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Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program 2013–2014 Annual Report

Prepared by: Chris Davey

MDFRC Publication 45/2014

document.docx 1

Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program: 2013-14 Annual ReportAnnual Report prepared for the Murray–Darling Basin Authority by The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre.

Murray–Darling Basin AuthorityLevel 4, 51 Allara Street | GPO Box 1801Canberra City ACT 2601

Ph: (02) 6279 0100; Fax: (02) 6248 8053

This report was prepared by The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC). The aim of the MDFRC is to provide the scientific knowledge necessary for the management and sustained utilisation of the Murray-Darling Basin water resources. The MDFRC is a joint venture between La Trobe University and CSIRO.

For further information contact:

Paul McInerney Dr Tapas Biswas

The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre Murray–Darling Basin AuthorityPO Box 991 PO Box 1801Wodonga VIC 3689 Canberra ACT 2601Ph: (02) 6024 9650; Fax: (02) 6059 7531

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.mdfrc.org.au Web: www.mdba.gov.auEnquiries: [email protected]

Report Citation: Davey C (2014) Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program 2013–2014 Annual Report prepared for the Murray Darling Basin Authority by The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre, MDFRC Publication 45/2014, September, 88pp.

Cover Image: Site 502 on the Mitta Mitta, downstream of Dartmouth Dam, Victoria, Australia

Photographer: Chris Davey

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Publication title: Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program Report 2013-2014

Source: Licensed from the Murray–Darling Basin Authority under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia Licence.

The contents of this publication do not purport to represent the position of the Commonwealth of Australia or the MDBA in any way and are presented for the purpose of informing and stimulating discussion for improved management of Basin's natural resources.

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Document history and status

Version Date Issued Reviewed by Approved by Revision type

Draft 1/12/2014 Paul McInerney

Chris Davey Scientific Review

Draft 8/12/2014 Michelle Kavanagh

Chris Davey Copy Edit

Distribution of copies

Version Quantity Issued to

Draft 1 x PDF or Word Tapas Biswas - MDBA

Final 1 x PDF or Word Tapas Biswas - MDBA

Filename and path: U:\MDBA\291-Mitta Monitoring\Knowledge Exchange\Reports\Sept 2014\FINAL\Final rept.docx

Author(s): Chris Davey

Author affiliation(s): The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre

Project Manager: Paul McInerney

Client: Murray–Darling Basin Authority

Project Title: Long-term biological monitoring of river health in the Mitta Mitta River catchment, above and below Dartmouth Dam

Document Version: Final

Project Number: M/BUS/291

Contract Number: MD 2520

Finalised June 2015

Acknowledgements:

I would firstly like to acknowledge the MDBA for providing the funding for this project. I would also like to acknowledge Paul McInerney for project management, field sampling and document revision; Lyn Smith, John Hawking and Michael Shackleton for quality control; John Pengelly for water sample analysis; Georgia Dwyer and Thelma Vlamis for field assistance.I would also like to thank Tom McCormack for access to private land, and Peter Liepkins (Goulburn-Murray Water) and Elaine Thomas (Parks Victoria) for their time and support.

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ContentsExecutive summary....................................................................................................................................... 1

1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3

SECTION 1: Spring 2013 – Autumn 2014........................................................................................................5

1 Aims and objectives.......................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 Project aims..............................................................................................................................................5

1.2 Objectives.................................................................................................................................................5

2 Methods........................................................................................................................................... 6

2.1 Study sites and descriptions.....................................................................................................................6

2.2 Field methods.........................................................................................................................................23

2.3 Laboratory methods, analysis and quality assurance.............................................................................24

3 Results........................................................................................................................................... 29

3.1 Discharge................................................................................................................................................29

3.2 SEPP objectives.......................................................................................................................................31

3.3 Taxonomic richness.................................................................................................................................47

3.4 Community composition........................................................................................................................48

4 Discussion...................................................................................................................................... 49

4.1 Discharge................................................................................................................................................49

4.2 Water quality..........................................................................................................................................49

4.3 Macroinvertebrates................................................................................................................................49

SECTION 2: Spring 2014............................................................................................................................... 51

1 Aims and objectives........................................................................................................................ 51

1.1 Project aims............................................................................................................................................51

1.2 Objectives...............................................................................................................................................51

2 Methods......................................................................................................................................... 51

2.1 Study sites and descriptions...................................................................................................................51

3 Results........................................................................................................................................... 52

3.1 Discharge................................................................................................................................................52

3.2 SEPP objectives.......................................................................................................................................53

3.3 Taxonomic richness.................................................................................................................................57

3.4 Community composition........................................................................................................................57

4 Discussion...................................................................................................................................... 59

4.1 Discharge................................................................................................................................................59

4.2 Water quality..........................................................................................................................................59

4.3 Macroinvertebrates................................................................................................................................59

5 Conclusions.................................................................................................................................... 60

6 Recommendations.......................................................................................................................... 60

References.................................................................................................................................................. 61

Appendices................................................................................................................................................. 63

Appendix A Taxa list by site for spring 2013 – autumn 2014 season.............................................................63

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Appendix B Taxa list for spring 2014.............................................................................................................85

List of tablesTable 1. Geographical information of site 501......................................................................................................7

Table 2. Geographical information of site 502......................................................................................................8

Table 3. Geographical information of site 503......................................................................................................9

Table 4. Geographical information of site 504....................................................................................................10






Table 10. Geographical information of site 512..................................................................................................16







Table 17. SEPP objectives for water quality and nutrients..................................................................................25

Table 18. SEPP biological objectives for Victorian bioregions 1 and 2 (EPA 2004)..............................................26

Table 19. AUSRIVAS bands and descriptions.......................................................................................................26

Table 20. AUSRIVAS bands and their respective bandwidths for OE50 scores for each habitat in each of the models used....................................................................................................................................27

Table 21: Measurement uncertainty at June 2014..............................................................................................28

Table 22. SEPP objectives at site 501..................................................................................................................30













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Table 42. List of taxa recorded at each site during the autumn 2013 to autumn 2014 survey...........................62

Table 43. List of taxa recorded at each site during the spring 2014 season........................................................84

List of figuresFigure 1. Map of the study area, showing the study sites.....................................................................................6

Figure 2. Mitta Mitta River at site 501 in spring 2013 (a) looking downstream before a release; (b) looking downstream during a release; (c) looking upstream before a release; (d) looking upstream during a release...........................................................................................................................................7

Figure 3: Mitta Mitta River at site 502 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip.........................................................................8

Figure 4: Mitta Mitta River at site 503 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip.........................................................................9

Figure 5: Mitta Mitta River at site 504 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip..........................................................................10

Figure 6. Snowy Creek at site 505 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip..........................................................................11

Figure 7. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) upstream; and (c) upstream from the bridge. Autumn 2014..................................................................................................................................12

Figure 8. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) across; and (c) upstream in autumn 2014... . .13

Figure 9. Whiterock Creek at site 510 looking (a) upstream (spring 2013); (b) downstream (spring 2013); and (c) downstream (autumn 2014)...........................................................................................................14

Figure 10. Big River at site 511 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn 2014)...............................................................................................................................................15

Figure 11. : Big River at site 512 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn 2014)...............................................................................................................................................16

Figure 12. Mitta Mitta River at site 513 looking (a) downstream, autumn 2014; (b) downstream, spring 2013; and (c) upstream, spring 2013........................................................................................................17

Figure 13. Mitta Mitta River at site 514b looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) downstream….................................................................................................................................18

Figure 14. Cobungra River at site 515 looking (a) downstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) upstream.. .19

Figure 15. Bingo Munjie Creek at site 516 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) downstream...................................................................................................................................20

Figure 16. Livingstone Creek at site 517 looking (a) upstream, spring 2013; (b) downstream, spring 2013; (c) upstream, autumn 2014; and (d) downstream, autumn 2014........................................................21

Figure 17. Gibbo River at site 518 looking (a) upstream, autumn 2014; (b) across to the right bank, autumn 2014; (c) upstream, spring 2013; and (d) across to the left bank, spring 2013...............................22

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Figure 18. Daily discharge at upstream (top) and downstream (bottom) sites on the Mitta Mitta and some of its major tributaries.............................................................................................................................29

Figure 19. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2013, autumn 2014, and for both seasons combined......46

Figure 20. NMDS plot of sites based on presence/absence of macroinvertebrate genera. Sites on the main channel downstream of Dartmouth are green, all other sites independent of any effects of the dam are blue...................................................................................................................................47

Figure 21. Daily discharge at Colemans, Snowy Creek (below Granite Flat) and Hinnomunjie gauges for the period from July to late November 2014........................................................................................51

Figure 22. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2014, for both habitats and whole site.............................56

Figure 23. NMDS plot of samples, with taxonomic resolution to species. Riffle samples, suffixed with “R” are at the top left of the plot, edge samples, suffixed with “E” are at the bottom and top right of the plot.57

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Executive summaryThis report presents the findings from the Mitta Mitta biological monitoring from the spring

2013 to spring 2014, inclusive. The spring 2013 and autumn 2014 sampling events were

analysed using a combined seasons model, and are presented in section one of this report.

The spring 2014 sampling event was analysed as a single season and presented in section

two.

In 1998, the Mitta Mitta Biological Monitoring Program was initiated by the former Murray-

Darling Basin Commission, to monitor the condition of the biological communities of the

lower Mitta Mitta River and investigate the impacts of Dartmouth Dam on the health of the

Mitta Mitta River. This project monitored the macroinvertebrates, using the Australian River

Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols, at five sites, of which four

were on the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam, with one reference site on Snowy

Creek. In 2005, two more tributary sites were added to the program.

In 2008, this program was expanded again to include nine additional sites, all of which were

upstream of Dartmouth Dam, five on the main channel and four sites on tributaries.

In mid-2014 the program was cut back to four sites: one above the dam; one below the dam

and above the confluence of Snowy Creek; one below Snowy Creek; and one on Snowy

Creek. The data collected in the spring 2013 to spring 2014 period has been analysed and

assessed, with the findings presented and recommendations made.

Key findings:

The sites on the Mitta Mitta River upstream of Dartmouth Dam generally have a high

level of diversity and meet the majority of the State Environment Protection Policy

(SEPP) objectives.

Dartmouth Dam continues to have an impact on the Mitta Mitta River, with the sites

immediately downstream of the dam showing a significant decrease in both taxonomic

richness and the number of SEPP objectives achieved.

Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program Report 2013–2014x

There is no -measurable recovery in the Mitta Mitta River until the confluence with

Snowy Creek, which appears to be the driver of the improvement of biological health in

the Mitta Mitta River downstream of the dam.

Of the tributaries, Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks were the least diverse, being

assessed as severely and significantly impaired, respectively highly likely due to

relatively heavy adjacent agricultural land use, limited riparian vegetation, and the

resulting poor water quality.

Reference Sites at Snowy Creek (a downstream tributary), Frog Track, Glen Valley and

Taylors Crossing (all on the Mitta Mitta upstream of the dam) were assessed as being in

reference condition.

Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program Report 2013–2014xi

1 IntroductionThe Mitta Mitta catchment is 6250 km2 in area and accounts for 7.1% of Victoria’s runoff.

The catchment area is a combination of forested areas, utilised for forestry and recreation,

and cleared valleys, used for dairy and beef cattle and sheep grazing (Australian Natural

Resources Atlas 2008). Dartmouth Dam was completed in 1980 and has a capacity of

4000 GL. The dam receives inflows from the Mitta Mitta River and its tributaries, the Big,

Bundara, Cobungra, Gibbo and Dart Rivers. The dam acts as carry-over water storage for

drought protection and flood mitigation and for hydro-electricity generation (Australian

Natural Resource Atlas 2008).

The Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program was initiated in 1998, with the objective of determining

the extent of environmental impacts resulting from the operation of Dartmouth Dam. The

collection of data was to focus on the macroinvertebrate communities, as they are

ubiquitous and diverse, easily sampled and provide an insight into stream condition over the

short to medium-term (Blyth et al. 1984). Sampling was carried out using the Rapid Bio-

assessment Methods (EPA 2003a). This involved collecting two macroinvertebrate samples

twice per year (in spring and autumn), one from the edge habitat and the other from the

riffle habitat at each site.

The program initially sampled macroinvertebrates at five sites, four of which were on the

Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam (sites 501 – 504), with one reference site on the

unregulated Snowy Creek (site 505). In 2002, two more reference sites were added: Site 506

on Mount Wills Creek, a tributary of Snowy Creek, and site 507 on Watchingorra Creek, a

small unregulated tributary of the Mitta Mitta River, which is influenced by agriculture and

forestry, and enters the Mitta Mitta between sites 502 and 503.

The data collected from the above sites between 1998 and 2008 were reviewed and it was

reported that the macroinvertebrate communities inhabiting the Mitta Mitta River below

Dartmouth Dam were severely impacted, with the decline or local extinction of many

herbivores from sensitive families, which have been replaced by tolerant generalists, and

exotic and invasive species (Cook et al. 2011b). The condition of the macroinvertebrate

communities improved with distance downstream from Dartmouth Dam, with peak

xii

condition reached at the furthest downstream site at Tallandoon. It was concluded that

these impacts were resultant from the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam and

that most of the improvement seen in the ecological conditions further downstream could

predominantly be attributed to the inflow from the unregulated Snowy Creek, acting to

improve water quality, re-introduce natural flow variation and provide a source of

recruitment (Cook et al. 2011b; Koehn et al. 1995; Doeg 1984). Several reports have been

produced showing similar patterns and despite collaborative efforts at altering discharge

patterns to improve biological condition, it appears that these assessments have largely

stayed the same.

The catchment above Dartmouth Dam is subject to an alternate set of environmental issues,

mainly associated with land use, and many of the tributary streams, such as Livingstone

Creek, were classed as being of poor quality (North East CMA 2006). In 2008 the monitoring

program was expanded to include nine additional sites, all in the Mitta Mitta catchment

upstream of Dartmouth Dam. This was done with the aims of (a) providing a comparison to

the river health below the dam, and (b) evaluating the impacts of land management

practices on the tributaries entering the main channel.

The previous report was submitted in September of 2013, and reported on two years of

data. Initially, this report was due in September 2014, and its scope limited to data collected

from spring 2013 and autumn 2014. Due to financial factors, the spring 2014 sampling

season was restricted to four sites: one on the Mitta Mitta upstream of Dartmouth dam

(513); one immediately below the dam (502); one on the unregulated tributary of Snowy

Creek (505); and one downstream of the Mitta Mitta-Snowy Creek confluence (503). Due to

the uncertainty surrounding future funding and the abbreviated nature of the spring 2014

sampling season, it was decided that all three seasons be included in the one report. Spring

2013 and autumn 2014 sampling seasons are detailed in section 1 of this report, and the

abbreviated sampling season of spring 2014 is detailed in section 2.

xiii

SECTION 1: Spring 2013 – Autumn 2014

1 Aims and objectives

1.1 Project aims

The aims of the Mitta Mitta Macroinvertebrate Program are to monitor the

macroinvertebrate communities and assess the biological condition of the Mitta Mitta River

and its major tributaries in relation to impacts from river management and catchment use.

1.2 Objectives

Sample the macroinvertebrate communities in autumn and spring, 16 sites in the

Mitta Mitta catchment, in both the main channel and its major tributaries.

Assess biological condition within the Mitta Mitta catchment at each site, using

Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols.

Assess biodiversity within the Mitta Mitta catchment by identifying

macroinvertebrates to the lowest possible taxonomic level.

Analyse and assess water quality data with respect to the State Environment

Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives.

Report findings to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).

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2 Methods

2.1 Study sites and descriptions

The study area spans the Mitta Mitta River from 1780 m (site 510) to 230 m (site 504) above

sea level, 60 km below Dartmouth Dam (Figure 1).

xv

Figure 1. Map of the study area, showing the study sites.

Site 501 – Dartmouth.

This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 4 km

downstream of Dartmouth Dam, 50 m

upstream of the Horsefall Road Bridge.

Adjacent vegetation is predominately open

eucalypt forest with the riparian zone

dominated by Callistemon spp. (Bottlebrush).

This site is subject to alternating inundation

and draining due to its location between the

dam and Lake Banimboola. The site details

are summarised in Figure 2 and Table 1.

Table 1. Geographical information of site 501.

xvi

Altitude (m) 320

Latitude 36.5424°

Longitude 147.5008°

Catchment area (km2) 3561

Distance from source (km) 135.04

Typical stream width (m) 10-70

AusRivAS Bioregion B2

xvii

bb

cb

db

Figure 2. Mitta Mitta River at site 501 in spring 2013 (a) looking downstream before a release; (b) looking downstream during a release; (c) looking upstream before a release; (d) looking upstream during a release.

ab

Site 502 – Colemans.


downstream of Dartmouth Dam and 3 km

downstream of Lake Banimboola. This

section passes through a steep sided

gorge and has a substrate predominately

of boulders and cobble with significant

areas of exposed bedrock. The

surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt

forest with the understorey dominated by

Leptospermum spp. (Tea Tree),

Callistemon spp. (Bottlebrush) and Acacia

spp. (Wattle). Past infestations of Cytisus

scoparius (English Broom) have been

sprayed. Site details are summarised in

Figure 3 and Table 2.


xviii

Altitude (m) 300

Latitude 36.5153°






xix

a bb

cb

Figure 3: Mitta Mitta River at site 502 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip.

Site 503 – Mitta Mitta.


downstream of Dartmouth Dam and

approximately 3 km downstream of the

Snowy Creek – Mitta Mitta River

confluence. The site is 25 m downstream

of the bridge on Dartmouth Road. The

substrate is primarily cobble and pebble,

and the site includes a stand of

Phragmites australis (Common reed) and

a small pebbly island. The surrounding

land is used for grazing cattle and made

up of various pasture species. Riparian

vegetation is a mix of Salix spp. (Willows),

Eucalyptus spp. and grasses. Site details

are summarised in Figure 4 and Table 3.


xx

Altitude (m) 260

Latitude 36.5202°






xxi

a bb

cb

Figure 4: Mitta Mitta River at site 503 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2014 autumn sampling trip.

Site 504 – Tallandoon.

This site is on the Mitta Mitta River

approximately 60 km from Dartmouth

Dam, near the picnic area located 1.5 km

upstream of Tallandoon. The substrate is

predominately cobble and boulder and

the stream, when in high flow, divides to

flow around an island that was used for

periodic gravel extraction until 1996. The

surrounding land is cleared and is used for

grazing on the eastern side while the

western side beyond the road, is native

vegetation. The riparian zone is

dominated by Salix spp. (Willows) on the

left bank. On the right bank the Salix spp.

were removed in 2008 and replaced with

natives. Site details are summarised in



Altitude (m) 230

Latitude 36.4393°






xxii

abb

cb

Figure 5: Mitta Mitta River at site 504 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip.

cb

Site 505 – Snowy Creek.

This site is on the Snowy Creek about 8 km

upstream of the Mitta Mitta township off the

Omeo Highway and is one of the reference

sites. The site is approximately 50 m upstream

of the West Branch Creek confluence.

Substrate is predominately pebble/cobble and


forest. The riparian zone is made up of

Leptospermum spp. (Tea Tree), Acacia

melanoxylon (Blackwood) and Bedfordia

arborescens (Blanket Leaf). Site details are

summarised in Figure 6 and Table 5.


xxiii

Altitude (m) 312

Latitude 36.5624°






xxiv

abb

cb

Figure 6. Snowy Creek at site 505 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) looking downstream. Taken on 2013 spring sampling trip.

Site 506 – Mt Wills Creek.

This site is on Mt Wills Creek 29 km

upstream of the Mitta Mitta township, 20-

30 m upstream of the bridge on the

Snowy Log Road. The substrate is

predominantly cobble/pebble and the


forest with Rubus fruticosus

(Blackberries). Site details are summarised

in Figure 7 and Table 6.


xxv

Altitude (m) 580

Latitude 36.7078°






xxvi

a bb

cb

Figure 7. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) upstream; and (c) upstream from the bridge. Autumn 2014.

Site 507 – Watchingorra Creek.

This site is on Watchingorra Creek

(previously known as Callaghans Creek)

and is approximately 1 km upstream of

the confluence with the Mitta Mitta River,

which is approximately 19 km

downstream of Dartmouth Dam. The

substrate is mostly bedrock with a mixture

of cobble and gravel. The site is

surrounded by grazing land and pine

plantations. Riparian vegetation consists

primarily of Salix spp. (Willows), Rubus

fruticosus (Blackberries) and various

grasses. Site details are summarised in



xxvii

Altitude (m) 280

Latitude 36.5078’






xxviii

a bb

cb

Figure 8. Mt Wills Creek at site 506 looking (a) downstream; (b) across; and (c) upstream in autumn 2014.

