Campaspe River

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Subcatchments

Smaller Catchments within the Campaspe River Catchment include:

Topography

Vegetation

Riparian Habitat

The following information is summarized from the ACTFR report: Assessing the condition of riparian vegetation in the Burdekin catchment using satellitte imagery and field surveys by Leo Lymburner and John Dowe. 2006. This report can be accessed from the report section below.

iTRARC analysis of Riparian Habitat indicates that this subcatchment has gone from very good to relatively good condition. The extensive field survey results show a wide range of conditions on-ground, with weediness a pervasive problem and a lack of regeneration at some sites.

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Wetlands

The following information is summarized from the ACTFR report: Assessing the condition of Wetlands in the Burdekin catchment using existing GIS and field knowledge for CCI by Mirjam Maughan, Damien Burrows, Barry Butler, Leo Lymburner and George Lukacs. 2006. This report can be accessed from the report section below.

The condition of the Campaspe River sub-division is fairly typical of upper Burdekin rangelands. Although permanent waterbodies are not common, there are a number of significant ones present in several tributaries. Lake Powlathanga is a large, clear, macrophyte-filled, near-perennial lake of regional significance, especially as habitat for waterbirds. This sub-division has been the subject of significant NHT investment in riparian fencing and management and the water quality has been studied by Burrows (2000, 2001) and the fish by Burrows (2001) with Lake Powlathanga and Wambiana Lagoon included as study sites in those studies. The Balfes Creek section of this sub-division (including the catchment area of Lake Powlathanga) is considered to be at high risk of dryland salinity and was a case study under the National Dryland Salinity program. Wambiana Lagoon is another very significant waterbody in this sub-division, being a very large, permanent waterbody in a relatively dry sub-division. Red Hill swamp is a seasonal but heavily vegetated swamp, likely to be important for waterbirds among other fauna. Most of the other tributaries are relatively dry, although some significant waterholes can be found in Victoria Creek and Broadly Creek.

Campaspe River wetland condition summary...

Water

SedNet Modelling of Water Quality

The following statistics are summarized from the CSIRO report: Improved SedNet Modelling of Grazing Lands in the Burdekin Catchment by Kinsey-Henderson, A., Sherman, B. and Bartley, R. 2007. This report can be accessed from the report section below.

Model results for the Campaspe River subcatchment are summarized as follows:

Subcatchment modelled area: 8,141 sq. km.

Source contributions: Hillslope = 67%; Gully = 27%; Streambank = 6%

Area of subcatchment with <50% ground cover: 3,635 sq. km or 45% of subcatchment

Hillslope sediment supply: 305 kg/ha/yr

Total suspended sediment (flow weighted) supply: 368 kt/yr

Total suspended sediment supply (flow weighted; normallized to area): 452 kg/ha/yr

Total suspended sediment end-of-subcatchment (flow weighted) yield: 278 kt/yr

Event Mean Concentration (EMC - flow weighted): 554 mg/L

Mean Annual Flow: 501,541 ML

Hillslope erosion is identified as the major source of sediment and particulate nutrients affecting water quality within the Campaspe River subcatchment (67%) and is predicted to contribute 305 kg/ha/yr. It is estimated that approximately 45% of the subcatchment has poor ground cover (<50%). However, gully erosion is also identified as a significant contributor (27%) to the total sediment load of 368 kt/yr. The rate of soil loss from all sources (supply) is considered moderate (452 kg/ha/yr) when compared to other sub-catchments. The event mean concentration of sediment is considered moderate (554 mg/L) when compared to other sub-catchments. The mean annual flow is relatively low for a catchment of this size and drains from the desert uplands.

The Campaspe River sub-catchemnt is one of the largest of the Burdekin sub-catchments, covering 6,743 sq km. The significant discrepancy between modelled and actual area corresponds to the division between the Cape and Campaspe River sub-catchments that was used in SedNet.

Water Quality Monitoring

The monitoring site in the Campaspe River catchment is located upstream from the Gregory Developmental Road and has been sampled by ACTFR for 4 years. The catchment area for this monitoring site is 4,572 sq km, of which 93.2% is used for grazing. Intermediate suspended sediment concentrations have been measured in this catchment over the monitoring period (mean concentration of 497 mg/L). This concentration is similar to the event mean concentration predicted by the SedNet model, although comparisons should be made with caution at this site due to the limited 'opportunistic' monitoring which may not be representative of the whole flow hydrograph.

Relevant information of Water Quality Monitoring in the Cape Campaspe River Basin can be found by following these links:

Environmental Uses and Values

The following summary of environmental uses and values is based on information extracted from the following reports: Social, Economic, Cultural and Environmental Values of Streams and Wetlands in the Burdekin Dry Tropics Region' by Greiner, R and Hall, N. 2006; Burdekin Basin Draft Water Resource Plan by Queensland Dept. of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, 2006; and Description of areas containing High Ecological Value (HEV) fresh/estuarine waters in the Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan Area by Connolly, N., Moulton, D., Watson, F and Kelton M. 2008. The Greiner and Hall 2006 and Connolly et al. 2008 reports can be accessed from the report section below.

Definition of Environmental Values in the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines

Aquatic Ecosystems:

The aquatic ecosystem values of a small section of the Campaspe River subcatchment, corresponding to the Mount Stewart Range, has been identified as containing High Ecological Value (HEV) waters by the BWQIP ecological values technical panel. The Mount Stewart Range, which lies just north of the Campaspe River crossing on the Flinders Highway, is a coarse granite massif with several ephemeral stream channels. The aquatic ecosystem values of other parts of the Campaspe River subcatchment are considered to be Slightly to Moderately Disturbed (SMD) as a consequence of the surrounding land use for cattle grazing.

Campaspe River subcatchment draft HEV waters

Stock Watering:

Water supply for production of healthy livestock.

Industrial Uses:

Reward Copper Mine. Pajingo gold mine.

Primary Recreation:

Swimming at Mataranka Pool, near Homestead.

Cultural and Spirtual:

Custodial use of water resources by Kudjala traditional owners.

Landuse

Principle land uses within the Campaspe River subcatchment as a proportion of total area:

Grazing: 95%

Conservation & minimal use: 4%

Water: .7%

Mining: Limited mining activity use identified.

Urban & semi urban: Limited urban and semi urban activity use identified.

Grazing Land

Campaspe River is one of the largest sub-catchments where the land use is dominated by grazing on natural pastures (95%), with only a relatively small area set aside for conservation (4%).

Land Condition

Definition of ABCD land condition framework

Results of a Rapid Land Condition Assessment (adopted from Hassett et al. 2000) are presented below. The assessment has been devised to subjectively characterise condition while traversing the BDT region by vehicle. The data are based on a total of 4666 observations across the Burdekin region between 2004 and 2007.

The data were collected to provide independent information on land condition and provide a regional perspective. Resource assessment data are most useful when interpreted with other sources of data e.g. time-series remote sensing, modelling and water quality monitoring.

The estimated condition of the Campaspe River sub-catchment is proportioned as follows:

A Condition: 10%
B Condition: 30%
C Condition: 57%
D Condition: 3%

Data from the Campaspe River sub-catchment is based on 431 observations.

On the basis of the rapid assessment, the Campaspe River sub-catchment is estimated to have the largest proportion of land in poor(C) condition (57%), followed by fair (B) condition (30%) and good (A) condition land (10%). 3% of observed land was in very poor (D) condition.

Ground Cover

Ground Cover in the Campaspe River subcatchment is proportioned as follows:

( BC) Bare Cover: 1%
( LC) Low Cover: 15%
( MC) Moderate Cover: 42%
( HC) High Cover: 40%
(VHC) Very High Cover: 2%

Data from the Campaspe River subcatchment are based on 413 observations.

On the basis of the rapid assessment (2004-2007), the Campaspe River subcatchment is estimated to have the highest proportion of land within the moderate (MC) ground cover category (42%), followed by high (HC) cover (40%) and low (LC) cover (15%) categories. 1% of land was estimated to fall into the bare cover (BC) category.

Resource Condition Summary

Campaspe River is one of the largest subcatchments where the land use is dominated by grazing on natural pastures. Only a relatively small area is set aside for conservation and minimal use, while there are some mining activities in the subcatchment. The riparian condition of the subcatchment has deteriorated over the last 30 years, principlly as a result of clearing along headwater streams and anabranching floodplains, and is currently assessed to be in fair (B) condition. Extensive field survey results show a wide range of conditions on-ground, with weediness a pervasive problem and a lack of regeneration at some sites. Campaspe River subcatchment waterways are fairly typical for the basin and, although permanent waterbodies are not common, there are a number of significant ones present in several tributaries. These include Lake Powlathanga and Wambiana Lagoon, both of which are relatively large permanent or semi-permanent waterbodies in a relatively dry subcatchment. Red Hill swamp is a seasonal but heavily vegetated swamp, likely to be important for waterbirds among other fauna. Most of the other tributaries are relatively dry, although some significant waterholes can be found in Victoria and Broadly Creeks.

Hillslope erosion is identified by models as the major source of sediment and particulate nutrients affecting water quality within the Campaspe River subcatchment, while gully erosion is also identified as a significant contributor to the total sediment load. The rate of soil loss is predicted to be moderately elevated, while the total amount of soil loss from the subcatchment to waterways is comparatively high due to its large area. Land condition is assessed as having a very high proportion in poor (C) condition, although fair (B) condition land is apparently quite common. This is not well reflected in the rapid ground cover assessment (2004-07). However, analysis of ground cover from satellite imagery (reference) identifies areas of vulnerable and marginal 'D' condition land throughout much of the subcatchment, particularly along the lower reaches of the Campaspe River and Policeman Creek, and Homestead Creek.

Water quality in the Campaspe River subcatchment is predicted by models to be moderately impacted by suspended sediment, with elevated concentrations of sediments at the end-of-subcatchment. Water quality monitoring data from this subcatchment are generally consistent with model predictions.

Campaspe River is identified as a priority subcatchment for rehabilitation on the basis of its contribution to the total sediment load within the basin, and large area of vulnerable and marginal 'D' condition land.

Draft Environmental Values

A small section of the Campaspe River subcatchment, corresponding to the Mount Stewart Range, has been identified as containing High Ecological Value (HEV) waters by the BWQIP ecological values technical panel. The Mount Stewart Range, which lies just north of the Campaspe River crossing on the Flinders Highway, is a coarse granite massif with several ephemeral stream channels. The aquatic ecosystem values of other parts of the Campaspe River subcatchment are considered to be Slightly to Moderately Disturbed (SMD) as a consequence of the surrounding land use for cattle grazing. The human use Environmental Values of the Campaspe River subcatchment are understood to include recreation (swimming & visual appreciation), stock watering, industrial use, and the cultural and spiritual values of the Kudjala traditional owners.