringarooma catchment · 2014-09-02 · september 2010 issn:...

September 2010

ISSN: 1835-954X

Report No. WA 10/06

Water Assessment Water Quality Report Series

Water Quality Assessment for the Ringarooma Catchment

W ater As s ess m ent B r anc h

W ate r and Ma r i ne Res ou r c es D i v i s i on

Depa r tm en t o f P r im a r y I ndus t r i e s , Pa rk s , W ate r and Env i r onm en t

i

Copyright Notice:

Material contained in the report provided is subject to Australian copyright law. Other than in

accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 of the Commonwealth Parliament, no part of this report may,

in any form or by any means, be reproduced, transmitted or used. This report cannot be redistributed

for any commercial purpose whatsoever, or distributed to a third party for such purpose, without

prior written permission being sought from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and

Environment, on behalf of the Crown in Right of the State of Tasmania.

Disclaimer:

Whilst DPIPWE has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information and

data provided, it is the responsibility of the data user to make their own decisions about the accuracy,

currency, reliability and correctness of information provided. The Department of Primary Industries,

Parks, Water and Environment, its employees and agents, and the Crown in the Right of the State of

Tasmania do not accept any liability for any damage caused by, or economic loss arising from, reliance

on this information.

Prepared By:

Kate Hoyle, Tom Krasnicki, Bryce Graham and Martin Read

Preferred Citation:

DPIPWE (2010). Water Quality Assessment for the Ringarooma Catchment. Water Assessment Water

Quality Report Series, Report No. WA 10/06. Water and Marine Resources Division. Department of

Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart.

Contact Details:

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Water Assessment Branch

13 St Johns Avenue, New Town.

Phone: 03 6233 6833

Web: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Email: [email protected]

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment provides leadership in the

sustainable management and development of Tasmania’s resources. The Mission of the

Department is to advance Tasmania’s prosperity through the sustainable development of our

natural resources and the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage for the future.

The Water and Marine Resources Division provides a focus for water management and water

development in Tasmania through a diverse range of functions including the design of policy and

regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable use of the surface water and groundwater resources;

monitoring, assessment and reporting on the condition of the State’s freshwater resources;

facilitation of infrastructure development projects to ensure the efficient and sustainable supply of

water; and implementation of the Water Management Act 1999, related legislation and the State

Water Development Plan.

mailto:[email protected]

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1

2 Background information .......................................................................................... 1

2.1 Data sources .............................................................................................................. 1

2.2 Water quality trigger values for the Ringarooma catchment ................................... 4

3 Current water quality within the Ringarooma catchment .......................................... 6

3.1 Comparison against trigger values ............................................................................ 6

3.2 Temporal and spatial trends...................................................................................... 8

3.3 Summary of continuous monitoring data ............................................................... 14

4 Summary of historical water quality data within the Ringarooma catchment........... 16

4.1 Historic AUSRIVAS monitoring................................................................................. 16

4.2 State of River reporting for Ringarooma catchment ............................................... 17

4.3 Mineral Resources Tasmania acid drainage survey................................................. 19

5 Summary ............................................................................................................... 20

6 References ............................................................................................................. 21

Appendix 1 - Monthly BWQMP sampling results for the Ringarooma River at Moorina (site

30.2) .............................................................................................................................. 22

Appendix 2a – DPIPWE AUSRIVAS physico-chemical water quality monitoring results ..... 24

Appendix 2b - DPIPWE AUSRIVAS nutrient and heavy metal monitoring results ............... 28

Appendix 3a – NRM NORTH AUSRIVAS Water Quality Monitoring results (2007 – 2009) .. 29

Appendix 3b – NRM NORTH Water Quality Monitoring results (2005 – 2007) .................. 30

Appendix 4 – Results of TEFlows Project water quality monitoring in the Ringarooma

catchment. .................................................................................................................... 31

1

1 Introduction

This report updates the overview of water quality monitoring activities and description of

the water quality status of the Ringarooma River catchment originally provided by Meyer

(2005). The original Meyer (2005) report was intended to provide background information to

support the development of a Water Management Plan for the Ringarooma catchment.

However, the development of a Water Management Plan for the Ringarooma catchment

was postponed shortly after the second consultation phase had re-commenced in 2005,

pending further investigation of the potential impacts of plantation forestry on water

availability at that time.

The development of a Water Management Plan for the Ringarooma catchment is due to re-

commence in 2010. Additional water quality data has been collected between 2005 and

2010, and as such this report has been prepared to update and expand on information

originally provided in Meyer (2005).

The aim of this report is to characterise water quality across the Ringarooma catchment. An

assessment of current water quality condition and recent temporal and spatial patterns

within the catchment is provided, based primarily on data collected as part of DPIPWE

monitoring programs during 2003-2010. A brief assessment of historical data collected

through earlier DPIPWE monitoring programs is also presented, including a summary of the

main conclusions of the intensive State of Rivers survey conducted within the Ringarooma

catchment in 1998 (Bobbi et al., 1999a).

2 Background information

2.1 Data sources

This report is based on water quality data collected as part of the DPIPWE Baseline Water

Quality Monitoring Program (BWQMP) and other DPIPWE monitoring activities. The sites

within the Ringarooma catchment at which DPIPWE has collected water quality data are

presented in Figure 1 and a summary of data availability is provided below.

2.1.1 Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Program

DPIPWE collects baseline water quality information at one permanent streamflow station

within the Ringarooma catchment: Ringarooma River at Moorina (site 30.2).

Monthly water quality sampling was conducted at this site from September 2003 to July

2009. This included both field measurements of physic-chemical parameters and the

collection of bottled nutrient samples. Physico-chemical parameters measured were: water

temperature, electrical conductivity, turbidity, pH and dissolved oxygen. Nutrient

parameters analysed were: total nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, total phosphorus and

dissolved reactive phosphorus. Since July 2009, physico-chemical parameters have been

measured whenever the streamflow monitoring station is visited (usually on a quarterly

basis). Nutrient samples have not been collected since July 2009. DPIPWE also collects

bottled samples for pesticide analyses at Ringarooma River at Moorina on a quarterly basis

(January 2005-current) as part of the ASCHEM Pesticide Baseline Monitoring Project.

2

Figure 1. Sites at which water quality data has been collected by DPIPWE in the Ringarooma catchment.

3

Instream sensors monitoring continuous water temperature, electrical conductivity and

turbidity are also installed at Ringarooma River at Moorina (site 30.2). The data record

extends from 2002 (temperature ) and 2004 (electrical conductivity and turbidity) to

December 2009, however a substantial amount of electrical conductivity and turbidity data

is missing due to instrument malfunction and ongoing problems with poor data quality.

2.1.2 AUSRIVAS River Health Monitoring Program

Water quality measurements have been collected at 44 sites within the Ringarooma

catchment as part of AUSRIVAS river health assessments from 1994 to the present. Typically,

the following physico-chemical parameters are measured: water temperature, electrical

conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH and alkalinity. For the majority of these sites,

sampling has been irregular and sporadic, with a large proportion of “investigative”

assessments conducted during the development of the river health program in the 1990s.

These early assessments also included the analyses of nutrients and some metals at some

sites.

There are two long-term AUSRIVAS monitoring sites within the Ringarooma catchment, for

which physico-chemical water quality data is available on a biannual basis (Autumn and

Spring) from 1994-2010. These sites are: Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm (site

code RING11) and Dorset River at Ruby Flats Rd (site code RING31) (see Figure 1).

2.1.3 Tasmanian Environmental Flows Project

The Ringarooma catchment was recently studied as part of the Tasmanian Environmental

Flows (TEFlows) Project (DPIPWE, 2010) conducted by DPIPWE. As part of this project, a

series of physico-chemical and nutrient water quality spot samples were taken during 2007-

2008 at two sites within the catchment, one in the upper catchment (RR2) and one towards

the end of the catchment (RR1) (see Figure 1).

2.1.4 State of Rivers

The State of Rivers study for the Ringarooma catchment (Bobbi et al., 1999a) included a

comprehensive spatial survey of water quality within the catchment during 1998. This study

included summer and winter “snapshot” surveys for a range of parameters (physico-

chemical, nutrient, general ions, metals, bacteria) at 24 sites, and monthly monitoring at a

subset of these sites (physico-chemical, nutrients and general ions only).

2.1.5 Northern Natural Resource Management monitoring

The Northern Natural Resource Management Region (NRM North and associated groups)

have collected physico-chemical water quality data at a range of sites within the Ringarooma

catchment since 2005 as part of AUSRIVAS river health and water quality monitoring

activities (NRM North 2005; 2006; 2007; and 2008). Most of these sites coincide with

DPIPWE AUSRIVAS sites and as such they are not mapped separately in Figure 1.

2.1.6 Mineral Resources Tasmania

Mineral Resources Tasmania conducted a statewide reconnaissance survey of acid drainage

potential from abandoned mine sites in 2000/2001 (Gurung, 2001). This survey focussed on

water chemistry, host rock geochemistry and the deposit history of abandoned mine sites,

and included an assessment of the Ringarooma catchment due to the history of tin mining in

4

the area. Results are summarised in Section 4.3, and further details (including site locations)

are available in Gurung (2001).

2.2 Water quality trigger values for the Ringarooma catchment

One way of assessing water quality condition is to compare data with appropriate “trigger”

values, following the approach recommended by the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines

for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC 2000). A trigger value is broadly defined as a

concentration (or range) that, if exceeded, alerts water managers to a potential change and

thus “triggers” a management response. Trigger values are not designed as threshold values;

rather, they are designed to be used in conjunction with professional judgement to provide

an initial assessment of a water body (ANZECC 2000).

