Caboolture Region Water Quality Study - Moreton Bay Regional ...

Caboolture Water Quality Study
turbidity and conductivity and nutrients were monitored at all sites. Secchi depth and phytoplankton
biomass was monitored at the canal sites, as were depth profiles for physico-chemical indicators.
Toxicants in sediments were monitored at some sites in Saltwater Creek, Sheepstation Creek and
Lagoon Creek.
2.2 Environmental Protection Agency and Ecological Health Monitoring Program (EHMP)
For the purposes of this study, the water quality data obtained from the EHMP program, a Healthy
Waterways program, will not be distinguished from EPA water quality data (since the water quality
component of EHMP is operated by EPA, ensuring that sampling techniques and quality assurance
measures are identical). Although the EPA has been conducting water quality monitoring in
Queensland since the 1970’s, only data collected since 1995 has been analysed in this study. Fiftyfour
sites across Deception Bay, Pumicestone Passage and Caboolture River were monitored
monthly. The indicators measured at each site are listed in Table 18 (Appendix A). Physico-chemical,
nutrient, secchi depth and phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a) indicators were monitored at most
sites.
2.3 The Pumicestone Region Coastal Monitoring Program (PRCMP)
The Pumicestone Region Coastal Monitoring Program (PRCMP) was an NHT-funded Coast and
Clean Seas Project for which water quality was monitored in Pumicestone Passage and its major
tributaries since 1997. Fifty-eight sites (Appendix A) were assessed in this study for physico-chemical
and secchi depth indicators. Nutrient concentrations were monitored at sixteen of those sites and are
reported here.
2.4 Other sources of data considered in this report
Data types other than water quality were also considered in this study, including physical and
biological attributes. Findings based on these other data types have not been summarised in this
study, although they are referred to when appropriate. For a complete list of all data and information
sources, please refer to the reference list.
2.4.1 Prioritising stream regeneration works to protect and restore fish habitat.
(Langdon, 2001).
This ongoing project assesses stream condition by monitoring the structure of fish communities.
Although a number of measures of fish community condition are generated only the overall site rating
is considered in this study (Figure 23, Appendix F).
2.4.2 Atlas of Natural Assets, Riparian and Reserve Vegetation, Caboolture Shire Council
In 1995 CSC adopted the Atlas of Natural Assets (ANA, 1998), which documents remnant vegetation
and plant diversity within the Shire. The Atlas provides essential information about the natural
resources of the Shire to decision-makers, planners, developers and the general public. The
assessment and mapping of riparian vegetation was updated in 1998 by WBM Oceanics Australia
(Figures 24 and 25, Appendix G).
2.4.3 State of the Rivers: Pumicestone Region Subcatchments, 2001
The Pumicestone Region Subcatchments State of the Rivers report (SoR, 2001) provides a
comprehensive assessment of the physical condition of rivers and streams of the region. Of relevance
to this study are the assessments of the Northern Creeks, the Caboolture River, Lagoon Creek and
Bribie Island. Attributes that were assessed in the SoR are presented in Table 1.
8