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2009

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FRONT COVER: SIGNS AT WATER MONITORING SITES ON RYANS AND HOLLAND CREEKS, 2009.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4

REGIONAL RIVER HEALTH STRATEGY .............................................................................................................................. 7

MONITORING PLAN ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

MAP OF MONITORING SITES ................................................................................................................................................ 10

TURBIDITY ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY (SALINITY) .................................................................................................................... 15

PH .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

DISSOLVED OXYGEN .................................................................................................................................................................. 22

PHOSPHORUS ................................................................................................................................................................................. 24

STATE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION POLICY (SEPP) COMPLIANCE ............................................................ 26

MACRO-INVERTEBRATES IN RYANS CREEK ................................................................................................................ 29

SUMMARY FOR RYANS AND HOLLAND CREEKS ........................................................................................................ 31

REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................................................................... 33

GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 33

APPENDIX A .................................................................................................................................................................................... 34

RYANS AND HOLLAND CREEK REPORT FOR SAMPLES FROM 01 JAN 2009 TO 31 DEC 2009 ............... 34

4

Introduction

Waterwatch is a community water quality monitoring program that assists the community in

monitoring their local waterway. The program aims to:

increase community awareness and understanding of water quality issues;

increase community involvement in water management decisions;

generate useful data for community, and agency, use which complements Agency monitoring;

and,

assist in assessing the value of river restoration programs.

Monitoring networks across the Goulburn Broken Catchment have been formed to study water quality

in their local areas. The networks are able to test a local stream for a range of parameters using

equipment supplied by the Waterwatch Program. The parameters selected for testing in each area

depend upon the water quality issues identified by the monitoring network. Monitors also record the

date, time and rainfall to assist in the interpretation of the data.

Monitoring only began regularly on the Ryans and Holland Creeks in 2007, instigated by a Community

Stream Sampling Program funded by the Bureau of Rural Science. Monitoring has continued, and

during 2009, a total of twenty two sites were regularly monitored for the following parameters:

1. Electrical Conductivity (Salinity);

2. Turbidity;

3. pH;

4. Temperature; and

5. Total Phosphorus (at selected sites);

6. Dissolved oxygen (at selected sites).

This report contains the following information:

1. Monitoring Plan

2. Information about water quality parameters

3. A tabular summary of data collected at sites monitored by the Creightons Creek Network

4. Graphical representation of parameters along the length of the waterway

5. Graphical representation of parameters over the period of the monitoring program

6. Comparisons of local water quality data with State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP)

guidelines

7. Macro-invertebrate sampling conducted in 2009

8. Raw data for 2009.

The report provides a summary of testing results since 1997 and should be used to stimulate

discussion on the state of water quality in Ryans and Holland Creeks and potential actions to improve

water quality. There is the potential to use water quality data collected in the program to discover

trends in water quality over time and to measure the effects of improvement works carried out in the

sub-catchment.

5

Figure 1. Goulburn Broken Catchment

GBCMA (2005)

6

Figure 2. Broken River Basin Red numbers show river reaches

GBCMA (2005)

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Regional River Health Strategy Rivers are divided into sections, known as “reaches”, and each section or reach is given a number. Most sites monitored by Goulburn Broken Waterwatch are in

reaches that are addressed in the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s (GBCMA) Regional River Health Strategy (RRHS). The reaches that are

targeted in the RRHS are identified through the five yearly Index of Stream Condition (ISC) Assessment (GBCMA, 2005). Holland and Ryans Creeks have reaches

which fall under Program A in the RRHS. This Program addresses key issues in forty three reaches in the Goulburn Broken catchment which have been identified as

High Priority Reaches. A High Priority Reach is one of high community value for environmental, social and economic values (GBCMA, 2005). Ryans Creek Reach 17

also falls under Program B in the RRHS, to protect Ecologically Healthy Rivers.

River Reach Description High Values to be

protected

Threats

Holland Creek

13

and

14

START – Holland Creek at confluence with Ryans

Creek, 550 m upstream of Emu Bridge Road

crossing

END - Holland Creek 700 m downstream of

crossing at Samaria Road

Macquarie Perch. Stock access;

Water quality - turbidity, Dissolved oxygen and

nutrients;

Water Quality trend – pH;

Barrier to fish migration;

Channel modification;

Flow deviation;

Introduced flora;

Degraded riparian vegetation.

Ryans Creek 17 START – Ryans Creek at the old Tolmie Road

crossing (Tatong)

END – Ryans Creek at Southern end of Loombah

Weir (off Upper Ryans Creek Road)

Ecologically Healthy

River

No threats currently risk the status of Reach 17 of

Ryans Creek, but it will be monitored and actions

necessary undertaken to prevent impacts from

any low risk threats.

Table 1 GBCMA (2005)

Reach 15 of Holland Creek is also targeted under Program C in the RRHS, to create more ecologically healthy rivers. This reach has poor riparian width, and

revegetation initiatives are proposed to improve this. See Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s Regional River Health Strategy (2005) for more

detailed information.

8

Monitoring Plan Name of Project Activity Area: Ryans and Holland Creeks Monitoring Coordinator: Danielle Beischer Why are you monitoring? Waterwatch has an on-going objective to encourage the community to become involved in monitoring local waterways to learn more about water quality issues. The data that is collected through this monitoring program can be used to target on-ground works to improve water quality. Following the bushfires in the Ryans Creek catchment in December 2006, water quality monitoring took on a new imperative. Data has been collected since February 2007 and forwarded to the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority for use in monitoring the initial impact of the fires on the sub-catchment, and the length of time required for Ryans Creek to recover from the fires. In 2009, Waterwatch has been asked to participate in the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Index of Stream Condition (ISC) project. This is a five yearly project to gauge the condition of all waterways in Victoria. Goulburn Broken Waterwatch provided water quality data to DSE for 49 sites across the Goulburn Broken Catchment. Five sites in this report were included in this project. They were Ryans Creek at confluence with Sams Creek at Gunns Road (RYA020), Watchbox Creek at O’Dea's (WBX010), Holland Creek at Tolmie (HOL001), Holland Creek at Dodds Bridge (HOL003), and Sams Creek at Gunns Road (SAM010).

Who will use the data? The data is primarily collected for the benefit of the community. The data is also available to other organisations and individuals that have an interest in catchment water quality. These include Federal and State Government agencies, Local Government, Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs), Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies and managers, community groups and local farmers and landholders.

How will the data be used? Waterwatch data is used by the community to understand issues regarding water quality in waterways. The data is then available to develop local action plans to improve water quality and to measure the effectiveness of these plans. Data collected by Goulburn Broken Waterwatch at chosen sites in 2009 was forwarded to the Department of Sustainability and Environment, for use in the 2009 Index of Stream Condition Assessment. This assessment is carried out every five years, and Waterwatch Victoria was approached to be included in the project, assisting with data collection for this assessment. Five sites in this report; Ryans Creek at confluence with Sams Creek at Gunns Road (RYA020), Watchbox Creek at O’Dea's (WBX010), Holland Creek at Tolmie (HOL001), Holland Creek at Dodds Bridge (HOL003), and Sams Creek at Gunns Road (SAM010); were included in the 2009 ISC Assessment. Goulburn Broken Waterwatch integrates our monitoring programs into the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s Regional River Health Strategy. The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority can utilise the data to assess actions to improve river health against targets and objectives.

9

Who will be involved and where will you monitor? CHRIS HAKKENNES RYA010 - MAP 8124 E 427268 N 5944387 Ryans Creek on Rogash Road. WBX010 - MAP 8124 E 425615 N 5943976 Watchbox Creek at O’Dea's. DON AND MARGARET MCFADDEN RYA017 – MAP 8124 E 421420 N 5947156 Ryans Creek at "Kilfeera" driveway bridge. TERRY RING RYA003 - MAP 8124 E 429790 N 5936372 Ryans Creek at “Tinnaroo” BOB WHYTLAW RYA020 – MAP 8124 E 417781 N 5947211 Ryans Ck at confluence with Sam Ck at Gunns Rd. SAM005 – MAP 8124 E 422340 N 5943523 Sam Creek at Molyullah-Tatong Rd. MELINDA SHEPHERD - BDEG HOL015 – MAP 8024 E415753 N5947634 Holland Creek at Emu Bridge. HOL020 – MAP8024 E409851 N5952766 Holland Creek at Sherwills Bridge Benalla. WATERWATCH COORDINATOR BLI010 – MAP 8024 E 409772 N 5952317 Blind Creek on Samaria Road. BLI015 – MAP 8124 E 413865 N 5941589 Blind Creek at Knights Road. BRO055 – MAP 8024 E 407362 N 5955285 Broken River after Benalla at Pump station, Faithful St. HOL001 – MAP 8124 E 473707 N 5913939 Holland Creek at Tolmie. HOL002 – MAP 8124 E 422842 N 5923978 Holland Creek at Fords Bridge. HOL003 – MAP 8124 E 422899 N 5927549 Holland Creek at Dodds bridge. HOL004 – MAP 8124 E 422797 N 5929650 Holland Creek upstream Tatong at “Riverview” HOL010 – MAP 8124 E 419615 N 5934129 Holland Creek at Tatong bridge. HOL012 – MAP 8124 E 417465 N 5942647 Holland Creek Benalla-Tatong Rd (Samaria Rd) RYA001 – MAP 8124 E 428496 N 5919688 Ryans Creek at Madhouse Road. RYA002 – MAP 8124 E 430956 N 5935700 Loombah Weir - Ryans Creek. RYA019 – MAP 8124 E 417829 N 5947246 Ryans Creek at "Warilya" at Gunn's Road. RYA050 – MAP 8124 E 430800 N 5934500 Ryans Ck 1 km u/s Loombah Weir, macroinvert. site. RYA101 – MAP 8124 E 431400 N 5917800 Ryans Creek at Dick's Landing Rd, US of RYA001. SAM010 – MAP 8124 E 417777 N 5947147 Sam Creek at Gunns Road. WPC005 - MAP 8024 E 399771 N 5950533 Woolpress Ck at Baddaginnie See Map on page 10 also.

Which parameters will be monitored?

• Turbidity, • Electrical Conductivity, • Temperature, • pH, • Dissolved Oxygen (at selected sites) • Total Phosphorus (at selected sites)

Apart from temperature and dissolved oxygen, these parameters are monitored to develop the Water Quality sub-index of the Index of Stream Condition in Victoria. The Index of Stream Condition was reassessed in 2009, and data collected by Waterwatch from Ryans, Holland, Sam and Watchbox Creeks, was used in this assessment.

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11

Turbidity

Turbidity is a measure of the clarity of water which is caused by suspended material in the water. As suspended material increases, the clarity decreases, and water appears cloudy or muddy. As water becomes more turbid, the ability of light to pass through the water decreases. This can limit the growth of submerged plants. This affects the fish and invertebrate communities which feed on and live in the plants. The lack of light also makes it difficult for predatory fish and birds to hunt successfully (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Turbid water loses its ability to support a large variety of aquatic organisms due to lower levels of oxygen. Where there is less light penetrating the water, there is less photosynthesis occurring, and therefore a lower level of oxygen in the water. The water also becomes warmer because the suspended material absorbs heat from the sun. This also decreases the amount of oxygen dissolved in water. Turbidity can be caused by silt, clay, micro-organisms, plant material, sewage or industrial effluent discharges, algae and chemicals, however most of the sediment comes from erosion of the surrounding catchment or stream bank (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Soil weathering and erosion are a natural process, but human land use such as agriculture, forestry or housing development can result in significant quantities entering waterways. Presence of riparian vegetation along the waterways can reduce the amount of suspended material entering waterways. It acts as a filter for rainfall runoff therefore reducing, or maintaining, the turbidity of the water. Levels of turbidity will vary over time. Rain events inevitably cause an increase in turbidity in a waterway, as apart from transporting sediment into the waterways from the surrounding catchment, they also result in an increased flow, which may stir up the water body. Bushfires also have a detrimental effect on the turbidity levels in waterways due to the decimation of vegetation, riparian and other, resulting in exposure of soil, and lack of filtering the runoff to a waterway in the case of a rain event.

12

Turbidity in the Ryans and Holland Creeks Holland Creek at Benalla has been monitored by Waterwatch since 1997. Most other sites in this report began being monitored in early 2007 as part of the Community Stream Sampling Project for the Bureau of Rural Science. The table and graph below summarise the data collected.

Site Code

Site Description TURBIDITY MEDIANS (NTU)

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

HOL001 Holland Creek at Tolmie - - - - - - - - - - - - 9 11

HOL002 Holland Creek at Fords

Bridge - - - - - - - - - - - 4 4 -

HOL003 Holland Creek at Dodds

Bridge - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 7

HOL004 Holland Creek U/S Tatong

at “Riverview” - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 -

HOL010 Holland Creek at Tatong

Bridge - - - - - - - - - - - 8 4 -

HOL012 Holland Creek at Benalla-

Tatong Road (Samaria Road)

- - - - - - - - - - - 10 22 -

RYA001 Ryans Creek at Madhouse Road

- - - - - - - - - - - - 4 -

RYA003 Ryans Creek at

"Tinnaroo" - - - - - 5 - - - - - 4 3 4

RYA010 Ryans Creek and

Rogash Road - - - - - 3 - - - - - 7 12 13

WBX010 Watchbox Creek at

O'Dea’s - - - - - - - - - - - 7 7 8

RYA017 Ryans Creek at Kilfeera

driveway bridge - - - - - - - - - - - 13 23 20

RYA019 Ryans Creek at Warilya

at Gunns Road - - - - - - - - - - - 8 13 -

SAM005 Sam Creek at Molyullah-Tatong Road

- - - - - - - - - - - 52 15 -

SAM010 Sam Creek at Gunns Road - - - - - - - - - - - 23 52 62

Ratings for Valleys: <10 NTU Excellent <12.5 NTU Good <15 NTU Fair <22.5 NTU Poor >22.5 NTU Degraded

Table 2

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Site Code

Site Description TURBIDITY MEDIANS (NTU)

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009


confluence with Sam Creek

- - - - - 6 - - - - - 18 27 17

HOL015 Holland Creek at Emu Bridge

- - - - - - - - - 20 - 10 24 11

HOL020 Holland Creek at Sherwills Bridge Benalla

- 19 20 - 28 - - - - - - 14 13 16

BRO055 Broken River at Faithfull Street

19 19 23 40 41 33 - 35 18 24 - 22 18 25

Annual Rainfall Total (mm) BoM Killanoola Station (82109)

837 447 614 716 770 596 457 - 623 855 - 604 495 555

Ratings for Valleys: <10 NTU Excellent <12.5 NTU Good <15 NTU Fair <22.5 NTU Poor >22.5 NTU Degraded

Table 2 continued

• Turbidity results are generally low in the upper sections of Ryans and Holland Creeks.

• Watchbox Creek continues to have excellent results.

• Sam Creek continues to have elevated turbidity.

• There has been improvement in Holland Creek at Emu Bridge since 2008.

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15

Electrical Conductivity (Salinity)

Electrical conductivity (EC) measures the flow of electricity in a solution (Tiller and Newall, 2009). As the amount of dissolved salts in the water increase, the conductivity increases. This relationship is used as a measure of salinity, and is recorded as micro Siemens per centimetre (µS/cm) (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Salts are necessary for aquatic organisms to survive, but excessive amounts may be toxic to some. Different organisms have different tolerance levels to salt, but most freshwater aquatic organisms will not tolerate high levels. In general, EC levels less than 1500 µS/cm are considered to have little short term effect (Tiller and Newall, 2009). As salinity rises, the number of species decline. Geology, urban and agricultural runoff, industrial and sewage runoff, proximity to the coast, and groundwater all affect salinity levels. Naturally salinity levels are higher in dry periods, as evaporation concentrates the salt levels. During these dry times, groundwater maybe the major contributor of water to waterways. Groundwater can have very high salt concentrations, and rising groundwater tables are known to have elevated salinity levels in many rivers in Victoria (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Once there is runoff again from rainfall, the salt concentrations will decrease. Dryland salinity is caused when deep rooted trees are replaced with seasonal crops or grasses that do not pump the water into the atmosphere as efficiently. If trees are cleared higher up in a catchment, this can lead to dramatic rises in groundwater tables. Revegetation of recharge areas and buffer strips along local streams can help to reduce salinity. The following summary can assist in interpretation of salt levels in surface waterways.

0-800 µS/cm

• Water from your tap at home would be within this range. • This is good drinking water for people and suitable for all animals. • When water of 300 µS/cm is used in irrigation through overhead sprinklers, plants that are sensitive to

salt may develop leaf scorch. 800-2500 µS/cm

• People can drink water within this range but it would start to taste very salty. • This water is still suitable for all animals. • Peas, apricots and grapes can't be grown with water over 1,500 µS/cm. • If this water is used for irrigation farming, special care must be taken with drainage and choosing plants

that are tolerant to salt. For example, lucerne can be irrigated with water of 2,000 µS/cm and white clover with water of 1,000 µS/cm, provided they are grown on sandy soil with good drainage.

2,500-10,000 µS/cm

• Water in this range is not suitable for people and should only be drunk in an emergency. • When water over 4,000 µS/cm is given to laying hens it causes their eggs to crack. • Water over 6,000 µS/cm is unsuitable for pigs and poultry. • Highly saline water may also contain a high level of magnesium which can be harmful to stock. • This water is generally not used for irrigation farming except on some crops that have a very high

tolerance to salt. • Pears, apples and tomatoes could not be grown with water in this range.

Over 10,000 µS/cm

• Water over 10,000 µS/cm has an extremely high salinity. • This water is unsuitable for people and for most animals. • Only beef cattle and adult sheep can survive on water in this range. • Irrigation farming is not possible with such highly saline water. • In dryland areas only salt tolerant pastures will survive. • At 50,000 µS/cm water has salinity similar to the sea.

16

Electrical Conductivity (Salinity) in Ryans and Holland Creeks

Holland Creek at Benalla has been monitored by Waterwatch since 1997. Testing began for most of the other sites in early 2007 as part of the Community Stream

Sampling Project for the Bureau of Rural Science. The table below shows median results for each calendar year.

Site Code

Site Description Electrical Conductivity MEDIANS (µS/cm)

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

HOL001 Holland Creek at Tolmie - - - - - - - - - - - - 45 32

HOL002 Holland Creek at Fords Bridge

- - - - - - - - - - - - 85 -

HOL003 Holland Creek at Dodds Bridge - - - - - - - - - - - - 77 84

HOL004 Holland Creek U/S Tatong at “Riverview” - - - - - - - - - - - 86 117 -

HOL010 Holland Creek at Tatong Bridge - - - - - - - - - - - 99 103 -

HOL012 Holland Creek at Benalla- Tatong Road (Samaria Road)

- - - - - - - - - - - 98 125 -

RYA001 Ryans Creek at Madhouse Road - - - - - - - - - - - - 32 -

RYA003 Ryans Creek at "Tinnaroo" - - - - - 40 - - - - - 67 60 50

RYA010 Ryans Creek and Rogash Road - - - - - 90 - - - - - 103 100 117

WBX010 Watchbox Creek at O'Dea’s - - - - - - - - - - - 150 100 104

RYA017 Ryans Creek at Kilfeera driveway bridge - - - - - - - - - - - 135 110 138

RYA019 Ryans Creek at Warilya at Gunns Road

- - - - - - - - - - - 136 143 -

Ratings for Valleys: <80 EC Excellent <240 EC Good <400 EC Fair <600 EC Poor >600 EC Degraded

Table 3

17

Site Code Site Description

Electrical Conductivity MEDIANS (µS/cm)

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

SAM005 Sam Creek at Molyullah-Tatong Road - - - - - - - - - - - 200 169 -

SAM010 Sam Creek at Gunns Road - - - - - - - - - - - 600 410 504

RYA020 Ryans Creek at confluence with Sam Creek

- - - - - 220 - - - - - 196 147 150

HOL015 Holland Creek at Emu Bridge - - - - - - - - - 102 - 150 150 100


- 160 120 - 190 - - - - - - 145 151 140

BRO055 Broken River at Faithfull Street Benalla

110 130 135 110 120 140 - 164 124 136 - 160 164 160


837 447 614 716 770 596 457 - 623 855 - 604 495 555

Ratings for Valleys: <80 EC Excellent <240 EC Good <400 EC Fair <600 EC Poor >600 EC Degraded

Table 3 continued

• Electrical conductivity levels have remained stable and generally low at most sites.

• Sam Creek continues to have elevated results compared with other sites.

Figure

5 shows the med

1

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3

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300

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18

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19

pH

The pH of a stream is a measure of how acid or alkaline (basic) the water is on a scale from 0 to 14. It is a measure of the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration. Water contains both H+ and OH- ions. Pure distilled water contains equal numbers of H and OH ions and is considered neutral (pH 7). pH measurements between 7 and 0 indicate the solution is acidic and the solution contains more H ions than OH ions. Measurements from 7 to 14 indicate alkalinity and the water contains more OH ions than H ions. From pH 7 to pH 0, water becomes more acidic and from pH 7 to 14, water becomes increasingly alkaline. pH is a logarithmic scale so that for every one unit change (e.g. from 5 to 4), there is a ten-fold increase in acidity. The pH of fresh waters usually lies in the range 6.5 to 8.2 although wide variations can occur because of catchment geology. The pH can also be affected by a range of factors including industrial runoff and sewage. pH Changes in Water Changes in pH outside the normal range of a water body will cause loss of the more sensitive species. Extremely high and low pH values will lead to the death of all aquatic life. The most common cause of unnatural changes in pH occurs in catchments which have acid sulphate soils that have been exposed to the atmosphere by mining or urban development. During high rainfall events, these acids can be washed into streams causing sharp rises in pH values for short periods of time. Nutrient pollution can cause excessive growth of algae and other plants and lift the pH values to quite high levels at certain times of the day. These sometimes large variations in pH can reduce the number of species of aquatic organisms normally present in the water body.

20

pH in Ryans and Holland Creeks

Some sites in Ryans and Holland Creeks have been monitored by Waterwatch for pH since 1998. The table below summarises the data collected.


pH MEDIANS

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

HOL001 Holland Creek at Tolmie - - - - - - - - - - - - 7.6 7.1

HOL002 Holland Creek at Fords Bridge

- - - - - - - - - - - - 7.7 -

HOL003 Holland Creek at Dodds Bridge

- - - - - - - - - - - - 7.7 7.3

HOL004 Holland Creek U/S Tatong at “Riverview”

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.3 7.6 -

HOL010 Holland Creek at Tatong Bridge

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.7 7.3 -

HOL012 Holland Creek at Benalla- Tatong Road (Samaria Road)

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.6 7.3 -

RYA001 Ryans Creek at Madhouse Road

- - - - - - - - - - - - 7.5 -

RYA003 Ryans Creek at "Tinnaroo"

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.8 7.3 -

RYA010 Ryans Creek and Rogash Road

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.8 7.6 -

WBX010 Watchbox Creek at O'Dea’s

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.8 - -

RYA017 Ryans Creek at Kilfeera driveway bridge

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.8 7.7 -

RYA019 Ryans Creek at Warilya at Gunns Road

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.6 7.5 -

Ratings for Mountains, Valleys and Plains: 6.0 - 7.5 Excellent 5.5 - 6 or <8.0 Good 8.0 - 8.5 Fair 5.0 - 5.5 or 8.5 - 9.0 Poor < 5.0 or > 9.0 Degraded

Table 4

21

Site Code

Site Description pH MEDIANS

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

SAM005 Sam Creek at Molyullah-Tatong Road

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.2 - -

SAM010 Sam Creek at Gunns Road - - - - - - - - - - - 7.1 7.0 7.0

RYA020 Ryans Creek at confluence with Sam Creek

- - - - - - - - - - - 7.3 7.4 7.1


- - - - - - - - - 7.6 - - 7.5 -


- - 7.1 - 7.1 - - - - - - 7.6 7.4 6.9

BRO055 Broken River at Faithfull Street Benalla

7.6 -


837 447 614 716 770 596 457 - 623 855 - 604 495 555

Ratings for Mountains, Valleys and Plains: 6.0 - 7.5 Excellent 5.5 - 6 or <8.0 Good 8.0 - 8.5 Fair 5.0 - 5.5 or 8.5 - 9.0 Poor < 5.0 or > 9.0 Degraded

Table 4 continued

22

Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the small amount of oxygen gas dissolved in the water. It is essential for the respiration of fish, aquatic animals, micro-organisms and plants, and without it they will die. Oxygen in water comes primarily from diffusion across the water-air interface, and is increased by turbulent mixing of water with air. In still or low flowing water, this transfer is slow however, in a fast flowing, turbulent waterway, the oxygen transfer is considerably higher (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Oxygen in water can also be produced when plants photosynthesise (Tiller and Newall, 2009). In healthy rivers, this contribution by plants is relatively small, but in water bodies that are nutrient enriched, the plant productivity can be high, resulting in higher levels of oxygen being produced (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Bacteria and other micro-organisms utilise oxygen during the decay or breaking down of organic matter. Increased amounts of organic matter results in increased amounts of oxygen required to complete the break down process. This is known as oxygen demand, and if demand exceeds the supply, or uptake of oxygen, then oxygen levels may fall significantly (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Under most natural conditions, a waterway will be at least 80% saturation, although concentrations vary depending on the time of day (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Plant respiration at night consumes oxygen, and plant photosynthesis during the day will produce oxygen. In nutrient rich (eutrophic) conditions, high numbers of plants are respiring at night causing troughs in oxygen levels, and photosynthesis of these high numbers during the day can cause very high dissolved oxygen concentrations, known as super saturation (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Levels above 110% indicate eutrophic conditions, and levels of 130% or more are almost certainly a result of blooms of algae, or other aquatic plants (Tiller and Newall, 2009). The breakdown of organic matter in a waterway is a natural occurrence as organic matter accumulates after runoff. In a healthy water body the period of low oxygen levels is relatively short, as the water body quickly processes the organic matter. Fish and other aquatic organisms are likely to be tolerant of low oxygen levels for short periods. Most native fish in lowland rivers can tolerate levels as low as 50% saturation (approximately 5mg/L) for extended periods, and lower than this for short term periods (Tiller and Newall, 2009). Very low levels can cause formation of hydrogen sulphide, which is highly toxic to most native fish species (Tiller and Newall, 2009). So, to maintain a healthy and diverse aquatic ecosystem, the dissolved oxygen levels should ideally be maintained at high levels. If the oxygen level falls, there will be reductions or losses in the more sensitive aquatic species. At low oxygen levels, only a very few hardy species may be present. Therefore dissolved oxygen levels are a useful indicator of general water quality. The State Environment Protection Policy – Waters of Victoria environmental quality objectives for dissolved oxygen for rivers and streams in the Goulburn Broken region suggests a 25th percentile of greater than or equal to 85 % saturation, and a maximum of 110 % saturation. Due to the photosynthesis and respiration cycle, regular monitoring should be carried out at a similar time of day, and the time recorded. Oxygen levels are also affected by temperature, reducing as the water temperature increases. A dissolved oxygen test in mg/L tells us precisely how much oxygen is dissolved in water, but it does not indicate how much dissolved oxygen the water is capable of holding at the temperature of the test. The percentage saturation is a better measure of the availability of oxygen to aquatic organisms. Major sources of oxygen demanding substances include sewage effluent, stormwater runoff, septic tank discharges, leaf litter, and aquatic plant material.

23

Dissolved Oxygen in Ryans and Holland Creeks

Some sites in Ryans and Holland Creeks have been monitored by Waterwatch for dissolved oxygen since 2007.

The below summarises the data collected.

Site Code

Site Description

Dissolved Oxygen MEDIANS (% Saturation)

2007 2008 2009

HOL001 Holland Creek at Tolmie - 88 84

HOL002 Holland Creek at Fords Bridge - 89 -

HOL003 Holland Creek at Dodds Bridge - 95 96

HOL004 Holland Creek U/S Tatong at “Riverview” 96 86 -

HOL010 Holland Creek at Tatong Bridge 90 70 -

HOL012 Holland Creek at Benalla- Tatong Road (Samaria Road) 84 55 -

RYA001 Ryans Creek at Madhouse Road - 89 -

RYA003 Ryans Creek at "Tinnaroo" 96 92 -

RYA010 Ryans Creek and Rogash Road 96 94 87

WBX010 Watchbox Creek at O'Dea’s 95 - 94

RYA017 Ryans Creek at Kilfeera driveway bridge 95 98 -

RYA019 Ryans Creek at Warilya at Gunns Road 94 88 -

SAM010 Sam Creek at Gunns Road 49 71 66

RYA020 Ryans Creek at confluence with Sam Creek 90 89 87

HOL020 Holland Creek at Sherwills Bridge Benalla 60 42 -


604 495 555

FAIL Table 5

• There are no Waterwatch ratings for medians for Dissolved Oxygen (DO) as used for the other

parameters in this report. • There are the State Environment Protection Policy – Waters of Victoria (SEPP) environmental quality

objectives for dissolved oxygen for rivers and streams in the Goulburn Broken region. • SEPP suggests a 25th percentile of greater than or equal to 85 % saturation, and a maximum of 110

% saturation. • Based on these figures, most sites monitored for Dissolved Oxygen saturation have reasonable

median results. • Sam Creek at Gunns Road has consistently failed to meet the 25th percentile objective, as has Holland

Creek at Benalla (HOL020).

Further dissolved oxygen percentiles can be seen in comparison with the SEPP Guidelines in Table 8 of this report.

24

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a nutrient that occurs naturally at low concentrations in water and it is essential for all forms of life. It comes from processes like the weathering of rocks (inorganic phosphorus) and from the decomposition of organic matter such as plant litter (organic phosphorus). Other sources of phosphorus entering river systems include:

• Organic material from animals such as waste and decaying tissue • Wastewater treatment plants • Stormwater runoff • Runoff or discharge from intensive agricultural or dairy industry • Forest runoff

Phosphorus is one of the nutrients required by aquatic plants and animals, however it is often the one in shortest supply, therefore limiting plant growth. If phosphorus levels are high enough they can contribute to algal blooms and excessive growth of aquatic plants. This can result in smothering of aquatic habitat, and also cause severely high oxygen peaks and low oxygen troughs due to excess photosynthesis during the day, and respiration at night. These extreme highs and lows can be enough to severely stress or kill stream fauna (Tiller and Newall, 2009). There can be seasonal variation in phosphorus levels. High flows generally result in higher phosphorus concentrations, as runoff carries sediment containing phosphorus into waterways. As for turbidity, bushfire and resultant devastation of riparian, and other, vegetation can result in extremely high levels of phosphorus. This is due to the massive sediment and ash inputs to the waterways after storm events. Nutrients in waterways (particularly phosphorus) became an important parameter to monitor when deciding the quality of water in a waterway when the Water Quality Strategy was produced for the Goulburn Broken Catchment. Phosphorus is also a parameter included in the chemical sub-index as part of the Victorian Index of Stream Condition (ISC) rating system for measuring the condition of a waterway. Total phosphorus is used rather than soluble (reactive) phosphorus, as it includes all forms of phosphorus present in a waterway rather than the soluble component. It will generally increase from headwaters to the lower part of a waterway.

25

Phosphorus in the Ryans and Holland Creeks

Holland Creek at Benalla has been monitored for Total Phosphorus by Waterwatch and Volunteer monitors since 1997, and Holland Creek at Emu Bridge has been

monitored since 2004. Due to restraints on time and resources, Goulburn Broken Waterwatch now only monitors the most downstream site of a waterway for Total

Phosphorus. The table and graph below summarise the data collected.


Total Phosphorus MEDIANS (mg/L)

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

HOL001 Holland Creek at

Tolmie 0.03

HOL003 Holland Creek at Dodd’s Bridge

0.02

WBX010 Watchbox Creek at O'Dea’s

0.02

SAM010 Sam Creek at Gunn’s Road

0.4


confluence with Sam Creek

- - - - - 0.04 - - - - - 0.07 0.03 0.04


- - - - - - - - - 0.05 - 0.02 0.02 0.08

HOL020 Holland Creek at Sherwills Bridge

Benalla - - 0.05 - 0.08 - - - - - - 0.05 0.035 0.08


Benalla 0.06 0.05 0.07 0.1 0.1 0.09 0.09 0.08 - 0.07 - 0.04 0.04 0.06

Annual Rainfall Total (mm) BoM Killanoola Station (82109) 837 447 614 716 770 596 457 - 623 855 - 604 495 555

Ratings for the Mountains, Valleys and Plains– <0.01 mg/L Excellent, <0.025mg/L Good, <0.05mg/L Fair, <0.1mg/L Poor, >0.1mg/L Degraded

Table 6

• Total phosphorus results in Ryans Creek remain fair.

• Holland Creek has good results in the upper part of the catchment, but results increase as the Creek moves downstream.

• Results for Sam Creek are high.

26

State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Compliance

The State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) Waters of Victoria (WoV) water quality objectives identify the

‘ideal’ result range for environmental data at a particular location in a waterway. If a site fails a SEPP objective

for one parameter, it indicates a possible problem for the whole system, not just for the one parameter and not

just for the one site). It is recommended that an ecological risk assessment (ERA) be undertaken to determine

if there is a risk to the values (or “beneficial uses”) associated with that stream.

Basically, any set of results that fails the objective is a red flag to look more closely at what’s going on. This

differs from aiming for a particular turbidity or total phosphorus result, as an ERA may determine that it is

acceptable to exceed the SEPP objectives for some parameters depending on the use/value of the waterway.

Figure 6: Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority - SEPP (WoV) segments

(EPA,2003).

27

State Environmental Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) Environmental Quality Objectives for Rivers and Streams – water quality

The State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) segment and objectives applicable within the Goulburn Broken CMA region for the tests of relevance to

the Ryans and Holland Creeks are shown in Table 7. This table has been reproduced from the State Environment Protection Policy Waters of Victoria (Victorian

Environment Protection Authority 2003).

SEGMENT

INDICATOR Total

phosphorus (ug/L)

Total nitrogen (ug/L)

Dissolved oxygen % saturation

Turbidity (NTU)

Electrical conductivity

(uS/CM)

pH (pH units)

75th percentile

75th percentile

25th percentile

maximum 75th

percentile 75th

percentile 25th

percentile 75th

percentile Cleared Hills and Coastal Plains • mid-reaches of Ovens, Goulburn and

Broken catchments ≤25 ≤600 ≥85 110 ≤10 ≤500 ≥6.4 ≤7.7

• Delatite River at Tonga Bridge ≤25 ≤500 ≥85 110 ≤10 ≤500 ≥6.4 ≤7.7

• Goulburn River at Eildon ≤25 ≤600 ≥85 110 ≤10 ≤500 ≥6.4 ≤7.7

Table 7

Note: SEPP objectives are long term theoretical goals for water quality. It is not expected that waterways will comply at this stage

28

2009 results in Ryans and Holland Creeks and their tributaries (Table 8) to be compared to SEPP objectives– water quality (Table 7)

FAIL

Table 8

• When comparing with SEPP objectives, three quarters of the readings taken should fall below the 75th percentile.

• With the exception of Watchbox Creek, all sites monitored for total phosphorus exceed the SEPP objective of 25 µg/L.

• With the exception of Watchbox Creek, all sites continue to exceed the SEPP objective of less than or equal to 10 NTU for turbidity.

• Electrical conductivity and pH results are all within the SEPP guidelines, with the exception of Sam Creek which exceeds the Electrical

conductivity objective. This is excellent considering that SEPP objectives are long term theoretical goals for water quality.

• It is not expected that waterways will comply with all objectives at this stage.

SEGMENT

INDICATOR Total

phosphorus (ug/L)

Total nitrogen (ug/L)

Dissolved oxygen % saturation

Turbidity (NTU)

Electrical conductivity

(uS/CM)

pH (pH units)

75th percentile

75th percentile

25th percentile

maximum 75th percentile

75th percentile

25th percentile

75th percentile

RYA003 Ryans Creek at "Tinnaroo" - - - - 5 50 - - RYA010 Ryans Creek and Rogash Road - - 84 89 15 130 - - WBX010 Watchbox Creek at O'Dea’s 20 - 93 106 10 110 - -

RYA017 Ryans Creek at Kilfeera driveway

bridge - - - - 28 157 - -

SAM010 Sam Creek at Gunns Road 530 - 54 92 98 577 6.9 7.0

RYA020 Ryans Creek at confluence with

Sam Creek 50 - 87 101 29 279 7.0 7.2

HOL001 Holland Creek at Tolmie 40 - 72 90 20 48 6.9 7.5 HOL003 Holland Creek at Dodds Bridge 30 - 87 99 12 142 7.2 7.4 HOL015 Holland Creek at Emu Bridge 100 - - - 16 130 - -

HOL020 Holland Creek at Sherwills Bridge

Benalla 160 - - - 16 228 - -


Benalla 70 - - - 37 208 - -

29

Macro-invertebrates in Ryans Creek

Why do a Macro-invertebrate Survey? Macro-invertebrates are animals without backbones that live at least a part of their life in water. One reason for studying macro-invertebrates (or waterbugs) is that they can be useful indicators of the ecological health of freshwater habitats. Some aquatic invertebrates are more tolerant to pollution than others. If a stream is polluted, tolerant bugs will usually be found in larger numbers than the intolerant or sensitive ones. However, if a habitat is close to pristine, or in its natural state, tolerant types of bugs will be found alongside the more sensitive bugs which will be in equal or greater numbers than the tolerant. Sites and habitats within the Ryans Creek were assessed against the SEPP WoV biological objectives (State Environmental Protection Policy – Waters of Victoria), biological objectives for Cleared Hills and Coastal Plains (B4). Site: 1. Upper Ryans Creek above Loombah Reservoir – Waterwatch code RYA050. Separate assessments are made for riffle and edge habitats. In order to make a complete and accurate assessment of a site, the biological samples must be collected in both autumn and spring, and the invertebrate data from both seasons combined in the calculation of the indices. The indicators used to assess the health of the waterway are; Number of Families. The number of invertebrate families found at a site can give a reasonable representation of the ecological health of a stream as healthy streams generally have more families. The Number of Families index is calculated by simply summing the total ‘families’ of invertebrates present at a site. The SIGNAL biotic index. SIGNAL (Stream Invertebrate Grade Number- Average Level) is an index of water quality based on the tolerance of aquatic biota to pollution (Chessman 1995). It is calculated by summing together the sensitivity grades of each of the families found at a site that have been assigned a sensitivity grade, and then by dividing by the number of graded families present. The output is a single number, between zero and ten, reflecting the degree of water pollution. The EPT biotic index The EPT index is the total number of families in the generally pollution sensitive insect orders of Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies) and Trichoptera (caddisflies). It is calculated by summing together the number of families in these three orders present at a site. Any loss of families in these groups usually indicates disturbance. Key Invertebrate Families This index focuses mainly on the loss of key taxa that are indicative of good habitat and water quality. To calculate the Key Families index, simply compare the list of families present at a site with the appropriate list of key families as specified in the State Environmental Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria). The key families score is the total number of these key families present at a site.

30

1. Results The objectives for biological indicators of environmental quality are given for each of the biological regions and habitats covered by this report. To meet objectives, sites assessed must return values equal to or greater than the values given in Table 9. All three objectives should be met in region B4 and failure to meet any one of the objectives should trigger further investigation. Table 9 Objectives for biological indicators of environmental quality as listed in the SEPP WoV (Victorian Environmental Protection Authority 2003)

Indicators

Region & Habitat

No of Families SIGNAL index score

Key families combined habitat

B4 riffle 23 5.5 22 B4 edge 26 5.5 22

Table 10 Biotic indices results for one site in the Goulburn Broken Waterwatch Program in 2008 and 2009, assessed against SEPP WoV objectives for biological indicators of environmental quality. Site code/

year Site location Biological

Region Habitat Number

of families score

SIGNAL index score

Key families Combined

Habitat score

Site Pass Fail

2008

Upper Ryan’s Creek above Loombah Reservoir

B4 Riffle 22 6.0 29 Fail

2009 Upper Ryan’s Creek above Loombah Reservoir

B4 Riffle 24 6.3 30 Pass

2008

Upper Ryan’s Creek above Loombah Reservoir

B4 Edge 25 6.1 29 Fail

2009 Upper Ryan’s Creek above Loombah Reservoir

B4 Edge 32

6.0 30 Pass

Fail N/O - No objective set for that indicator in that SEPP (WoV) region 2. Discussion

• Upper Ryans Creek has improved from marginally failing the SEPP biological objectives for both the riffle and edge samples in 2008 to comfortably passing in all three parameters for both types of samples in 2009.

• The biological objectives for the riffle sample have improved for all three parameters (Number of Families, SIGNAL SCORE and Key Families Index), all in 2009 now being above the desired objectives for a healthy waterway.

• The edge habitat easily passed all three SEPP biological objectives in 2009 (Number of Families, SIGNAL score and Key Families)

A comprehensive macro-invertebrate report is available by contacting Goulburn Broken Waterwatch on phone 5832 0460, or by email to [email protected] .

31

Summary for Ryans and Holland Creeks

Results for the Ryans and Holland Creek in 2009 show that;

• Total phosphorus exceeds the SEPP objective at all sites monitored in 2009, with the

exception of Watchbox Creek.

• The majority of sites monitored for turbidity fail to meet SEPP objectives.

• Sam Creek at Gunns Road has very high total phosphorus and turbidity results.

• With the exception of Sam Creek at Gunns Road, all sites meet SEPP objectives for

Electrical conductivity, which is excellent considering these are long term theoretical

goals.

• pH results for are excellent, and all sites tested meet guidelines.

• Macro-invertebrates passed at the Ryans Creek site when assessed against SEPP WoV

objectives for biological indicators of environmental quality. Holland Creek is not sampled for

macro-invertebrates.

Data collected from Ryans Creek at confluence with Sams Creek at Gunns Road (RYA020), Watchbox

Creek at O’Dea's (WBX010), Holland Creek at Tolmie (HOL001), Holland Creek at Dodds Bridge

(HOL003), and Sams Creek at Gunns Road (SAM010) during 2009 was forwarded to the Department of

Sustainability and Environment for inclusion in the 2009 Index of Stream Condition Assessment. The

Department approached Waterwatch Victoria in 2008 to assist in the collection of water quality data to

assist with this Assessment, which is carried out every five years. Goulburn Broken Waterwatch had 47

sites within our catchments being included in this project.

These results have so far been distributed to

• Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

• Waterwatch State Office

• DSE

33

References

EPA (2003) Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority SEPP (WoV) Segments and

environmental quality objectives. Environment Protection Authority, Macleod.

GBCMA (2005). Regional River Health Strategy 2005-2015. Goulburn Broken Catchment Management

Authority, Shepparton.

GBCMA (2005). Regional River Health Strategy 2005-2015. Status of the Riverine System – Regional

Overview. Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Shepparton.

Tiller, D. and Newall, P. (2009). Interpreting River Health Data – Waterwatch Victoria. Mulqueen Printers

Pty Ltd.

Glossary

DO Dissolved Oxygen – a measure of the concentration of oxygen in the water EC Electrical Conductivity – measures the flow of electricity in a solution in µS/cm EPA Environment Protection Authority EPT Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera GBCMA Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority ISC Index of Stream Condition Median Numbers in a series are sorted into ascending order, and the middle number is the median Mean Average calculated by adding all data points and dividing by the number of data points pH Acidity or alkalinity of the water – 0 being acidic, 14 being alkaline Photosynthesis Process where plants produce oxygen during daylight hours Respiration Process where plants consume oxygen during non daylight hours RRHS Regional River Health Strategy SEPP State Environment Protection Policy SIGNAL Stream Invertebrate Grade Level Turbidity A measure of the clarity of water, measured in NTU

34

Appendix A

Ryans and Holland Creek Report For Samples from 01 Jan 2009 to 31 Dec 2009 SiteNo: BLI010 Blind Creek on Samaria Road Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 10:15 AM 0 dry 18-Mar-09 10:30 AM 0 DRY 17-Apr-09 10:10 AM 0 dry

SiteNo: BLI015 Blind Creek at Knights Rd Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 10:25 AM 0 dry 18-Mar-09 11:00 AM 0 DRY 17-Apr-09 10:20 AM 0 dry

SiteNo: BRO055 Broken River after Benalla at Pump station in Faithful St. Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 22-Jan-09 11:30 AM Grab 24.8 0.04 7.6 10 0 Low 200 24-Feb-09 4:40 PM Grab 23.3 0.04 <10 0 Low 230 18-Mar-09 3:00 PM Grab 20.3 0.02 7.6 10 0 steady 220 20-May-09 11:40 AM Grab 12.2 0.03 40 0 Rising 210 17-Jun-09 12:00 PM Grab 0.07 55 141 16-Jul-09 5:10 PM Grab 9.4 0.12 68 130 20-Aug-09 4:40 PM Grab 13.0 0.08 29 150 16-Sep-09 7:45 AM Grab 11.3 0.06 24 0 160 30-Oct-09 11:30 AM Grab 23.0 7.2 25 0 Low 159 69 26-Nov-09 3:30 PM Grab 24.4 0.07 7.3 22 rising 150

Report Date: 25 May 2010Field60: 1 of 10 Pages.

35

Waterwatch Victoria Application (WVA) - Site Report SiteNo: HOL001 Holland Creek at Tolmie Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 22-Jan-09 4:15 PM Grab 20.6 0.12 6.7 63 10 Low 58 67 18-Feb-09 1:50 PM Grab 18.7 0.2 6.9 54 0 stagna 130 37 18-Mar-09 1:45 PM 0 dry 17-Apr-09 1:00 PM 0 dry 21-May-09 1:35 PM Grab 7.4 0.03 6.6 4.4 0 pool 49 69 17-Jun-09 1:30 PM Grab 2.9 0.02 7.5 6.9 0 LOW 39 83 16-Jul-09 12:45 PM Grab 5.2 0.02 7.1 11 med 30 86 26-Aug-09 4:00 PM Grab 7.4 7.9 11 0 32 86 31-Aug-09 3:00 PM Grab 9.0 0.01 6.9 11 8 Mediu 31 90 18-Sep-09 10:35 AM Grab 9.5 0.025 7.5 13 15 LowMe 31 90 30-Oct-09 3:30 PM Grab 18.6 0.02 7.7 12 0 Mediu 39 80 29-Nov-09 12:20 PM Grab 16.6 0.04 7.5 27 16.6 mediu 36 84 22-Dec-09 10:45 AM Grab 0.03 6.9 3.6 vlow 46

SiteNo: HOL002 Holland Creek at Fords Bridge Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 12:55 PM Grab 21.7 7.7 3 0 stagna 253 77 18-Mar-09 12:40 PM Grab 16.5 7.1 3 0 low 106 78 17-Apr-09 12:25 PM Grab 13 6.9 3 0 low 127 85 Report Date: 25 May 2010Field60: 2 of 10 Pages.

36

Waterwatch Victoria Application (WVA) - Site Report

SiteNo: HOL003 Holland Creek at Dodds Bridge Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 22-Jan-09 5:05 PM Grab 24.6 0.08 7.1 15 10 Low 150 76 18-Feb-09 10:30 AM Grab 23.9 0.10 7.3 28 0 stag 104 82 18-Mar-09 12:25 PM Grab 16.8 0.02 7.3 3 0 low 185 82 17-Apr-09 12:15 PM Grab 14.6 <0.005 7.1 4 0 low 195 88 21-May-09 1:00 PM Grab 11.1 0.03 7.2 7.0 0 low 142 89 17-Jun-09 9:40 AM Grab 5.9 0.02 7.3 5.6 0 MED 124 98 16-Jul-09 12:00 PM Grab 7.1 0.02 7.2 9 med 77 96 26-Aug-09 1:00 PM Grab 8.2 7.6 10 0 Mediu 65 99 31-Aug-09 2:30 PM Grab 10.1 0.01 7.1 12 8 Mediu 63 98 18-Sep-09 10:00 AM Grab 10.4 0.028 7.4 17 15 Mediu 76 96 30-Oct-09 2:45 PM Grab 22.6 0.019 7.7 5.2 0 Mediu 72 98 29-Nov-09 11:30 AM Grab 17.8 0.03 7.4 6 16.6 med 83 95 17-Dec-09 3:55 PM Grab 0.04 7.9 6.8 84

SiteNo: HOL004 Holland Creek upstream Tatong at "Riverview" Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 11:10 AM Grab 20.5 7.2 10 0 stag 186 56 18-Mar-09 12:20 PM Grab 7.3 14 0 0 201 49

SiteNo: HOL010 Holland Creek at Tatong Bridge Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 11:00 AM Grab 21.5 7.2 8 0 0 350 48 18-Mar-09 12:00 PM Grab 17.9 7.3 6 0 LOW 495 60 21-May-09 12:45 PM Grab 13.2 6.7 5.2 pool 155 67

SiteNo: HOL012 Holland Creek Benalla-Tatong Rd (Samaria Rd) Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 10:25 AM Grab 20.8 7.3 44 0 0 196 59 18-Mar-09 11:45 AM 0 DRY 17-Apr-09 11:50 AM 0 dry Report Date: 25 May 2010Field60: 3 of 10 Pages.

37

Waterwatch Victoria Application (WVA) - Site Report SiteNo: HOL015 Holland Creek at Emu Bridge Road Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 22-Jan-09 11:45 AM Grab 24.5 0.12 7.1 11 0 0 310 18-Feb-09 10:30 AM 0 dry 24-Feb-09 4:10 PM 0 dry 18-Mar-09 11:30 AM 0 dry 17-Apr-09 11:45 AM 0 dry 20-May-09 12:00 PM 0 0 17-Jun-09 12:00 PM dry 16-Jul-09 2:00 PM Grab 9.2 0.06 16 130 20-Aug-09 2:40 PM Grab 12.4 0.04 <10 100 16-Sep-09 5:30 PM Grab 13.3 0.05 <10 0 90 26-Nov-09 2:10 PM Grab 24 0.10 7.6 18 rising 90 17-Dec-09 12:00 PM Grab 0.09

SiteNo: HOL020 Holland Creek at Sherwills Bridge Benalla Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 22-Jan-09 12:00 PM 0 0 18-Feb-09 10:00 AM Grab 20.6 0.18 6.9 16 stag 48 38 24-Feb-09 4:15 PM Grab 24.3 0.16 17 0 stag 220 18-Mar-09 10:30 AM Grab 18 0.16 6.9 16 0 stag 228 34 18-Mar-09 2:15 PM Grab 20.3 0.11 7.8 21 0 pools 240 17-Apr-09 10:05 AM Grab 13.2 0.04 6.7 10 0 stagna 237 44 20-May-09 12:00 PM 0 Dry 17-Jun-09 12:00 PM dry 16-Jul-09 1:30 PM Grab 9.1 0.06 11 120 20-Aug-09 2:50 PM Grab 11.2 0.04 <10 140 16-Sep-09 5:35 PM Grab 12.7 0.05 <10 0 90 26-Nov-09 2:20 PM Grab 22.4 0.08 7.1 16 rising 110 Report Date: 25 May 2010Field60: 4 of 10 Pages.

38


SiteNo: RYA001 Ryans Creek at Madhouse Road Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 1:15 PM Grab 18.5 7.5 8 0 low 35 81 18-Mar-09 1:05 PM Grab 12.7 7.2 4 0 low 35 85 17-Apr-09 12:55 PM Grab 10.8 6.7 5 0 low 34 85

SiteNo: RYA002 Loombah Weir - Ryans Creek Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 3:00 PM Grab 24 8.9 3 0 steady 47 111 18-Mar-09 3:00 PM Grab 23 8.7 4 0 steady 47 115 17-Apr-09 11:00 AM Grab 17.1 7.1 7 0 steady 51 88

SiteNo: RYA003 Ryans Creek at "Tinnaroo" Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 25-Jan-09 11:00 AM Grab 21 4 0 3 50 18-Feb-09 3:15 PM Grab 23.4 7.6 3 0 steady 48 92 26-Feb-09 3:00 PM Grab 24.5 4 0 3.5 50 18-Mar-09 3:15 PM Grab 22 7.0 3 0 low 47 91 24-Mar-09 2:00 PM Grab 22 3 0 2.7 50 24-Apr-09 3:00 PM Grab 15.6 3 20 2.7 50 21-May-09 12:45 PM Grab 13.2 7.0 3.7 0 low 53 93 24-May-09 1:00 PM Grab 16.6 3 0 2.7 50 30-Jun-09 1:30 PM Grab 11.6 3 13 2.7 60 21-Jul-09 10:30 AM Grab 10.6 3 0 50 24-Aug-09 10:30 AM Grab 10.8 <5 5 50 23-Sep-09 8:30 AM Grab 13.6 <5 15 5 40 26-Oct-09 8:30 AM Grab 15.2 <5 0 4 40 23-Nov-09 10:00 AM Grab 22.5 <5 49 4 40 31-Dec-09 6:00 PM Grab 26 <5 0 2.75 50 Report Date: 25 May 2010Field60: 5 of 10 Pages.

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SiteNo: RYA010 Ryans Creek and Rogash Road Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 27-Jan-09 8:30 AM Grab 20.9 22 0 0.3M/s 120 18-Feb-09 4:00 PM Grab 23.5 8 0 STEADY 114 87 28-Feb-09 12:00 PM Grab 21.3 15 0 0 110 18-Mar-09 3:30 PM Grab 19.7 7.3 7 0 low 94 89 25-Mar-09 10:00 AM Grab 17.8 4.5 0 0 120 17-Apr-09 11:15 AM Grab 13.9 6.9 8 0 low 135 84 21-May-09 11:30 AM Grab 11.4 6.9 13 0 low 130 89 21-May-09 1:25 PM Grab 7.4 7.2 6.0 0 low 129 80 27-Jun-09 2:00 PM Grab 11.3 12 9 low 160 21-Jul-09 1:45 PM Grab 11.8 12 2.1 low 160 22-Aug-09 11:20 AM Grab 8.9 14 6.2 slow 70 23-Sep-09 1:45 PM Grab 14.7 20 10 rising 60 22-Oct-09 10:40 AM Grab 15.8 14 0 rising 60 26-Nov-09 1:45 PM Grab 25.2 29 steady 70

SiteNo: RYA015 Ryans Creek at corner of "Kilfeera" and Tatong Road Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Mar-09 4:00 PM Grab 20 7.1 17 0 low 129 85


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Waterwatch Victoria Application (WVA) - Site Report SiteNo: RYA017 Ryans Creek at "Kilfeera" driveway bridge Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 4:15 PM Grab 0 DRY 25-Feb-09 10:00 AM Grab 21.3 24 0 210 28-Mar-09 4:00 PM 0 0 17-Apr-09 10:30 AM 0 dry 22-Apr-09 9:00 AM 0 dry 14-May-09 10:00 AM Grab 25.5 82 0 LOW 180 21-May-09 11:15 AM Grab 11.1 6.9 18 0 low 149 81 28-May-09 3:30 PM Grab 13.1 22 0 LOW 145 22-Jul-09 11:00 AM Grab 11.2 17 0.2 130 21-Aug-09 12:00 PM Grab 14.1 15 0 70 21-Oct-09 2:30 PM Grab 18.5 13 0 steady 70 27-Nov-09 8:20 AM Grab 19.5 38 8 rising 80 27-Dec-09 8:00 AM 0 dry

SiteNo: RYA019 Ryans Creek at "Warilya" at Gunn's Road Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 4:30 PM 0 DRY 18-Mar-09 4:00 PM 0 dry 17-Apr-09 10:25 AM 0 DRY 16-Jul-09 11:00 AM Grab 7.1 7.0 12 med 119 88 26-Aug-09 10:25 AM Grab 9.1 7.1 8 0 Mediu 96 99 Report Date: 25 May 2010Field60: 7 of 10 Pages.

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SiteNo: RYA020 Ryans Creek at confluence with Sam Creek at Gunn's Rd. Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 22-Jan-09 5:35 PM 10 0 18-Feb-09 4:30 PM 0 dry 18-Mar-09 4:00 PM 0 dry 17-Apr-09 10:05 AM 0 dry 21-May-09 11:00 AM Grab 10.6 0.04 6.8 7.8 0 low 181 67 17-Jun-09 8:45 AM Grab 6.5 0.06 7.0 13 0 LOW 237 87 16-Jul-09 11:00 AM Grab 7.1 0.05 7.1 17 med 147 89 01-Aug-09 11:00 AM Grab 10.2 40 5 stagna 560 26-Aug-09 10:30 AM Grab 9.1 0.02 7.3 9 0 Med- 93 101 16-Sep-09 12:45 PM Grab 12.6 0.044 6.7 8.8 0 Mediu 89 95 12-Oct-09 10:00 AM Grab 12.0 80 falling 320 30-Oct-09 11:50 AM Grab 21.6 0.044 7.1 17 0 Mediu 117 87 03-Nov-09 11:00 AM Grab 19.2 90 stagna 380 29-Nov-09 10:45 AM Grab 18.1 0.04 7.3 17 16.6 mediu 88 87 17-Dec-09 3:10 PM Grab 0.02 7.0 8.8 150

SiteNo: RYA050 Ryans Creek 1 km upstream Loombah Weir - macro-invertebrate site Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 07-May-09 12:00 PM Grab 9.7 6.9 12 49 87 04-Nov-09 11:00 AM Grab 20.5 6.3 3 steady 30 114

SiteNo: RYA101 Ryans Creek at Dick's Landing Rd, US of RYA001 Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 1:30 PM Grab 16.8 6.9 6 0 low 28 82 18-Mar-09 1:30 PM Grab 11 6.8 7 0 steady 87 17-Apr-09 10:50 AM Grab 9.6 6.6 7.0 0 low 28 91 21-May-09 1:25 PM Grab 7.4 7.2 6 0 low 29 80


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Waterwatch Victoria Application (WVA) - Site Report SiteNo: SAM005 Sam Creek at Molyullah-Tatong Rd Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 18-Feb-09 2:45 PM 0 dry 18-Mar-09 2:30 PM 0 dry 21-May-09 12:35 PM 0 dry 01-Aug-09 11:30 AM Grab 10.2 40 5 SLOW 800 12-Oct-09 9:30 AM Grab 11.2 35 falling 150 03-Nov-09 11:30 AM Grab 20.3 35 stagna 190

SiteNo: SAM010 Sam Creek at Gunn's Road Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 22-Jan-09 5:35 PM 10 0 18-Feb-09 2:45 PM dry 18-Mar-09 4:00 PM 0 dry 17-Apr-09 10:05 AM 0 dry 21-May-09 11:00 AM Grab 9.8 0.42 6.4 39 0 low 512 69 17-Jun-09 8:50 AM Grab 6.6 0.38 6.9 48 0 0 766 66 16-Jul-09 11:00 AM Grab 7.1 0.32 7.0 52 med 496 56 26-Aug-09 10:30 AM Grab 9.3 0.24 6.9 44 0 2 724 70 16-Sep-09 1:25 PM Grab 13.0 0.82 7.1 94 0 Low 528 92 30-Oct-09 12:15 PM Grab 24.3 0.38 7.0 71 0 Low 365 46 29-Nov-09 10:30 AM Grab 17 0.44 6.8 130 16.6 stagna 306 51 17-Dec-09 3:15 PM Grab 0.8 7.1 110 stag 372 Report Date: 25 May 2010Field60: 9 of 10 Pages.

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SiteNo: WBX010 Watchbox Ck at O'Dea's Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 22-Jan-09 4:00 PM 10 0 27-Jan-09 8:45 AM 0 dry 18-Feb-09 10:30 AM 0 dry 28-Feb-09 12:20 PM 0 dry 18-Mar-09 4:00 PM 0 dry 25-Mar-09 10:20 AM 0 dry 17-Apr-09 11:20 AM 0 dry 21-May-09 12:30 PM 0 dry 17-Jun-09 8:50 AM 0 DRY 27-Jun-09 2:15 PM 9 dry 16-Jul-09 11:40 AM Grab 7.6 0.01 7.0 3 low 88 94 21-Jul-09 2:00 PM Grab 12.6 8 2.1 low 100 22-Aug-09 11:45 AM Grab 12.6 8 6.2 stagna 100 26-Aug-09 12:00 PM Grab 10.2 0.01 7.6 4 0 Low 104 106 16-Sep-09 2:00 PM Grab 13.2 0.02 7.2 11 0 Mediu 122 93 23-Sep-09 1:55 PM Grab 15 10 10 steady 110 22-Oct-09 10:55 AM Grab 16.6 11 0 steady 100 30-Oct-09 2:00 PM Grab 24.5 0.022 7.6 4.8 0 Low 104 94 26-Nov-09 2:10 PM dry 29-Nov-09 11:00 AM Grab 18.7 0.04 8 16.6 stagna 118 79 16-Dec-09 12:00 PM dry

SiteNo: WPC005 Woolpress Ck at Baddaginnie Parameters: Temp TPhos pH Turb Rainfall Flow EC % O2 Sat Date: Time: Sample Type: ° C mg/L P pH Units NTU mm ML/day µS/cm % 21-May-09 9:45 AM 0 dry


ryans and holla nd c reeks - gb_waterwatch · bli010 – map 8024 e 409772 n 5952317 blind creek on...

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