Trigger values that are based on reference (i.e. largely undisturbed) conditions may be

termed low-risk trigger values, meaning that below these levels there is a low risk that

adverse ecological effects will occur. If these triggers are exceeded for a sustained period, a

potential environmental problem is indicated. ANZECC (2000) recommends that trigger

values should be developed using local reference data, but also provides a set of regional

“default” low-risk trigger values for situations where there is insufficient local reference data

available for undisturbed (or slightly disturbed) rivers. ANZECC (2000) provides default low-

risk trigger values for both lowland (<150m altitude) and upland rivers (>150m altitude),

however due to Tasmania’s mountainous topography and relatively small catchment sizes,

DPIPWE generally applies the most stringent set of trigger values (those for upland rivers) to

assist the assessment of Tasmania’s rivers.

DPIPWE has also developed a set of site-specific trigger values for the Ringarooma River at

Moorina (site 30.2) monitoring site, based on monthly monitoring data collected between

2003 and 2006 (DPIW, 2008). These trigger values are based on the 80th percentile value or

20th-80th percentile range for each parameter in this dataset. The site-specific trigger values

simply enable an assessment of potential change in the river since the 2003-2006 period,

recognising that existing water quality at this site may already be influenced by varying

degrees of impact. These site-specific trigger values should not be used to determine

ecological risk, but simply provide a benchmark of condition in 2003-2006 against which

future data may be compared. The trigger values indicate an expected range during day-

time, baseflow conditions. DPIW (2008) provides further information about the

interpretation of the site-specific trigger values and this report is available through the

DPIPWE website.

The ANZECC (2000) default low-risk trigger values for slightly disturbed rivers in Tasmania

and the DPIPWE site-specific trigger values for Ringarooma River at Moorina are provided in

Table 1.

Note that ANZECC provides a trigger value for NOx (nitrate plus nitrite), whilst DPIPWE

analyses these parameters separately and thus provides a trigger value for each. DPIW

(2008) also provides additional site-specific trigger values for temperature and dissolved

oxygen (mg/L).

5

Table 1. ANZECC (2000) default low-risk trigger values for slightly disturbed ecosystems in Tasmania and DPIW (2008) site-specific trigger values for Ringarooma River at Moorina.

(a) Physico-chemical indicators: water temperature (Temp); electrical conductivity (EC); turbidity,

pH, dissolved oxygen (DO; % sat = % saturation)

Temp (

oC)

EC

(S/cm)

Turbidity (NTU)

pH DO (mg/L)

DO (% sat)

Site-specific trigger value

8-16 67-74 4 6.1-6.9 9.5-11.3 93-100

ANZECC low-risk trigger value

- 30-350 2-25 6.5-7.5* - 90-110

* values for humic rich Tasmanian rivers are 4.0-6.5

(b) Nutrients: total nitrogen (TN), nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), nitrate + nitrite (NOx), ammonium

(NH4+), total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP).

TN (mg/L)

NO3 (mg-N/L)

NO2

(mg-N/L) NOx

(mg-N/L) NH4

+

(mg-N/L) TP (mg/L)

DRP (mg-P/L)

Site-specific trigger value

0.892 0.614 0.002 - 0.017 0.018 0.004

ANZECC low-risk trigger value

0.480 - - 0.190 0.013 0.013 0.005

The following issues related to data analysis and interpretation should be considered prior to

comparing monitoring data with trigger values:

1. The comparison of individual samples with trigger values is generally not recommended.

This is because even if water quality at a site remains stable relative to the reference

dataset, an individual test sample from this site may be expected to exceed a trigger

value 20% of the time (where the trigger value is based on the 80th percentile of the

reference dataset). ANZECC (2000) recommends that for a particular parameter, the

median of n independent test samples should be compared to the trigger value. ANZECC

(2000) does not specify a fixed sample size, but notes that larger sample sizes will

reduce the chances of Type I and Type II errors. Given the limitations of sampling

frequency, the preferred approach used by the Water Assessment Branch of DPIPWE is

to compare the median of 12 samples taken within a one-year period with a trigger

value. A sample size of 6 data values is recommended as a minimum, based on n=6

being the minimum sample size to ensure that a 95% confidence interval can be derived

for the median (Goudey 1999).

2. The ANZECC (2000) and DPIW (2008) trigger values were developed from discrete

sample data that is generally representative of river condition under normal baseflows.

Comparison of continuously recorded data (which includes high flow events) with these

trigger values is inappropriate.

For these reasons, only the median values of the monthly dataset collected at Ringarooma

River at Moorina under the BWQMP have been assessed against the physico-chemical and

nutrient trigger values, as presented in Section 3.1.

6

3 Current water quality within the Ringarooma catchment

This section characterises the current water quality status within the Ringarooma catchment

and investigates recent temporal trends. These assessments are based primarily on data

collected through the Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Program at Ringarooma River at

Moorina (site 30.2) from 2003 to 2010. Where available, additional recent monitoring data

for other sites within the Ringarooma catchment have been included to examine spatial

patterns across the catchment.

3.1 Comparison against trigger values

3.1.1 Physico-chemical indicators and nutrients

Monthly water quality data for the Ringarooma River at Moorina (site 30.2) are provided in

Appendix 1 and summarised in Table 2. For each parameter, both the annual medians and

the median value of all samples (2003-2010) have been compared with relevant trigger

values. Note that the annual median for 2009 is based on fewer samples (due to reduced

sampling frequency after July 2009) and that no annual median is presented for 2003 (as

monitoring commenced in September) or 2010 (due to reduced sampling frequency).

In general, results of the monthly physico-chemical monitoring at Ringarooma River at

Moorina indicate good water quality. The river has low electrical conductivity (indicating low

salinity), low turbidity (indicating low suspended solids) and healthy dissolved oxygen levels.

Exceedances of the site-specific trigger value for dissolved oxygen (% saturation),

conductivity and pH in 2007 and 2008 are very minor and these values still represent healthy

levels. This site has site has slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.46-7.58), with annual medians

slightly lower than ANZECC trigger values in 2005 and 2006. Bobbi et al. (1999a) suggests

that low pH levels in the Ringarooma catchment may be related to the effects of soil pH,

land clearance and drainage in the region in combination with the low buffering capacity of

waters in this catchment (as reflected by generally very low alkalinity results collected during

AUSRIVAS assessments; see Appendix 2a).

Median results for several nutrient parameters (in particular nitrate and total nitrogen) at

Ringarooma River at Moorina are consistently elevated relative to ANZECC low-risk trigger

values. Nitrate, a biologically available form of nitrogen, appears to account for a substantial

proportion of total nitrogen levels in the river. Nitrate is an essential nutrient and is naturally

present in the environment as a result of geological and plant and animal breakdown

processes. Excess nitrate can enter waterways via sewage effluent and runoff containing

fertilisers and animal wastes in agricultural catchments. Sustained high nitrate levels indicate

potential environmental risk related to nutrient enrichment and eutrophication. Although

still elevated relative to ANZECC low-risk trigger values, annual median results at

Ringarooma River at Moorina have begun to show a potential decreasing trend since 2004,

and 2007-2009 results have not exceeded site-specific trigger values.

3.1.2 Toxicants

Note that ANZECC (2000) also provides trigger values for toxicants including pesticides and

metals. No pesticides have been detected at Ringarooma River at Moorina since quarterly

monitoring began in January 2005 (results are available at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/water).

http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/water

7

Metals have not been sampled by DPIPWE in the Ringarooma catchment since the 1990s.

These results, and those of Gurung (2001), are discussed in Section 4.

Table 2. Minimum, median and maximum results (all samples, 2003-2010) and annual median results (2004-2010) for water quality monitoring at Ringarooma River at Moorina. Median values exceeding the DPIW (2008) site-specific trigger value for this site are shaded yellow (note: 2007-2009 only, as 2003-2006 data was used to develop the trigger value); median values exceeding the ANZECC (2000) default low-risk trigger value are shaded orange (note: NO3 median values greater than the ANZECC trigger value for NOx were highlighted as exceedances, as NOx = NO3 + NO2); no median values exceed both trigger values.

(a) Physico-chemical indicators: water temperature (Temp); electrical conductivity (EC); turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO; % sat = % saturation)

Parameter Temp EC Turbidity DO DO pH

°C µS/cm NTU mg/L % sat

Minimum (2003-2010) 3.5 58.2 1.20 7.04 76.8 5.46

Median (2003-2010) 11.6 71.4 2.62 10.60 98.0 6.68

Maximum (2003-2010) 23.3 89.2 36.7 14.10 118.1 7.58

No. samples (2003-2010) 73 74 73 71 71 72

Median 2004 12.7 68.6 3.34 10.40 94.5 6.78

No. samples 2004 13 13 13 12 12 13

Median 2005 12.2 71.7 3.19 10.44 98.5 6.21

No. samples 2005 12 12 12 12 12 12

Median 2006 9.9 70.3 2.56 10.73 96.9 6.47

No. samples 2006 13 13 13 13 13 13

Median 2007 12.0 75.0 1.88 10.65 100.9 7.00

No. samples 2007 12 12 12 12 12 12

Median 2008 13.4 70.9 1.77 10.60 103.2 6.81

No. samples 2008 12 12 12 11 11 12

Median 2009 11.6 71.7 2.34 10.60 96.5 6.58

No. samples 2009 9 9 8 9 9 7

(b) Nutrients: total nitrogen (TN), nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), ammonium (NH4

+), total phosphorus

(TP) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP).

