2 Renmark to border LAP area assessment - EPA - Sa.gov.au

River Murray and Lower Lakes catchment risk assessment for water quality: Results and management options
The Sustainable Recreation Project (2005) is currently prioritising recreation sites along the River Murray
and Lower Lakes that require rehabilitation and/or additional recreation facilities. This project has
highlighted Ramco Point and Holder Bend as rehabilitation sites with recommendations including
installation of toilets. Hart lagoon has also been recommended for rehabilitation with revegetation and
interpretive signage.
Discharges from creeks (Big Toolunka and Scott) were assessed as a moderate risk, as was Waikerie urban
stormwater discharge. The actual risk from these sources would likely be lower as people would tend not
to swim or ski during or immediately following rainfall events.
Nutrients
Moderate nutrient risks included horticultural areas, creeks, Jaeschke lagoon, two marinas, the Waikerie
STEDS lagoons, the Morgan and Blanchetown townships, Morgan river vessel waste disposal station, and
Blanchetown caravan park. Low nutrient risks to recreational values included sources such as the
numerous informal camping areas without sanitation facilities, vessel mooring areas, stormwater
discharges and possible effluent discharge from wastewater/STEDS pump failure in regional townships
and shack areas.
Hydrocarbons
One hydrocarbon risk was assessed as moderate, namely for accidental fuel spillage at the Morgan ferry.
The remaining hydrocarbon risks were all assessed as low and included accidental spillage from vessel
mooring areas and boat ramps. The actual risk would likely to be only to aesthetic values, as people
would tend not to swim or ski in areas that have oil slicks.
Turbidity
The highly turbid nature of the river already poses a risk to recreation, as there is generally no visibility
at a depth of 1.2 m (ANZECC 2000). In the current report, most identified sources of increased turbidity
were assessed as low level, apart from a few moderate rankings for creek and urban stormwater
discharges. Wake-induced erosion, in particular, was highlighted as a common community concern but its
actual impact on recreation was difficult to quantify.
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