Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program
2013–2014 Annual Report
MDFRC Publication 45/2014
Document1
Spring 2013 to spring 2014
Prepared by: Chris Davey
1
Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program: 2013-14 Annual
Report
Annual Report prepared for the Murray–Darling Basin Authority by The Murray–Darling Freshwater
Research Centre.
Murray–Darling Basin Authority
Level 4, 51 Allara Street | GPO Box 1801
Canberra City ACT 2601
Ph: (02) 6279 0100; Fax: (02) 6248 8053
This report was prepared by The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC). The aim of
the MDFRC is to provide the scientific knowledge necessary for the management and sustained
utilisation of the Murray-Darling Basin water resources. The MDFRC is a joint venture between La
Trobe University and CSIRO.
For further information contact:
Paul McInerney
Dr Tapas Biswas
The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre
PO Box 991
Wodonga VIC 3689
Ph: (02) 6024 9650; Fax: (02) 6059 7531
Murray–Darling Basin Authority
PO Box 1801
Canberra ACT 2601
Email:
Web:
Enquiries:
Email: tapas.biswas@mdba.gov.au
Web: www.mdba.gov.au
p.mcinerney@latrobe.edu.au
www.mdfrc.org.au
info@mdfrc.org.au
Report Citation: Davey C (2014) Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program 2013–2014 Annual Report
prepared for the Murray Darling Basin Authority by The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre,
MDFRC Publication 45/2014, September, 88pp.
Cover Image: Site 502 on the Mitta Mitta, downstream of Dartmouth Dam, Victoria, Australia
Photographer: Chris Davey
i
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The details of the licence are available on the Creative Commons website (accessible using the links
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MDBA’s preference is that this publication be attributed (and any material sourced from it) using the
following:
Publication title: Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program Report 2013-2014
Source: Licensed from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority under a Creative Commons Attribution
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The contents of this publication do not purport to represent the position of the Commonwealth of
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ii
Document history and status
Version
Date Issued
Reviewed by
Approved by
Revision type
Draft
1/12/2014
Paul
McInerney
Chris Davey
Scientific Review
Draft
8/12/2014
Michelle
Kavanagh
Chris Davey
Copy Edit
Distribution of copies
Version
Quantity
Issued to
Draft
1 x PDF or Word
Tapas Biswas - MDBA
Final
1 x PDF or Word
Tapas Biswas - MDBA
Filename and path:
U:\MDBA\291-Mitta Monitoring\Knowledge Exchange\Reports\Sept
2014\FINAL\Final rept.docx
Author(s):
Chris Davey
Author affiliation(s):
The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre
Project Manager:
Paul McInerney
Client:
Murray–Darling Basin Authority
Project Title:
Long-term biological monitoring of river health in the Mitta Mitta River
catchment, above and below Dartmouth Dam
Document Version:
Final
Project Number:
M/BUS/291
Contract Number:
MD 2520
Finalised June 2015
Acknowledgements:
I would firstly like to acknowledge the MDBA for providing the funding for this project. I would
also like to acknowledge Paul McInerney for project management, field sampling and document
revision; Lyn Smith, John Hawking and Michael Shackleton for quality control; John Pengelly for
water sample analysis; Georgia Dwyer and Thelma Vlamis for field assistance.
I would also like to thank Tom McCormack for access to private land, and Peter Liepkins
(Goulburn-Murray Water) and Elaine Thomas (Parks Victoria) for their time and support.
iii
Contents
Executive summary .......................................................................................................................................... x
1
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... xii
SECTION 1: Spring 2013 – Autumn 2014 ........................................................................................................ xiv
1
Aims and objectives ......................................................................................................................... xiv
1.1
Project aims .............................................................................................................................................xiv
1.2
Objectives ................................................................................................................................................xiv
2
Methods............................................................................................................................................ xv
2.1
Study sites and descriptions .................................................................................................................... xv
2.2
Field methods .......................................................................................................................................... 23
2.3
Laboratory methods, analysis and quality assurance .............................................................................. 24
3
Results .............................................................................................................................................. 29
3.1
Discharge ................................................................................................................................................. 29
3.2
SEPP objectives ........................................................................................................................................ 31
3.3
Taxonomic richness ................................................................................................................................. 47
3.4
Community composition ......................................................................................................................... 48
4
Discussion ......................................................................................................................................... 49
4.1
Discharge ................................................................................................................................................. 49
4.2
Water quality ........................................................................................................................................... 49
4.3
Macroinvertebrates ................................................................................................................................. 49
SECTION 2: Spring 2014.................................................................................................................................. 51
1
Aims and objectives .......................................................................................................................... 51
1.1
Project aims ............................................................................................................................................. 51
1.2
Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 51
2
Methods............................................................................................................................................ 51
2.1
3
Study sites and descriptions .................................................................................................................... 51
Results .............................................................................................................................................. 52
3.1
Discharge ................................................................................................................................................. 52
3.2
SEPP objectives ........................................................................................................................................ 53
3.3
Taxonomic richness ................................................................................................................................. 57
3.4
Community composition ......................................................................................................................... 57
4
Discussion ......................................................................................................................................... 59
4.1
Discharge ................................................................................................................................................. 59
4.2
Water quality ........................................................................................................................................... 59
4.3
Macroinvertebrates ................................................................................................................................. 59
5
Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 60
6
Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 60
References ..................................................................................................................................................... 61
Appendices .................................................................................................................................................... 63
Appendix A
Taxa list by site for spring 2013 – autumn 2014 season............................................................. 63
iv
Appendix B
Taxa list for spring 2014 ............................................................................................................. 85
List of tables
Table 1. Geographical information of site 501. .................................................................................................... 16
Table 2. Geographical information of site 502. ...................................................................................................... 8
Table 3. Geographical information of site 503. ...................................................................................................... 9
Table 4. Geographical information of site 504. .................................................................................................... 10
Table 5. Geographical information of site 505. .................................................................................................... 11
Table 6. Geographical information of site 506. .................................................................................................... 12
Table 7. Geographical information of site 507. .................................................................................................... 13
Table 8. Geographical information of site 510. .................................................................................................... 14
Table 9. Geographical information of site 511. .................................................................................................... 15
Table 10. Geographical information of site 512. .................................................................................................. 16
Table 11. Geographical information of site 513. .................................................................................................. 17
Table 12. Geographical information of site 514. .................................................................................................. 18
Table 13. Geographical information of site 515. .................................................................................................. 19
Table 14. Geographical information of site 516. .................................................................................................. 20
Table 15. Geographical information of site 517. .................................................................................................. 21
Table 16. Geographical information of site 518. .................................................................................................. 22
Table 17. SEPP objectives for water quality and nutrients. .................................................................................. 25
Table 18. SEPP biological objectives for Victorian bioregions 1 and 2 (EPA 2004). .............................................. 26
Table 19. AUSRIVAS bands and descriptions. ....................................................................................................... 26
Table 20. AUSRIVAS bands and their respective bandwidths for OE50 scores for each habitat in each of the
models used. .................................................................................................................................... 27
Table 21: Measurement uncertainty at June 2014. .............................................................................................. 28
Table 22. SEPP objectives at site 501.................................................................................................................... 31
Table 23. SEPP objectives at site 502.................................................................................................................... 32
Table 24. SEPP objectives at site 503.................................................................................................................... 33
Table 25. SEPP objectives at site 504.................................................................................................................... 34
Table 26. SEPP objectives at site 505.................................................................................................................... 35
Table 27. SEPP objectives at site 506.................................................................................................................... 36
Table 28. SEPP objectives at site 507.................................................................................................................... 37
Table 29. SEPP objectives at site 510.................................................................................................................... 38
Table 30. SEPP objectives at site 511.................................................................................................................... 39
Table 31. SEPP objectives at site 512.................................................................................................................... 40
Table 32. SEPP objectives at site 513.................................................................................................................... 41
Table 33. SEPP objectives at site 514.................................................................................................................... 42
Table 34. SEPP objectives at site 515.................................................................................................................... 43
v
Table 35. SEPP objectives at site 516.................................................................................................................... 44
Table 36. SEPP objectives at site 517.................................................................................................................... 45
Table 37. SEPP objectives at site 518.................................................................................................................... 46
Table 38. SEPP objectives at site 502.................................................................................................................... 53
Table 39. SEPP objectives at site 503.................................................................................................................... 54
Table 40. SEPP objectives at site 505.................................................................................................................... 55
Table 41. SEPP objectives at site 513.................................................................................................................... 56
Table 42. List of taxa recorded at each site during the autumn 2013 to autumn 2014 survey. ........................... 63
Table 43. List of taxa recorded at each site during the spring 2014 season. ........................................................ 85
List of figures
Figure 1. Map of the study area, showing the study sites. ................................................................................... xv
Figure 2. Mitta Mitta River at site 501 in spring 2013 (a) looking downstream before a release; (b) looking
downstream during a release; (c) looking upstream before a release; (d) looking upstream during
a release. .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 3: Mitta Mitta River at site 502 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking
downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip. ......................................................................... 8
Figure 4: Mitta Mitta River at site 503 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking
downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip. ......................................................................... 9
Figure 5: Mitta Mitta River at site 504 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking
downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip. .......................................................................... 10
Figure 6. Snowy Creek at site 505 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking
downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip. .......................................................................... 11
Figure 7. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) upstream; and (c) upstream from the bridge.
Autumn 2014. .................................................................................................................................. 12
Figure 8. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) across; and (c) upstream in autumn 2014. .... 13
Figure 9. Whiterock Creek at site 510 looking (a) upstream (spring 2013); (b) downstream (spring 2013); and (c)
downstream (autumn 2014). ........................................................................................................... 14
Figure 10. Big River at site 511 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn
2014). ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 11. : Big River at site 512 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn
2014). ............................................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 12. Mitta Mitta River at site 513 looking (a) downstream, autumn 2014; (b) downstream, spring 2013;
and (c) upstream, spring 2013. ........................................................................................................ 17
Figure 13. Mitta Mitta River at site 514b looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c)
downstream…. ................................................................................................................................. 18
Figure 14. Cobungra River at site 515 looking (a) downstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) upstream. .. 19
Figure 15. Bingo Munjie Creek at site 516 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c)
downstream. .................................................................................................................................... 20
Figure 16. Livingstone Creek at site 517 looking (a) upstream, spring 2013; (b) downstream, spring 2013; (c)
upstream, autumn 2014; and (d) downstream, autumn 2014. ....................................................... 21
Figure 17. Gibbo River at site 518 looking (a) upstream, autumn 2014; (b) across to the right bank, autumn
2014; (c) upstream, spring 2013; and (d) across to the left bank, spring 2013. .............................. 22
vi
Figure 18. Daily discharge at upstream (top) and downstream (bottom) sites on the Mitta Mitta and some of its
major tributaries. ............................................................................................................................. 30
Figure 19. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2013, autumn 2014, and for both seasons combined. ..... 47
Figure 20. NMDS plot of sites based on presence/absence of macroinvertebrate genera. Sites on the main
channel downstream of Dartmouth are green, all other sites independent of any effects of the
dam are blue. ................................................................................................................................... 48
Figure 21. Daily discharge at Colemans, Snowy Creek (below Granite Flat) and Hinnomunjie gauges for the
period from July to late November 2014. ........................................................................................ 52
Figure 22. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2014, for both habitats and whole site. ............................ 57
Figure 23. NMDS plot of samples, with taxonomic resolution to species. Riffle samples, suffixed with “R” are at
the top left of the plot, edge samples, suffixed with “E” are at the bottom and top right of the
plot. .................................................................................................................................................. 58
vii
viii
ix
Executive summary
This report presents the findings from the Mitta Mitta biological monitoring from the spring
2013 to spring 2014, inclusive. The spring 2013 and autumn 2014 sampling events were
analysed using a combined seasons model, and are presented in section one of this report.
The spring 2014 sampling event was analysed as a single season and presented in section
two.
In 1998, the Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program was initiated by the former MurrayDarling Basin Commission, to monitor the condition of the biological communities of the
lower Mitta Mitta River and investigate the impacts of Dartmouth Dam on the health of the
Mitta Mitta River. This project monitored the macroinvertebrates, using the Australian River
Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols, at five sites, of which four
were on the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam, with one reference site on Snowy
Creek. In 2005, two more tributary sites were added to the program.
In 2008, this program was expanded again to include nine additional sites, all of which were
upstream of Dartmouth Dam, five on the main channel and four sites on tributaries.
In mid-2014 the program was cut back to four sites: one above the dam; one below the dam
and above the confluence of Snowy Creek; one below Snowy Creek; and one on Snowy
Creek. The data collected in the spring 2013 to spring 2014 period has been analysed and
assessed, with the findings presented and recommendations made.
Key findings:

The sites on the Mitta Mitta River upstream of Dartmouth Dam generally have a high
level of diversity and meet the majority of the State Environment Protection Policy
(SEPP) objectives.

Dartmouth Dam continues to have an impact on the Mitta Mitta River, with the sites
immediately downstream of the dam showing a significant decrease in both taxonomic
richness and the number of SEPP objectives achieved.
Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program Report 2013–2014
x

There is no -measurable recovery in the Mitta Mitta River until the confluence with
Snowy Creek, which appears to be the driver of the improvement of biological health in
the Mitta Mitta River downstream of the dam.

Of the tributaries, Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks were the least diverse, being
assessed as severely and significantly impaired, respectively highly likely due to
relatively heavy adjacent agricultural land use, limited riparian vegetation, and the
resulting poor water quality.

Reference Sites at Snowy Creek (a downstream tributary), Frog Track, Glen Valley and
Taylors Crossing (all on the Mitta Mitta upstream of the dam) were assessed as being in
reference condition.
xi
1
Introduction
The Mitta Mitta catchment is 6250 km2 in area and accounts for 7.1% of Victoria’s runoff.
The catchment area is a combination of forested areas, utilised for forestry and recreation,
and cleared valleys, used for dairy and beef cattle and sheep grazing (Australian Natural
Resources Atlas 2008). Dartmouth Dam was completed in 1980 and has a capacity of
4000 GL. The dam receives inflows from the Mitta Mitta River and its tributaries, the Big,
Bundara, Cobungra, Gibbo and Dart Rivers. The dam acts as carry-over water storage for
drought protection and flood mitigation and for hydro-electricity generation (Australian
Natural Resource Atlas 2008).
The Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program was initiated in 1998, with the objective of
determining the extent of environmental impacts resulting from the operation of
Dartmouth Dam. The collection of data was to focus on the macroinvertebrate
communities, as they are ubiquitous and diverse, easily sampled and provide an insight into
stream condition over the short to medium-term (Blyth et al. 1984). Sampling was carried
out using the Rapid Bio-assessment Methods (EPA 2003a). This involved collecting two
macroinvertebrate samples twice per year (in spring and autumn), one from the edge
habitat and the other from the riffle habitat at each site.
The program initially sampled macroinvertebrates at five sites, four of which were on the
Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam (sites 501 – 504), with one reference site on the
unregulated Snowy Creek (site 505). In 2002, two more reference sites were added: Site 506
on Mount Wills Creek, a tributary of Snowy Creek, and site 507 on Watchingorra Creek, a
small unregulated tributary of the Mitta Mitta River, which is influenced by agriculture and
forestry, and enters the Mitta Mitta between sites 502 and 503.
The data collected from the above sites between 1998 and 2008 were reviewed and it was
reported that the macroinvertebrate communities inhabiting the Mitta Mitta River below
Dartmouth Dam were severely impacted, with the decline or local extinction of many
herbivores from sensitive families, which have been replaced by tolerant generalists, and
exotic and invasive species (Cook et al. 2011b). The condition of the macroinvertebrate
communities improved with distance downstream from Dartmouth Dam, with peak
condition reached at the furthest downstream site at Tallandoon. It was concluded that
xii
these impacts were resultant from the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam and
that most of the improvement seen in the ecological conditions further downstream could
predominantly be attributed to the inflow from the unregulated Snowy Creek, acting to
improve water quality, re-introduce natural flow variation and provide a source of
recruitment (Cook et al. 2011b; Koehn et al. 1995; Doeg 1984). Several reports have been
produced showing similar patterns and despite collaborative efforts at altering discharge
patterns to improve biological condition, it appears that these assessments have largely
stayed the same.
The catchment above Dartmouth Dam is subject to an alternate set of environmental issues,
mainly associated with land use, and many of the tributary streams, such as Livingstone
Creek, were classed as being of poor quality (North East CMA 2006). In 2008 the monitoring
program was expanded to include nine additional sites, all in the Mitta Mitta catchment
upstream of Dartmouth Dam. This was done with the aims of (a) providing a comparison to
the river health below the dam, and (b) evaluating the impacts of land management
practices on the tributaries entering the main channel.
The previous report was submitted in September of 2013, and reported on two years of
data. Initially, this report was due in September 2014, and its scope limited to data collected
from spring 2013 and autumn 2014. Due to financial factors, the spring 2014 sampling
season was restricted to four sites: one on the Mitta Mitta upstream of Dartmouth dam
(513); one immediately below the dam (502); one on the unregulated tributary of Snowy
Creek (505); and one downstream of the Mitta Mitta-Snowy Creek confluence (503). Due to
the uncertainty surrounding future funding and the abbreviated nature of the spring 2014
sampling season, it was decided that all three seasons be included in the one report. Spring
2013 and autumn 2014 sampling seasons are detailed in section 1 of this report, and the
abbreviated sampling season of spring 2014 is detailed in section 2.
xiii
SECTION 1: Spring 2013 – Autumn 2014
1
Aims and objectives
1.1
Project aims
The aims of the Mitta Mitta Macroinvertebrate Program are to monitor the
macroinvertebrate communities and assess the biological condition of the Mitta Mitta River
and its major tributaries in relation to impacts from river management and catchment use.
1.2
Objectives

Sample the macroinvertebrate communities in autumn and spring, 16 sites in the
Mitta Mitta catchment, in both the main channel and its major tributaries.

Assess biological condition within the Mitta Mitta catchment at each site, using
Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols.

Assess biodiversity within the Mitta Mitta catchment by identifying
macroinvertebrates to the lowest possible taxonomic level.

Analyse and assess water quality data with respect to the State Environment
Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives.

Report findings to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
xiv
2
Methods
2.1
Study sites and descriptions
The study area spans the Mitta Mitta River from 1780 m (site 510) to 230 m (site 504) above
sea level, 60 km below Dartmouth Dam (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Map of the study area, showing the study sites.
xv
Site 501 – Dartmouth.
This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 4 km
downstream of Dartmouth Dam, 50 m
upstream of the Horsefall Road Bridge.
Adjacent vegetation is predominately open
eucalypt forest with the riparian zone
dominated by Callistemon spp. (Bottlebrush).
This site is subject to alternating inundation
and draining due to its location between the
dam and Lake Banimboola. The site details
Table 1. Geographical information of site
501.
Altitude (m)
320
Latitude
36.5424°
Longitude
147.5008°
Catchment area (km2)
3561
Distance from source (km)
135.04
Typical stream width (m)
10-70
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
are summarised in Figure 2 and Table 1.
a
b
c
b
b
b
d
b
Figure 2. Mitta Mitta River at site 501 in spring 2013 (a) looking downstream before a release; (b)
looking downstream during a release; (c) looking upstream before a release; (d) looking upstream
during a release.
xvi
Site 502 – Colemans.
This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 9 km
scoparius (English Broom) have been
downstream of Dartmouth Dam and 3 km
sprayed. Site details are summarised in
downstream of Lake Banimboola. This
Figure 3 and Table 2.
section passes through a steep sided
gorge and has a substrate predominately
Table 2. Geographical information of site 502.
of boulders and cobble with significant
areas of exposed bedrock. The
surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt
forest with the understorey dominated by
300
Latitude
36.5153°
Longitude
147.4349°
Catchment area (km2)
3634
Distance from source (km) 144.48
Leptospermum spp. (Tea Tree),
Callistemon spp. (Bottlebrush) and Acacia
spp. (Wattle). Past infestations of Cytisus
a
Altitude (m)
Typical stream width (m)
15-30
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
b
b
Figure 3: Mitta Mitta River at site 502 looking (a)
upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c)
looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn
sampling trip.
c
b
8
Site 503 – Mitta Mitta.
This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 16 km
vegetation is a mix of Salix spp. (Willows),
downstream of Dartmouth Dam and
Eucalyptus spp. and grasses. Site details
approximately 3 km downstream of the
are summarised in Figure 4 and Table 3.
Snowy Creek – Mitta Mitta River
confluence. The site is 25 m downstream
Table 3. Geographical information of site 503.
of the bridge on Dartmouth Road. The
substrate is primarily cobble and pebble,
and the site includes a stand of
Phragmites australis (Common reed) and
260
Latitude
36.5202°
Longitude
147.3703°
Catchment area (km2)
3890
Distance from source (km) 159.37
a small pebbly island. The surrounding
land is used for grazing cattle and made
up of various pasture species. Riparian
a
Altitude (m)
Typical stream width (m)
30-40
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
b
b
Figure 4: Mitta Mitta River at site 503 looking (a)
upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c)
looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn
sampling trip.
c
b
9
Site 504 – Tallandoon.
This site is on the Mitta Mitta River
were removed in 2008 and replaced with
approximately 60 km from Dartmouth
natives. Site details are summarised in
Dam, near the picnic area located 1.5 km
Figure 5 and Table 4.
upstream of Tallandoon. The substrate is
predominately cobble and boulder and
Table 4. Geographical information of site 504.
Altitude (m)
230
Latitude
36.4393°
Longitude
147.2033°
Catchment area (km2)
4716
grazing on the eastern side while the
Distance from source
(km)
184.42
western side beyond the road, is native
Typical stream width (m)
15-20
vegetation. The riparian zone is
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
the stream, when in high flow, divides to
flow around an island that was used for
periodic gravel extraction until 1996. The
surrounding land is cleared and is used for
dominated by Salix spp. (Willows) on the
left bank. On the right bank the Salix spp.
a
b
b
Figure 5: Mitta Mitta River at site 504 looking (a)
upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c)
looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring
sampling trip.
c
b
10
Site 505 – Snowy Creek.
This site is on the Snowy Creek about 8 km
Table 5. Geographical information of site 505.
upstream of the Mitta Mitta township off the
Altitude (m)
312
Omeo Highway and is one of the reference
Latitude
36.5624°
sites. The site is approximately 50 m upstream
Longitude
147.4106°
Catchment area (km2)
407
of the West Branch Creek confluence.
Substrate is predominately pebble/cobble and
surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt
forest. The riparian zone is made up of
Leptospermum spp. (Tea Tree), Acacia
Distance from source (km) 38.97
Typical stream width (m)
5-12
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
melanoxylon (Blackwood) and Bedfordia
arborescens (Blanket Leaf). Site details are
summarised in Figure 6 and Table 5.
a
c
b
b
b
Figure 6. Snowy Creek at site 505 looking (a)
upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c)
looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring
sampling trip.
11
Site 506 – Mt Wills Creek.
This site is on Mt Wills Creek 29 km
Table 6. Geographical information of site 506.
upstream of the Mitta Mitta township, 20-
Altitude (m)
580
30 m upstream of the bridge on the
Latitude
36.7078°
Snowy Log Road. The substrate is
Longitude
147.4409°
predominantly cobble/pebble and the
Catchment area (km2)
45
surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt
Distance from source (km) 13.1
forest with Rubus fruticosus
Typical stream width (m)
3-5
(Blackberries). Site details are summarised
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
in Figure 7 and Table 6.
a
b
b
Figure 7. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a)
downstream; (b) upstream; and (c) upstream
from the bridge. Autumn 2014.
c
b
12
Site 507 – Watchingorra Creek.
This site is on Watchingorra Creek
grasses. Site details are summarised in
(previously known as Callaghans Creek)
Figure 8 and Table 7.
and is approximately 1 km upstream of
the confluence with the Mitta Mitta River,
Table 7. Geographical information of site 507.
which is approximately 19 km
downstream of Dartmouth Dam. The
substrate is mostly bedrock with a mixture
of cobble and gravel. The site is
Altitude (m)
280
Latitude
36.5078’
Longitude
147.4175°
Catchment area (km2)
102
Distance from source (km) 19.2
surrounded by grazing land and pine
plantations. Riparian vegetation consists
primarily of Salix spp. (Willows), Rubus
Typical stream width (m)
1-3
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
fruticosus (Blackberries) and various
a
b
b
Figure 8. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a)
downstream; (b) across; and (c) upstream in
autumn 2014.
c
b
13
Site 510 – Whiterock Creek.
At 1745 m above sea level, site 510 is the
habitat. Site details are summarised in
highest site in the project, situated in an
Figure 9 and Table 8.
alpine environment. It is 2 km from the
source and has a catchment area of
Table 8. Geographical information of site 510.
2.3 km2. The site is dominated by alpine
heath and sphagnum bog, with riparian
vegetation of alpine shrubs. The substrate
in the stream is composed of cobbles,
1745
Latitude
36.8177°
Longitude
147.3175°
Catchment area (km2)
2.3
Distance from source (km) 2
pebbles and some exposed bedrock, with
few slow-flowing sections and little edge
a
Altitude (mASL)
Typical stream width (m)
1-3
AusRivAS Bioregion
B1
b
b
Figure 9. Whiterock Creek at site 510 looking (a)
upstream (spring 2013); (b) downstream (spring
2013); and (c) downstream (autumn 2014).
c
b
14
Site 511 – Frog Track.
Site 511 is on Big River, at approximately
Table 9. Geographical information of site 511.
800 m below the tree line and 18 km
Altitude (m)
910
downstream of site 510. The forest here is
Latitude
36.7854°
dominated by Eucalyptus delegatensis
Longitude
147.3878°
(Alpine Ash), with an understorey of
Catchment area (km2)
72
Daviesia latifolia (Hop Scrub) and Grevillia
Distance from source (km) 25
victoriensis (Royal Grevillia). The stream is
Typical stream width (m)
12-14
12 to 14 m wide and is fast flowing, with a
AusRivAS Bioregion
B1
substrate composed of boulders and
cobbles. Site details are summarised in
Figure 10 and Table 9.
a
b
b
Figure 10. Big River at site 511 looking (a)
upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the
left bank (autumn 2014).
c
b
15
Site 512 – Glen Valley.
Site 512 is on Big River, approximately 17
km downstream from site 511. The stream
width is between 15 and 20 m, with a
substrate dominated by cobbles. The site
is 500 m upstream of the Omeo Highway
Bridge. Surrounding land includes
Table 10. Geographical information of site
512.
Altitude (m)
730
Latitude
36.8903°
Longitude
147.4621°
Catchment area (km2)
260
Distance from source (km) 42
residential, recreational and grazing on
the left (east) bank and open eucalypt
forest on the right (Figure 11 and Table
Typical stream width (m)
15-20
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
10).
a
b
b
Figure 11. : Big River at site 512 looking (a)
upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the
left bank (autumn 2014).
c
b
16
Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge.
Site 513 is situated on the Mitta Mitta
downstream with a sandy substrate. Site
River approximately 3 km downstream
details are summarised below (Figure 12
from its emergence into the Omeo Valley.
and Table 11).
The site is 40 m downstream of
Hinnomunjie Bridge. The surrounding land
Table 11. Geographical information of site
513.
is cleared and grazed and the riparian
Altitude (m)
540
zone is dominated by grasses, with
Latitude
36.9456°
scattered Cytisus scoparius (English
Longitude
147.6083°
Broom) and Salix spp. (Willows). The
Catchment area (km2)
1600
substrate is dominated by cobbles and
Distance from source (km) 74
boulders. There is a small cobble island
Typical stream width (m)
30-40
stabilized by a Willow tree in the middle
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
of the reach and a deep pool immediately
a
b
b
Figure 12. Mitta Mitta River at site 513 looking
(a) downstream, autumn 2014; (b) downstream,
spring 2013; and (c) upstream, spring 2013.
c
b
17
Site 514 – Taylors Crossing.
Site 514 (Frasers Tableland) was located
dominated by boulders and cobble, and a
26 km downstream of site 513, however,
small island forms part of the study site
this site was inundated when the levels in
(Figure 13 and Table 12).
Lake Dartmouth were 95% in March 2013.
The site has subsequently been moved
Table 12. Geographical information of site
514.
5km upstream, 600m upstream of Taylors
Altitude (m)
500
Crossing. The surrounding land is open
Latitude
36.8190
eucalypt forest on right bank, and partially
Longitude
147.6551
cleared land on the left bank. The riparian
Catchment area (km2)
1800
zone consists mainly of Acacia
Distance from source (km) 93
melanoxylon (Sally Wattle/Australian
Typical stream width (m)
25-35
Blackwood), Salix spp. (Willows) and
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
Eucalyptus spp. The substrate is
a
b
b
Figure 13. Mitta Mitta River at site 514b looking
(a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c)
downstream.
c
b
18
Site 515 – Cobungra River.
Site 515 is located on the Cobungra River
summarised below (Figure 14 and Table
approximately 4.5 km upstream of its
13).
confluence with the Mitta Mitta River and
600 m upstream of the Blue Duck Inn. The
Table 13. Geographical information of site
515.
sampling reach consists of a fast flowing
Altitude (m)
660
riffle of predominantly boulders and some
Latitude
36.9981°
cobbles, followed by a slow flowing pool
Longitude
147.4871°
with a sandy gravel substrate, and a
Catchment area (km2)
400
shallow bed of pebbles. The surrounding
Distance from source (km) 62
area is dominated by open forest, with the
Typical stream width (m)
8-12
riparian zone dominated by Acacia and
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
Eucalyptus spp. Site details are
a
b
b
Figure 14. Cobungra River at site 515 looking (a)
downstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c)
upstream.
c
b
19
Site 516 – Bingo Munjie Creek.
Site 516 is on Bingo Munjie Creek. This is
scattered Willows. Site details are
the smallest of the streams sampled in the
summarised below (Figure 15 and Table
project, with a stream width not usually
14).
exceeding 2 m and usually with very little
flow. The site was originally located on
Table 14. Geographical information of site
516.
private land, 3.5 km from the confluence
Altitude (m)
690
with the Mitta Mitta River. Due to
Latitude
37.0018°
difficulties in contacting the land owner in
Longitude
147.5647°
autumn 2009, the site was moved to the
Catchment area (km2)
40
bridge, 1.2 km upstream. The surrounding
Distance from source (km) 11
land has been cleared for grazing, with a
Typical stream width (m)
1-2
riparian zone dominated by grasses and
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
a
b
b
Figure 15. Bingo Munjie Creek at site 516 looking
(a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c)
downstream.
c
b
20
Site 517 – Livingstone Creek.
Site 517 is located on Livingstone Creek,
Site details are summarised in Figure 16
approximately 22 km downstream of the
and Table 15.
township of Omeo, through which it
flows, and 1.8 km upstream from its
Table 15. Geographical information of site
517.
confluence with the Mitta Mitta River. The
Altitude (m)
560
surrounding area is cleared grazing land.
Latitude
36.9641°
The site is located on private land stocked
Longitude
147.604°
with sheep. It has a riparian zone
Catchment area (km2)
550
dominated by grasses, with one Willow
Distance from source (km) 54
tree towards the upper extent of the site
Typical stream width (m)
2-4
and obvious bank erosion. The substrate is
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
dominated by pebbles, gravel and sand.
a
b
b
c
b
d
Figure 16. Livingstone Creek at site 517 looking (a) upstream, spring 2013; (b) downstream, spring
2013; (c) upstream, autumn 2014; and (d) downstream, autumn 2014.
21
Site 518 – Gibbo River.
Site 518 is situated on the Gibbo River,
7.5 km upstream of its confluence with
Table 16. Geographical information of site
518.
the Mitta Mitta River. The Gibbo River is
typically around 8 to 12 m in width and
moderately fast flowing. The substrate is
predominantly cobbles and boulders with
Altitude (m)
500
Latitude
36.7533°
Longitude
147.7104°
Catchment area (km2)
325
Distance from source (km) 46
some pebbles on the inside banks. The
surrounding land is eucalypt forest. Site
details are summarised below (Figure 17
Typical stream width (m)
5-10
AusRivAS Bioregion
B2
and Table 16).
a
c
b
b
b
d
b
Figure 17. Gibbo River at site 518 looking (a) upstream, autumn 2014; (b) across to the right bank,
autumn 2014; (c) upstream, spring 2013; and (d) across to the left bank, spring 2013.
22
2.2
Field methods
Field samples were collected in spring 2013 (between 17 September and 31 October) and
autumn 2014 (between 20 March and 5 May). Macroinvertebrate, physico-chemical
measurements, water samples for nutrient analysis and habitat descriptions were taken at
each site on each sampling occasion in accordance with Victorian AUSRIVAS sampling
protocols (http://ausrivas.canberra.edu.au/), (EPA 2003a).
Water quality
Water samples were collected in accordance with Murray-Darling Freshwater Research
Centre (MDFRC) quality control method (QCM) SM5.17. Physio-chemical measurements
(conductivity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity) were measured in situ, using
a Hydrolab, Quanta QD3449 in accordance with EPA publication 441 (EPA 2003b). The
results were recorded on field sheets on site. Three water samples were collected in HDPE
bottles, one for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), one for alkalinity, and one for
oxides of nitrogen (NOx) (EPA 2003c).
Macroinvertebrates
All macroinvertebrate sampling was undertaken according to SM5.10 of the Murray-Darling
Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) quality control manual (QCM) using the Australian
River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) (http://ausrivas.canberra.edu.au/) rapid bioassessment protocol (EPA 2003a). Two samples (edge and riffle) were collected from each
site with the exception of the riffle sample at site 501 in autumn 2014, which could not be
collected due to flooding.
Each habitat type was sampled in approximate proportion to their representation in the
edge or riffle habitats. Samples were live-picked on site for between 30 and 60 minutes, in
accordance with the AUSRIVAS protocols (EPA 2003a), and were preserved in 69% ethanol.
For quality assurance purposes, 10% of live-pick residues were kept and examined in the
laboratory.
23
2.3
Laboratory methods, analysis and quality assurance
Water quality
Nutrients and alkalinity of water samples were analysed by using the MDFRC methods 03,
04 and 06; APHA 2005). The MDFRC Chemistry Laboratory is a NATA accredited laboratory
(Accreditation number 1400).
Macroinvertebrates
Each sample was sorted into ten major taxonomic groups. Chironomids were then mounted
on microscope slides, according to SM5.22 of the QCM, and sent to a dipteran specialist for
identification. All other macroinvertebrates were identified according to SM5.23 of the
QCM. Macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest possible level using a prescribed set
of taxonomic keys, including the MDFRC Online Bug Guide (Hawking et al. 2013) and keys to
species (listed in SM5.23 of the QCM) in conjunction with the MDFRC macroinvertebrate
voucher files and reference collection.
Some specimens were too damaged or immature to identify to species level. When
analysing the data for diversity and community structure, these records were only included
as distinct taxa if there were no other species of that group identified to a higher resolution
in the same sample or subset of samples.
In accordance with SM4.33 of the QCM, 10% of samples were re-identified by a senior
taxonomist for quality control purposes.
The Macroinvertebrate Laboratory is NATA accredited (Accreditation number 17064) for
Aquatic Biology (class 8.65 Aquatic Biology, and subclasses 8.65.61 Identification and
Enumeration of Macroinvertebrates to specified level (species), and 8.65.68 Sampling of
Macroinvertebrates).
Data analysis
Daily mean flow data for the period from June 2013 to May 2014 was obtained from the
Department of Sustainability and Environment Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse
website (DSE 2011a). The flow data was taken from the gauging stations at Jokers Creek (Big
River); Hinnomunjie, Colemans and Tallandoon (Mitta Mitta River); below Granite Flat
24
(Snowy Creek) and at Gibbo Park (Gibbo River). Mean daily flows and monthly averages
were plotted.
All water quality, nutrient and macroinvertebrate data were entered onto the MDFRC
Macroinvertebrate Database (SM5.30). Data were then exported from the database to a
spread sheet (SM5.31), where it was prepared for importing into other software programs.
For the spring and the following autumn sampling events, macroinvertebrate data were
combined and physio-chemical data were averaged, so all the data could be analysed by
year rather than season.
Water quality and nutrient measurements were compared to the SEPP objectives for the
corresponding region (Table 17), and presented in Tables 22 to 37. No SEPP objectives exist
for temperature, alkalinity or oxides of nitrogen.
Table 17. SEPP objectives for water quality and nutrients.
Objectives
Sites 510 and 511
All other sites
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
95 – 110
90 – 110
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
100
pH
6.4 – 7.7
6.4 – 7.7
Turbidity (NTU)
5
5
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
150
350
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
20
25
Total families, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) and Stream Invertebrate
Grade Number Average Level (SIGNAL) scores for edge and riffle samples were calculated
for each site. Habitats were combined to calculate scores for key families at each site. Scores
were compared to the SEPP objectives for bioregion 2, except sites 510 and 511, which were
compared to the SEPP objectives for bioregion 1 (Table 18).
Macroinvertebrate data were entered into the AUSRIVAS modelling software and the
resulting scores for Observed/Expected with p>50% (OE50) determined which AUSRIVAS
bands were allocated to each site (Table 19, Table 20). Edge and riffle samples from all sites
were run through the Victorian combined seasons bioregion 2 edge and riffle models, with
the exception of sites 510 and 511, which were run through the Victorian combined seasons
25
state edge and riffle models, as no other models exist for this region (bioregion 1). Where
the edge and riffle sample from the same site were allocated different AUSRIVAS bands, the
site was classified according to the precautionary principle, whereby the lower of the two
bands is allocated to the site as a whole.
Table 18. SEPP biological objectives for Victorian bioregions 1 and 2 (EPA 2004).
Region/
Habitat
Total
Families
SIGNAL
Score
EPT
index
B1 Edge
13
6.2
4
B1 Riffle
22
5.8
10
B2 Edge
22
5.7
7
B2 Riffle
21
6.0
9
Key
Families
18
20
Table 19. AUSRIVAS bands and descriptions.
Band X
More biologically diverse than reference.
More taxa found than expected. Potential biodiversity hot-spot. Possible mild organic enrichment.
Band A
Reference condition.
Most/all of the expected families found. Water quality and/or habitat condition roughly equivalent to
reference sites. Impact on water quality and habitat condition does not result in a loss of
macroinvertebrate diversity.
Band B
Significantly impaired.
Fewer families than expected. Potential impact either on water quality or habitat quality or both,
resulting in loss of taxa.
Band C
Severely impaired.
Many fewer families than expected. Loss of macroinvertebrate biodiversity due to substantial impacts
on water and/or habitat quality.
Band D
Extremely impaired.
Few of the expected families remain. Extremely poor water and/or habitat quality. Highly degraded.
26
Table 20. AUSRIVAS bands and their respective bandwidths for OE50 scores for each habitat in each
of the models used.
Bioregion
B2 (Forests A)
State (sites 510 and 511)
Habitat
EDGE
RIFFLE
EDGE
RIFFLE
Band X
>1.14
>1.16
>1.14
>1.16
Band A
0.85 - 1.14
0.83 - 1.16
0.84 - 1.14
0.82 - 1.16
Band B
0.56 - 0.85
0.54 - 0.83
0.55 - 0.84
0.49 - 0.82
Band C
0.27 - 0.56
0.25 - 0.54
0.26 - 0.55
0.16 - 0.49
Band D
<0.27
<0.25
<0.26
<0.16
Taxonomic diversity was measured at species level, or the lowest taxonomic level possible.
In calculating taxonomic richness, the larval stages of insect were not counted separately to
the adult stage of the same species. Taxa which were not the lowest possible resolution
were only counted if no other identifiable specimens were encountered at the same site.
Multivariate analysis was performed on the macroinvertebrate data, transformed to
presence/absence. A Bray-Curtis resemblance matrix was constructed, from which nonmetric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) plots were made of the edge and riffle samples. All
multivariate analysis was performed using Primer Version 6 (Clarke & Warwick 2001).
Quality assurance / Quality control
The MDFRC macroinvertebrate laboratory is NATA accredited (No. 17064) and is committed
to compliance with the International Standard AS ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) General
requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. As part of the
NATA accreditation requirements, the laboratory undertakes routine quality control
procedures on project samples. At each processing stage, 10 % of samples were reassessed.
These samples were randomly selected and covered all sample types and all staff. Quality
control data from all projects is used to estimate the measurement uncertainty (Table 21)
for each processing stage. Measurement uncertainty is estimated in accordance with ISO/TS
19036 (2006) and ISO/TS 19036 -1 (2009) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuff -
27
Guidelines for the estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations.
Field sampling quality assurance is conducted via an annual field training day for all staff and
competency assessment in-field for new staff.
Table 21: Measurement uncertainty at June 2014.
Method - Level
SM5.16 Live Sorting - Family
SM5.21 Lab Sorting - Order
SM5.23 Identification Family
Measure
Taxa
Animals
Taxa
Units
Result estimate
[lower, upper limits]
Count 22 taxa [18, 28]
Count
Count
315 animals [269,
369]
Coefficient of
variation for
reproducibility
2.89%
1.38%
18 taxa [14, 22]
2.15%
Animals
SM5.23 Identification Genus
Taxa
Count
Count
160 animals [156,
165]
11 taxa [6, 23]
8.28%
Animals
SM5.23 Identification Species
Taxa
270 animals [221,
Count
330]
Count
12 taxa [4, 33]
11.36%
Animals
278 animals [217,
Count
355]
Note: Identification taxa data includes indeterminate (immature or damaged) specimens
28
3
Results
3.1
Discharge
Daily discharge at unregulated sites consisted of peak flows in June 2013, continuing
through the spring of 2013 to December, and then decreasing in intensity to 2000 ML.day-1
during summer. From mid-December through to June 2014, the unregulated streams
returned to low flows.
Releases from Dartmouth were also high from mid-June (4000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge),
increasing through July and August to peak at over 7000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge. From
mid-September to December, discharge at Colemans gauge followed a similar pattern to
unregulated streams, with releases from Dartmouth pulsed at lower magnitudes, fluctuating
between approximately 4000 and 2000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge. While discharge in
unregulated streams decreased to below 500 ML.day-1 after December, the pulsed releases
from Dartmouth continued, increasing to 5000 to 6000 ML.day-1 in December and January,
and then slowly decreasing to around 2000 ML.day-1 in March, before two more peaks of
approximately 4000 ML.day-1 in March and April (Figure 18).
29
Discharge ML/day
8000
Gibbo
Hinnomunjie
Big
Samples taken
6000
4000
2000
0
12000
Tallandoon
Colemans
Snowy Ck
Samples taken
Discharge ML/day
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Figure 18. Daily discharge at upstream (top) and downstream (bottom) sites on the Mitta Mitta and
some of its major tributaries.
30
3.2
SEPP objectives
Site 501 – Dartmouth
All Macroinvertebrate indices at site 501 failed to meet the SEPP objectives, and fell into AUSRIVAS
band D – extremely impaired (Table 22). Results for riffle and combined habitat indices were
calculated in the absence of the autumn 2014 riffle sample.
Table 22. SEPP objectives at site 501.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
12.16
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
48.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.185
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
15.25
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
95.65
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.08
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
36
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
222.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
15.5
SIGNAL
5.7
4.782609
EPT families
7
3
Total families
22
16
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.31
SIGNAL
6.0
4.333333
EPT families
9
0
Total families
21
3
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.12
**Key families
22
11
Band
A
D
Water quality
Edge
*Riffle
Combined habitats
*Spring sample only: AUSRIVAS spring riffle model used for OE50.
**Autumn riffle sample missing.
31
Site 502 – Colemans
Site 502 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of C – severely impaired. Total phosphorus, total families and
key families failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 23).
Table 23. SEPP objectives at site 502.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
11.12
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
45.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.115
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
13.65
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
93.7
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.11
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
63.5
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
332.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
29.5
SIGNAL
5.7
6.162162
EPT families
7
10
Total families
22
26
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.54
SIGNAL
6.0
6.225806
EPT families
9
9
Total families
21
19
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.52
Key families
22
20
Band
A
C
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
32
Site 503 – Mitta Mitta
Site 503 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. The OE50 score in each habitat
failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 24).
Table 24. SEPP objectives at site 503.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
12.215
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
45.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.41
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
17.75
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
95.75
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.1
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
53
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
160
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
11.5
SIGNAL
5.7
6.317073171
EPT families
7
11
Total families
22
27
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.76
SIGNAL
6.0
6.4
EPT families
9
9
Total families
21
21
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.65
Key families
22
24
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
33
Site 504 – Tallandoon
Site 504 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. The OE50 score in each habitat
failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 25).
Table 25. SEPP objectives at site 504.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
14.85
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
45.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.385
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
12.2
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
102.85
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.205
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
51
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
185
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
15.5
SIGNAL
5.7
5.829787
EPT families
7
9
Total families
22
29
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.8
SIGNAL
6.0
6.363636
EPT families
9
11
Total families
21
21
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.69
Key families
22
23
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
34
Site 505 – Snowy Creek
Site 505 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. All SEPP objectives were achieved
(Table 26).
Table 26. SEPP objectives at site 505.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
13.58
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
43
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.5
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
18.75
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
98.85
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.09
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
8
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
103.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
16.5
SIGNAL
5.7
6.35
EPT families
7
16
Total families
22
41
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
1.12
SIGNAL
6.0
7.018182
EPT families
9
16
Total families
21
34
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
1.04
Key families
22
35
Band
A
A
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
35
Site 506 – Mount Wills Creek
Site 506 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality
measurements and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. While the riffle sample had
an OE50 score in band A, the edge score was in band B (Table 27).
Table 27. SEPP objectives at site 506.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
8.87
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
28.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.44
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
13
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
92.85
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.57
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
37.5
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
130
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
30
SIGNAL
5.7
7.102564
EPT families
7
14
Total families
22
26
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.81
SIGNAL
6.0
7.340909
EPT families
9
15
Total families
21
29
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.9
Key families
22
29
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
36
Site 507 – Watchingorra Creek
Site 507 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality
measurements, total nitrogen and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. While the
edge sample had an OE50 score in band A, the riffle score was in band B (Table 28).
Table 28. SEPP objectives at site 507.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
16.03
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
71.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.385
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
30.25
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
91.65
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
8.87
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
277
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
505
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
36.5
SIGNAL
5.7
6.090909
EPT families
7
9
Total families
22
37
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.92
SIGNAL
6.0
6.369565
EPT families
9
13
Total families
21
32
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.78
Key families
22
29
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
37
Site 510 – Whiterock Creek
Site 510 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality
measurements, pH and dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. Total number of
families in both habitats, plus key families from the site as a whole failed to meet the SEPP objectives
(Table 29).
Table 29. SEPP objectives at site 510.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
11.295
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
6.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
6.08
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
5.1
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
77.7
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
8.35
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
2
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
59.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
6.5
SIGNAL
5.7
6.541667
EPT families
7
9
Total families
22
19
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.91
SIGNAL
6.0
7.242424
EPT families
9
10
Total families
21
20
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.93
Key families
22
21
Band
A
A
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
38
Site 511 – Frog Track
Site 511 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality
measurements, only dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate
indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 30).
Table 30. SEPP objectives at site 511.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
11.625
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
18.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.325
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
10.75
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
82.55
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
8.82
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
14
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
101
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
19.5
SIGNAL
5.7
7.291667
EPT families
7
15
Total families
22
30
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
1.01
SIGNAL
6.0
7.147541
EPT families
9
19
Total families
21
39
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
1.05
Key families
22
26
Band
A
A
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
39
Site 512 – Glen Valley
Site 512 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality
measurements, only dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate
indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 31).
Table 31. SEPP objectives at site 512.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
11.56
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
17
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.075
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
8
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
89.2
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
9.695
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
32.5
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
112.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
17
SIGNAL
5.7
6.522727
EPT families
7
13
Total families
22
33
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.98
SIGNAL
6.0
7.119403
EPT families
9
19
Total families
21
41
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
1.05
Key families
22
35
Band
A
A
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
40
Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge
Site 513 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements
met the SEPP objectives. Most macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives, the exception
being the OE50 score for the edge habitat, which was in band B (Table 32).
Table 32. SEPP objectives at site 513.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
13.75
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
39
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.43
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
16.5
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
96.55
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
9.98
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
29.5
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
227.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
14.5
SIGNAL
5.7
6.096774
EPT families
7
10
Total families
22
25
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.8
SIGNAL
6.0
6.42
EPT families
9
14
Total families
21
32
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.98
Key families
22
30
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
41
Site 514 – Taylors Crossing
Site 514 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality
measurements, only total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate
indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 33).
Table 33. SEPP objectives at site 514.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
16.74
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
45.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.275
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
20.5
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
90.75
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
8.635
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
40
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
282.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
36
SIGNAL
5.7
6.36
EPT families
7
11
Total families
22
38
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.89
SIGNAL
6.0
6.632653
EPT families
9
12
Total families
21
29
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.94
Key families
22
30
Band
A
A
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
42
Site 515 – Cobungra River
Site 515 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality
measurements only total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate
indices met the SEPP objectives with the exception of the OE50 score from the riffle habitat (Table
34).
Table 34. SEPP objectives at site 515.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
13.05
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
57
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.725
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
23.5
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
93
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
9.69
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
40
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
275
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
35.5
SIGNAL
5.7
6.270833
EPT families
7
13
Total families
22
39
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
1.03
SIGNAL
6.0
6.791667
EPT families
9
13
Total families
21
33
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.83
Key families
22
33
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
43
Site 516 – Bingo Munjie Creek
Site 516 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All of the water quality
measurements failed to meet the SEPP objectives. The SIGNAL and OE50 scores from both habitats
failed to meet the SEPP objectives, as did the number of EPT families in the edge habitat (Table 35).
Table 35. SEPP objectives at site 516.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
13.23
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
662
pH
6.4 – 7.7
8.17
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
232
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
86.8
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
8.99
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
79
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
937.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
84
SIGNAL
5.7
5.342857
EPT families
7
5
Total families
22
25
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.65
SIGNAL
6.0
5.489362
EPT families
9
10
Total families
21
30
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.7
Key families
22
23
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
44
Site 517 – Livingstone Creek
Site 517 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of C – severely impaired. Of the water quality measurements,
electrical conductivity, total nitrogen and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. The
only macroinvertebrate indices to meet the SEPP objectives were EPT families and total families
from the edge habitat (Table 36).
Table 36. SEPP objectives at site 517.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
13.46
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
297.5
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.415
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
61.5
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
80.55
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
8.285
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
82.5
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
955
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
121.5
SIGNAL
5.7
5.230769
EPT families
7
7
Total families
22
32
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.64
SIGNAL
6.0
5.333333
EPT families
9
4
Total families
21
17
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.46
Key families
22
19
Band
A
C
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
45
Site 518 – Gibbo River
Site 518 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements
met the SEPP objectives. The only macroinvertebrate indices to fail the SEPP objectives was the
OE50 score from the edge habitat (Table37).
Table 37. SEPP objectives at site 518.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
12.01
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
41
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.095
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
17.75
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
96.25
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.155
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
33
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
112.5
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
21
Turbidity (NTU)
5
22.15
SIGNAL
5.7
6.135135
EPT families
7
7
Total families
22
25
SIGNAL
6.0
6.804348
EPT families
9
15
Total families
21
28
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.91
Key families
22
25
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
46
3.3
Taxonomic richness
A total of 339 distinct taxa were recorded in this survey. Most of these taxa were identified to
species, but some represent a genus, family, or higher level of classification, and as such, may
include several different species. Taxonomic richness ranged from 109 to 123 taxa per site on the
main channel upstream of Dartmouth dam. At the site immediately below the dam taxonomic
richness was 20. This figure increased with distance downstream of the dam to 84 at Tallandoon.
There were 115 taxa recorded in the main channel upstream of Dartmouth dam that were not
recorded downstream of the dam. There were 45 taxa which were not found between the dam and
the confluence with Snowy Creek, but were recorded below the confluence and in either Snowy
Creek, Mt Wills Creek or Watchingorra Creek.
Snowy Creek was the most diverse site in this survey with 124 taxa. Of the other tributaries,
Cobungra River (111 taxa) and Watchingorra Creek (108 taxa) both had high taxonomic richness. The
least diverse were the nutrient-enriched Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks, with 62 and 77 taxa,
respectively.
160
140
2013 Spring
2014 Autumn
Spring + autumn
Species richness
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
510 511 512 513 514 501 502 503 504 515 516 517 518 505 506 507
Upstream of Dam ---I--Downstream--I--Tributaries------- - - - Figure 19. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2013, autumn 2014, and for both seasons
combined.
47
3.4
Community composition
For taxonomic reasons, Veliidae were analysed at family level, and the genera of the Taschorema
complex (Hydrobiosidae) were combined. The NMDS plot shows sites which are on the main channel
downstream of the dam in green, and all other sites which exist independently of the dam in blue.
Site 501 is to the far left, site 502 in the centre and sites 503 and 504 closer to the reference sites. A
PERMANOVA (permutational multiple analysis of variance) was performed on this data, which
indicated that the two groups were significantly different (Pseudo-F = 2.8475; P (perm) = 0.005). A
SIMPER analysis indicated that the taxa contributing the most to the differences between these two
groups were Austropeplea, the Lymnaeid snail; the coleopterans Sclerocyphon and Austrolimnius;
the Chironomid Echinocladius; the dragonfly Austroaeschna; and the mayfly Ipracaenis.
Figure 20. NMDS plot of sites based on presence/absence of macroinvertebrate genera. Sites on the
main channel downstream of Dartmouth are green, all other sites independent of any effects of the
dam are blue.
48
4
Discussion
4.1
Discharge
High volume releases from Dartmouth Dam in winter and spring of 2013 mirrored discharge of
adjacent unregulated streams, although continued releases through summer were in contrast to
natural flows. While discharge from Snowy Creek may have added some natural variation in the
Mitta Mitta below the confluence, flows at Tallandoon were dominated by releases from the dam.
4.2
Water quality
Sites 516 and 517, as in previous years, had very high levels of total nitrogen and phosphorus,
alkalinity and electrical conductivity. This is most likely due to the adjacent agricultural practices,
with livestock having direct access to the waterway.
Site 507 displayed a high concentration of oxides of nitrogen, and this may be a product of upstream
forestry operation. The water quality recorded in Whiterock Creek was typical of an alpine stream,
being characterised by low pH, alkalinity and electrical conductivity.
With the exception of turbidity readings and the instances outlined above, water quality in the
catchment generally met all SEPP objectives, and the results were consistent with previous findings
(Davey & Cook, 2013; Davey & Hawking, 2012; Cook et al., 2011).
4.3
Macroinvertebrates
Macroinvertebrate diversity was significantly lower at site 501 (immediately downstream of the
dam) than it was at main channel sites upstream of Dartmouth Dam. A gradual recovery in taxa
richness was observed with longitudinal distance downstream of the dam, however these sites did
not return to diversity levels recorded upstream of the impoundment. As is suggested in previous
reports (Davey & Cook, 2013), it is likely that the unregulated and taxonomically rich tributaries (e.g.
Snowy Creek, Mt Wills Creek) are acting as points of population recruitment and are major
contributors to the recovery of the macroinvertebrate community.
All tributaries and sites upstream of the dam were more diverse than those on the main channel
downstream of the dam, with the exception of some of the lower order streams such as the alpine
Whiterock Creek and the nutrient-enriched Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks.
49
The only sites to not achieve more than half of the SEPP biological objectives were 501, 516 and 517,
while sites 505, 511, 512 and 514 achieved all of the objectives. The lowest AUSRIVAS band was D,
assigned to the riffle sample from site 501 in spring. Sites 502 and 517 were both assigned an
AUSRIVAS band of C. The bands assigned to these poorer sites were generally lower than in the
previous two years (Davey & Cook, 2013).
50
SECTION 2: Spring 2014
1
Aims and objectives
1.1
Project aims
The aims of the Mitta Mitta Macroinvertebrate Program are to monitor the
macroinvertebrate communities and assess the biological condition of the Mitta Mitta River
and its major tributaries in relation to impacts from river management and catchment use.
1.2
Objectives
Project objectives are as follows:

Sample the macroinvertebrate communities at four sites in spring.

Assess biological condition within the Mitta Mitta catchment at each site, using
Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols.

Assess biodiversity within the Mitta Mitta catchment by identifying
macroinvertebrates to the lowest possible taxonomic level.

Analyse and assess water quality data with respect to the State Environment
Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives.

Report findings to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
2
Methods
2.1
Study sites and descriptions
The sites used in this study are sites 502, 503, 505 and 513, listed in section one of this
report. These sites were selected from the initial 16 sites in order to have:




an impacted site that is downstream of Dartmouth dam and upstream of any major tributary
(502)
an impacted site downstream of the dam but also downstream of a major tributary which
may be a source of recovery (503)
a reference site which is on the tributary providing the source of recovery (505)
a reference site on the main channel upstream of the dam (513).
The methods used here are the same as in section one of this report.
51
3
Results
3.1
Discharge
Daily discharge at unregulated sites consisted of peak flows at the beginning of August and
mid-September of 4028 and 5820 ML.day-1 respectively. Smaller peaks occurred in late
September and early October. From mid-October, flows in unregulated streams subsided.
From July to mid-September, releases from Dartmouth were low, with the exception of two
larger pulses of approximately 3000 ML.day-1 in August. From late-September releases from
Dartmouth have been fluctuating between approximately 7000 and 3000 ML.day-1 over a 30
day cycle (Figure 21).
Mean daily discharge ML/day
8000
Colemans
Snowy
Hinomunjie
Samples taken
6000
4000
2000
0
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Figure 21. Daily discharge at Colemans, Snowy Creek (below Granite Flat) and Hinnomunjie gauges
for the period from July to late November 2014.
52
3.2
SEPP objectives
Site 502 – Colemans
Site 502 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All macroinvertebrate indices
failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 38).
Table 38. SEPP objectives at site 502.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
11.64
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
44
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.15
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
16
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
97.8
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.43
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
42
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
160
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
12
SIGNAL
5.7
5.54
EPT families
7
5
Total families
22
13
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.48
SIGNAL
6.0
5.86
EPT families
9
5
Total families
21
14
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.6
Key families
22
16
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
53
Site 503 – Mitta Mitta
Site 503 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements
met the SEPP objectives. The number of key families, and the OE50 and total families in both
habitats failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 39).
Table 39. SEPP objectives at site 503.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
9.94
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
43
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.21
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
18
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
93.9
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
10.42
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
53
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
160
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
18
SIGNAL
5.7
6.93
EPT families
7
8
Total families
22
15
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.76
SIGNAL
6.0
6.73
EPT families
9
9
Total families
21
16
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.81
Key families
22
21
Band
A
B
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
54
Site 505 – Snowy Creek
Site 505 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. All SEPP objectives were achieved
(Table 40Table 2).
Table 40. SEPP objectives at site 505.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
7.44
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
35
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.32
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
16
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
94
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
11.1
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
11
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
105
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
22
SIGNAL
5.7
6.52
EPT families
7
11
Total families
22
24
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.9
SIGNAL
6.0
6.68
EPT families
9
12
Total families
21
25
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.95
Key families
22
27
Band
A
A
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
55
Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge
Site 513 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality
measurements, and pH exceeded the SEPP objectives. Most macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP
objectives, the exception being the number of total families in the edge habitat (Table 41).
Table 41. SEPP objectives at site 513.
Objective
Result
Temperature (°C)
-
7.78
Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2)
100
28
pH
6.4 – 7.7
7.74
Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3)
-
11
Dissolved oxygen (% sat.)
90 – 110
98.1
Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1)
-
11.46
Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1)
-
5
Total nitrogen (mg.L-1)
350
115
Total phosphorus (mg.L-1)
25
15
SIGNAL
5.7
6.39
EPT families
7
8
Total families
22
19
OE50
0.86 – 1.15
0.95
SIGNAL
6.0
6.48
EPT families
9
10
Total families
21
23
OE50
0.87 – 1.13
0.96
Key families
22
26
Band
A
A
Water quality
Edge
Riffle
Combined habitats
56
3.3
Taxonomic richness
A total of 108 distinct taxa were recorded from the spring 2014 survey. The highest richness
was found at site 505, where 60 taxa were recorded. The lowest recorded was 31 taxa at
site 502. With the exception of site 513, the edge samples were always more diverse than
those from the riffle.
At site 513 upstream of Dartmouth Dam, 57 distinct taxa were recorded. Of these, only 17
were recorded at site 502 downstream of the dam. Site 503 registered 33 taxa that were not
present at site 502. Of these 33 taxa, 21 were common to site 505.
70
Taxonomic richness
60
Total
Edge
Riffle
50
40
30
20
10
0
502
503
505
513
Site
Figure 22. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2014, for both habitats and whole site.
3.4
Community composition
The NMDS plot displays each sample taken for the period. The edge and riffle samples group
together, the riffle samples forming a tighter group in a line across the top-left of the plot. In
both groups of samples site 502 is the outlier of the group, sites 503, 505 and 513 being
more similar to each other.
57
Figure 23. NMDS plot of samples, with taxonomic resolution to species. Riffle samples, suffixed with
“R” are at the top left of the plot, edge samples, suffixed with “E” are at the bottom and top right of
the plot.
58
4
Discussion
4.1
Discharge
The discharge in the unregulated sections followed the pattern of high flows in winter and spring,
decreasing in the summer. The discharge above Dartmouth dam at Hinnomunjie rarely dropped
below 1000 ML.day-1 until mid-October, after which it remained below that level. This is in
contrast to the flow recorded at the Colemans gauge below Dartmouth. With the exception
of the two peaks in late August, the average daily discharge was at or below approximately
500 ML.day-1 until late September. From October the discharge does not drop significantly
below 3000 ML.day-1. Such shifts in seasonality of peak flows can disrupt reproductive cues
(Bunn & Arthington, 2002), decreasing reproduction and recruitment, ultimately altering the
community assemblage.
4.2
Water quality
Most water quality measurements did not vary much across the sites. The most variation was in
total nitrogen and oxides of nitrogen, which were both considerably higher at the two sites
downstream of the dam, albeit well within the SEPP objectives. With the exception of turbidity, the
only water quality objective not met was pH which was slightly elevated at site 513 above
Dartmouth Dam.
4.3
Macroinvertebrates
Site 502 below Dartmouth Dam had the poorest macroinvertebrate community, failing to meet any
of the SEPP biological objectives, and having the lowest taxonomic diversity. At site 503, below the
confluence with Snowy Creek, the macroinvertebrate community was more diverse, and met
approximately half of the SEPP biological objectives. The reference sites had almost twice the
diversity of site 502.
Of the taxa which were recorded at site 503 but not at 502, 21 of these were recorded at site 505.
This recruitment may be due to larval drift. Further investigation into the dispersal mechanisms of
these taxa would be beneficial in determining the mechanisms of recovery downstream of
Dartmouth Dam.
59
5
Conclusions
The Mitta Mitta River macroinvertebrate community continues to be the impacted by the operation
of Dartmouth Dam. Although the water quality during the study period was generally good, the
macroinvertebrate community downstream of the dam is not as diverse as the community at
reference sites upstream. This would suggest that flow regime, as determined by frequency,
magnitude and timing of releases from the dam, is still having a significant impact on the
macroinvertebrate community.
The impacts observed in the macroinvertebrate community due to the operation of Dartmouth Dam
become are significant at the site 9 km downstream of the dam. These impacts are less pronounced
at the next site, 16 km downstream of the dam. A major contributing factor to the rehabilitation of
invertebrate populations may be the influence of Snowy Creek and other tributaries providing a
source of recruitment.
6
Recommendations
We recommend that monitoring of macroinvertebrate communities in the Mitta Mitta River
continue for two reasons. Firstly, information generated by the monitoring program can detect
changes to biotic communities resulting from improved operation of Dartmouth Dam. Secondly,
monitoring of macroinvertebrates can provide baseline data that informs managers of stream health
within the greater catchment. This is of particular relevance upstream of Dartmouth Dam, where
land-use impacts to stream health have been identified. We recommend targeted studies to identify
specific drivers of altered macroinvertebrate communities below and above Dartmouth Dam. Some
interesting aspects of macroinvertebrate community dynamics that require further investigation
include improved stream health below the confluence of Snowy Creek, elements of invertebrate life
history responses to altered thermal and hydrological regimes and drivers of land-use impacts in the
upper catchment. Filling these knowledge gaps will provide clearer recommendations for Dam and
land-use management.
60
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AS ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration
laboratories. Standards Australia, Sydney
Australian Natural Resources Atlas (2008)
http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/water/overview/vic/swma-mitta-mitta-river.html
Blyth JD, Doeg TJ, St Clair RM (1984) Response of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta
River, Victoria, to the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam. 1. Construction and initial
filling. Occasional papers from the Museum of Victoria, 1: 83-100.
Bunn SE, Arthington AH (2002) Basic principles and ecological consequences of altered flow regimes
for aquatic biodiversity. Environmental Management, 30, 492-507.
Clarke KR, Warwick RM (2001) Change in Marine Communities: An approach to statistical analysis
and interpretation. Primer-E-Ltd, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK.
Cook R, Hawking J, Davey C (2007) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program Project Report 2007. A report
prepared for the Murray Darling Basin Authority and Goulburn Murray Water Authority. Murray
Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Wodonga.
Cook R, Davey C, Hawking J, Paul W (2011) MDBA Mitta Mitta River Monitoring Program. Review of
monitoring 1998 to 2009. MDFRC Publication 14/2011, August, 140pp.
Davey C and Cook R (2013) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Report – 2011/12 and 2012/13 Draft Report
prepared for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority by The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research
Centre, MDFRC Publication 25/2013, September, 90pp.
Davey C, Hawking J (2012) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program: 2008/09 – 2010/11 Final Report. Report
prepared for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority by The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research
Centre, MDFRC Publication 38/2011, March 2012, 95pp.
Doeg TJ (1984) Response of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta River, Victoria, to the
construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam. 2. Irrigation release. Occasional papers from the
Museum of Victoria, 1: 101-108.
EPA (2003a) Rapid bioassessment methodology for rivers and streams. Environment Protection
Authority, Melbourne, Victoria.
http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.nsf/PubDocsLU/604.1?OpenDocument
EPA (2003b) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Water quality objectives
for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne,
Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp
EPA (2003c) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Nutrient objectives for
rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne,
Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp
EPA (2004) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Biological objectives for
rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne,
Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp
Hawking JH, Smith LM, LeBusque K, Davey C (editors) (2013) Identification and Ecology of Australian
Freshwater Invertebrates. Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre.
http://www.mdfrc.org.au/bugguide
61
ISO/TS 19036 (2006) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Guidelines for the estimation
of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations. International Organization for
Standardization, Switzerland.
ISO/TS 19036-1 (2009) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Guidelines for the
estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations AMENDMENT 1:
Measurement uncertainty for low counts. International Organization for Standardization,
Switzerland.
Koehn JD, Doeg TJ, Harrington DJ, Milledge GA (1995) The effects of Dartmouth Dam on the Aquatic
Fauna of the Mitta Mitta River. Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.
North East CMA (2006) North East Regional River Health Strategy 2006. North East Catchment
Management Authority, Wodonga.
Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2009) Advisory List of Threatened
Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2009. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East
Melbourne, Victoria.
Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2011a) Victorian Water Resources Data
Warehouse. http://www.vicwaterdata.net/vicwaterdata/home.aspx. Accessed November, 2014.
62
Appendices
Appendix A Taxa list by site for spring 2013 – autumn 2014 season
Table 42. List of taxa recorded at each site during the autumn 2013 to autumn 2014 survey.
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
Hydrozoa
Hydridae
1
Hydrozoa
Olindiidae
Craspedacusta sowerbyi
1
Tricladida
Dugesiidae
Nematoda
Gastropoda
Hypsogastropoda
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
Hydrobiidae
Potamopyrgus antipodarum
1
Hygrophila
Lymnaeidae
Austropeplea huonensis
1
2
2
1
2
1
Ancylidae
Ferrissia
1
Ferrissia petterdi
1
Ferrissia tasmanica
1
1
1
1
1
2
63
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
(Hygrophila cont.)
Planorbidae
Glyptophysa
1
Physidae
Physa acuta
2
1
2
2
1
1
3
3
2
2
3
4
Veneroida
Corbiculidae
Corbicula
Oligochaeta
Rhynchobdellida
1
3
4
4
3
1
1
2
3
2
4
3
Glossiphoniidae
2
1
Acarina
Halacaridae
1
Hydryphantidae
Diplodontus
1
Hydrodromidae
Hydrodroma
1
Oxidae
Flabellifrontipoda
Oxus
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Limnesiidae
Limnesia
1
Tubophorella
1
1
Hygrobatidae
Australiobates
Caenobates
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
64
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
3
2
516
517
518
(Acarina cont.)
Coaustraliobates
1
Hygrobatidae
1
1
Kallimobates
Procorticacarus
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
Unionicolidae
Recifella/Koenikea
1
2
Pionidae
Piona
1
Torrenticolidae
Monatractides
1
Pezidae
Peza ops
1
Oribatida
1
1
Isopoda
Phreatoicidea (sub-order)
Synamphisopus
1
Amphipoda
Chiltoniidae
Austrochiltonia subtenuis
3
1
Decapoda
Atyidae
Paratya australiensis
2
2
1
1
3
Parastacidae
Cherax
1
65
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Ephemeroptera
Leptophlebiidae
Atalomicria AV1
2
Atalophlebia albiterminata
1
Atalophlebia AV 13
2
Atalophlebia AV 2
1
Atalophlebia AV 4
Atalophlebia AV 5
1
1
1
Atalophlebia AV 7
2
Atalophlebia AV 9
1
Austrophlebioides
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Austrophlebioides pusillus
1
2
Austrophlebioides AV 2
Austrophlebioides marchanti
3
2
2
Garinjuga AV1
2
2
2
1
4
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
3
Jappa
2
3
3
1
2
1
1
2
Jappa kutera
1
Koorrnonga AV1
1
Nousia
1
1
2
1
1
1
3
2
2
2
Nousia AV 2
2
Nousia wiltkorringae
2
Ulmerophlebia
1
1
Jappa AV 3
Nousia AV 1
1
1
2
1
1
1
4
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
Caenidae
Caenidae
1
66
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
Irpacaenis deani
1
Irpacaenis sp.D
1
506
507
510
1
511
4
512
2
513
514
515
1
1
1
1
516
517
1
Tasmanocoenis sp. B
518
2
2
Tasmanocoenis tillyardi
1
Tasmanocoenis tillyardi/rieki
1
1
1
2
2
Baetidae
Baetidae
1
Centroptilum sp. Snowy
1
2
2
Cloeon paradiensiense
1
Offadens
1
Offadens baddamsae
1
1
1
1
1
Offadens confluens
Offadens G1 sp. 4
1
1
1
1
Offadens G2 sp. MV2
1
4
Offadens hickmani complex
2
1
3
Offadens MV1 Timbarra
3
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
4
1
4
1
3
3
2
Offadens MV5
1
Offadens sp. Armidale
Offadens sp. Nariel/Snowy
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Offadens TC 1063
2
Offadens TC 1064
1
1
1
1
1
Coloburiscidae
Coloburiscoides complex
1
1
Coloburiscoides munionga
3
2
Coloburiscoides sp. C
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Ameletopsidae
67
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
Mirawara AV 2
1
2
Mirawara AV2 TC 1047
1
513
514
515
1
1
516
517
518
Oniscigastridae
Tasmanophlebia
Tasmanophlebia AV1
1
1
1
1
1
Tasmanophlebia TC 1025
1
Tasmanophlebia TC 1037
1
Tasmanophlebia TC 1072
1
Odonata
Coenagrionidae
1
Ischnura
1
Ischnura heterosticta
1
Megapodagrionidae
Austroargiolestes icteromelas/calcaris
1
1
Synlestidae
Synlestes weyersii tillyardi
1
2
Gomphidae
Austrogomphus
1
1
1
Austrogomphus guerini
1
Hemigomphus gouldii/heteroclytus
1
2
Telephlebiidae
Austroaeschna
2
1
Austroaeschna inermis
1
1
Austroaeschna multipunctata
Austroaeschna pulchra
Austroaeschna unicornis unicornis
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
68
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
1
1
2
1
516
517
518
(Odonata cont.)
Notoaeschna sagittata
2
2
Synthemistidae
1
1
Eusynthemis
1
Eusynthemis brevistyla
1
Eusynthemis guttata
1
Eusynthemis tillyardi
1
Synthemis eustalacta
1
1
2
1
1
Plecoptera
Eustheniidae
Cosmioperla kuna
2
2
2
Eusthenia venosa
2
3
2
2
1
1
2
1
Austroperlidae
Acruroperla atra
1
2
Austroheptura
1
Austroheptura sp1
2
1
Austroheptura sp2
1
1
Austroheptura TC 1069
1
1
1
Gripopterygidae
Dinotoperla
1
Dinotoperla brevipennis
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
Dinotoperla christinae
1
Dinotoperla eucumbene
4
Dinotoperla fontana
3
Dinotoperla TC1070
1
Dinotoperla thwaitesi/serricauda
4
2
2
1
1
1
4
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
69
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
(Plecoptera cont.)
Eunotoperla kershawi
1
Illiesoperla
1
1
Illiesoperla australis
1
1
Illiesoperla brevicauda
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
Leptoperla kimminsi
2
1
1
Leptoperla rubiconis TC 1052
1
Leptoperla tasmanica
1
Newmanoperla thoreyi
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
3
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
Riekoperla rugosa
1
1
Riekoperla tuberculata
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
Trinotoperla
2
2
1
1
Trinotoperla montana
2
2
Trinotoperla nivata
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
Trinotoperla nivata/minor
2
1
Notonemouridae
Austrocercella marianne
1
1
1
Riekoperla reticulata
Austrocerca tasmanica
1
1
2
Riekoperla karki
Riekoperla karki/reticulata
2
2
Leptoperla longicauda/bifida
Leptoperla primitiva
1
1
2
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
70
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
Hemiptera
Hydrometridae
Hydrometra strigosa
1
Gerridae
Rheumatometra dimorpha
1
Rheumatometra philarete
1
Rheumatrometra
1
Veliidae
1
Drepanovelia
Drepanovelia dubia
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Microvelia
1
1
Microvelia fluvialis
1
2
2
1
Microvelia peramoena
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
Hebridae
Hebrus axilliaris
Corixidae
1
1
1
Agraptocorixa
1
Agraptocorixa eurynome
1
Sigara
1
1
Sigara truncatipala
Micronectidae
1
1
1
1
Austronecta australiensis
1
Micronecta annae/illiesi
Micronecta robusta
1
2
3
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
4
1
2
2
2
Notonectidae
Anisops
1
71
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
1
1
1
1
518
(Hemiptera cont.)
Anisops gratus
1
Anisops thienemanni
1
Enithares
1
Enithares woodwardi
1
1
1
1
Pleidae
Paraplea halei
1
Megaloptera
Corydalidae
1
Archichauliodes guttiferus grp.
2
1
2
1
1
Archichauliodes R. deceptor grp.
2
1
1
1
1
Neuroptera
Osmylidae
1
Nevrorthidae
Austroneurorthus bruneipennis
2
1
Coleoptera
Gyrinidae
Macrogyrus (L)
1
1
Macrogyrus oblongus (A)
1
Macrogyrus TC 1066 oblongus/rivularis (A)
1
1
1
Dytiscidae
Allodessus bistrigatus
Antiporus (A)
1
Australphilus saltus (A)
1
Australphilus saltus (L)
Necterosoma (L)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
72
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
(Coleoptera cont.)
Necterosoma penicillatum (A)
1
4
Platynectes decempunctatus (A)
1
Rhantus suturalis (A)
1
Sternopriscus (A)
1
1
1
Sternopriscus wehnckei (A)
1
1
Hydraenidae
Gymnocthebius truncatus (A)
Hydraena (A)
1
1
1
Ochthebiinae TC 1076
1
Ochthebiinae TC 477 (A)
1
Hydrochidae
Hydrochus horni (A)
1
1
Hydrophilidae
Anacaena horni (A)
1
Anacaena lindi (A)
1
1
Berosus involutus (A)
1
Berosus majusculus (A)
1
Helochares (A)
1
Laccobius decipiens (A)
1
Paracymus (A)
1
2
1
1
Paracymus pygmaeus
1
Curculionidae
Curculionidae TC 747 (A)
Scirtidae (L)
1
1
3
3
2
2
3
2
1
1
2
1
Elmidae
73
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
1
1
(Coleoptera cont.)
Austrolimnius (A)
1
1
1
Austrolimnius (L)
Austrolimnius alcine (A)
1
1
1
Austrolimnius anytus (A)
1
1
1
1
1
Austrolimnius dayi (A)
Austrolimnius diemensis (A)
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
3
Austrolimnius metasternalis (A)
2
2
1
1
Austrolimnius metasternalis/victoriensis (A)
2
1
2
Austrolimnius resa (L58E)
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
Kingolus aeratus (A)
Kingolus aeratus (L)
1
Kingolus aeratus/metallicus (A)
1
Kingolus flavosignatus (L)
1
1
1
1
1
Kingolus metallicus (A)
1
1
Kingolus metallicus (L)
1
1
1
1
Kingolus yarrensis (A)
2
Kingolus yarrensis (L)
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Notriolus (A) Co-0322
Notriolus allyensis (A)
2
1
2
Kingolus (L)
Notriolus (L)
1
1
Austrolimnius waterhousei (A)
Kingolus tinctus (A)
1
1
Austrolimnius oblongus (A)
Austrolimnius troilus (A)
1
1
1
1
74
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
1
1
516
517
518
(Coleoptera cont.)
Notriolus humeralis (A)
1
Notriolus quadriplagiatus (A)
4
Notriolus setosus (A)
1
Notriolus setosus (L)
1
1
Notriolus TC 1000 (A)
1
1
2
1
1
Notriolus TC 1073 (L)
Notriolus victoriae (A)
Notriolus victoriae (L)
1
1
1
2
3
2
3
1
2
Simsonia (A) CO-0321
Simsonia angusta (A)
2
1
1
1
1
Simsonia angusta (L)
2
3
3
2
Simsonia L12E (L)
1
1
Simsonia L2E-A (L)
1
Simsonia longipes (A)
1
Simsonia longipes (L)
1
1
1
Simsonia wilsoni (A)
1
Simsonia wilsoni (L)
2
Austrolimnius (L)
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
2
Psephenidae
Sclerocyphon (L)
1
Sclerocyphon maculatus (L)
Sclerocyphon striatus (L)
1
2
1
2
2
3
Sclerocyphon zwicki (L)
1
4
1
Ptilodactylidae
Byrrocryptus (L)
2
2
1
1
75
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
Diptera
Blephariceridae
Edwardsina australiensis
1
1
Tipulidae
Tipulidae EPA 1
1
Tipulidae EPA 18
1
Tipulidae EPA 2
1
Tipulidae EPA 27/37
1
1
1
1
Tipulidae EPA 3
1
1
1
1
1
1
Tipulidae EPA 30
1
Tipulidae EPA 36
1
2
2
Tipulidae EPA 37, TC 1061
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
Tipulidae EPA 38
1
Tipulidae EPA 39
1
Tipulidae EPA 40
1
Tipulidae EPA 42
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
Tipulidae EPA 8
2
Tipulidae EPA 9
1
Tipulidae EPA sp 3/42 TC 1071
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
Simuliidae
Austrosimulium
3
Austrosimulium bancrofti
3
1
Austrosimulium furiosum
4
3
1
1
2
1
1
Austrosimulium montanum
Austrosimulium torrentium
Austrosimulium victoriae
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
76
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
2
2
518
(Ditpera cont.)
Simulium melatum
1
Simulium ornatipes
1
Culicidae
Anopholes annulipes
1
Dixidae
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
Chironomidae
Tanypodinae (sub-family)
Ablabesmyia
1
Apsectrotanypus
1
2
Australopelopia
1
3
1
1
1
1
Larsia
1
1
1
Nilotanypus
1
Paramerina
1
2
3
1
Pentaneurini
2
2
1
1
4
2
1
1
Pentaneurini Genus A
1
Procladius
Telmatopelopia?
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
Aphroteniidae (sub-family)
Aphroteniella tenuicornis
2
Podonomina (sub-family)
Podochlus
1
Podonomopsis
1
1
2
1
2
1
Chironominae (sub-family)
Chironomini (tribe)
Chironomus
1
2
1
1
1
77
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
(Ditpera cont.)
Cladopelma
1
Conochironomus
1
1
Dicrotendipes
1
Harrisius
1
Kiefferulus "tinctus"
1
Nilothauma
1
Parachironomus
1
Paracladopelma K2
2
1
Paracladopelma M1
Polypedilum
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Polypedilum nubiferum
2
2
1
Polypedilum prasiogaster
Polypedilum watsoni
Riethia
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
4
2
Tanytarsini (tribe)
Cladotanytarsus
1
Paratanytarsus
Rheotanytarsus
2
Tanytarsus
2
3
3
1
3
1
4
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
Cardiocladius
1
1
1
Corynoneura
Cricotopus
3
4
4
Echinocladius
1
1
1
4
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
Orthocladiinae (sub-family)
Botryocladius
2
3
4
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
4
2
2
1
3
2
78
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
2
1
3
2
1
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
2
1
(Ditpera cont.)
Eukiefferiella
1
1
Nanocladius
1
Orthocladiinae "genus Australia"
1
Parakiefferiella
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Parametriocnemus
1
1
Pirara australiensis
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
SO4
1
1
Stictocladius
1
Thienemanniella
1
2
3
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Diamesinae (sub-family)
Paraheptagyia tonnoiri
1
1
Ceratopogonidae
Ceratopogonidae EPA 17
1
Ceratopogonidae EPA 28/50
1
1
1
2
Ceratopogonidae EPA 3
2
1
Ceratopogonidae EPA 40
1
2
Ceratopogonidae EPA 47
Ceratopogonidae EPA 6
2
1
1
1
3
Tabanidae
Dolichopodidae
1
1
Stratiomyidae
Athericidae
1
1
Ceratopogonidae EPA 45
Ceratopogonidae EPA 53
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
3
2
1
1
1
Empididae
79
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
(Ditpera cont.)
Empididae NMV 2
1
Empididae NMV 3
1
2
Trichoptera
Glossosmatidae
Agapetus AV 1
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
Polycentropodidae
Neureclipsis napea
Philopotamidae
Chimarra AV 3
1
1
Chimarra AV3/australica TC 1077
2
1
Chimarra monticola
1
Hydrobiosella AV7
1
1
1
2
1
Hydrobiosella waddama
1
Helicopsychidae
Helicopsyche murrumba
2
Helicopsyche tillyardi
3
2
1
4
Hydroptilidae
Hellyethira malleoforma
Hellyethira simplex
Hydroptila scamandra
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
Orthotrichia MDFRC 2
Oxyethira columba
1
1
1
2
1
Ecnomidae
Ecnomus continentalis
Ecnomus pansus
1
2
1
1
2
80
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
(Trichoptera cont.)
Ecnomus russellius
2
Ecnomus sp.
1
Hydropsychidae
1
Asmicridea AV 1
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
Cheumatopsyche
1
1
Cheumatopsyche AV 2
1
2
Cheumatopsyche AV 3
1
1
Cheumatopsyche AV 4
2
1
1
2
2
Cheumatopsyche AV 5
1
1
2
2
1
1
Cheumatopsyche AV 6
1
Smicrophylax AV 1
1
Limnephilidae
Archaeophylax canarus
2
2
1
Archaeophylax ochreus
1
Odontoceridae
Marilia bola
1
1
1
Hydrobiosidae
Apsilochorema
1
Apsilochorema obliquum
1
Ethochorema brunneum
1
Ethochorema turbidum
1
2
Koetonga clivicola
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
Taschorema complex
1
1
Taschorema complex TC 1027
Taschorema evansi
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
81
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
(Trichoptera cont.)
Ulmerochorema
1
2
Ulmerochorema lentum
3
Ulmerochorema onychion
1
1
Ulmerochorema rubiconum grp.
2
2
1
3
1
3
2
1
1
1
2
Philorheithridae
1
1
2
2
3
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
3
3
1
1
Aphilorheithrus AV 3
Aphilorheithrus AV 4
2
1
2
Austrheithrus
Kosrheithus tillyardi
2
1
1
1
3
2
3
3
2
2
1
Leptoceridae
Condocerus paludosus
1
2
Lectrides varians
1
Notalina bifaria
1
3
Notalina fulva
3
4
1
Notalina ordina
Notalina spira
1
4
4
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
2
3
3
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Triplectides australicus
1
2
Triplectides australis
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
Triplectides elongatus
2
3
2
4
2
2
2
3
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
Triplectides proximus
Triplectides similis
1
2
Triplectides
Triplectides ciuskus
3
1
3
Oecetis
Triaenodes
4
2
2
2
1
3
2
1
1
4
1
82
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
(Trichoptera cont.)
Triplectides truncatus
1
Triplectides volda
1
1
1
1
1
Calamoceratidae
Anisocentropus
3
3
2
1
1
Atriplectididae
Atriplectides dubius
2
Conoesucidae
1
1
Coenoria AV 4
1
Coenoria AV 5
1
3
1
1
Conoesucus AV 1
Conoesucus AV 5
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
3
1
1
2
Costora ebenina
Lingora AV sp. 1
1
1
Coenoria AV1
Conoesucus
1
1
2
1
1
2
3
1
Matasia AV 1
4
1
1
Matasia satana
1
Tamasia acuta
1
2
2
2
4
1
1
1
3
1
1
Calocidae
Caenota plicata
Tamasia variegata
1
1
3
1
1
Helicophidae
Alloecella grisea
1
Calocidae/Helicophidae
Calocid/Helicophid Genus C AV2
1
83
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
Lepidoptera
Pyralidae/Cambridae
Parapoynx nitens
2
84
Appendix B Taxa list for spring 2014
Table 43. List of taxa recorded at each site during the spring 2014 season.
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
502
503
505
1
2
513
Tricladida
Dugesiidae
1
Hygrophila
Lymnaeidae
Austropeplea huonensis
Oligochaeta
Acarina
2
2
1
1
Oxidae
Flabellifrontipoda
1
1
Hygrobatidae
Caenobates
1
Procorticacarus
1
Decapoda
Atyidae
Paratya australiensis
1
1
Ephemeroptera
Leptophlebiidae
Atalophlebia AV 4
2
1
Austrophlebioides marchanti
1
1
2
1
Austrophlebioides pusillus
1
1
1
1
Garinjuga AV1
1
Koorrnonga AV1
1
Nousia AV 1
1
1
1
Caenidae
Tasmanocoenis
2
Baetidae
Centroptilum
Offadens confluens
1
1
1
Offadens G2 sp. MV2
Offadens hickmani complex
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
Coloburiscidae
Coloburiscoides complex
Coloburiscoides munionga
1
1
1
Oniscigastridae
Tasmanophlebia
Tasmanophlebia TC 1037
1
1
1
85
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
502
503
505
513
Odonata
Gomphidae
Hemigomphus
gouldii/heteroclytus
1
Telephlebiidae
Austroaeschna
unicornis unicornis
1
Synthemistidae
Eusynthemis virgula
1
Plecoptera
Eustheniidae
Cosmioperla kuna
1
1
Austroperlidae
Acruroperla atra
2
Gripopterygidae
Dinotoperla fontana
Dinotoperla thwaitesi/serricauda
2
Illiesoperla brevicauda
1
Leptoperla longicauda/bifida
Newmanoperla thoreyi
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
Riekoperla compressa
1
Riekoperla karki
Riekoperla karki/reticulata
2
1
1
1
Riekoperla tuberculata
Trinotoperla montana
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
Trinotoperla nivata/minor
1
Notonemouridae
Austrocerca tasmanica
1
Hemiptera
Veliidae
Drepanovelia dubia
1
Corixidae
Sigara sublaevifrons
1
Micronectidae
Austronecta australiensis
1
1
Micronecta annae/illiesi
1
1
1
2
1
Megaloptera
Corydalidae
Archichauliodes
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Sternopriscus wehnckei (A)
1
86
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
502
503
505
513
1
1
Hydrophilidae
Enochrus elongatulus (A)
1
Helochares tristis (A)
1
Hydrophilidae TC 1078
1
Paracymus pygmaeus (A)
1
Scirtidae (L)
Elmidae
Austrolimnius (L)
1
Austrolimnius alcine (A)
1
1
Austrolimnius diemensis (A)
1
1
Kingolus aeratus (A)
1
Notriolus quadriplagiatus (A)
1
Psephenidae
Sclerocyphon striatus (L)
2
1
Diptera
Blephariceridae
Edwardsina australiensis
1
Tipulidae
Tipulidae EPA 1
1
Tipulidae EPA 36
1
Tipulidae EPA 38
1
1
Tipulidae EPA 39
1
1
Tipulidae EPA 40
2
Tipulidae TC 1071; EPA 3/42
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
Simuliidae
Austrosimulium bancrofti
2
Austrosimulium furiosum
2
Austrosimulium torrentium
1
Chironomidae
Tanypodinae (sub-family)
Aspectrotanypus TC 1087
Pentaneura TC 1081
1
Tanypodinae
1
Telmatelopia TC 1085
1
Podonomina (sub-family)
Podonomopsis
Chironominae (sub-family)
Chironomini (tribe)
Polypedilum
1
(Diptera cont.)
Riethia TC 1082
1
87
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
502
503
Riethia
505
513
1
Tanytarsini (tribe)
Rheotanytarsus
1
1
Rheotanytarsus TC 1083
1
Tanytarsus
1
Tanytarsus TC 1080
1
1
Orthocladiinae (sub-family)
Cardiocladius
1
Corynoneura
1
Cricotopus
1
Cricotopus TC 1079
1
Eukiefferiella
1
1
1
2
1
Orthocladiinae TC 1086
1
Pirara australiensis
1
Stictocladius TC 1084
1
Diamesinae (sub-family)
Paraheptagyia tonnoiri
1
Ceratopogonidae
Ceratopogonidae EPA 17
1
Ceratopogonidae EPA 28/50
1
Ceratopogonidae EPA 40
1
Ceratopogonidae EPA 53
1
Ceratopogonidae TC 1051
1
1
1
Tabanidae
1
1
Athericidae
2
Trichoptera
Helicopsychidae
Helicopsyche murrumba
1
Hydroptilidae
Hellyethira simplex
1
1
Ecnomidae
Ecnomina AV4
1
Hydropsychidae
Asmicridea AV 1
1
Cheumatopsyche AV 4
1
2
1
Limnephilidae
Archaeophylax canarus
1
1
Hydrobiosidae
Apsilochorema obliquum
1
(Trichoptera cont.)
Ethochorema brunneum
Ethochorema turbidum
1
1
88
Order/Major group
Family
Species
SITE
502
503
Taschorema complex
1
Ulmerochorema rubiconum grp.
1
505
513
1
2
Philorheithridae
aphilorheithrus AV 3
1
Kosrheithus tillyardi
1
1
Leptoceridae
Condocerus paludosus
1
Notalina bifaria
2
2
Notalina fulva
1
Triplectides ciuskus
1
Triplectides proximus
Triplectides similis
2
1
1
1
1
Calamoceratidae
Anisocentropus
1
Conoesucidae
Coenoria AV 4
1
1
Coenoria AV 5
1
1
Conoesucus AV 5
Lingora AV 1
1
1
1
89