Parameter TN NO3 NO2 NH4+ TP DRP

mg/L mg-N/L mg-N/L mg-N/L mg/L mgP/L

Minimum (2003-2010) 0.210 0.138 0.002 0.002 0.005 0.002

Median (2003-2010) 0.668 0.448 0.002 0.010 0.012 0.003

Maximum (2003-2010) 2.000 1.410 0.004 0.067 0.063 0.007

No. samples (2003-2010) 70 70 70 70 70 70

Median 2004 0.702 0.471 <0.002 0.015 0.015 0.003

No. samples 2004 13 13 13 13 13 13

Median 2005 0.639 0.452 0.002 0.012 0.012 0.003

No. samples 2005 12 12 12 12 12 12

Median 2006 0.687 0.461 0.002 0.009 0.009 0.002

No. samples 2006 12 12 12 12 12 12

Median 2007 0.693 0.444 0.002 0.010 0.010 0.003

No. samples 2007 12 12 12 12 12 12

Median 2008 0.595 0.345 0.002 0.007 0.011 0.002

No. samples 2008 12 12 12 12 12 12

Median 2009 0.560 0.337 0.002 0.006 0.010 0.002

No. samples 2009 7 7 7 7 7 7

8

3.2 Temporal and spatial trends

Individual discrete sampling results for all parameters measured at Ringarooma River at

Moorina under the Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Program from 2003 to 2010 are

plotted in Figure 2 (b)-(m). To assist interpretation a plot of aggregated daily stream flow at

this site is also provided (Figure 2a). Physico-chemical parameters monitored at the two

long-term AUSRIVAS sites (RING11: Ringarooma River u/s Branxholm and RING31: Dorset

River at Ruby Flats Rd) are also plotted, however seasonal cycles will be less evident for

these sites due to the biannual Autumn and Spring sampling frequency. Nutrient results

from the TEFlows Project (RR1: lower catchment and RR2: upper catchment) are plotted to

give some indication of variation across the catchment. Note that the use of the term

“trend” applies to a visual description of the plotted data, and any observed trends have not

been tested for statistical significance.

Water temperatures in the Ringarooma catchment show natural seasonal cycles, with clear

seasonal cycling particularly evident at the more frequently monitored Ringarooma River at

Moorina (Figure 2b). There is an apparent slight decreasing trend in seasonal maximum

temperatures at Ringarooma River at Moorina over the 2003-2010 period. This trend is not

evident at the AUSRIVAS long term monitoring sites, nor is it evident in the continuous

temperature data record for Ringarooma River at Moorina (Section 3.3). It is considered

most likely that the observed trend is the result of a greater proportion of measurements

being taken earlier in the day in the last few years (see Appendix 1 for sampling times).

Water temperatures in rivers show a natural diurnal cycle of cooler temperatures at night

and early morning, warming to maximum temperatures later in the day. This means that

sampling earlier in the day will result in cooler recorded temperatures, and shows the effect

that sampling time can have on a long term data record – both for temperature and

potentially for other physico-chemical parameters (e.g. dissolved oxygen, pH) that show

diurnal cycles (although the potential influence of sampling time is not apparent in the data

record for the other parameters below).

Electrical conductivity is low (< 90 µS/cm) at all three sites, and no temporal trends are

apparent (Figure 2c). This plot, combined with less frequent spot samples from around the

catchment (e.g. additional AUSRIVAS data, Appendix 2a; NRM data, Appendix 3a&b; TEFlows

data, Appendix 4), suggests that electrical conductivity generally increases down the length

of the main Ringarooma River, but that levels in certain tributaries in the upper catchment

(e.g. Legerwood Rivulet, Dorset River) may also be slightly higher. Nevertheless, conductivity

across the catchment is very low.

Turbidity levels at the three monitoring sites are also very low with most results <5 NTU, and

there is no apparent temporal trend (Figure 2d). Higher results generally occur during winter

and are naturally associated with higher flows, with the high values recorded at Ringarooma

at Moorina in the winter of 2007 and 2008 being a result of routine sampling occurring

during the rise or fall of flood events. Like conductivity, higher baseflow turbidities have

been recorded in Legerwood Rivulet (Appendices 2a and 3a) and in the lower Ringarooma

River at TEFlows site RR1 (Appendix 4), however levels across the catchment are still below

10 NTU.

9

Dissolved oxygen levels are healthy at all monitoring sites and show no apparent temporal

trend (Figure 2e & f). A natural seasonal cycle is evident in the dissolved oxygen (mg/L) data

at Ringarooma at Moorina, which is associated with the capacity for cooler water to hold

more oxygen. A noticeable low value in March 2007 was most likely associated with

temporary high temperatures and lower flows at the time of sampling.

No obvious temporal or spatial trends are evident for pH at the long term monitoring sites

(Figure 2g). pH values across the catchment tend to be slightly acidic to neutral, as discussed

in Section 3.1 (see also Appendices 2 and 3).

Results for total nitrogen, nitrate and ammonia indicate that although levels at Ringarooma

at Moorina are elevated (see Section 3.1), with some particularly high levels associated with

flood events, a potential slight decreasing trend is evident since 2003 (Figure 2 h, i & k).

Higher values tend to occur in the winter-spring season and are associated with higher

baseflows and increased runoff. Most recent samples show some higher values were

recorded in the winter of 2009, but because nutrient sampling ceased in July 2009 it is not

possible to determine whether these were simply related to higher flows or whether levels

would have stabilised under lower baseflows. As noted in Section 3.1, sustained high nitrate

levels (combined with high phosphorus) may increase the potential for eutrophication-

related impacts (such as excess primary production, depleted oxygen and algal blooms)

under susceptible conditions (generally low flows and higher temperatures). Note that such

impacts have not been observed at Ringarooma River monitoring locations. Nitrite results

are consistently low (Figure 2j); this form of nitrogen is generally short-lived in the

environment as it is quickly converted to nitrate by bacteria.

It appears that higher concentrations of nitrogen parameters may be present in the upper

catchment, as indicated by noticeably lower levels at the lower catchment TEFlows site RR1.

While there are not enough samples to determine whether this is a definite pattern, it

reflects similar findings in the 1998 State of Rivers report for the catchment (Bobbi et al.,

1999a; see Section 4.2). Bobbi et al., (1999a) attributed these findings to land use in the

middle and upper part of the catchment, which contains the most productive land and more

intensive agricultural activity.

Current total phosphorus levels at Ringarooma at Moorina are generally low, and appear to

have reduced somewhat since the earlier years of the BWQMP. As for nitrogen, higher levels

are associated with high-flow events (Figure 2l). During baseflow conditions, many individual

samples slightly exceed or approach the ANZECC (2000) low-risk trigger value for this

parameter (0.013 mg/L), but median values have not exceeded this trigger since 2004

(Section 3.1). Dissolved phosphorus levels have generally remained low (Figure 2m).

Interestingly, total phosphorus levels were higher in the lower catchment (RR1) during the

TEFlows study, which is the opposite pattern to that observed for nitrogen parameters.

Phosphorus binds readily to particulate material in waterways, and the higher phosphorus

results in the lower catchment may be related to the higher turbidity levels at this

downstream site.

The reason for the observed potential decrease in some nutrient parameters over the 2003-

2009 period would require a more comprehensive investigation of site and catchment

conditions, which is outside the scope of this report. In general terms, possible explanations

10

for nutrient reductions could include: improved land use practices in the catchment; change

of land use; additional or improved riparian vegetation, which both increases nutrient

uptake and acts as a buffer to runoff (either at the sampling location or upstream); and/or

reduced nutrient-loaded surface runoff (related to reduced rainfall and/or improved

irrigation practices). It is considered unlikely that the observed potential decrease in

nutrients is related to sampling time at this location.

Figure 2. Daily stream flow (a) for Ringarooma River at Moorina, and water quality sampling results for Ringarooma River at Moorina and other sites within the Ringarooma catchment: (b) water temperature; (c) electrical conductivity.

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(b)

(c)

11

Figure 2 cont. Water quality sampling results for Ringarooma River at Moorina and other sites

within the Ringarooma catchment: (d) turbidity; (e) dissolved oxygen mg/L; (f) dissolved oxygen %

saturation; (g) pH.

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Ringarooma u/s Branxholm

Dorset at Ruby Flats Rd

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pH

(d)

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(g)

12


within the Ringarooma catchment: (h) total nitrogen; (i) nitrate as N; (j) nitrite as N; (k) ammonia as

N.

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Values at 0 = below detectable limit (<0.002 mg/L)

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g/L)

(h)

(i)

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13


within the Ringarooma catchment: (l) total phosphorus; (m) dissolved reactive phosphorus as P.

0

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(l)

(m)

14

3.3 Summary of continuous monitoring data

Continuous monitoring data is useful for providing more detailed information about daily

and seasonal cycles, and for examining relationships between water quality parameters and

flow. Plots of continuous water quality data and flow are provided in Figure 3. For the

purpose of graphical presentation, continuous (15-minute) data has been aggregated on a 2-

hourly time-step for temperature and an hourly time-step for electrical conductivity and

turbidity. Due to the poor quality of the data record for electrical conductivity and turbidity

(as discussed in Section 2.1.1), only selected periods of data are displayed to show the

typical response of these parameters to flow. Continuous data is available on WIST

(www.water.dpiw.tas.gov.au/wist/ui).

As reflected by the monthly sampling, continuous water temperature at Ringarooma at

Moorina shows a strong seasonal cycle with temperatures generally ranging between 5-25°C

(Figure 3a). Diurnal variation in temperature is greater during the summer months. Gaps in

the data record are due to instrument malfunction or poor data quality.

Electrical conductivity remained very low (<100 µS/cm) throughout 2006 (Figure 3b). Levels

during summer are generally slightly higher, although the difference between seasons is

relatively small. This seasonal pattern is most likely associated with lower baseflows and

greater groundwater contribution to overall flow during summer, a cycle that is common in

many rivers in Tasmania. Substantial drops in conductivity coincide with peaks in stream

flow, another common pattern which is caused by the addition of a large amount of

freshwater to the river during rainfall events. In some rivers this drop is preceded by a short

peak in conductivity when initial surface runoff mobilises dissolved salts, but this is not

evident in the data for Ringarooma River at Moorina, possibly indicating low salt levels the

soils and underlying geology of the catchment. Note that the continuous electrical

conductivity data presented in the original report by Meyer (2005) included continuous data

for 2004, which showed a marked seasonal cycle of higher levels during winter, the opposite

pattern to that displayed in subsequent years. This pattern was also not reflected in monthly

sampling during 2004. With this additional information, revision of the continuous data for

2004 suggests that this seasonal signal was false, most likely caused by an issue with

temperature compensation by the sensor or during data processing (electrical conductivity is

influenced by temperature, and is it conventional practice to “compensate” EC data by

standardising it to a temperature reference of 25°C).

Continuous turbidity data for Ringarooma River at Moorina from November 2008 to July

2009 (Figure 3c) reflects the monthly results, showing low turbidity levels during baseflows.

Peaks in turbidity correspond with flood events, and are due to runoff of soil and particulate

matter during and following high rainfall. The data provided in Figure 3c indicates that

during significant flood events, turbidity may peak at between 50-100x greater than

baseflow levels. During the November 2008 – July 2009 period, turbidity levels approached

100 NTU for most major flow events and ~200 NTU for the event in July 2009. Turbidity

levels during flood events do not just depend on the size of the event, but are influenced by

factors including the previous flow regime and conditions in the catchment at the time of

rainfall.

http://www.water.dpiw.tas.gov.au/wist/ui

15

Figure 3. Continuous water quality monitoring data for the Ringarooma River at Moorina: (a) water temperature (aggregated 2-hourly); (b) electrical conductivity (aggregated hourly); (c) turbidity (aggregated hourly). Note time periods do not align.

0

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16

4 Summary of historical water quality data within the Ringarooma

catchment

4.1 Historic AUSRIVAS monitoring

In addition to the two long term AUSRIVAS monitoring sites, water quality data has been

collected at 42 additional AUSRIVAS sites around the Ringarooma catchment on a sporadic

and generally infrequent basis between 1994-2008. A large proportion of these sites were

only sampled during more extensive catchment surveys in 1994 and/or 1998. Nevertheless,

these results provide an indication of the range of values that have been recorded across the

Ringarooma catchment historically. The pooled results (all 44 sites) of AUSRIVAS sampling

are summarised in Table 3 (historic data, recent data and all data combined), and the full

dataset provided in Appendix 2a. Median results across time periods are generally very

similar.

Electrical conductivity has been very low across the catchment (medians <70 µS/cm).

Highest recorded values were a single sample at Davids Creek above Gladstone Rd in 1998

(173.8 µS/cm) and samples around 110 µS/cm in Legerwood Rivulet (both in the 1990s and

2007/2008).

Turbidity was also very low with the majority of sites recording below 5 NTU. A median of

5.67 NTU was recorded for Legerwood Rivulet. Again some of the highest recorded values

were a single sample at Davids Creek above Gladstone Rd in 1998 (15.3 NTU) and samples

around 5-7 NTU in Legerwood Rivulet (both in the 1990s and 2007/2008).

Dissolved oxygen concentrations were very good throughout the catchment with a median

of around 10.0 mg/L for all time periods. Historically, individual low values were recorded in

the New River at New River Rd (4.32 mg/L in 1995) and the Cascade River off the Tasman

Highway (5.4 mg/L in 1998).

Waters throughout the Ringarooma catchment ranged from slightly acidic to neutral. Some

of the more acidic rivers were Dunns Creek and the New River in the upper catchment.

Table 3. AUSRIVAS water quality monitoring data summary, pooled sites. Temp = water temperature; EC = electrical conductivity; DO = dissolved oxygen.

Parameter Temp EC Turbidity DO DO pH

Time period Statistic °C µS/cm NTU mg/L % sat

1994-2003

Minimum 6.3 28.8 0.25 4.32 n/a 5.0

Median 13.0 59.0 2.22 9.8 n/a 6.19

Maximum 24.1 173.8 15.3 12.05 n/a 7.81

No. samples 91 87 91 73 0 91

2004-2010

Minimum 6.1 34.8 0.45 8.77 83.4 5.5

Median 12.0 67.0 2.08 10.16 96.7 6.72

Maximum 19.7 108.2 7.54 11.58 110 7.53

No. samples 36 36 36 36 36 36

1994-2010

Minimum 6.1 28.8 0.25 4.32 83.4 5.0

Median 12.3 62.7 2.11 10.0 96.7 6.41

Maximum 24.1 173.8 15.3 12.05 110 7.81

No. samples 127 123 127 109 36 127

17

During 1994 and 1995, AUSRIVAS monitoring included sampling for four heavy metals

(cadmium, copper, lead and zinc) at five upper-mid catchment sites in the Ringarooma

catchment (Appendix 2b). The majority of samples returned results below laboratory

detection limits. One sample from Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd in Spring 1995 returned a

result of 2 µg/L for copper and 9 µg/L for zinc. These values are slightly higher than the

subsequently developed ANZECC (2000) toxicant trigger values for 95 % protection of

species for copper (1.4 µg/L) and zinc (8.0 µg/L). The New River at New River Rd returned a

result of 7 µg/L for zinc in Spring 1995, and an incidental sample taken from the Ringarooma

River u/s of Maurice River in Autumn 1996 was analysed for zinc and returned a value of 14

µg/L. Note that laboratory detection limits improved in 1995, and prior to this detection

limits were higher than the ANZECC (2000) triggers which are applied today. Furthermore,

the toxicity of metals can vary according to the form they are present in (i.e. dissolved or

bound to other substances) and environmental conditions (e.g. pH). Additional testing would

have been required to determine whether detected levels posed any environmental risk.

Metals in the Ringarooma catchment were assessed more comprehensively by DPIPWE

during the 1998 State of Rivers survey, and by Mineral Resources Tasmania in 2000/2001

(Gurung, 2001), the findings of which are summarised in the following sections.

Nutrient samples were also collected at the same five sites during AUSRIVAS monitoring

between 1994 and 1998 (Appendix 2b). As with recent sampling, these results showed

moderately elevated levels of total nitrogen and nitrate at most sites, with highest levels at

Ringarooma at Branxholm. Relatively low levels were recorded at Dunns Creek off Maurice

Rd, which has a much smaller receiving catchment area.

4.2 State of River reporting for Ringarooma catchment

A one year study looking at water quality, hydrology, aquatic ecology and river condition in

the Ringarooma catchment was conducted during 1998 (Bobbi et al., 1999a). These

investigations were reported as a ‘State of River” report, completed in 1999. The report

found that many of the water quality parameters measured indicated that the quality of the

water in the Ringarooma catchment was very good in 1998.

Two potential water quality issues were identified in the catchment at that time. The first

was related to elevated nutrient and faecal coliform levels in the middle part of the

catchment (between Ringarooma and Derby) and associated tributaries (Legerwood Rivulet,

Dorset River and New River). Further detail is provided below.

The second issue raised by Bobbi et al. (1999a) related to high dissolved aluminium

concentrations detected in the Wyniford River, which may pose some risk to environmental

health. The concentration of other analysed metals was generally found to be minor or

below laboratory limits of detection (Bobbi et al.,1999a), although some higher zinc levels

were detected during summer at sites on the Ringarooma River and Legerwood Rivulet.

Elevated levels of metals including aluminium and zinc have been detected in other

catchments in the region (e.g. Great Forester; Bobbi et al., 1999b). It was suggested that

these results may be indicative of the granite geology underlying much of the catchment and

18

represent naturally occurring background levels in rivers throughout the region (Bobbi et al.,

1999b). The presence of metals in some parts of the Ringarooma catchment is also likely to

be further influenced by the history of tin mining in the catchment, as discussed in Section

4.3.

A summary of the main water quality findings from the 1998 State of Rivers report is

provided below (extracted from Bobbi et al.,1999):

Rivers throughout the catchment are acidic, with average pH at all sites between 5.4

and 6.5. Of the 10 sites monitored on a monthly basis, the New River was most acidic,

with a minimum pH reading of 4.88.

Dissolved oxygen concentrations, which are a good indicator of ecological health, were

largely reflective of a healthy river system. Lowest concentrations were measured in the

New River during summer, when dissolved oxygen levels are depleted and may cause

stress to fish and other aquatic life.

Ambient baseflow turbidity levels at all sites was good, although there was a gradual

increase in turbidity towards the lower reaches of the Ringarooma River. Higher

turbidity was recorded during periods following rainfall events, when runoff caused

increases of 200-400% in the Ringarooma River.

Conductivity at all sites was very low and indicative of waters that are low in dissolved

salts such as sodium, magnesium, calcium and chloride. Water throughout the

catchment can be classified as very ‘soft’.

Nitrate nitrogen concentrations were highest in the tributaries draining the middle of

the catchment (between Ringarooma and Derby) and may be responsible for increased

concentrations in the Ringarooma River at Long Bridge and Moorina. Higher

concentrations at most sites corresponded with higher baseflows between July and

October.

Snapshot surveys of nitrogen across 23 sites in the catchment highlighted Legerwood

Rivulet, the New River and the Dorset River as having highest concentrations, while

lowest levels were recorded in the Maurice, Weld and Wyniford rivers.

Results from tests for ammonia nitrogen show that sites in the middle and upper

catchments may be showing the impact from intensive animal industries in the area.

Together with other nutrient data, it appears that the majority of nutrient input to the

Ringarooma River is from tributaries draining the middle section of the catchment.

Legerwood Rivulet was highlighted as one tributary which has elevated nutrient

concentrations.

Snapshot surveys of E. coli at sites throughout the catchment showed that waterways in

the upper and middle section of the catchment are most affected by faecal pollution,

reflecting the intensity of animal based agriculture in that area. Levels of bacteria were

greatest in summer when elevated water temperature increases the lifetime of faecal

coliforms in the environment.

While most sites showed heavy metal concentrations at or below limits of detection

through analysis, significant results for aluminium were obtained from Legerwood

Rivulet, the Wyniford River and the Weld River. In the Wyniford River it is present in

dissolved form and further testing is needed to determine its impact on aquatic life.

19

During significant flooding on September 23rd (1998), turbidity at several sites in the

Ringarooma River was 100 times greater than baseflow conditions, while nutrient

concentrations were up to 10 times greater. At Moorina, instantaneous loads of

nitrogen and phosphorus being transported down river were calculated at 1,666 kg/hr

and 346 kg/hr respectively.

Export yields at Moorina, corrected for catchment size, were estimated at 431 kg/hr of

suspended solids, 2.75 kg/hr of nitrogen and 0.57 kg/hr of phosphorus.

4.3 Mineral Resources Tasmania acid drainage survey

A survey of acid drainage conducted by Mineral Resources Tasmania identified nine historic

mining sites in the lower Ringarooma catchment with the potential to produce acid drainage

(Gurung, 2001). Acid drainage is defined by Gurung (2001) as “low pH-high metal and high

sulphate-bearing waters, formed when rocks and sediments containing sulphide minerals

are exposed to the atmosphere under an oxidising environment”. Mining activities can

expose large quantities of rock, sediment and tailings rich in sulphide minerals, which under

the right conditions may result in the runoff of acid drainage into waterways. Acid drainage

can also mobilise heavy metals present in the host rock/sediment, with subsequent release

to surface waters and stream sediments proximal to mine sites. At the time of the survey,

three main sites producing acid drainage were identified within the lower Ringarooma

catchment: the Endurance, Monarch and Star Hill tin mine sites (note that the Monarch

mine site is located in the adjacent Boobyalla catchment, which has not been assessed in

this report). In particular, the Endurance mine site discharged acid drainage into Ruby Creek,

and water chemistry analyses identified some very high levels of metals including aluminium

and iron (Gurung, 2001). Ruby Creek discharges into the Ringarooma River, where the

influence of higher-pH water is likely to considerably reduce the levels of metals in solution.

Nevertheless this represents a potential source of ecological risk, and Gurung (2001)

identified that many streams (and stream sediments) close to and/or downstream of historic

mining areas within the Ringarooma catchment may be impacted by mine tailings. Gurung

(2001) also noted that remediation programs were being implemented at that time.

20

5 Summary

Physico-chemical data available for the Ringarooma catchment indicate that the quality of

the water in the catchment is generally good. The Ringarooma River is characterised by

healthy temperature and dissolved oxygen ranges, low electrical conductivity (indicating low

dissolved salts), low turbidity (indicating low suspended solids) and slightly acidic to neutral

pH. Monthly data collected at Ringarooma River at Moorina during 2003-2010 has not

revealed any discernible trends in these physico-chemical parameters over this period.

Both recent and historic samples have detected elevated levels of some nutrient

parameters, particularly nitrate, in the Ringarooma catchment. State of Rivers sampling

(Bobbi et al., 1999a) suggested that concentrations of nitrogen parameters appear to be

most elevated in the upper and middle catchment, most likely related to more intensive

agricultural land use in this region. Recent sampling by the TEFlows Project also found that

total nitrogen and nitrate levels were higher in the upper catchment. Monthly sampling at

Ringarooma River at Moorina indicates that there has been a potential decreasing trend in

the levels of several nutrient parameters at this location over the 2003-2009 period.

Historic sampling for heavy metals indicated that levels were generally considered low or

not significant across the majority of sites in the Ringarooma catchment (Bobbi et al.,

1999a). Potentially significant levels of dissolved aluminium in the Wyniford River in 1998

were identified by Bobbi et al. (1999a), although further investigation was required to

determine the potential for ecological risk. It is likely that elevated background levels of

some metals may be related to the granitic geology of the catchment. However, several

areas in the lower Ringarooma catchment have been identified by Gurung (2001) as being

impacted by acid drainage, with associated very high levels of some metals. This is

predominantly due to historic tin mining in the area, in combination with the geological

characteristics of the region.

The main purpose of this document is to provide background information to the

development of a water management plan for the Ringarooma catchment. On this basis, it is

worth noting that elevated levels of nutrients or metals are primarily related to surrounding

catchment characteristics and/or land use factors, rather than potential changes in flow

regime arising from water allocation in the catchment.

21

6 References

ANZECC (2000). Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. National Water Quality Management Strategy Paper No. 4, Volume 1, The Guidelines. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council; and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand.

Bobbi, C., Graham, B., Nelson, M. and Read, M. (1999a). State of River Report for Rivers in the Ringarooma Catchment. Report Series WRA 99/01 – 04. Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Tasmania.

Bobbi, C., Nelson, M., Krasnicki, T. and Graham, B. (1999b). State of River Report for Rivers in the Great Forester Catchment. Report Series WRA 99/05 – 08. Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Tasmania.

DPIW (2008). Site-specific trigger values for physico-chemical indicators monitored under the DPIW Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Program. Water Assessment Water Quality Report Series, Report No. WA 08/52. Water Resources Division. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Tasmania.

DPIPWE (2010). Tasmanian Environmental Flows (TEFlows) Project Technical Report. Water Assessment Aquatic Ecology Report Series, Report No. WA 09/10. Water and Marine Resources Division. Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania.

Goudey, R. (1999). Assessing Water Quality Objectives: Discussion Paper. Environment Protection Authority, State of Victoria.

Gurung, S. (2001). Tasmanian Acid Drainage Reconnaissance. Report 1 Acid drainage from abandoned mines in Tasmania. Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 2001/05. Mineral Resources Tasmania.

Meyer, S. (2005). Ringarooma Catchment Water Quality Monitoring. Internal Report to the Water Resources Division, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Tasmania.

NRM North (2005). State of the Region: water quality and stream condition in Northern Tasmania. NRM North Water Monitoring Team in partnership with the Launceston Environment Centre, Tasmania.




22

Appendix 1 - Monthly BWQMP sampling results for the Ringarooma River at Moorina (site 30.2)

Date and Time Temperature (° C)

Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm)

Turbidity (NTU)

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

Dissolved Oxygen (% saturation)

pH

Ammonia (mg-N/L)

Nitrate (mg-N/L)

Nitrite (mg-N/L)

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (mg-P/L)

Total Nitrogen (mg/L)

Total Phosphorus (mg/L)

16/09/2003 NA 71 7.59 NA NA 6.44 0.013 0.63 0.002 0.005 0.9 0.016

24/11/2003 13:30 15.5 74.9 2.41 9.37 93.6 6.53 0.028 0.53 0.002 0.007 1.19 0.021

16/01/2004 15:00 23.3 75 3.5 8.04 94.1 6.63 0.034 0.429 < 0.002 0.003 0.505 0.025

12/02/2004 10:00 16.1 68.6 4 NA NA 7.04 0.017 0.675 < 0.002 0.003 0.92 0.015

11/03/2004 8:00 12.8 74.1 2.04 9.75 93 6.9 0.012 0.457 < 0.002 0.003 0.666 0.006

15/04/2004 12:10 14.6 71 1.9 9.6 96.9 6.75 0.019 0.415 < 0.002 0.003 0.729 0.014

5/05/2004 11:15 7.5 71 4.7 11.65 97.5 6.62 0.002 0.453 < 0.002 < 0.002 0.7 0.019

2/06/2004 11:50 9.3 64 1.94 10.3 91 7.05 0.017 0.471 < 0.002 0.003 0.702 0.01

7/07/2004 10:50 6.7 73 10.5 10.82 89.6 6.01 0.018 0.846 < 0.002 0.004 1.25 0.021

27/07/2004 11:10 6.7 67 7.4 11.36 93.4 6.63 0.013 0.618 0.002 0.004 0.887 0.018

18/08/2004 11:30 6.3 69 4.33 11.63 94.9 6.47 0.015 0.748 < 0.002 0.003 1.03 0.014

14/09/2004 11:00 9.5 67 2.62 10.5 91.2 6.92 0.011 0.53 < 0.002 0.002 0.765 0.012

13/10/2004 15:15 15.4 68.5 2.25 9.77 99.7 7.42 0.009 0.482 0.002 0.004 0.697 0.013

9/11/2004 9:30 12.7 59 3.34 10.71 101.8 6.96 0.015 0.258 0.002 0.002 0.526 0.017

16/12/2004 10:00 15.5 65.3 3.26 9.6 97 6.78 0.016 0.339 0.003 0.004 0.654 0.015

12/01/2005 12:45 20.3 71.5 3.39 9.05 101.9 7.08 0.018 0.441 0.002 0.004 0.665 0.014

10/02/2005 16:30 18.3 76 2.2 9.09 98.5 6.51 0.01 0.341 0.002 0.003 0.554 0.012

17/03/2005 18:00 16.9 80.8 1.86 9.76 101.2 6.61 0.018 0.346 0.002 0.004 0.536 0.01

14/04/2005 11:00 13.8 75 1.73 10.21 99.4 6.2 0.005 0.37 0.002 0.004 0.597 0.012

10/05/2005 11:00 10.6 74.9 1.6 10.48 96 6.28 0.007 0.411 < 0.002 0.003 0.608 0.008

8/06/2005 11:00 7.6 71 2.07 11.42 96 6.21 0.016 0.463 < 0.002 0.002 0.596 0.008

12/07/2005 14:30 5.7 70.3 3.51 11.09 90.8 7.32 0.01 0.554 0.002 0.003 0.739 0.007