Site 510 – Whiterock Creek.

At 1745 m above sea level, site 510 is the

highest site in the project, situated in an

alpine environment. It is 2 km from the

source and has a catchment area of

2.3 km2. The site is dominated by alpine

heath and sphagnum bog, with riparian

vegetation of alpine shrubs. The substrate

in the stream is composed of cobbles,

pebbles and some exposed bedrock, with

few slow-flowing sections and little edge

habitat. Site details are summarised in



xxix

Altitude (mASL) 1745

Latitude 36.8177°


Catchment area (km2) 2.3

Distance from source (km) 2



xxx

a bb

cb

Figure 9. Whiterock Creek at site 510 looking (a) upstream (spring 2013); (b) downstream (spring 2013); and (c) downstream (autumn 2014).

Site 511 – Frog Track.

Site 511 is on Big River, at approximately

800 m below the tree line and 18 km

downstream of site 510. The forest here is

dominated by Eucalyptus delegatensis

(Alpine Ash), with an understorey of

Daviesia latifolia (Hop Scrub) and Grevillia

victoriensis (Royal Grevillia). The stream is

12 to 14 m wide and is fast flowing, with a

substrate composed of boulders and

cobbles. Site details are summarised in



xxxi

Altitude (m) 910

Latitude 36.7854°






xxxii

a bb

cb

Figure 10. Big River at site 511 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn 2014).

xxxiii

Site 512 – Glen Valley.

Site 512 is on Big River, approximately 17

km downstream from site 511. The stream

width is between 15 and 20 m, with a

substrate dominated by cobbles. The site

is 500 m upstream of the Omeo Highway

Bridge. Surrounding land includes

residential, recreational and grazing on

the left (east) bank and open eucalypt

forest on the right (Figure 11 and Table

10).


xxxiv

Altitude (m) 730

Latitude 36.8903°






xxxv

a bb

Figure 11. : Big River at site 512 looking (a) upstream; (b) downstream; and (c) across to the left bank (autumn 2014).

xxxvi

cb

Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge.

Site 513 is situated on the Mitta Mitta

River approximately 3 km downstream

from its emergence into the Omeo Valley.

The site is 40 m downstream of

Hinnomunjie Bridge. The surrounding land

is cleared and grazed and the riparian

zone is dominated by grasses, with

scattered Cytisus scoparius (English

Broom) and Salix spp. (Willows). The

substrate is dominated by cobbles and

boulders. There is a small cobble island

stabilized by a Willow tree in the middle

of the reach and a deep pool immediately

downstream with a sandy substrate. Site

details are summarised below (Figure 12

and Table 11).


xxxvii

Altitude (m) 540

Latitude 36.9456°






xxxviii

a bb

cb

Figure 12. Mitta Mitta River at site 513 looking (a) downstream, autumn 2014; (b) downstream, spring 2013; and (c) upstream, spring 2013.

xxxix

Site 514 – Taylors Crossing.

Site 514 (Frasers Tableland) was located

26 km downstream of site 513, however,

this site was inundated when the levels in

Lake Dartmouth were 95% in March 2013.

The site has subsequently been moved

5km upstream, 600m upstream of Taylors

Crossing. The surrounding land is open

eucalypt forest on right bank, and partially

cleared land on the left bank. The riparian

zone consists mainly of Acacia

melanoxylon (Sally Wattle/Australian

Blackwood), Salix spp. (Willows) and

Eucalyptus spp. The substrate is

dominated by boulders and cobble, and a

small island forms part of the study site

(Figure 13 and Table 12).


xl

Altitude (m) 500

Latitude 36.8190

Longitude 147.6551





xli

a bb

cb

Figure 13. Mitta Mitta River at site 514b looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) downstream.

xlii

Site 515 – Cobungra River.

Site 515 is located on the Cobungra River

approximately 4.5 km upstream of its

confluence with the Mitta Mitta River and

600 m upstream of the Blue Duck Inn. The

sampling reach consists of a fast flowing

riffle of predominantly boulders and some

cobbles, followed by a slow flowing pool

with a sandy gravel substrate, and a

shallow bed of pebbles. The surrounding

area is dominated by open forest, with the

riparian zone dominated by Acacia and

Eucalyptus spp. Site details are

summarised below (Figure 14 and Table

13).


xliii

Altitude (m) 660

Latitude 36.9981°






xliv

a bb

cb

Figure 14. Cobungra River at site 515 looking (a) downstream; (b) across to the left bank; and (c) upstream.

xlv

Site 516 – Bingo Munjie Creek.

Site 516 is on Bingo Munjie Creek. This is

the smallest of the streams sampled in the

project, with a stream width not usually

exceeding 2 m and usually with very little

flow. The site was originally located on

private land, 3.5 km from the confluence

with the Mitta Mitta River. Due to

difficulties in contacting the land owner in

autumn 2009, the site was moved to the

bridge, 1.2 km upstream. The surrounding

land has been cleared for grazing, with a

riparian zone dominated by grasses and

scattered Willows. Site details are

summarised below (Figure 15 and Table

14).


xlvi

Altitude (m) 690

Latitude 37.0018°






xlvii

a bb

cb

Figure 15. Bingo Munjie Creek at site 516 looking (a) upstream; (b) across to the right bank; and (c) downstream.

xlviii

Site 517 – Livingstone Creek.

Site 517 is located on Livingstone Creek,

approximately 22 km downstream of the

township of Omeo, through which it

flows, and 1.8 km upstream from its

confluence with the Mitta Mitta River. The

surrounding area is cleared grazing land.

The site is located on private land stocked

with sheep. It has a riparian zone

dominated by grasses, with one Willow

tree towards the upper extent of the site

and obvious bank erosion. The substrate is

dominated by pebbles, gravel and sand.

Site details are summarised in Figure 16

and Table 15.


xlix

Altitude (m) 560

Latitude 36.9641°

Longitude 147.604°





Site 518 – Gibbo River.

Site 518 is situated on the Gibbo River,

7.5 km upstream of its confluence with

the Mitta Mitta River. The Gibbo River is

typically around 8 to 12 m in width and

moderately fast flowing. The substrate is

predominantly cobbles and boulders with

some pebbles on the inside banks. The

surrounding land is eucalypt forest. Site

l

a bb

cb

d

Figure 16. Livingstone Creek at site 517 looking (a) upstream, spring 2013; (b) downstream, spring 2013; (c) upstream, autumn 2014; and (d) downstream, autumn 2014.

details are summarised below (Figure 17

and Table 16).


li

Altitude (m) 500

Latitude 36.7533°






lii

a bb

cbdbFigure 17. Gibbo River at site 518 looking (a) upstream, autumn 2014; (b) across to the right bank,

autumn 2014; (c) upstream, spring 2013; and (d) across to the left bank, spring 2013.

2.2 Field methods

Field samples were collected in spring 2013 (between 17 September and 31 October) and

autumn 2014 (between 20 March and 5 May). Macroinvertebrate, physico-chemical

measurements, water samples for nutrient analysis and habitat descriptions were taken at

each site on each sampling occasion in accordance with Victorian AUSRIVAS sampling

protocols (http://ausrivas.canberra.edu.au/), (EPA 2003a).

Water quality

Water samples were collected in accordance with Murray-Darling Freshwater Research

Centre (MDFRC) quality control method (QCM) SM5.17. Physio-chemical measurements

(conductivity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity) were measured in situ, using

a Hydrolab, Quanta QD3449 in accordance with EPA publication 441 (EPA 2003b). The

results were recorded on field sheets on site. Three water samples were collected in HDPE

bottles, one for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), one for alkalinity, and one for

oxides of nitrogen (NOx) (EPA 2003c).

Macroinvertebrates

All macroinvertebrate sampling was undertaken according to SM5.10 of the Murray-Darling

Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) quality control manual (QCM) using the Australian

River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) (http://ausrivas.canberra.edu.au/) rapid bio-

assessment protocol (EPA 2003a). Two samples (edge and riffle) were collected from each

site with the exception of the riffle sample at site 501 in autumn 2014, which could not be

collected due to flooding.

Each habitat type was sampled in approximate proportion to their representation in the

edge or riffle habitats. Samples were live-picked on site for between 30 and 60 minutes, in

accordance with the AUSRIVAS protocols (EPA 2003a), and were preserved in 69% ethanol.

For quality assurance purposes, 10% of live-pick residues were kept and examined in the

laboratory.

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2.3 Laboratory methods, analysis and quality assurance

Water quality

Nutrients and alkalinity of water samples were analysed by using the MDFRC methods 03,

04 and 06; APHA 2005). The MDFRC Chemistry Laboratory is a NATA accredited laboratory

(Accreditation number 1400).

Macroinvertebrates

Each sample was sorted into ten major taxonomic groups. Chironomids were then mounted

on microscope slides, according to SM5.22 of the QCM, and sent to a dipteran specialist for

identification. All other macroinvertebrates were identified according to SM5.23 of the

QCM. Macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest possible level using a prescribed set

of taxonomic keys, including the MDFRC Online Bug Guide (Hawking et al. 2013) and keys to

species (listed in SM5.23 of the QCM) in conjunction with the MDFRC macroinvertebrate

voucher files and reference collection.

Some specimens were too damaged or immature to identify to species level. When

analysing the data for diversity and community structure, these records were only included

as distinct taxa if there were no other species of that group identified to a higher resolution

in the same sample or subset of samples.

In accordance with SM4.33 of the QCM, 10% of samples were re-identified by a senior

taxonomist for quality control purposes.

The Macroinvertebrate Laboratory is NATA accredited (Accreditation number 17064) for

Aquatic Biology (class 8.65 Aquatic Biology, and subclasses 8.65.61 Identification and

Enumeration of Macroinvertebrates to specified level (species), and 8.65.68 Sampling of

Macroinvertebrates).

Data analysis

Daily mean flow data for the period from June 2013 to May 2014 was obtained from the

Department of Sustainability and Environment Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse

website (DSE 2011a). The flow data was taken from the gauging stations at Jokers Creek (Big

River); Hinnomunjie, Colemans and Tallandoon (Mitta Mitta River); below Granite Flat

liv

(Snowy Creek) and at Gibbo Park (Gibbo River). Mean daily flows and monthly averages

were plotted.

All water quality, nutrient and macroinvertebrate data were entered onto the MDFRC

Macroinvertebrate Database (SM5.30). Data were then exported from the database to a

spread sheet (SM5.31), where it was prepared for importing into other software programs.

For the spring and the following autumn sampling events, macroinvertebrate data were

combined and physio-chemical data were averaged, so all the data could be analysed by

year rather than season.

Water quality and nutrient measurements were compared to the SEPP objectives for the

corresponding region (Table 17), and presented in Tables 22 to 37. No SEPP objectives exist

for temperature, alkalinity or oxides of nitrogen.

Table 17. SEPP objectives for water quality and nutrients.

Objectives Sites 510 and 511 All other sites

Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 95 – 110 90 – 110

Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 100

pH 6.4 – 7.7 6.4 – 7.7

Turbidity (NTU) 5 5

Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 150 350

Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 20 25

Total families, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) and Stream Invertebrate

Grade Number Average Level (SIGNAL) scores for edge and riffle samples were calculated

for each site. Habitats were combined to calculate scores for key families at each site. Scores

were compared to the SEPP objectives for bioregion 2, except sites 510 and 511, which were

compared to the SEPP objectives for bioregion 1 (Table 18).

Macroinvertebrate data were entered into the AUSRIVAS modelling software and the

resulting scores for Observed/Expected with p>50% (OE50) determined which AUSRIVAS

bands were allocated to each site (Table 19, Table 20). Edge and riffle samples from all sites

were run through the Victorian combined seasons bioregion 2 edge and riffle models, with

the exception of sites 510 and 511, which were run through the Victorian combined seasons

lv

state edge and riffle models, as no other models exist for this region (bioregion 1). Where

the edge and riffle sample from the same site were allocated different AUSRIVAS bands, the

site was classified according to the precautionary principle, whereby the lower of the two

bands is allocated to the site as a whole.

Table 18. SEPP biological objectives for Victorian bioregions 1 and 2 (EPA 2004).

Region/ Habitat

Total Families

SIGNAL Score

EPT index

Key Families

B1 Edge 13 6.2 418

B1 Riffle 22 5.8 10

B2 Edge 22 5.7 720

B2 Riffle 21 6.0 9

Table 19. AUSRIVAS bands and descriptions.

Band X More biologically diverse than reference.

More taxa found than expected. Potential biodiversity hot-spot. Possible mild organic enrichment.

Band A Reference condition.

Most/all of the expected families found. Water quality and/or habitat condition roughly equivalent to

reference sites. Impact on water quality and habitat condition does not result in a loss of

macroinvertebrate diversity.

Band B Significantly impaired.

Fewer families than expected. Potential impact either on water quality or habitat quality or both,

resulting in loss of taxa.

Band C Severely impaired.

Many fewer families than expected. Loss of macroinvertebrate biodiversity due to substantial impacts

on water and/or habitat quality.

Band D Extremely impaired.

Few of the expected families remain. Extremely poor water and/or habitat quality. Highly degraded.

lvi

Table 20. AUSRIVAS bands and their respective bandwidths for OE50 scores for each habitat in each of the models used.

Bioregion B2 (Forests A) State (sites 510 and 511)

Habitat EDGE RIFFLE EDGE RIFFLE

Band X >1.14 >1.16 >1.14 >1.16

Band A 0.85 - 1.14 0.83 - 1.16 0.84 - 1.14 0.82 - 1.16

Band B 0.56 - 0.85 0.54 - 0.83 0.55 - 0.84 0.49 - 0.82

Band C 0.27 - 0.56 0.25 - 0.54 0.26 - 0.55 0.16 - 0.49

Band D <0.27 <0.25 <0.26 <0.16

Taxonomic diversity was measured at species level, or the lowest taxonomic level possible.

In calculating taxonomic richness, the larval stages of insect were not counted separately to

the adult stage of the same species. Taxa which were not the lowest possible resolution

were only counted if no other identifiable specimens were encountered at the same site.

Multivariate analysis was performed on the macroinvertebrate data, transformed to

presence/absence. A Bray-Curtis resemblance matrix was constructed, from which non-

metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) plots were made of the edge and riffle samples. All

multivariate analysis was performed using Primer Version 6 (Clarke & Warwick 2001).

Quality assurance / Quality control

The MDFRC macroinvertebrate laboratory is NATA accredited (No. 17064) and is committed

to compliance with the International Standard AS ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) General

requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. As part of the

NATA accreditation requirements, the laboratory undertakes routine quality control

procedures on project samples. At each processing stage, 10 % of samples were reassessed.

These samples were randomly selected and covered all sample types and all staff. Quality

control data from all projects is used to estimate the measurement uncertainty (Table 21)

for each processing stage. Measurement uncertainty is estimated in accordance with ISO/TS

19036 (2006) and ISO/TS 19036 -1 (2009) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuff -

lvii

Guidelines for the estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations.

Field sampling quality assurance is conducted via an annual field training day for all staff and

competency assessment in-field for new staff.

Table 21: Measurement uncertainty at June 2014.

Method - Level Measure Units Result estimate [lower, upper limits]

Coefficient of variation for

reproducibility

SM5.16 Live Sorting - Family Taxa Count 22 taxa [18, 28] 2.89%

SM5.21 Lab Sorting - Order Animals Count 315 animals [269, 369] 1.38%

SM5.23 Identification - Family Taxa Count 18 taxa [14, 22]

2.15%

Animals Count 160 animals [156, 165]

SM5.23 Identification - Genus Taxa Count 11 taxa [6, 23]

8.28%


SM5.23 Identification - Species Taxa Count 12 taxa [4, 33]

11.36%


Note: Identification taxa data includes indeterminate (immature or damaged) specimens

lviii

3 Results

3.1 Discharge

Daily discharge at unregulated sites consisted of peak flows in June 2013, continuing

through the spring of 2013 to December, and then decreasing in intensity to 2000 ML.day-1

during summer. From mid-December through to June 2014, the unregulated streams

returned to low flows.

Releases from Dartmouth were also high from mid-June (4000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge),

increasing through July and August to peak at over 7000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge. From

mid-September to December, discharge at Colemans gauge followed a similar pattern to

unregulated streams, with releases from Dartmouth pulsed at lower magnitudes, fluctuating

between approximately 4000 and 2000 ML.day-1 at Colemans gauge. While discharge in

unregulated streams decreased to below 500 ML.day-1 after December, the pulsed releases

from Dartmouth continued, increasing to 5000 to 6000 ML.day-1 in December and January,

and then slowly decreasing to around 2000 ML.day-1 in March, before two more peaks of

approximately 4000 ML.day-1 in March and April (Figure 18).

lix

Figure 18. Daily discharge at upstream (top) and downstream (bottom) sites on the Mitta Mitta and some of its major tributaries.

lx

3.2 SEPP objectives

Site 501 – Dartmouth

All Macroinvertebrate indices at site 501 failed to meet the SEPP objectives, and fell into AUSRIVAS band D – extremely impaired (Table 22). Results for riffle and combined habitat indices were calculated in the absence of the autumn 2014 riffle sample.

Table 22. SEPP objectives at site 501.

Objective Result

Water quality

Temperature (°C) - 12.16

Electrical conductivity (µS.cm-2) 100 48.5

pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.185

Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3) - 15.25

Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 95.65

Dissolved oxygen (mg.L-1) - 10.08

Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 36

Total nitrogen (mg.L-1) 350 222.5

Total phosphorus (mg.L-1) 25 15.5

Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 4.782609

EPT families 7 3

Total families 22 16

OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.31

*Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 4.333333

EPT families 9 0

Total families 21 3

OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.12

Combined habitats

**Key families 22 11

Band A D

*Spring sample only: AUSRIVAS spring riffle model used for OE50.

**Autumn riffle sample missing.

lxi

Site 502 – Colemans

Site 502 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of C – severely impaired. Total phosphorus, total families and key families failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 23).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.115




Oxides of nitrogen (mg.L-1) - 63.5



Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.162162

EPT families 7 10


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.54

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.225806

EPT families 9 9


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.52

Combined habitats

Key families 22 20

Band A C

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Site 503 – Mitta Mitta

Site 503 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. The OE50 score in each habitat failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 24).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.41







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.317073171

EPT families 7 11


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.76

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.4

EPT families 9 9


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.65

Combined habitats

Key families 22 24

Band A B

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Site 504 – Tallandoon

Site 504 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. The OE50 score in each habitat failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 25).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.385







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 5.829787

EPT families 7 9


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.8

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.363636

EPT families 9 11


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.69

Combined habitats

Key families 22 23

Band A B

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Site 505 – Snowy Creek

Site 505 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. All SEPP objectives were achieved (Table 26).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.5







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.35

EPT families 7 16


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 1.12

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 7.018182

EPT families 9 16


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 1.04

Combined habitats

Key families 22 35

Band A A

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Site 506 – Mount Wills Creek

Site 506 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality measurements and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. While the riffle sample had an OE50 score in band A, the edge score was in band B (Table 27).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.44

Alkalinity (mg.L-1.CaCO3) - 13






Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 7.102564

EPT families 7 14


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.81

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 7.340909

EPT families 9 15


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.9

Combined habitats

Key families 22 29

Band A B

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Site 507 – Watchingorra Creek

Site 507 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality measurements, total nitrogen and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. While the edge sample had an OE50 score in band A, the riffle score was in band B (Table 28).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.385







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.090909

EPT families 7 9


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.92

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.369565

EPT families 9 13


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.78

Combined habitats

Key families 22 29

Band A B

lxvii

Site 510 – Whiterock Creek

Site 510 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, pH and dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. Total number of families in both habitats, plus key families from the site as a whole failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 29).


lxviii

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 6.08







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.541667

EPT families 7 9


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.91

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 7.242424

EPT families 9 10


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.93

Combined habitats

Key families 22 21

Band A A

Site 511 – Frog Track

Site 511 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, only dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 30).


lxix

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.325







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 7.291667

EPT families 7 15


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 1.01

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 7.147541

EPT families 9 19


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 1.05

Combined habitats

Key families 22 26

Band A A

Site 512 – Glen Valley

Site 512 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, only dissolved oxygen failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 31).


lxx

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.075







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.522727

EPT families 7 13


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.98

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 7.119403

EPT families 9 19


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 1.05

Combined habitats

Key families 22 35

Band A A

Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge

Site 513 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements met the SEPP objectives. Most macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives, the exception being the OE50 score for the edge habitat, which was in band B (Table 32).


