June 2026: Chemical, Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate Analysis

Alison Loxton

Aug 3

2 min read

Hi everyone,

I trust you are enjoying the recent colder weather; when the heat of summer rolls around we will think of these cooler days.

Please find attached the results of Water Quality Monitoring for June 2026, which is primarily saltwater sampling.

The following comments are offered for your consideration:

Water temperatures in the Coomera River are a little higher than Regatta Waters; out in the Broadwater the temperatures are a little higher again, and are around 20 degrees in the open ocean. This affects any stocks of barramundi which cannot tolerate waters 14 degrees (hence not found in the Coomera River above the causeway in winter).
Dissolved oxygen levels are healthy in the saltwater reaches which is great for marine life
Salinity levels are lower than in summer, being around 33 ppt in winter comparted to a summer high of around 39ppt.
Levels of reactive phosphates and ammonia nitrogen are within expectations with ammonia nitrogen levels still within the normal range

Whilst sampling at the Coomera River Causeway, it was noticeably apparent that the rock repairs to the downstream side of the causeway have been ineffectual, resulting in an undermining of the concrete surface. If some effective remediation is not implemented then we run the risk of the centre of the causeway being eroded and the effectiveness of the causeway structure compromised.

Many thanks to Helen and Brian for their great efforts in assisting sampling, and to Chris for his illuminating graphs of the sampling results.

Just a reminder that our next planting is a mere couple weeks away, on the 8^{th of} August, 2026.

We would love to see your smiling faces and share morning tea.

Kindest regards to you all

Steven Gill