17/08/2005 10:15 7.4 71.9 4.01 11.41 94.7 5.82 0.009 0.81 < 0.002 0.003 1.15 0.014

5/09/2005 14:30 8.9 74 7.21 11.57 100.8 5.72 0.014 0.912 0.002 0.003 1.22 0.02

12/10/2005 8:15 9.6 63.5 4.3 11.08 98.4 6.14 0.017 0.471 0.002 0.002 0.753 0.018

17/11/2005 10:00 15 67.2 2.98 9.81 97.9 5.46 0.013 0.504 0.002 0.002 0.904 0.009

14/12/2005 11:00 15.8 63.4 3.99 10.4 104.8 6.08 0.008 0.381 0.002 0.003 0.613 0.011

12/01/2006 12:30 18.6 68 3.14 9.38 104.1 6.72 0.008 0.479 0.002 0.002 0.734 0.009

15/02/2006 15:30 20.4 75.9 2.14 9.37 106.5 6.06 0.008 0.443 0.002 0.004 0.669 0.006

16/03/2006 13:00 15.9 71.2 3.43 7.04 76.8 6.77 0.017 0.392 0.002 0.002 0.55 0.021

12/04/2006 11:15 11.2 71.7 2.23 10.73 98.7 6.37 0.005 0.405 0.002 0.002 0.557 0.005

17/05/2006 11:30 9.9 70.3 2.71 11.21 98.8 6.47 0.007 0.422 0.002 0.002 0.673 0.013

14/06/2006 11:00 3.5 72.5 2.2 12.5 95.9 6.4 0.013 0.611 0.002 0.006 0.811 0.009

12/07/2006 10:00 6.1 63.1 6.74 11.7 95 5.8 0.014 0.459 0.003 0.003 0.726 0.019

18/07/2006 14:30 8 64.3 4.56 11.28 95.8 7.25 NA NA NA NA NA NA

23

Date and Time Temperature (° C)


Turbidity (NTU)



pH

Ammonia (mg-N/L)

Nitrate (mg-N/L)

Nitrite (mg-N/L)




15/08/2006 10:45 7.8 71.2 3.78 10.5 93.7 6 0.01 0.654 0.002 0.002 0.801 0.01

13/09/2006 10:30 9.1 69.9 2.49 11.1 97 6.5 0.006 0.608 0.003 0.002 0.762 0.008

10/10/2006 8:15 9.5 66 1.59 11.2 96.9 6.47 0.006 0.495 0.002 0.002 0.663 0.012

14/11/2006 9:15 11.4 69.2 2.56 10.7 99.2 6.94 0.011 0.433 0.002 0.004 0.7 0.008

7/12/2006 9:00 17.3 79 1.84 8.9 93 7.05 0.022 0.462 0.003 0.003 0.653 0.008

11/01/2007 7:00 18.2 76.6 1.77 8.7 94 7.04 0.009 0.312 0.003 0.003 0.478 0.013

15/02/2007 11:00 20.5 71.5 1.88 9.6 107.5 7.1 0.005 0.347 0.002 0.002 0.508 0.009

15/03/2007 11:30 18 82.6 1.81 10 109 6.81 0.007 0.3 0.002 0.003 0.377 0.01

12/04/2007 10:00 12.4 77.1 1.43 10.7 100.2 6.94 0.007 0.409 0.003 0.003 0.543 0.007

17/05/2007 12:15 11.5 61 1.87 11.1 103.9 7.09 0.022 0.3 0.002 0.002 0.606 0.01

5/06/2007 11:15 8.2 75 36.7 12 101.5 6.96 0.067 0.853 0.003 0.003 1.6 0.063

12/07/2007 11:00 6.9 75 2.52 12.6 104.3 6.95 0.011 0.73 0.002 0.003 0.972 0.01

14/08/2007 16:00 7.3 81 29.9 12.15 99.3 7.03 0.029 1.41 0.002 0.003 2 0.061

11/09/2007 10:00 9.9 76.3 4.07 10.6 98 6.75 0.015 0.725 0.002 0.003 0.93 0.014

17/10/2007 8:00 9.7 72.8 2.99 11.3 99.8 7.05 0.008 0.665 0.002 0.002 0.82 0.009

13/11/2007 8:00 16 74.9 1.8 9.6 97.2 6.09 0.021 0.478 0.002 0.003 0.78 0.01

12/12/2007 10:45 18.7 73.6 1.37 9.5 103.1 7.33 0.008 0.405 0.002 0.002 0.56 0.009

15/01/2008 9:45 18.8 81 1.4 9.4 103.2 7 0.005 0.305 0.002 0.002 0.49 0.007

13/02/2008 12:30 19.1 71.1 1.41 9.67 103.1 6.77 0.008 0.309 0.002 0.003 0.47 0.011

11/03/2008 10:00 18.1 84.4 1.33 10.1 106.7 7.58 0.006 0.243 0.002 0.003 0.42 0.013

9/04/2008 11:15 14 73.5 1.77 10.6 103.2 7.53 0.002 0.35 0.002 0.002 0.57 0.009

13/05/2008 12:00 9.5 69.5 1.77 11.4 100.8 7.48 0.007 0.316 0.002 0.002 0.47 0.008

12/06/2008 16:00 10.3 58.2 15.7 13 118.1 6.84 0.049 0.34 0.003 0.004 0.85 0.038

15/07/2008 10:15 6.7 70.6 2.89 12.9 106 7.09 0.01 0.638 0.002 0.002 0.91 0.013

12/08/2008 10:30 5.6 73 3.42 14.1 114.9 6.38 0.008 0.518 0.002 0.004 0.79 0.011

18/09/2008 11:15 7.8 69.3 4.4 11.4 99 6.62 0.006 0.416 0.002 0.002 0.62 0.013

28/10/2008 9:45 13.5 63.5 1.52 9.6 96 6.59 0.005 0.507 0.002 0.002 0.65 0.01

18/11/2008 9:45 13.2 72.1 1.5 6.6 0.011 0.454 0.002 0.002 0.69 0.011

17/12/2008 13:30 15.4 64.6 2.65 9.9 102 6.29 0.005 0.248 0.002 0.002 0.48 0.012

13/01/2009 6:30 15.8 75 1.3 9.2 92 0.002 0.337 0.002 0.002 0.49 0.01

11/02/2009 9:30 16 89.2 1.2 10.2 104.5 6.51 0.007 0.138 0.002 0.002 0.21 0.009

18/03/2009 10:15 12.7 63.9 6.21 9.9 97.1 0.004 0.319 0.002 0.004 0.56 0.016

16/04/2009 11:00 11.6 71 1.45 10.6 99.3 7.32 0.006 0.32 0.002 0.002 0.44 0.008

12/05/2009 10:45 9.7 68.1 1.9 10.9 96.5 6.89 0.009 0.425 0.004 0.002 0.6 0.009

16/06/2009 9:45 5.9 67 2.77 11.6 92 7.22 0.006 0.408 0.002 0.002 0.59 0.014

8/07/2009 14:30 5.6 75.5 5.77 12.1 96.4 6.2 0.01 0.687 0.002 0.002 0.96 0.017

24/09/2009 10:30 9.8 71.7 10.5 11.1 97 6.58 NA NA NA NA NA NA

9/12/2009 8:15 14.4 80.2 NA 9.6 93 6.31 NA NA NA NA NA NA

25/03/2010 7:00 14.3 75.3 3.23 9.7 96 6.31 NA NA NA NA NA NA

24

Appendix 2a – DPIPWE AUSRIVAS physico-chemical water quality monitoring results

Code Name Date Northing Easting

Temperature (° C)


Turbidity (NTU)



pH

Alkalinity mg/L

RING01 Ringarooma River off Waterhouse Road 12/02/1998 5466323 582107 21.5 80 2.75 8.1

6.25 RING02 Ringarooma River at Bells Bridge 12/02/1998 5465794 585431 23.3 79 3.4 7.3

5.81

RING03 Ringarooma River at Ogilvies Bridge 12/02/1998 5460982 586835 24 77 3.3 7.4

5.8 RING04 Ringarooma River at Garibaldi Road 12/02/1998 5451700 579300 24.1 73 4.61 8

5.56

RING05 Ringarooma River at Pioneer pipeline 12/02/1998 5450050 577919 22.8 70 4.96 7.9

5.96 RING05 Ringarooma River at Pioneer pipeline 14/10/2003 5450050 577919 13 75.9 5.87 10.17

6.68 4

RING05 Ringarooma River at Pioneer pipeline 22/04/2004 5450050 577919 11.6 72.1 2.68 10.79 102.7 6.64 4

RING06 Ringarooma River at Moorina 12/02/1998 5446678 572894 21.6 72.1 3.06 8.2

6.47 RING06 Ringarooma River at Moorina 6/09/2007 5446678 572894 8.1 76 5.25 10.11 85.8 7 2

RING06 Ringarooma River at Moorina 6/03/2008 5446678 572894 15.8 83.3 1.53 9.64 97 6.86 7

RING07 Ringarooma River at Mutual Bridge 23/04/1997 5444742 569590 10.2 68.6 7.82

7.3 10

RING07 Ringarooma River at Mutual Bridge 8/10/1997 5444742 569590 9.9 67 2.8

7.5 9

RING07 Ringarooma River at Mutual Bridge 11/02/1998 5444742 569590 18.9 67.4 2.88 9.2

6.46 RING07 Ringarooma River at Mutual Bridge 14/10/2003 5444742 569590 13.6 71.9 3.21 10.51

6.66 4

RING07 Ringarooma River at Mutual Bridge 22/04/2004 5444742 569590 11.8 70.1 4.25 10.96 104.5 6.83 6