lxxi

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.43







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.096774

EPT families 7 10


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.8

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.42

EPT families 9 14


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.98

Combined habitats

Key families 22 30

Band A B

Site 514 – Taylors Crossing

Site 514 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, only total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives (Table 33).


lxxii

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.275







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.36

EPT families 7 11


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.89

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.632653

EPT families 9 12


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.94

Combined habitats

Key families 22 30

Band A A

Site 515 – Cobungra River

Site 515 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. Of the water quality measurements only total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. All macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives with the exception of the OE50 score from the riffle habitat (Table 34).


lxxiii

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.725


Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 93





Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.270833

EPT families 7 13


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 1.03

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.791667

EPT families 9 13


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.83

Combined habitats

Key families 22 33

Band A B

lxxiv

Site 516 – Bingo Munjie Creek

Site 516 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All of the water quality measurements failed to meet the SEPP objectives. The SIGNAL and OE50 scores from both habitats failed to meet the SEPP objectives, as did the number of EPT families in the edge habitat (Table 35).


lxxv

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 8.17







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 5.342857

EPT families 7 5


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.65

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 5.489362

EPT families 9 10


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.7

Combined habitats

Key families 22 23

Band A B

Site 517 – Livingstone Creek

Site 517 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of C – severely impaired. Of the water quality measurements, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen and total phosphorus failed to meet the SEPP objectives. The only macroinvertebrate indices to meet the SEPP objectives were EPT families and total families from the edge habitat (Table 36).


lxxvi

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.415







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 5.230769

EPT families 7 7


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.64

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 5.333333

EPT families 9 4


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.46

Combined habitats

Key families 22 19

Band A C

lxxvii

Site 518 – Gibbo River

Site 518 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements met the SEPP objectives. The only macroinvertebrate indices to fail the SEPP objectives was the OE50 score from the edge habitat (Table37).


lxxviii

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.095







Turbidity (NTU) 5 22.15

Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.135135

EPT families 7 7


Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.804348

EPT families 9 15


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.91

Combined habitats

Key families 22 25

Band A B

3.3 Taxonomic richness

A total of 339 distinct taxa were recorded in this survey. Most of these taxa were identified to

species, but some represent a genus, family, or higher level of classification, and as such, may include

several different species. Taxonomic richness ranged from 109 to 123 taxa per site on the main

channel upstream of Dartmouth dam. At the site immediately below the dam taxonomic richness

was 20. This figure increased with distance downstream of the dam to 84 at Tallandoon. There were

115 taxa recorded in the main channel upstream of Dartmouth dam that were not recorded

downstream of the dam. There were 45 taxa which were not found between the dam and the

confluence with Snowy Creek, but were recorded below the confluence and in either Snowy Creek,

Mt Wills Creek or Watchingorra Creek.

Snowy Creek was the most diverse site in this survey with 124 taxa. Of the other tributaries,

Cobungra River (111 taxa) and Watchingorra Creek (108 taxa) both had high taxonomic richness. The

least diverse were the nutrient-enriched Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks, with 62 and 77 taxa,

respectively.

Figure 19. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2013, autumn 2014, and for both seasons combined.

lxxix

3.4 Community composition

For taxonomic reasons, Veliidae were analysed at family level, and the genera of the Taschorema

complex (Hydrobiosidae) were combined. The NMDS plot shows sites which are on the main channel

downstream of the dam in green, and all other sites which exist independently of the dam in blue.

Site 501 is to the far left, site 502 in the centre and sites 503 and 504 closer to the reference sites. A

PERMANOVA (permutational multiple analysis of variance) was performed on this data, which

indicated that the two groups were significantly different (Pseudo-F = 2.8475; P (perm) = 0.005). A

SIMPER analysis indicated that the taxa contributing the most to the differences between these two

groups were Austropeplea, the Lymnaeid snail; the coleopterans Sclerocyphon and Austrolimnius; the

Chironomid Echinocladius; the dragonfly Austroaeschna; and the mayfly Ipracaenis.

Figure 20. NMDS plot of sites based on presence/absence of macroinvertebrate genera. Sites on the main channel downstream of Dartmouth are green, all other sites independent of any effects of the dam are blue.

lxxx

4 Discussion

4.1 Discharge

High volume releases from Dartmouth Dam in winter and spring of 2013 mirrored discharge of

adjacent unregulated streams, although continued releases through summer were in contrast to

natural flows. While discharge from Snowy Creek may have added some natural variation in the

Mitta Mitta below the confluence, flows at Tallandoon were dominated by releases from the dam.

4.2 Water quality

Sites 516 and 517, as in previous years, had very high levels of total nitrogen and phosphorus,

alkalinity and electrical conductivity. This is most likely due to the adjacent agricultural practices,

with livestock having direct access to the waterway.

Site 507 displayed a high concentration of oxides of nitrogen, and this may be a product of upstream

forestry operation. The water quality recorded in Whiterock Creek was typical of an alpine stream,

being characterised by low pH, alkalinity and electrical conductivity.

With the exception of turbidity readings and the instances outlined above, water quality in the

catchment generally met all SEPP objectives, and the results were consistent with previous findings

(Davey & Cook, 2013; Davey & Hawking, 2012; Cook et al., 2011).

4.3 Macroinvertebrates

Macroinvertebrate diversity was significantly lower at site 501 (immediately downstream of the dam)

than it was at main channel sites upstream of Dartmouth Dam. A gradual recovery in taxa richness

was observed with longitudinal distance downstream of the dam, however these sites did not return

to diversity levels recorded upstream of the impoundment. As is suggested in previous reports

(Davey & Cook, 2013), it is likely that the unregulated and taxonomically rich tributaries (e.g. Snowy

Creek, Mt Wills Creek) are acting as points of population recruitment and are major contributors to

the recovery of the macroinvertebrate community.

All tributaries and sites upstream of the dam were more diverse than those on the main channel

downstream of the dam, with the exception of some of the lower order streams such as the alpine

lxxxi

Whiterock Creek and the nutrient-enriched Bingo Munjie and Livingstone Creeks.

The only sites to not achieve more than half of the SEPP biological objectives were 501, 516 and 517,

while sites 505, 511, 512 and 514 achieved all of the objectives. The lowest AUSRIVAS band was D,

assigned to the riffle sample from site 501 in spring. Sites 502 and 517 were both assigned an

AUSRIVAS band of C. The bands assigned to these poorer sites were generally lower than in the

previous two years (Davey & Cook, 2013).

lxxxii

SECTION 2: Spring 2014

1 Aims and objectives

1.1 Project aims

The aims of the Mitta Mitta Macroinvertebrate Program are to monitor the

macroinvertebrate communities and assess the biological condition of the Mitta Mitta River

and its major tributaries in relation to impacts from river management and catchment use.

1.2 Objectives

Project objectives are as follows:

Sample the macroinvertebrate communities at four sites in spring.

Assess biological condition within the Mitta Mitta catchment at each site, using

Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) rapid bio-assessment protocols.

Assess biodiversity within the Mitta Mitta catchment by identifying

macroinvertebrates to the lowest possible taxonomic level.

Analyse and assess water quality data with respect to the State Environment

Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives.

Report findings to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).

2 Methods

2.1 Study sites and descriptions

The sites used in this study are sites 502, 503, 505 and 513, listed in section one of this

report. These sites were selected from the initial 16 sites in order to have:

an impacted site that is downstream of Dartmouth dam and upstream of any major tributary (502)

an impacted site downstream of the dam but also downstream of a major tributary which may be a source of recovery (503)

a reference site which is on the tributary providing the source of recovery (505) a reference site on the main channel upstream of the dam (513).

The methods used here are the same as in section one of this report.

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3 Results

3.1 Discharge

Daily discharge at unregulated sites consisted of peak flows at the beginning of August and

mid-September of 4028 and 5820 ML.day-1 respectively. Smaller peaks occurred in late

September and early October. From mid-October, flows in unregulated streams subsided.

From July to mid-September, releases from Dartmouth were low, with the exception of two

larger pulses of approximately 3000 ML.day-1 in August. From late-September releases from

Dartmouth have been fluctuating between approximately 7000 and 3000 ML.day-1 over a 30

day cycle (Figure 21).

Figure 21. Daily discharge at Colemans, Snowy Creek (below Granite Flat) and Hinnomunjie gauges for the period from July to late November 2014.

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3.2 SEPP objectives

Site 502 – Colemans

Site 502 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All macroinvertebrate indices failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 38).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.15







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 5.54

EPT families 7 5


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.48

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 5.86

EPT families 9 5


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.6

Combined habitats

Key families 22 16

Band A B

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86

Site 503 – Mitta Mitta

Site 503 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of B – significantly impaired. All water quality measurements met the SEPP objectives. The number of key families, and the OE50 and total families in both habitats failed to meet the SEPP objectives (Table 39).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.21







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.93

EPT families 7 8


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.76

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.73

EPT families 9 9


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.81

Combined habitats

Key families 22 21

Band A B

87

Site 505 – Snowy Creek

Site 505 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. All SEPP objectives were achieved (Table 40Table 2).


Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.32


Dissolved oxygen (% sat.) 90 – 110 94





Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.52

EPT families 7 11


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.9

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.68

EPT families 9 12


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.95

Combined habitats

Key families 22 27

Band A A

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Site 513 – Hinnomunjie Bridge

Site 513 achieved an AUSRIVAS score of A – reference condition. Of the water quality measurements, and pH exceeded the SEPP objectives. Most macroinvertebrate indices met the SEPP objectives, the exception being the number of total families in the edge habitat (Table 41).


89

Objective Result

Water quality



pH 6.4 – 7.7 7.74







Edge

SIGNAL 5.7 6.39

EPT families 7 8


OE50 0.86 – 1.15 0.95

Riffle

SIGNAL 6.0 6.48

EPT families 9 10


OE50 0.87 – 1.13 0.96

Combined habitats

Key families 22 26

Band A A

3.3 Taxonomic richness

A total of 108 distinct taxa were recorded from the spring 2014 survey. The highest richness

was found at site 505, where 60 taxa were recorded. The lowest recorded was 31 taxa at site

502. With the exception of site 513, the edge samples were always more diverse than those

from the riffle.

