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February & March 2024: Chemical, Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate analysis
- Alison Loxton
- Apr 30, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: May 2, 2024
Hi everyone
Please find attached sampling results for February and March, 2024.
Many thanks to Helen, Ross, Brian and Kim for their most valued assistance and support of sampling efforts; your regular support is greatly appreciated.
The results across both months are somewhat variable, primarily due to rain events which influenced turbidity and concentration of pollutants amongst other things.
Your attention is drawn to the following:
pH values are relatively acidic compared to previous years which may mean that the stream is running over volcanic bedrock rather than sediment
turbidity levels are surprisingly high which means the streams are carrying significant amounts of sediment which, sooner or later, will find its way into the Broadwater
Dissolved oxygen levels are quite healthy which is great for all river life
Following thee rainfall, there is a distinct lack of evidence of mussel shells being washed out; what is happening to their population numbers?
Water temperatures remain relatively high, higher than average; this trend needs to be monitored to determine long term effects
There has been a pleasing reduction in Ammonia Nitrogen levels in Waterhen Lake; well done to local residents and CoGC for ensuring proper functioning of septic tanks
Additionally in Waterhen Lake in March there was a significant fall in Phosphate levels which is good news
Conversely there has been a spike in Phosphate levels in some streams which may mean any one of a number of possibilities: too heavy an application of fertilisers; perhaps cultivation of exotic plants rather than native ones (exotic plants require more phosphates); or the breaching of nutrient retention ponds in heavy downpours.
Waterhen lake is still hosting a population of breeding egrets however this should taper off in the cooler months. With the consistency of egrets breed in at the lake there should be healthy populations of egrets in the northern part of Gold Coast.
In terms of fish populations and mud crabs, these have been forced downstream through low salinity levels which can only improve with drier weather.
In other news OzFish have taken over the Tacklebins and re-labelled them as Tanglebins. The new bins will be rolled out over the GC over the next few months.
Appreciation is extended to young Andy who regularly empties the bins at the Weir; many thanks Andy for keeping our wildlife safe for discarded fishing tackle.
Kindest regards to all
Steven Gill
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