RING08 Ringarooma River at Derby Station Road 11/02/1998 5445168 566506 18.8

4.06 8.2

6.37 RING09 Ringarooma River at Long Bridge (Derby Back Rd) 11/02/1998 5443955 564268 18.8 68.3 3.01 8.8

6.19

RING10 Ringarooma River off Warrentina Road 10/02/1998 5443690 561756 17.6 65.8 2.39 9.1

6.24 RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 5/10/1994 5442091 561850 7.8 53 2.46

5.9 9

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 30/03/1995 5442091 561850 10.8 57.9 1.49 10

6.1 16

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 21/09/1995 5442091 561850 8.3 49.8 5.08 11.2

5.8 7


5.8 RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 23/04/1997 5442091 561850 10.1 55 3.7

7.6 6

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 8/10/1997 5442091 561850 9.9 56 1.9

6.91 7


6.32 RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 5/05/1998 5442091 561850 10.4 55.5 1.42 11.4

6.52 6


6.57 5

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 22/04/1999 5442091 561850 8.2 51 1.85 10.7

6.7 RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 10/10/1999 5442091 561850 13.1 57 4.21 9.9

6.98 7



7


7

25


Temperature (° C)


Turbidity (NTU)



pH

Alkalinity mg/L

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 25/09/2001 5442091 561850 11.7

7.51 10.6

7.77 RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 23/04/2002 5442091 561850 13.4 61.2 2.33 10.6

6.93



6.15


7.07 4

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 22/04/2004 5442091 561850 11.5 56.5 4.25 10.67 101.7 7.01 4

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 6/10/2004 5442091 561850 10.5 59.4 2.6 11.16 100.4 6.76 RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 19/04/2005 5442091 561850 12.5 59 2.11 9.81 93.2 6.9 3

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 16/11/2005 5442091 561850 13.3 57 0.47 11.53 110.1 6.03 4


RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 20/09/2006 5442091 561850 11.4 60 3 10.71 99.7 7.34 3

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 28/03/2007 5442091 561850 14 64 2.04 10.32 101.2 5.84 2

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 6/09/2007 5442091 561850 8.7 64 2.62 11.58 100.3 6.85 0.5

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 7/03/2008 5442091 561850 16.5 67 1.25 8.83 89.4 6.68 4


RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 17/03/2009 5442091 561850 14 54.6 5.3 10.5 100 6.1 2

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 3/11/2009 5442091 561850 13.7 63.5 1.85 10 96.4 6.66 4


RING12 Ringarooma River below Ringarooma Town 10/02/1998 5436940 561177 17.1 54 2.58 8.9

5.8 RING12 Ringarooma River below Ringarooma Town 15/10/2003 5436940 561177 9.5 53.9 2.48 10.96

6.9 3

RING12 Ringarooma River below Ringarooma Town 22/04/2004 5436940 561177 12.4 53.2 4.47 9.94 97.1 6.65 4

RING13 Ringarooma River at Cottons Bridge Road 10/02/1998 5430727 559014 15.6 51.5 1.57 9.8

6.06 RING14 Ringarooma River off East Maurice Road 10/02/1998 5429793 558533 16.7 52 1.66 9.3

6.3

RING14 Ringarooma River off East Maurice Road 14/10/2003 5429793 558533 10.2

3 11.54

6.88 4

RING14 Ringarooma River off East Maurice Road 22/04/2004 5429793 558533 10.4 48.7 0.83 10.21 93.3 6.87 5

RING15 Ringarooma River off Peterwood Road 10/02/1998 5425846 555625 13.1 35 0.98 10.6

6.52 RING16 Wyniford River at Tebrakunna Road 22/04/1997 5450746 580559 12.2 81.5 1.82

7.14 4

RING16 Wyniford River at Tebrakunna Road 7/10/1997 5450746 580559 8.5 94.4 1.87

5.56 3

RING16 Wyniford River at Tebrakunna Road 12/02/1998 5450746 580559 18.4 84.6 1.76 7.9

6.5 RING17 Wyniford River off Three Notch Road 26/02/1998 5446317 580183 0 0 0 0

0

RING18 Davids Creek above Gladstone Rd 12/02/1998 5449648 573772 18.9 173.8 15.3 7.7

6.7 RING19 Weld River at Frome Road 11/02/1998 5446012 573766 17.6 79 3.28 9.2

6.05

RING20 Weld River at Emu Road 11/02/1998 5439562 576388 15.7 70 2.1 9.3

6.15 RING21 Frome River off Frome Road near Moorina 11/02/1998 5446139 574118 16.4 96 2.32 6.8

5.81

26


Temperature (° C)


Turbidity (NTU)



pH

Alkalinity mg/L

RING22 Frome River off Frome Road above Dam 11/02/1998 5444125 577662 15 50 0.83 9.3

5.76 RING23 Main Creek at Mutual Road 11/02/1998 5444508 569837 13.3 82.6 1.8 10.2

6.75

RING24 Main Creek off Forestry Road 11/02/1998 5438407 573785 14.1 67 2.84 9.4

6.11 RING25 Cascade River off Tasman Highway 11/02/1998 5443804 567351 19.9 80.9 1.06 5.4

5.63

RING26 Cascade River above dam 11/02/1998 5440125 569109 13.2 52 0.98 10.1

5.62 RING27 Black Rivulet at Tasman Highway 12/02/1998 5442841 563932 16.2 80.7 1.59 8.1

5.14

RING28 Legerwood Rivulet at Warrentina road 10/02/1998 5443379 561598 17.6 114.4 5.96 9.6

6.85 RING28 Legerwood Rivulet at Warrentina road 11/09/2007 5443379 561598 10.4 106.1 5.67 10.96 95.8 6.57 8

RING28 Legerwood Rivulet at Warrentina road 7/03/2008 5443379 561598 15.3 108.2 5.55 8.91 87.9 7.01 12

RING29 Legerwood Rivulet at Ringarooma Road 10/02/1998 5436000 558800 17.1 90.6 3.61 7.6

6.01 RING30 Legerwood Rivulet at Peddles Rd 10/02/1998 5435665 557559 19.1 93.4 7.5 8.2

6.17

RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 22/04/1997 5435832 562577 10.6 72 2.28

7.7 6

RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 7/10/1997 5435832 562577 8.6 73 2.1

7.34 7

RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 9/02/1998 5435832 562577 19.3 66 1.03 9.7

5.62 RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 14/10/2003 5435832 562577 10.4

2.5 12.05

6.47 2

RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 22/04/2004 5435832 562577 11.7 73.2 0.45 10.57 98 6.86 2

RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 6/10/2004 5435832 562577 9.5 73.5 1.58 10.99 96.4 6.44 2



RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 3/05/2006 5435832 562577 9.5 40 5.44 9.68 83.4 5.5 2

RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 20/09/2006 5435832 562577 12.3 76 1.52 9.6 91 7.2 2


RING31 Dorset River at Ruby Flats Road 6/09/2007 5435832 562577 9.9 81 2.85 10.1 89.8 6.59 1






RING32 Dorset River at New River Rd 22/04/1997 5431249 565021 12.1 53.6 1.6

7.71 4

RING32 Dorset River at New River Rd 7/10/1997 5431249 565021 12.3 56 1.9

7.14 5

RING32 Dorset River at New River Rd 9/02/1998 5431249 565021 20.3 54 2.02 9.5

5.65 RING33 Dorset Riverat Alberton Road 9/02/1998 5427785 566073 15.1 42 0.3 9.9

5.49

RING34 New River at Pera Flats Road 22/04/1997 5432810 565430 13.5 73.7 1.31

7.81 6

RING34 New River at Pera Flats Road 7/10/1997 5432810 565430 11.3 65 0.36

7.8 2

27


Temperature (° C)


Turbidity (NTU)



pH

Alkalinity mg/L

RING34 New River at Pera Flats Road 9/02/1998 5432810 565430 19.6 71.8 0.74 8.5

6.11 RING35 New River at Singline Road 9/02/1998 5431180 567481 16.5 62.1 0.35 9.8

5.4

RING36 New River at New River Road 4/10/1994 5429146 569787 7.8 58.3 0.8 10.8

5.9 2


5.6 6


5.3 2


5.6 1


5.75 RING37 Maurice River at Cuckoo Hill Road (Neils Bridge) 22/04/1997 5430466 558270 9.9 43.1 3.96

7.5 4

RING37 Maurice River at Cuckoo Hill Road (Neils Bridge) 7/10/1997 5430466 558270 13 44 1.1

7.5 5

RING37 Maurice River at Cuckoo Hill Road (Neils Bridge) 10/02/1998 5430466 558270 14.6 47.9 1.95 10

6.11 RING38 Maurice River off Cuckoo Hill Road 10/02/1998 5431009 555786 13 45 1.68 10.2

6.2

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 4/10/1994 5427791 556736 6.3 30.3 1.18 11.6

5 3

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 30/03/1995 5427791 556736 9.5 34.7 0.8

5.9 9

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 21/09/1995 5427791 556736 8 28.8 2.1 10.9

5 3

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 22/03/1996 5427791 556736 8 30.6 0.85 10.9

6 2

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 10/02/1998 5427791 556736 13.3 35 0.88 10

5.68 RING40 Federal Creek at Maurice Road 10/02/1998 5426465 558277 19.6 58 0.5 8.6

5.9

RING41 Ringarooma River at Trenah 14/10/2003 5426735 557357 8.5 70 0.6 11.28

6.6 3

RING41 Ringarooma River at Trenah 22/04/2004 5426735 557357 9.5 34.8 1.14 9.65 91.5 7.05 1