At site 513 upstream of Dartmouth Dam, 57 distinct taxa were recorded. Of these, only 17

were recorded at site 502 downstream of the dam. Site 503 registered 33 taxa that were not

present at site 502. Of these 33 taxa, 21 were common to site 505.

Figure 22. Taxonomic richness of each site in spring 2014, for both habitats and whole site.

3.4 Community composition

The NMDS plot displays each sample taken for the period. The edge and riffle samples group

together, the riffle samples forming a tighter group in a line across the top-left of the plot. In

both groups of samples site 502 is the outlier of the group, sites 503, 505 and 513 being

more similar to each other.

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Figure 23. NMDS plot of samples, with taxonomic resolution to species. Riffle samples, suffixed with “R” are at the top left of the plot, edge samples, suffixed with “E” are at the bottom and top right of the plot.

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4 Discussion

4.1 Discharge

The discharge in the unregulated sections followed the pattern of high flows in winter and spring,

decreasing in the summer. The discharge above Dartmouth dam at Hinnomunjie rarely dropped

below 1000 ML.day-1 until mid-October, after which it remained below that level. This is in

contrast to the flow recorded at the Colemans gauge below Dartmouth. With the exception

of the two peaks in late August, the average daily discharge was at or below approximately

500 ML.day-1 until late September. From October the discharge does not drop significantly

below 3000 ML.day-1. Such shifts in seasonality of peak flows can disrupt reproductive cues

(Bunn & Arthington, 2002), decreasing reproduction and recruitment, ultimately altering the

community assemblage.

4.2 Water quality

Most water quality measurements did not vary much across the sites. The most variation was in total

nitrogen and oxides of nitrogen, which were both considerably higher at the two sites downstream

of the dam, albeit well within the SEPP objectives. With the exception of turbidity, the only water

quality objective not met was pH which was slightly elevated at site 513 above Dartmouth Dam.

4.3 Macroinvertebrates

Site 502 below Dartmouth Dam had the poorest macroinvertebrate community, failing to meet any

of the SEPP biological objectives, and having the lowest taxonomic diversity. At site 503, below the

confluence with Snowy Creek, the macroinvertebrate community was more diverse, and met

approximately half of the SEPP biological objectives. The reference sites had almost twice the

diversity of site 502.

Of the taxa which were recorded at site 503 but not at 502, 21 of these were recorded at site 505.

This recruitment may be due to larval drift. Further investigation into the dispersal mechanisms of

these taxa would be beneficial in determining the mechanisms of recovery downstream of

Dartmouth Dam.

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5 ConclusionsThe Mitta Mitta River macroinvertebrate community continues to be the impacted by the operation

of Dartmouth Dam. Although the water quality during the study period was generally good, the

macroinvertebrate community downstream of the dam is not as diverse as the community at

reference sites upstream. This would suggest that flow regime, as determined by frequency,

magnitude and timing of releases from the dam, is still having a significant impact on the

macroinvertebrate community.

The impacts observed in the macroinvertebrate community due to the operation of Dartmouth Dam

become are significant at the site 9 km downstream of the dam. These impacts are less pronounced

at the next site, 16 km downstream of the dam. A major contributing factor to the rehabilitation of

invertebrate populations may be the influence of Snowy Creek and other tributaries providing a

source of recruitment.

6 RecommendationsWe recommend that monitoring of macroinvertebrate communities in the Mitta Mitta River continue

for two reasons. Firstly, information generated by the monitoring program can detect changes to

biotic communities resulting from improved operation of Dartmouth Dam. Secondly, monitoring of

macroinvertebrates can provide baseline data that informs managers of stream health within the

greater catchment. This is of particular relevance upstream of Dartmouth Dam, where land-use

impacts to stream health have been identified. We recommend targeted studies to identify specific

drivers of altered macroinvertebrate communities below and above Dartmouth Dam. Some

interesting aspects of macroinvertebrate community dynamics that require further investigation

include improved stream health below the confluence of Snowy Creek, elements of invertebrate life

history responses to altered thermal and hydrological regimes and drivers of land-use impacts in the

upper catchment. Filling these knowledge gaps will provide clearer recommendations for Dam and

land-use management.

93

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laboratories. Standards Australia, Sydney

Australian Natural Resources Atlas (2008) http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/water/overview/vic/swma-mitta-mitta-river.html

Blyth JD, Doeg TJ, St Clair RM (1984) Response of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta River, Victoria, to the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam. 1. Construction and initial filling. Occasional papers from the Museum of Victoria, 1: 83-100.

Bunn SE, Arthington AH (2002) Basic principles and ecological consequences of altered flow regimes for aquatic biodiversity. Environmental Management, 30, 492-507.

Clarke KR, Warwick RM (2001) Change in Marine Communities: An approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. Primer-E-Ltd, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK.

Cook R, Hawking J, Davey C (2007) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program Project Report 2007. A report prepared for the Murray Darling Basin Authority and Goulburn Murray Water Authority. Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Wodonga.

Cook R, Davey C, Hawking J, Paul W (2011) MDBA Mitta Mitta River Monitoring Program. Review of monitoring 1998 to 2009. MDFRC Publication 14/2011, August, 140pp.

Davey C and Cook R (2013) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Report – 2011/12 and 2012/13 Draft Report prepared for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority by The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, MDFRC Publication 25/2013, September, 90pp.

Davey C, Hawking J (2012) Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program: 2008/09 – 2010/11 Final Report. Report prepared for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority by The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, MDFRC Publication 38/2011, March 2012, 95pp.

Doeg TJ (1984) Response of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta River, Victoria, to the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam. 2. Irrigation release. Occasional papers from the Museum of Victoria, 1: 101-108.

EPA (2003a) Rapid bioassessment methodology for rivers and streams. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.nsf/PubDocsLU/604.1?OpenDocument

EPA (2003b) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Water quality objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp

EPA (2003c) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Nutrient objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp

EPA (2004) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Biological objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp

Hawking JH, Smith LM, LeBusque K, Davey C (editors) (2013) Identification and Ecology of Australian Freshwater Invertebrates. Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre. http://www.mdfrc.org.au/bugguide

94

ISO/TS 19036 (2006) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Guidelines for the estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations. International Organization for Standardization, Switzerland.

ISO/TS 19036-1 (2009) Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Guidelines for the estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations AMENDMENT 1: Measurement uncertainty for low counts. International Organization for Standardization, Switzerland.

Koehn JD, Doeg TJ, Harrington DJ, Milledge GA (1995) The effects of Dartmouth Dam on the Aquatic Fauna of the Mitta Mitta River. Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

North East CMA (2006) North East Regional River Health Strategy 2006. North East Catchment Management Authority, Wodonga.

Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2009) Advisory List of Threatened Invertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2009. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne, Victoria.

Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2011a) Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse. http://www.vicwaterdata.net/vicwaterdata/home.aspx. Accessed November, 2014.

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Appendices

Appendix A Taxa list by site for spring 2013 – autumn 2014 season

Table 42. List of taxa recorded at each site during the autumn 2013 to autumn 2014 survey.

Order/Major groupFamily SITE

Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Hydrozoa

Hydridae 1Hydrozoa

OlindiidaeCraspedacusta sowerbyi 1

TricladidaDugesiidae 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1

Nematoda 1 2Gastropoda 1Hypsogastropoda

HydrobiidaePotamopyrgus antipodarum 1

HygrophilaLymnaeidae 1

Austropeplea huonensis 2 2 1 2 1Ancylidae

Ferrissia 1Ferrissia petterdi 1 1 1Ferrissia tasmanica 1 1 1 2

(Hygrophila cont.)

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Planorbidae

Glyptophysa 1Physidae

Physa acuta 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2Veneroida

CorbiculidaeCorbicula 1

Oligochaeta 3 4 4 3 1 1 2 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 4 2Rhynchobdellida

Glossiphoniidae 1Acarina

Halacaridae 1Hydryphantidae

Diplodontus 1Hydrodromidae

Hydrodroma 1Oxidae

Flabellifrontipoda 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2Oxus 1

LimnesiidaeLimnesia 1Tubophorella 1 1

HygrobatidaeAustraliobates 1 1 1 1Caenobates 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

(Acarina cont.)Coaustraliobates 1 2 1 1 1 2 2

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Hygrobatidae 1 1Kallimobates 1 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1Procorticacarus 2 2 2 1 2 1 1

UnionicolidaeRecifella/Koenikea 1 2

PionidaePiona 1

TorrenticolidaeMonatractides 1

PezidaePeza ops 1

Oribatida 1 1Isopoda

Phreatoicidea (sub-order)Synamphisopus 1

AmphipodaChiltoniidae

Austrochiltonia subtenuis 3 1Decapoda

AtyidaeParatya australiensis 2 2 1 1 3

ParastacidaeCherax 1

EphemeropteraLeptophlebiidae

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Atalomicria AV1 2Atalophlebia albiterminata 1Atalophlebia AV 13 2Atalophlebia AV 2 1 2 1 1 1 1Atalophlebia AV 4 1 3 1 1 2Atalophlebia AV 5 1 1Atalophlebia AV 7 2 1Atalophlebia AV 9 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1Austrophlebioides 1 2 1 2Austrophlebioides AV 2 1 4 1Austrophlebioides marchanti 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 2Austrophlebioides pusillus 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 3 1 3 1Garinjuga AV1 1 1 2 3 2Jappa 1Jappa AV 3 1 1 2Jappa kutera 1Koorrnonga AV1 1 1 1 2 1Nousia 1 1Nousia AV 1 1 3 2 2 2 4 1 2 2 2 1 1 1Nousia AV 2 2 2 1Nousia wiltkorringae 2 2Ulmerophlebia 1 1

CaenidaeCaenidae 1Irpacaenis deani 1 1 1 1Irpacaenis sp.D 1 1 4 2 1 1 2Tasmanocoenis sp. B 2

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Tasmanocoenis tillyardi 1Tasmanocoenis tillyardi/rieki 1 1 1

BaetidaeBaetidae 1Centroptilum sp. Snowy 1 2 2 2 2Cloeon paradiensiense 1Offadens 1 1Offadens baddamsae 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1Offadens confluens 1 1 4 4Offadens G1 sp. 4 1 1 1Offadens G2 sp. MV2 4 2 3Offadens hickmani complex 2 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 2 3 3Offadens MV1 Timbarra 1 2Offadens MV5 1Offadens sp. Armidale 1 1Offadens sp. Nariel/Snowy 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1Offadens TC 1063 2 1Offadens TC 1064 1

ColoburiscidaeColoburiscoides complex 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1Coloburiscoides munionga 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1Coloburiscoides sp. C 1

AmeletopsidaeMirawara AV 2 1 2Mirawara AV2 TC 1047 1

OniscigastridaeTasmanophlebia 1 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Tasmanophlebia AV1 1 1 1 1 1Tasmanophlebia TC 1025 1Tasmanophlebia TC 1037 1Tasmanophlebia TC 1072 1

OdonataCoenagrionidae 1

Ischnura 1Ischnura heterosticta 1

MegapodagrionidaeAustroargiolestes icteromelas/calcaris 1 1

SynlestidaeSynlestes weyersii tillyardi 1 2

GomphidaeAustrogomphus 1 1 1Austrogomphus guerini 1Hemigomphus gouldii/heteroclytus 1 2

TelephlebiidaeAustroaeschna 2 1 1 1Austroaeschna inermis 1 1 1 1 1Austroaeschna multipunctata 1Austroaeschna pulchra 1 1 1 1 2Austroaeschna unicornis unicornis 1 1 2

(Odonata cont.)Notoaeschna sagittata 2 2 1 1 2 1 1

Synthemistidae 1Eusynthemis 1Eusynthemis brevistyla 1 1 2

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Eusynthemis guttata 1Eusynthemis tillyardi 1Synthemis eustalacta 1 1 1

PlecopteraEustheniidae

Cosmioperla kuna 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 2Eusthenia venosa 1

AustroperlidaeAcruroperla atra 1 2 2 2 1 1Austroheptura 1Austroheptura sp1 2 1Austroheptura sp2 1 1Austroheptura TC 1069 1

GripopterygidaeDinotoperla 1 1Dinotoperla brevipennis 1 1 1 2 1 2Dinotoperla christinae 1Dinotoperla eucumbene 4 4 2 2 2Dinotoperla fontana 3 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1Dinotoperla TC1070 1 1Dinotoperla thwaitesi/serricauda 4 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2

(Plecoptera cont.)Eunotoperla kershawi 1Illiesoperla 1 1Illiesoperla australis 1 1 1Illiesoperla brevicauda 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1Leptoperla kimminsi 2

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Leptoperla longicauda/bifida 2 1 1 1 2 1 1Leptoperla primitiva 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 3Leptoperla rubiconis TC 1052 1 1Leptoperla tasmanica 1 1 1 1 1 1Newmanoperla thoreyi 1 2 1Riekoperla karki 1 2Riekoperla karki/reticulata 2 1 1 1Riekoperla reticulata 2Riekoperla rugosa 1 1 1 2 2 1 2Riekoperla tuberculata 1 2 2 2 2 1Trinotoperla 1Trinotoperla montana 2 2 2 2 1 1 2Trinotoperla nivata 1Trinotoperla nivata/minor 2 1 1 1 1 2

Notonemouridae 1Austrocerca tasmanica 2 1 2Austrocercella marianne 1 1 3 1 1

HemipteraHydrometridae

Hydrometra strigosa 1Gerridae

Rheumatometra dimorpha 1Rheumatometra philarete 1 1 1 1 1Rheumatrometra 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Veliidae 1 1 1

Drepanovelia 1 1Drepanovelia dubia 1 1 1 1Microvelia 1 2 2 1 1Microvelia fluvialis 1 1 1Microvelia peramoena 1 2 1 1 2

HebridaeHebrus axilliaris 1

Corixidae 1 1Agraptocorixa 1Agraptocorixa eurynome 1Sigara 1 1 1 1Sigara truncatipala 1 1

Micronectidae 1Austronecta australiensis 1 1 2 1 1Micronecta annae/illiesi 2 3 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 4 2 2Micronecta robusta 1 2

NotonectidaeAnisops 1

(Hemiptera cont.)Anisops gratus 1Anisops thienemanni 1 1 1Enithares 1 1Enithares woodwardi 1 1 1 1 1

PleidaeParaplea halei 1

Megaloptera

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Corydalidae 1

Archichauliodes guttiferus grp. 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1Archichauliodes R. deceptor grp. 1 1

NeuropteraOsmylidae 1Nevrorthidae

Austroneurorthus bruneipennis 2 1Coleoptera

GyrinidaeMacrogyrus (L) 1 1 1Macrogyrus oblongus (A) 1Macrogyrus TC 1066 oblongus/rivularis (A) 1 1

DytiscidaeAllodessus bistrigatus 1 1Antiporus (A) 1Australphilus saltus (A) 1 1 1 1 1Australphilus saltus (L) 1Necterosoma (L) 1 2

(Coleoptera cont.)Necterosoma penicillatum (A) 1 4Platynectes decempunctatus (A) 1Rhantus suturalis (A) 1Sternopriscus (A) 1 1 1 1Sternopriscus wehnckei (A) 1

HydraenidaeGymnocthebius truncatus (A) 1Hydraena (A) 1 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Ochthebiinae TC 1076 1Ochthebiinae TC 477 (A) 1

HydrochidaeHydrochus horni (A) 1 1

HydrophilidaeAnacaena horni (A) 1 1Anacaena lindi (A) 1Berosus involutus (A) 1Berosus majusculus (A) 1Helochares (A) 1Laccobius decipiens (A) 1 1 2 1Paracymus (A) 1Paracymus pygmaeus 1

CurculionidaeCurculionidae TC 747 (A) 1

Scirtidae (L) 1 3 3 2 2 3 2 1 1 2 1Elmidae

(Coleoptera cont.)Austrolimnius (A) 1 1 1Austrolimnius (L) 1 1 1 1 1 2Austrolimnius alcine (A) 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1Austrolimnius anytus (A) 1 1 1Austrolimnius dayi (A) 2Austrolimnius diemensis (A) 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 2Austrolimnius metasternalis (A) 1 1 1Austrolimnius metasternalis/victoriensis (A) 1Austrolimnius oblongus (A) 2 1 1 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Austrolimnius resa (L58E) 1Austrolimnius troilus (A) 1 2 1 2 1Austrolimnius waterhousei (A) 2 1 2Kingolus (L) 1Kingolus aeratus (A) 1 1Kingolus aeratus (L) 1 1 1Kingolus aeratus/metallicus (A) 1Kingolus flavosignatus (L) 1Kingolus metallicus (A) 1 1 1Kingolus metallicus (L) 1 1Kingolus tinctus (A) 1 1 1 1 2 1 2Kingolus yarrensis (A) 2 1Kingolus yarrensis (L) 1Notriolus (L) 1 1Notriolus (A) Co-0322 1Notriolus allyensis (A) 1

(Coleoptera cont.)Notriolus humeralis (A) 1Notriolus quadriplagiatus (A) 4 2 1 1 1Notriolus setosus (A) 1 1 1Notriolus setosus (L) 1 1 1 2 1Notriolus TC 1000 (A) 1 1Notriolus TC 1073 (L) 1Notriolus victoriae (A) 2 3 2 3 1Notriolus victoriae (L) 2Simsonia (A) CO-0321 1Simsonia angusta (A) 1 1 2 3

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Simsonia angusta (L) 3 2 1Simsonia L12E (L) 1Simsonia L2E-A (L) 1 1Simsonia longipes (A) 1Simsonia longipes (L) 1 1Simsonia wilsoni (A) 1Simsonia wilsoni (L) 2 1 1 2 1 1Austrolimnius (L) 2 1 2 1 1 2

PsephenidaeSclerocyphon (L) 1Sclerocyphon maculatus (L) 1 1Sclerocyphon striatus (L) 2 2 2 3 3 1 2 1 4Sclerocyphon zwicki (L) 1

PtilodactylidaeByrrocryptus (L) 2 2 1 1

DipteraBlephariceridae

Edwardsina australiensis 1 1Tipulidae

Tipulidae EPA 1 1Tipulidae EPA 18 1Tipulidae EPA 2 1 1 1Tipulidae EPA 27/37 1 1 1 1 1 1Tipulidae EPA 3 1 1Tipulidae EPA 30 1Tipulidae EPA 36 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2Tipulidae EPA 37, TC 1061 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Tipulidae EPA 38 1 1 2Tipulidae EPA 39 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2Tipulidae EPA 40 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 2Tipulidae EPA 42 1 1 1 1 1Tipulidae EPA 8 2 2Tipulidae EPA 9 1 1 1 2 1Tipulidae EPA sp 3/42 TC 1071 1 1 1 1

SimuliidaeAustrosimulium 3 1 1Austrosimulium bancrofti 3 1 1Austrosimulium furiosum 4 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2Austrosimulium montanum 1Austrosimulium torrentium 3 2 1 3 1 1 2 2 2 1Austrosimulium victoriae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

(Ditpera cont.)Simulium melatum 1Simulium ornatipes 1 2 2

CulicidaeAnopholes annulipes 1

Dixidae 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3ChironomidaeTanypodinae (sub-family)

Ablabesmyia 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1Apsectrotanypus 2 3 1 2 1 1 1Australopelopia 1 1 1 1Larsia 1Nilotanypus 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Paramerina 1 2 3 1 2 2 1 1 1Pentaneurini 1Pentaneurini Genus A 1 1 1Procladius 1 2 1 2 1 1 4 2Telmatopelopia? 1 1

Aphroteniidae (sub-family)Aphroteniella tenuicornis 2

Podonomina (sub-family)Podochlus 1Podonomopsis 1 1 2 1 2 1

Chironominae (sub-family)Chironomini (tribe)

Chironomus 1 2 1 1 1(Ditpera cont.)

