University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Quantifying the effects of land management interventions on water quality in the Coal River Catchment

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-24, 11:21 authored by Suresh Panta, Richard DoyleRichard Doyle, Cotching, W, Edward LefroyEdward Lefroy, Arko LucieerArko Lucieer
Historical water quality data from stations at Baden, downstream of the Craigbourne Dam, Richmond and White Kangaroo Rivulet collected between 1999 and 2008 were obtained from DPIPWE. Riparian land use within one kilometre of the river was assessed and digitised using 2005/7 colour aerial photographs and water quality data for that period were examined and possible linkages investigated. The historical data demonstrates complex spatial patterns of in-stream water quality parameters in the Coal River Valley. There was a significant negative correlation between dissolved oxygen and water temperature observed in the Coal River. However, positive correlations were found between stream flow and rainfall with turbidity at all stations except downstream of the reservoir. Stream nitrogen and phosphorus showed a significant relationship with rainfall at Richmond. Positive correlations of turbidity with nitrogen and phosphorus show nutrients bound to sediment are a likely source of nutrients in the river. Subcatchment riparian land use and water quality data from 2005/7 suggests that lower turbidity at Richmond (2.82 NTU) compared to White Kangaroo Rivulet (4.25 NTU) and Baden (4.70 NTU) may be due to the impact of higher percentages of riparian vegetation. Similarly, riparian land management works such as planting native vegetation and fencing on the river banks could have reduced the sediment load and nutrient in the river by preventing erosion caused by stock access to river water.

History

Publication title

Proceedings of the Joint Soil Science Australia and New Zealand Society of Soil Science Conference

Pagination

283

ISBN

978-0-646-59142-1

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

SSA & NZSSS

Place of publication

Hobart, Tasmania

Event title

Joint Soil Science Australia and New Zealand Society of Soil Science Conference

Event Venue

Hobart, Tasmania

Date of Event (Start Date)

2012-12-02

Date of Event (End Date)

2012-12-07

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Other environmental management not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC