End of Dry Season Stream Flow Measurements, Katherine and

Report to provide an overview of monitoring undertaken in support of Water Allocation Planning assessments.

End of Dry Season Stream Flow

Measurements, Katherine and Daly

Rivers, October 2014

Report .14/2015D Sean Lawrie October 2014

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Bibliographic Reference Lawrie, S (October 2014), End of Dry Season stream flow measurements, Katherine and Daly Rivers, October 2014, Northern Territory Government Department of Land Resource Management, Technical Report No. 1/2015D

ISBN

1-74350-080-7

978-1-74350-080-4

End of Dry Season Stream Flow Measurements, Katherine and Daly

Rivers, October 2014.

For further information contact: Department of Land Resource Management PO Box 496, Palmerston, NT, 0831 Australia Copyright and Disclaimer © 2008 Northern Territory Government Copyright resides with the Northern Territory Government, 2006. Information contained in this publication may be copied or reproduced for study, research, information, or educational purposes, subject to inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source. Cover photo: Errol Kerle, stream gauging at Stray Creek. Rodney Hassett

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Table of Contents

SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4

AIM .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 4

OBSERVATION PARAMETERS AND LOCATIONS ................................................................................................ 5

RIVER LEVELS ................................................................................................................................................................ 5

RIVER FLOWS ................................................................................................................................................................. 6

GROUNDWATER LEVELS ................................................................................................................................................. 6

WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

NUTRIENTS. .................................................................................................................................................................... 8

TRACE METALS .............................................................................................................................................................. 8

RAINFALL ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ....................................................................................................................................... 9

STREAM FLOWS .............................................................................................................................................................. 9

RAINFALL ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12

GROUNDWATER LEVELS ............................................................................................................................................... 12

WATER QUALITY .......................................................................................................................................................... 13

Electrical Conductivity (EC) ................................................................................................................................... 13

Temperature ............................................................................................................................................................ 14

pH ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) .......................................................................................................................................... 15

Turbidity .................................................................................................................................................................. 16

Rainfall .................................................................................................................................................................... 16

CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................................... 17

APPENDIX A - FIELD MEASUREMENT STANDARDS .......................................................................................... 18

Water Levels ............................................................................................................................................................ 18

Stream Flow ............................................................................................................................................................ 19

Water Quality .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

APPENDIX B – WATER LEVELS .............................................................................................................................. 21

Surface water sites .................................................................................................................................................. 21

Groundwater sites ................................................................................................................................................... 21

APPENDIX C – FLOW MEASUREMENTS ............................................................................................................... 23

APPENDIX D – WATER QUALITY FIELD MEASUREMENTS ........................................................................... 25

APPENDIX E – WATER QUALITY - NUTRIENTS ................................................................................................. 26

APPENDIX F – TRACE METALS............................................................................................................................... 28

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Summary Stream flow and water quality measurements were made along the reaches of the Katherine and Daly Rivers in October 2014. The flow increases progressively downstream with a maximum flow of 29.8 cumecs measured in the Daly River at Mount Nancar. The results illustrate the contribution of flows from the different aquifers and sub catchments relative to the total runoff in the Daly River. The October 2014 stream flows are well above the average annual minimum flows from 1961 to 2013 at the primary monitoring locations. The stream flow measurements do indicate that October flows have been steadily decreasing since 2011. Recharge patterns identified during this October 2014 exercise, support similar trends seen in previous end of dry monitoring exercises, conducted in October 2009 and 2013. For the first time groundwater levels were also measured at a number of locations during this exercise.

Aim Late dry season snapshot measurements were undertaken on the Katherine and Daly River to establish water quality and quantity conditions at the end of the dry season when river flows are at their annual minimum. Snapshot measurements are used to: 1. Refine and calibrate hydrological models used to assess resource availability and

impact of extraction allocations. 2. Verify model predictions at key river locations used for announced allocations on 1st

May each year. 3. Refine the location of aquifer recharge/discharge zones along the river, and 4. Provide a dataset of comparable flow and water quality measurements at identical

periods in the annual water cycle.

Introduction Water Allocation Plans (WAPs) for the Tindall Limestone (Katherine) and Oolloo aquifer aim to ensure that water allocation management is undertaken in a sustainable manner. The monitoring program developed in support of the WAP ensures that models used to predict the impact of future water use, are continually refined and calibrated, providing transparency and confidence to water licensing decisions. Monitoring data is critical for accurate assessment of the plan objectives. . The monitoring framework primarily consists of two data categories. • Continuous data generated by data loggers connected to automated sensors,

collecting parameter values on a fixed time or event driven basis. While expensive to collect, this data provides a time based continuous record, ideal for detailed analyses of variability.

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• Discrete ‘snapshot’ monitoring providing single values of measured or sampled parameters at the time of collection. This opportunistic approach is applied to less critical locations or for parameters, which are too complex to collect, by automated sensors. