February 2025: Chemical, Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate Analysis

Alison Loxton
Apr 3
2 min read

Hi everyone

I trust everyone is OK following TC Alfred and the more damaging rainfall and erosion which accompanied it.

Many homes were without electricity, the worst I know of for two long weeks; how can this happen in an aged of advanced technology?

It was a system which was forever following the warmer oceanic waters (hence turning back a couple of times) and seemed to be most reluctant to leave. In the rivers and streams, from my observation, only Wongawallan Creek suffered significant tree loss and there was a large tree lodged against the causeway at Birds Road Crossing in the Coomera River.

Back to the results from the February sampling, the results are generally within the average range in the saltwater sections and in Waterhen Lake.

This time I will concentrate on Regatta Waters and the fish life therein.

Last year there were a growing number of flathead lies close to the Watersports Club, and on the southern shore there were often bream snacking on the algal growth accessible when the water level was higher than normal. This occurred on the southern shore of Regatta Waters; on several outings there was more than 100 bream seen grazing on the algae. This was a great indicator of sound water health.

Additionally there were frequent bust-ups of fish in the deeper section adjacent to Princeton Street, and many sightings of jumping mullet.

On the February sampling, with elevated water levels, there were no bream seen and only one leaping mullet.

There were no flathead lies in evidence near the Watersports Club.

Why the difference?

We cannot say for certain, however last year the eastern edge closest to the M1 were slashed and sprayed, resulting in an absence of fish and bird life.

The southern shore was also sprayed to water level.

There have been no mass fish kills that I know of.

Since sampling I have been back several times in the hope of seeing some fish, to no avail.

If someone can provide an answer to the question of what happened to the fish, I would be most pleased to hear from you.

In the meantime it is a depressing thought that what was a great marine habitat no longer is.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Steven Gill