Cladopelma 1Conochironomus 1 1Dicrotendipes 1Harrisius 1Kiefferulus "tinctus" 1Nilothauma 1Parachironomus 1 1Paracladopelma K2 2 1 2 1 1 1Paracladopelma M1 1 1 1Polypedilum 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 2Polypedilum nubiferum 1Polypedilum prasiogaster 1 1 1Polypedilum watsoni 1 2 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Riethia 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 1 1 2 2 2

Tanytarsini (tribe)Cladotanytarsus 1 1 2 2Paratanytarsus 2 3 3 1 2 1Rheotanytarsus 2 3 1 4 1 2 1 1 3 3 3 1 1 3Tanytarsus 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 2

Orthocladiinae (sub-family) 1 1Botryocladius 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1Cardiocladius 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1Corynoneura 1 1 1 1 1Cricotopus 3 4 4 4 2 3 4 2 4 2 2 3 3 2 3 2Echinocladius 1 1 1

(Ditpera cont.)Eukiefferiella 1 2 1 3 2 1 1Nanocladius 1Orthocladiinae "genus Australia" 1 1 1 1 1Parakiefferiella 1 2 1 1 1 2 1Parametriocnemus 1 1 1 1 2 1Pirara australiensis 1 1 1 1SO4 1Stictocladius 1 1 1 1 1 1Thienemanniella 1 2 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1

Diamesinae (sub-family)Paraheptagyia tonnoiri 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 1

CeratopogonidaeCeratopogonidae EPA 17 1 1Ceratopogonidae EPA 28/50 1 1 1 2 3 3 1 1 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Ceratopogonidae EPA 3 2 1 1 1 2 1Ceratopogonidae EPA 40 1 1Ceratopogonidae EPA 45 2 1Ceratopogonidae EPA 47 2Ceratopogonidae EPA 53 1Ceratopogonidae EPA 6 1 1

Stratiomyidae 3Tabanidae 1 1Athericidae 1 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 1Dolichopodidae 1 1 1 1Empididae

(Ditpera cont.)Empididae NMV 2 1 1Empididae NMV 3 2

TrichopteraGlossosmatidae

Agapetus AV 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 1Polycentropodidae

Neureclipsis napea 1 1Philopotamidae

Chimarra AV 3 1 1 2Chimarra AV3/australica TC 1077 1Chimarra monticola 1 1 1 1 2Hydrobiosella AV7 1Hydrobiosella waddama 1

HelicopsychidaeHelicopsyche murrumba 2 3 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Helicopsyche tillyardi 2 4

HydroptilidaeHellyethira malleoforma 1 1 2 1Hellyethira simplex 2 3 1 1Hydroptila scamandra 1 1 1Orthotrichia MDFRC 2 1 1Oxyethira columba 2 1 1 2 1

EcnomidaeEcnomus continentalis 1 2 1 1Ecnomus pansus 2

(Trichoptera cont.)Ecnomus russellius 2Ecnomus sp. 1

Hydropsychidae 1Asmicridea AV 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1Cheumatopsyche 1 1Cheumatopsyche AV 2 2 1Cheumatopsyche AV 3 1 1Cheumatopsyche AV 4 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1Cheumatopsyche AV 5 1Cheumatopsyche AV 6 1Smicrophylax AV 1 1

LimnephilidaeArchaeophylax canarus 2 2 1Archaeophylax ochreus 1

OdontoceridaeMarilia bola 1 1 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Hydrobiosidae

Apsilochorema 1Apsilochorema obliquum 1 1 2 1 1 1Ethochorema brunneum 1 1 2Ethochorema turbidum 2 2 2 2 1 1 1Koetonga clivicola 1Taschorema complex 1 1 1 1 1Taschorema complex TC 1027 1Taschorema evansi 3 3 2 1 2 1 1 1

(Trichoptera cont.)Ulmerochorema 1 2 2Ulmerochorema lentum 3 1 3 1Ulmerochorema onychion 1 1 2Ulmerochorema rubiconum grp. 2 1 3 2 1 1 2 3 3 1

Philorheithridae 1Aphilorheithrus AV 3 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 2Aphilorheithrus AV 4 2 1 2Austrheithrus 1 1Kosrheithus tillyardi 2 1 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 1

LeptoceridaeCondocerus paludosus 1 2 1 1 1Lectrides varians 1Notalina bifaria 1 3 3 4 4 4 4 2 4 3 3 1 4Notalina fulva 1 1 1 2 1Notalina ordina 2 3 3 2 1Notalina spira 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1Oecetis 1 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Triaenodes 1 1 1 1Triplectides 1 1Triplectides australicus 2 1Triplectides australis 1 1Triplectides ciuskus 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 1 2Triplectides elongatus 2Triplectides proximus 2 1 3 2 4Triplectides similis 2 2 1 1 4 1 2 2 3 2 2

(Trichoptera cont.)Triplectides truncatus 1 1 1Triplectides volda 1 1 1

CalamoceratidaeAnisocentropus 3 3 2 1 1

AtriplectididaeAtriplectides dubius 2 1 1

Conoesucidae 1 1Coenoria AV1 1 3Coenoria AV 4 1Coenoria AV 5 1 1Conoesucus 1Conoesucus AV 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1Conoesucus AV 5 2 2 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 2Costora ebenina 1Lingora AV sp. 1 1 2 3 1 4 1Matasia AV 1 1Matasia satana 1 1 2 2Tamasia acuta 2 4 1 1

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Species 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518Calocidae

Caenota plicata 1 1Tamasia variegata 1 1 3 1 3 1 1

HelicophidaeAlloecella grisea 1

Calocidae/HelicophidaeCalocid/Helicophid Genus C AV2 1

LepidopteraPyralidae/Cambridae

Parapoynx nitens 2

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Appendix B Taxa list for spring 2014

Table 43. List of taxa recorded at each site during the spring 2014 season.


Species 502 503 505 513Tricladida

Dugesiidae 1Hygrophila

LymnaeidaeAustropeplea huonensis 2 1

Oligochaeta 2 1 2 1Acarina

OxidaeFlabellifrontipoda 1 1

HygrobatidaeCaenobates 1Procorticacarus 1

DecapodaAtyidae

Paratya australiensis 1 1Ephemeroptera

LeptophlebiidaeAtalophlebia AV 4 2 1Austrophlebioides marchanti 1 1 2 1Austrophlebioides pusillus 1 1 1 1Garinjuga AV1 1Koorrnonga AV1 1Nousia AV 1 1 1 1

CaenidaeTasmanocoenis 2

BaetidaeCentroptilum 1Offadens confluens 1 1Offadens G2 sp. MV2 1 1Offadens hickmani complex 1 2 2

ColoburiscidaeColoburiscoides complex 1 1Coloburiscoides munionga 1 1 1

OniscigastridaeTasmanophlebia 1 1Tasmanophlebia TC 1037 1

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Species 502 503 505 513Odonata

GomphidaeHemigomphus gouldii/heteroclytus 1

TelephlebiidaeAustroaeschna unicornis unicornis 1

SynthemistidaeEusynthemis virgula 1

PlecopteraEustheniidae

Cosmioperla kuna 1 1Austroperlidae

Acruroperla atra 2Gripopterygidae

Dinotoperla fontana 2 1 1Dinotoperla thwaitesi/serricauda 2 2 2 1Illiesoperla brevicauda 1 2Leptoperla longicauda/bifida 1 1 2Newmanoperla thoreyi 1 1Riekoperla compressa 1Riekoperla karki 1Riekoperla karki/reticulata 1 1 1 1Riekoperla tuberculata 1 2Trinotoperla montana 1 1 2Trinotoperla nivata/minor 1

NotonemouridaeAustrocerca tasmanica 1

HemipteraVeliidae

Drepanovelia dubia 1Corixidae

Sigara sublaevifrons 1Micronectidae

Austronecta australiensis 1 1Micronecta annae/illiesi 1 1 1

MegalopteraCorydalidae

Archichauliodes 2 1Coleoptera

DytiscidaeSternopriscus wehnckei (A) 1

HydrophilidaeEnochrus elongatulus (A) 1

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Species 502 503 505 513Helochares tristis (A) 1Hydrophilidae TC 1078 1Paracymus pygmaeus (A) 1

Scirtidae (L) 1 1Elmidae

Austrolimnius (L) 1 1Austrolimnius alcine (A) 1Austrolimnius diemensis (A) 1 1Kingolus aeratus (A) 1Notriolus quadriplagiatus (A) 1

PsephenidaeSclerocyphon striatus (L) 2 1

DipteraBlephariceridae

Edwardsina australiensis 1Tipulidae

Tipulidae EPA 1 1Tipulidae EPA 36 1Tipulidae EPA 38 1 1Tipulidae EPA 39 1 1Tipulidae EPA 40 2 1Tipulidae TC 1071; EPA 3/42 1 1

SimuliidaeAustrosimulium bancrofti 2Austrosimulium furiosum 2 1 1 1Austrosimulium torrentium 1 2 2

ChironomidaeTanypodinae (sub-family)

Aspectrotanypus TC 1087 1 1Pentaneura TC 1081 1Tanypodinae 1Telmatelopia TC 1085 1

Podonomina (sub-family)Podonomopsis 1 2

Chironominae (sub-family)Chironomini (tribe)

Polypedilum 1

(Diptera cont.)Riethia TC 1082 1Riethia 1

Tanytarsini (tribe)Rheotanytarsus 1 1

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Species 502 503 505 513Rheotanytarsus TC 1083 1Tanytarsus 1 1Tanytarsus TC 1080 1

Orthocladiinae (sub-family)Cardiocladius 1Corynoneura 1Cricotopus 1 1 2Cricotopus TC 1079 1Eukiefferiella 1 1 1Orthocladiinae TC 1086 1Pirara australiensis 1Stictocladius TC 1084 1

Diamesinae (sub-family)Paraheptagyia tonnoiri 1

CeratopogonidaeCeratopogonidae EPA 17 1Ceratopogonidae EPA 28/50 1Ceratopogonidae EPA 40 1Ceratopogonidae EPA 53 1Ceratopogonidae TC 1051 1 1 1

Tabanidae 1 1Athericidae 2

TrichopteraHelicopsychidae

Helicopsyche murrumba 1Hydroptilidae

Hellyethira simplex 1 1Ecnomidae

Ecnomina AV4 1Hydropsychidae

Asmicridea AV 1 1Cheumatopsyche AV 4 1 2 1

LimnephilidaeArchaeophylax canarus 1 1

HydrobiosidaeApsilochorema obliquum 1

(Trichoptera cont.)Ethochorema brunneum 1Ethochorema turbidum 1Taschorema complex 1Ulmerochorema rubiconum grp. 1 1 2

Philorheithridaeaphilorheithrus AV 3 1

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Species 502 503 505 513Kosrheithus tillyardi 1 1

LeptoceridaeCondocerus paludosus 1Notalina bifaria 2 2 2Notalina fulva 1Triplectides ciuskus 1 1 1Triplectides proximus 1Triplectides similis 1

CalamoceratidaeAnisocentropus 1

ConoesucidaeCoenoria AV 4 1 1Coenoria AV 5 1 1Conoesucus AV 5 1 1Lingora AV 1 1

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