RING42 Ringarooma River us of Maurice River 4/10/1994 5430686 559026 8.1 41.6 2.35 10.7

5.9 8

RING42 Ringarooma River us of Maurice River 30/03/1995 5430686 559026 11 49.8 1.71 10.1

5.9 18

RING42 Ringarooma River us of Maurice River 21/09/1995 5430686 559026 9.5 42.9 3.11 10.6

5.7 8

RING42 Ringarooma River us of Maurice River 21/03/1996 5430686 559026 10.5 39 2.22 10.8

5.6 4

RING44 Weld River at Moorina 5/10/1994 5446753 573104 9 70.9 6.2 10.8

5.9 14

RING44 Weld River at Moorina 30/03/1995 5446753 573104 11 67 1.91 9.9

5.6 8

RING45 Legerwood Rivulet at Tasman Hwy 23/04/1997 5441495 560567 12 108.2 6.71

7.2 22

RING45 Legerwood Rivulet at Tasman Hwy 8/10/1997 5441495 560567 12.2 96 5.3

6.8 19

RING46 Ringarooma River below Derby 23/08/2006 5444375 567700 9.2 66 2.95 11.14 97.7 6.1 4

28

Appendix 2b - DPIPWE AUSRIVAS nutrient and heavy metal monitoring results

Code Name Date Cadmium Copper Lead Zinc Nitrite Nitrate Ammonia Total N DRP Total P

µg/L µg/L µg/L µg/L mg-N/L mg-N/L mg-N/L mg/L mg-P/L mg/L

RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 5/10/1994 <1 <2 <2 <20 0.004 0.481 0.006 0.624 0.003 0.01



RING11 Ringarooma River upstream of Branxholm 5/05/1998

0.002 0.529 0.005 0.637 0.002 0.007


0.002 0.61 0.023 0.786 0.002 0.011


0.002 0.381 0.004 0.596 0.005 0.013


0.002 0.578 0.036 0.798 0.002 0.012

RING36 New River at New River Road 4/10/1994 <1 <1 <2 <20 0.004 0.304 0.008 0.442 0.002 0.005

RING36 New River at New River Road 30/03/1995 <1 <1 <1 <5 0.004 0.316 0.003 0.557 0.002 0.002

RING36 New River at New River Road 21/09/1995 <1 <1 <1 7 0.002 0.207 0.019 0.337 0.002 0.002

RING36 New River at New River Road 22/03/1996

0.002 0.228 0.002 0 0.003 0

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 4/10/1994 <1 <2 <2 <20 0.004 0.143 0.004 0.237 0.002 0.004

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 30/03/1995 <1 <1 <1 <5 0.004 0.123 0.002 0.24 0.002 0.002

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 21/09/1995 <1 2 <1 9 0.002 0.136 0.002 0.27 0.002 0.003

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Rd 22/03/1996

0.002 0.102 0.002 0 0.002 0

RING42 Ringarooma River us of Maurice River 4/10/1994 <1 <1 <2 <20 0.004 0.349 0.006 0.459 0.002 0.007



RING42 Ringarooma River us of Maurice River 21/03/1996

14

0 RING44 Weld River at Moorina 5/10/1994 <1 <1 <2 <20 0.004 0.294 0.01 0.54 0.002 0.019

RING44 Weld River at Moorina 30/03/1995 <1 <1 <1 <5 0.004 0.173 0.006 0.513 0.002 0.012

29

Appendix 3a – NRM NORTH AUSRIVAS Water Quality Monitoring results (2007 – 2009)

Provided to DPIPWE by NRM North.

Code Name Northing Easting Date Temperature (oC) Conductivity (µS/cm)

Turbidity (NTU)

pH

RING02 Ringarooma River at Bells Bridge 5465794 585431 26/03/2009 19.8 80

RING04 Ringarooma River at Garibaldi Road 5451700 579300 26/03/2009 18.2 70.2

RING06 Ringarooma River at Moorina 5446678 572894 26/03/2009 15.8 71.8

RING07 Ringarooma River at Mutual Bridge 5444742 569590 1/05/2007 13.3 48.9 2.77 6.36




RING07 Ringarooma River at Mutual Bridge 5444742 569590 2/04/2009 15.9 69.8

6.7

RING18 Davids Creek above Gladstone Road 5449648 573772 26/03/2009 16.1 195.8

RING19 Weld River at Frome Road 5446012 573766 26/03/2009 14.2 80.7

RING25 Cascade River off Tasman Highway 5443804 567351 22/04/2009 12.8 74.4 0.66 6.44

RING32 Dorset River at New River Road 5431249 565021 2/04/2009 15.2 62.1

6.5

RING35 New River at Singline Road 5431180 567481 22/04/2009 13 69.5 1.74 5.47

RING37 Maurice River at Cuckoo Hill Road 5430466 558270 27/03/2009 11 46.5

RING39 Dunns Creek off Maurice Road 5427791 556736 27/03/2009 9.4 34.6

RING40 Federal Creek at Maurice Road 5426465 558277 27/03/2009 15.3 60

RING41 Ringarooma River at Trenah 5426735 557357 27/03/2009 10.2 38.4

RING45 Legerwood Rivulet at Tasman Highway 5441495 560567 1/05/2007 12.7 86.1 3.2 5.91




RING45 Legerwood Rivulet at Tasman Highway 5441495 560567 2/04/2009 14.7 117.9

6.57

30

Appendix 3b – NRM NORTH Water Quality Monitoring results (2005 – 2007)

Summary results of water monitoring conducted in the Ringarooma catchment by NRM North and Northern Waterwatch volunteers. Data sourced from NRM North State of the Region Reports (NRM North 2005, 2006 and 2007).

Minimum Median Maximum No. Of Samples

Ringarooma River at Bells Bridge, 2005. Monitored by NRM North

Temperature (oC) 8.1 13.9 22.7 11

Turbidity (NTU) 1.14 8.78 21.28 10

Electrical Conductivity (μS/cm) 66.0 80.0 91.3 11

Field pH 6.27 6.30 6.96 10

Ringarooma River at Pioneer, 2005. Monitored by Northern Waterwatch

Temperature (oC) 7.1 14.6 22.5 12

Turbidity (NTU) <7 <7 <7 12

Electrical Conductivity (μS/cm) 57 68.5 74 12

Wyniford River at Pioneer, 2005. Monitored by Northern Waterwatch

Temperature (oC) 7 14.3 18.1 12


Electrical Conductivity (μS/cm) 70 75.5 91 12

Ringarooma River at Tebrakunnah Road, 2006. Monitored by Northern Waterwatch

Temperature (oC) 7.1 16.6 22.5 14


Electrical Conductivity (μS/cm) 57 69 75 14

Ringarooma River at Bells Bridge, 2006. Monitored by NRM North

Turbidity (NTU) 2 5 12 11


Wyniford River at Tebrakunnah Road, 2006. Monitored by Northern Waterwatch

Temperature (oC) 7.0 15.3 18.2 14



Ringarooma River above Long Bridge, 2006. Monitored by Northern Waterwatch

Temperature (oC) 8.5 13.6 15.4 10

Turbidity (NTU) <7 <7 15 8


Ringarooma River at Branxholm, 2006. Monitored by Northern Waterwatch

Temperature (oC) 7.2 11.1 20.2 7



Ringarooma River at Bells Bridge, 2007. Monitored by Northern Waterwatch

Turbidity (NTU) 0 not provided 16.67 12

Electrical Conductivity (μS/cm) 64.1 not provided 119.8 12

31

Appendix 4 – Results of TEFlows Project water quality monitoring in the Ringarooma catchment.

Site Date Temperature (° C)

pH Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm)

Turbidity (NTU)






Nitrate (mg-N/L)

Nitrite (mg-N/L)

Ammonia (mg-N/L)

RR1 31/07/2007 7.9 6.4 104 6.98 11.4 96.4 0.6 0.016 NA NA NA NA

RR1 30/10/2007 17.8 6.82 84 7.93 8.59 91.1 0.48 0.013 NA NA NA NA

RR1 12/02/2008 18.8 6.83 106 3.44 8.11 87 0.32 0.009 NA NA NA NA

RR1 12/08/2008 7.7 6.62 108 7.35 10.99 92 0.49 0.02 NA NA NA NA

RR1 6/11/2008 14.4 6.84 99 2.27 9.5 93.3 0.07 <0.005 NA NA NA NA

RR2 29/08/2007 9.2 7.22 67 2.91 11.7 100.9 1.1 0.01 NA NA NA NA

RR2 1/11/2007 10.4 6.62 54 1.62 10.8 93 0.7 0.009 NA NA NA NA

RR2 15/02/2008 16.7 6.75 70 0.95 9.04 92.6 0.75 0.007 NA NA NA NA

RR2 13/03/2008 15.4 6.8 72 1.26 7.48 74.8 0.65 0.008 <0.002 0.466 <0.002 0.007

RR2 16/05/2008 9.6 6.77 60 1.5 11.02 96.5 0.59 0.008 NA NA NA NA

RR2 8/07/2008 9 6.33 65 2.26 10.62 92 1 0.014 0.005 0.763 <0.002 0.048

RR2 15/08/2008 5.9 6.52 62 1.5 11.68 93.5 0.63 0.011 NA NA NA NA

RR2 8/10/2008 8.1 6.5 63 2.04 11.64 98.4 NA NA NA NA NA NA

RR2 9/10/2008 8.1 6.5 63 2.04 11.64 98.4 0.75 0.008 0.003 0.6 <0.002 0.008

RR2 29/10/2008 12.8 6.83 64 1.86 10.4 98.4 0.65 0.006 0.003 0.521 <0.002 0.007

water quality assessment for the ringarooma catchment · 2014-09-02 · september 2010 issn:...

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