enhancing biodiversity hotspots along western ... - South West NRM
enhancing biodiversity hotspots along western ... - South West NRM
enhancing biodiversity hotspots along western ... - South West NRM
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Site 11. Ward River (Charleville – Quilpie Road)<br />
STOCK ROUTE NUMBER: M507<br />
PRIORITY SPECIES: Animals:<br />
Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii).<br />
RATING: BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT<br />
SHIRE COUNCIL: MURWEH SHIRE<br />
The Ward River waterhole and adjacent reserve is a favourite recreational site for the<br />
people of Charleville. The Charleville Fishing and Restocking Club (CFRC) in<br />
conjunction with the DEEDI, are also active at this site with a catch and release<br />
programme for Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) (Plates 41 and 42), and<br />
undertake restocking of the cod at well known waterholes.<br />
Due to the ephemeral nature of all rivers and creeks in <strong>western</strong> Queensland, fish<br />
stocks tend to retreat to these known refugia in the dry times to await the next wet<br />
season and flooding event. The river at this site on Ward River is about seven metres<br />
deep at the bridge, and averages about four metres in depth across the waterhole.<br />
Such waterholes of this depth and dimension are not common and are extremely<br />
important to all species they support, especially Murray cod.<br />
Plate 41. A juvenile Murray cod (Photo: G. Walsh).<br />
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