Teacher guide to Namoi ‘special place’
Background document
Site 4: Quipolly Dam, Werris Creek, Quirindi
4.1
Introduction
Welcome to the ‘Special place’ pack for Quipolly Dam. This site, which is accessible from
Quirindi and Werris Creek, provides opportunities to see relics of the last 400 million years,
to understand what the area was like then, and what lives here now.
The study site was in a shallow ocean until about 400 million years ago, when Australia saw
the uplift of the Great Dividing Range. You will see conglomerate rock deposited from that
time. Mainly to the east of this site, the uplift created the contours of the country, making it
sufficiently steep and shaped to be suitable as a dam site. The area has always been attractive
to birds, and establishment of the dam made it more so, by improving bird habitat.
The Quipolly Dam site is special because it is home to some spectacular animals, including
rare and migratory birds. It also provides a window to the past. Use the activities to learn
about ecosystems and why they are there. More importantly, try to capture what your site was
like 400 million years ago, or even 200 years ago. For more information on the formation of
the Namoi catchment go to A Brief History of the Namoi.
Students can complete a range of activities described, as individual or combined components
over one or multiple day trips, depending on student numbers, time constraints and teacher
support.
1
Special features of Quipolly Dam







Close proximity to Quirindi (14.5 km) and Werris Creek (20.5 km)
Quiet – away from busy roads
Free access
Easy access
Wheelchair access may be possible for parts of the Quipolly Dam activities; however, it is a
good idea to assess the area before the trip, because the unsealed road and track may have
access limitations
Catchment area of about 110 hectares that supports high-quality remnants of bushland
High plant and animal diversity
Figure 4.1
Bird hide at old Quipolly Dam
The new Quipolly Dam (Fig. 4.2) was constructed in 1955 by the Peel Shire Council (now the
Liverpool Plains Shire Council), mainly to provide drinking water to Werris Creek. The
previous Quipolly Dam, completed in 1932, provided water for town use, stock and the
railway. The old dam is now silted up (as described in section 4.4), but it makes a wonderful
habitat for water birds (Chanson & James 2000).
2
Figure 4.2
4.2
New Quipolly Dam wall
Flora of Quipolly Dam
Main types of vegetation
The new and old Quipolly Dams are situated on crown land that supports pockets of grassy
white box woodland and yellow box woodland. Remnant vegetation (native vegetation) is
important in maintaining biodiversity of ecosystems in the Quipolly Dam area. Diverse
ecosystems maintain robust food webs that are of value to society. The microbats that thrive
here help to keep down the numbers of flying insects, including mosquitos, which can carry
Ross River virus, a disease that can be fatal to humans.
Sea eagles and wedge-tailed eagles found here are successful hunters of vermin. Once blamed
for taking lambs, eagles actually prefer rabbits, wallabies and joeys, so they can actually help
us to manage rabbits. Some people are now taking advantage of the environmental services
which a natural food web brings. When mining companies, such as Werris Creek Coal, are
rehabilitating an area by planting trees, they erect tall dead trees before they start planting.
Eagles occupy the dead trees and hunt rabbits that would otherwise eat the freshly planted
trees and grass on rehabilitation sites. By reducing rabbit numbers, eagles help to improve the
success of tree plantings.
Quipolly Creek has stretches that are good examples of creek zones (or riparian areas), which
are in similar condition to what they would have been 200 years ago.
3
Figure 4.3
High-quality riparian vegetation
The riparian zone (Fig. 4.3) is adjacent to creeks, rivers, gullies and dips that sometimes run
with water, wetlands or wet areas around dams and lakes (DEPI 2008). Riparian zones help to
conserve soil, and increase the diversity of habitats, thus increasing plant and animal diversity.
Also, they provide corridors for wildlife including insect-eating microbats which are found
here.
Figure 4.4
Poor-quality riparian vegetation
The old and new dams are linked along Quipolly Creek by a patchy riparian corridor of
immature vegetation (Fig. 4.4), either side of the creek are paddocks cleared of trees. The old
dam itself is located within a strip of continuous vegetation that runs north to south, and is
4
about 2.5 km wide on each side of the dam. Woodlands to the north and south of this dam are
dominated by white cypress pine (Fig. 4.5), and the surrounding undulating slopes are cleared
agricultural lands. The dominant woodland tree in the area is white box, which koalas use for
browsing. Native grasses and herbs form the understorey.
As a conifer, white cypress pine is sensitive to fire, unlike the eucalypts and many shrubs that
have evolved with fire. Native plants with fire-adapted strategies benefit from fire. For
example, mature wattle plants could be killed by fire; however, the wattle seeds will survive
in the soil and germinate after fire. The absence of fire favours regeneration of white cypress
pine; resulting in thick stands of stunted trees that inhibit understorey growth.
Figure 4.5
Stands of white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla) are common in the
vegetation surrounding the old dam and can become dense. If left unchecked shrub and ground
layers eventually become excluded.
Note the lack of shrub and minimal ground cover below the canopy of the thick stand of the native
pine along Lowes Creek Road.
Threatened and important species
Threatened flora which may occur in the region include slender tylophora (Tylophora
linearis), bluegrass (Dichanthium setosum) and finger panic grass (Digitaria porrecta), all of
which are listed under the New South Wales (NSW) Threatened Species Conservation Act
1995 (TSC Act) and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Other plants that may occur in the area and are listed as
threatened in NSW include pine donkey orchid (Diuris tricolor) and creeping tick-trefoil
(Desmodium campylocaulon).
5
The threatened flora of this area are listed in Appendix 4.1.
The Quipolly Dam area also contains plants that were probably used by the traditional
Kamilaroi (also known as Gomilaroi and other spellings) people (McKemey & White 2011).
Threats
Clearly, flooding of the valley for a dam is very destructive to the natural environment. It
must be acknowledged that the huge benefits a secure water supply brings to our community
does come at an environmental cost. That said, Quipolly Dam also brings new environmental
benefit such as improved water bird habitat. Since its establishment, one of the main threats to
the land and habitat around Quipolly Dams is weed invasion.
Weeds
Weeds are described as a plant out of place. This means a species may be introduced to an
area, find good conditions for it to grow more successfully than other plants and take over an
area. Weeds are characterised by being fast growing, and successful seed producers and
dispersers. Weeds are often also resistant to threats. For example, weeds may have thorns or
be toxic to eat by animals. Weeds are often found in areas where ground has been disturbed
and left bare. As dam waterlines fall, the bare ground left behind may be suitable for weeds.
Areas of heavy grazing and also road verges are both susceptible to weed establishment.
Weeds can, however, help the landscape. Though they reduce biodiversity, they are often first
colonisers of disturbed ground, protecting soil from erosion and even improving soil
conditions for other plant species to establish later.
A number of introduced plants have become a problem at this site. They include cobbler’s
pegs (Fig. 4.6) and noogoora burr that are common around the low-lying creek areas, and
watercress (Fig. 4.7) found on the edge of the creek and into the water. Coolatai grass (Fig.
4.8) seen along the roadside to the new Quipolly Dam is a serious invasive weed that
threatens native vegetation and natural ecosystems; it is drought and fire resistant, and can
tolerate herbicides. Blackberry (Fig. 4.9) is another weed found at the old dam site, and is
difficult to remove once established. Birds and mammals eat the fruit and thus disperse the
blackberry seeds. One strategy for removal is to spray with herbicides, but this can be harmful
to birds and invertebrates if done when the plants are flowering or fruiting.
6
Figure 4.6
creek areas
Cobbler’s pegs (Bidens pilosa), a weed that is a problem around the low-lying
a) Dense growth of cobbler’s pegs is often found along disturbed areas.
b) Heads produce large numbers of seeds that easily attach to passing animals (including humans) that
disperse the seeds.
7
Figure 4.7
Watercress growing along and in Quipolly Creek
Figure 4.8
Coolatai grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) along the roadside at the new Quipolly Dam
This invasive weed is difficult to eradicate, and is a major threat to native vegetation.
8
Figure 4.9
Extensive blackberry growth near the bird hide
The blackberry restricts diversity at the site; it is easily spread through the berries being eaten by birds
and other animals (including humans).
Other threats to woodlands include clearing and modification, fragmentation, firewood cutting,
inappropriate burning practices, soil disturbance, and, increased nutrient levels, salinity and
weed invasion (OEH 2011).
4.3
Fauna of Quipolly Dam
Birds
Threatened woodland birds that have been recorded at this ‘special place’ include the
turquoise parrot (Fig. 4.10), little lorikeet, grey-crowned babbler (Fig. 4.11), regent
honeyeater, varied sittella, hooded robin, scarlet robin, diamond firetail, speckled warbler (Fig.
9
4.12) and brown treecreeper (Fig. 4.13). Six birds recorded for the Quipolly Dam area are on
the migratory list; these are birds that move seasonally, over particular areas and routes, to
find food and suitable breeding habitat. For example, the rainbow bee-eater (Fig. 4.14)
migrates north during the Australian winter, and visits the southern areas during the summer
nesting period. Two other species – the cattle egret and the white-bellied sea-eagle (Fig. 4.15)
– can disperse over long distances but are not truly migratory.
The old Quipolly Dam provides important nesting habitat and food for water birds to
successfully breed. Many rare water birds, including freckled ducks, blue-billed ducks,
painted snipe and the Australasian bittern make use of the habitat at the old dam.
Threatened, migratory and introduced birds of this area are listed in Appendix 4.2.
Figure 4.10
Turquoise parrot (Neophema pulchella) is a seed feeder listed as vulnerable
under the TSC Act
10
Figure 4.11
Grey-crowned babbler
Figure 4.12
Speckled warbler
11
Figure 4.13
Brown treecreeper
12
Figure 4.14
The beautiful rainbow bee-eater (Merops ornatus) is a true migratory bird that
frequents the Quipolly Dam during the summer
13
Figure 4.15
The white-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) is listed on the migratory
bird list; it can disperse over large areas, but becomes sedentary when nesting
Threatened mammals occurring in this area include the koala, spotted-tailed quoll, yellowbellied sheathtail bat (Fig. 4.16) and eastern bentwing bat. Frog numbers are high in the area,
with nine different frogs recorded. Reptile numbers are also high; the area contains geckos,
skinks, legless lizards, blind snakes and snakes.
All mammal species predicted or known to occur in this area are listed in Appendix 4.3, and
all amphibian and reptile species are listed in Appendix 4.4.
Remnant vegetation is crucial for maintaining native biodiversity and ecosystems in the
Quipolly area. Diverse ecosystems maintain robust food webs which are of value to grazing
and cropping enterprises and society in general. Micro bats live under tree bark and in the
hollows of old trees. The micro bats that thrive here including the rare Yellow-bellied
sheathtail bat eat over half of their body weight of flying insects each night including
mosquitoes which can carry Ross River virus, a disease which can be lethal to people.
Improving remnant vegetation improves the resilience of these foods webs which in turn
improve the resilience of human communities.
14
Figure 4.16
Yellow-bellied sheathtail bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris) is listed as vulnerable
under the TSC Act and is known to inhabit tree hollows within the Quipolly Dam area
4.4
Geology and soil of Quipolly Dam
Conglomerate rock (Fig. 4.17) is sedimentary rock that is made up of large, rounded, broken
pieces of older rock (or weathering product) that is washed downstream. These rock pieces
are held together by smaller particles such as sand or mud, or a chemical cement that binds
the rock pieces together (King n.d.). It is clear that strong water currents were responsible for
transporting the rock pieces or particles – the rounded shape of the rocks shows that they have
been tumbled by fast flowing water over some distance.
15
Figure 4.17
Conglomerate rock at the road cutting at new Quipolly Dam
The rock pieces have been naturally cemented together to form a larger rock mass.
The soils of the Quipolly Dam areas comprise mainly yellow and brown shallow skeletal soils
that erode easily and are susceptible to seasonal waterlogging. Around the old Quipolly Dam,
the soils are mostly moderately well drained black earths of varying depths that were heavily
disturbed by the human activity involved in building the dam. This area is at risk of sheet
erosion, which is a type of erosion that occurs when rainfall intensity is greater than
infiltration, and a shallow 'sheet' of water flows over the ground surface, removing a uniform
layer of surface soil. Such erosion generally removes the finest soil particles, which contain
the bulk of the available nutrients and organic matter (DPIPWE 2013). It is possible to
improve infiltration of ponded water through to the soil layers (to avoid water sitting on the
soil surface) by maintaining plant cover to prevent splash erosion, and maintaining or building
soil structure and organic matter (DPIPWE 2013).
The soils in the area are so easily eroded that the silt flowed into old Quipolly Dam to such an
extent that the dam lost half its storage capacity within 10 years, and is now fully silted and
no longer used. This dam is infamous for being an engineering failure, with some of the most
extreme siltation rates recorded within Australia (Chanson & James 2000).
The soils along the creek are usually complex, and can include black earths, grey clays, noncalcic brown soils, alluvial soils and brown earths (Banks 2001).
16
4.5
References
Banks RG (2001). Soil landscapes of the Tamworth 1:100,000 sheet (9035). NSW
Department of Land and Water Conservation, Sydney.
Chanson H & James DP (2000). Railway dams in Australia: six historical structures.
Transactions of the Newcomen Society 71 (2):283-303.
http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:9054/ARTI89_2.pdf accessed 1 May 2013.
DEPI (2008). Riparian zones. Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/wgregn.nsf/pages/wg_lwm_riparian_zones accessed 1 May
2013.
DPIPWE (2013). Managing natural resources: Sheet erosion. Tasmanian Department of
Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/TPRY-5Z65Y4?open accessed 1 May 2013.
King H (n.d.). Conglomerate. Geology.com http://geology.com/rocks/conglomerate.shtml
accessed 20 May 2013.
McKemey M and White H (2011). Bush tucker, boomerangs and bandages: traditional
Aboriginal plant use in the Border Rivers and Gwydir Catchments. Border Rivers-Gwydir
Catchment Management Authority, NSW.
Namoi CMA (2012). ‘Frog Croaker’, Free App for iPhone and Android.
Wikipedia (2013). Riparian zone. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riparian_zone accessed 1
May 2013.
Want to learn more about birds? See the following links:
BirdLife Australia http://birdlife.org.au/
The Michael Morcombe eGuide to Australian Birds http://www.michaelmorcombe.com.au/ –
purchase apps for bird sounds and identification.
Birds of Australia http://www.mdahlem.net/birds/ – maintained by bird enthusiast Michael
Dahlem (Narrabri), with lots of beautiful images of birds from the Namoi Catchment.
17
Appendix 4.1
region
Threatened plants which may occur in the Quirindi
EPBC Act, Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
TSC Act, NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995
V = vulnerable, E = endangered
Common name
Scientific name
TSC Act
EPBC Act
Creeping tick-trefoil
Desmodium campylocaulon
E
Bluegrass
Dichanthium setosum
V
V
Finger panic grass
Digitaria porrecta
E
E
Pine donkey orchid
Diuris tricolor
V
Slender tylophora
Tylophora linearis
V
E
Appendix 4.2
Threatened, migratory and introduced birds recorded at
old Quipolly Dam
A total of 181 bird species have been recorded. The white-bellied sea-eagle, cattle egret and glossy
ibis are not true migratory birds (i.e. migrate seasonally) but are dispersive (i.e. can fly long distances)
and are often sedentary with a mate.
V = vulnerable, E = endangered, M = migratory, I = introduced
Birds
Scientific name
TSC Act
Cattle egret
Australasian bittern
Speckled warbler
Spotted harrier
Varied sittella
Black falcon
Latham's snipe
White-bellied sea-eagle
Little eagle
Hooded robin
Turquoise parrot
Blue-billed duck
Grey-crowned babbler
Australian painted snipe
Diamond firetail
Freckled duck
Rainbow bee-eater
Glossy ibis
Wood sandpiper
House sparrow
Common myna
Common starling
Ardea ibis
Botaurus poiciloptilus
Chthonicola sagittata
Circus assimilis
Daphoenositta chrysoptera
Falco subniger
Gallinago hardwickii
Haliaeetus leucogaster
Hieraaetus morphnoides
Melanodryas cucullata cucullata
Neophema pulchella
Oxyura australis
Pomatostomus temporalis temporalis
Rostratula australis
Stagonopleura guttata
Stictonetta naevosa
Merops ornatus
Plegadis falcinellus
Tringa glareola
Passer domesticus
Sturnus tristis
Sturnus vulgaris
18
E
V
EPBC Act
M
E
V
V
V
M
M
V
V
V
V
V
E
V
V
V
M
M
M
I
I
I
Appendix 4.3
Mammal species predicted or known to occur in the
Quipolly Dam locality
V = vulnerable, E = endangered, I = introduced, K = known to occur
Mammals
Common name
Feathertail glider
Goat
Large-eared pied bat
Gould's wattled bat
Little pied bat
Spotted-tailed quoll
Brown hare
Eastern grey kangaroo
Red-necked wallaby
Eastern bentwing bat
House mouse
Corben's long-eared bat
Lesser long-eared bat
Rabbit
Sugar glider
Squirrel glider
Koala
Little red flying-fox
Yellow-bellied sheathtail-bat
Pig
Short-beaked echidna
White-striped freetail-bat
Common brushtail possum
Little forest bat
Fox
Swamp wallaby
Scientific name
TSC Act
Acrobates pygmaeus
Capra hircus
Chalinolobus dwyeri
Chalinolobus gouldii
Chalinolobus picatus
Dasyurus maculatus
Lepus capensis
Macropus giganteus
Macropus rufogriseus
Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis
Mus musculus
Nyctophilus corbeni
Nyctophilus geoffroyi
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Petaurus breviceps
Petaurus norfolcensis
Phascolarctos cinereus
Pteropus scapulatus
Saccolaimus flaviventris
Sus scrofa
Tachyglossus aculeatus
Tadarida australis
Trichosurus vulpecula
Vespadelus vulturnus
Vulpes vulpes
Wallabia bicolor
19
I
V
V
V
I
V
I
V
EPBC
Act
V
E
V
I
I
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
V
K
K
K
I
V
V
Known
V
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
Appendix 4.4
Amphibians and reptile species predicted or known to
occur in the Quipolly Dam locality
There are no threatened reptiles or frogs known or predicted to occur in the area; however, all native
birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals (excepting the dingo) are protected in NSW by the National
Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NPWA Act).
K = known to occur
Common Name
Frogs
Eastern sign-bearing froglet
Common eastern froglet
Eastern banjo frog
Long-thumbed frog
Ornate burrowing frog
Spotted grass frog
Green tree frog
Broad-palmed frog
Rocky stream frog
Peron's tree frog
Desert tree frog
Painted burrowing frog
Bibron's toadlet
Smooth toadlet
Wrinkled toadlet
Jacky dragon
Nobbi lashtail
Bearded dragon
Eastern stone gecko
Dubious dtella
Bynoe's gecko
Robust velvet gecko
Eastern spiny-tailed gecko
Thick-tailed gecko
Leaden delma
Excitable delma
Burton's snake-lizard
Two-clawed worm-skink
Tree-base litter-skink
Southern rainbow-skink
Cream-striped shinning-skink
Type of skink
Type of skink
Tree skink
White's skink
Bar-sided forest-skink
South-eastern slider
Scientific Name
Crinia parinsignifera
Crinia signifera
Limnodynastes dumerilii
Limnodynastes fletcheri
Limnodynastes ornatus
Limnodynastes tasmaniensis
Litoria caerulea
Litoria latopalmata
Litoria lesueuri
Litoria peronii
Litoria rubella
Neobatrachus sudelli
Pseudophryne bibronii
Uperoleia laevigata
Uperoleia rugosa
Amphibolurus muricatus
Amphibolurus nobbi
Pogona barbata
Diplodactylus vittatus
Gehyra dubia
Heteronotia binoei
Oedura robusta
Strophurus williamsi
Underwoodisaurus milii
Delma plebeia
Delma tincta
Lialis burtonis
Anomalopus leuckartii
Carlia foliorum
Carlia tetradactyla
Cryptoblepharus virgatus
Ctenotus robustus
Egernia modesta
Egernia striolata
Egernia whitii
Eulamprus tenuis
Lerista bougainvillii
20
Known
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
Wood mulch-slider
Eastern robust slider
Common dwarf skink
South-eastern morethia skink
Eastern blue-tongue
Lace monitor
Eastern snake-necked turtle
Eastern shovel-nosed snake
Yellow-faced whip snake
Red-naped snake
Murray/Darling carpet python
Spotted black snake
Red-bellied black snake
Eastern brown snake
Variable black-naped snake
Eastern bandy-bandy
Prong-snouted blind snake
Blackish blind snake
Proximus blind snake
Brown-snouted blind snake
Lerista muelleri
Lerista punctatovittata
Menetia greyii
Morethia boulengeri
Tiliqua scincoides
Varanus varius
Chelodina longicollis
Brachyurophis australis
Demansia psammophis
Furina diadema
Morelia spilota metcalfei
Pseudechis guttatus
Pseudechis porphyriacus
Pseudonaja textilis
Suta spectabilis dwyeri
Vermicella annulata
Ramphotyphlops bituberculatus
Ramphotyphlops nigrescens
Ramphotyphlops proximus
Ramphotyphlops wiedii
21
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K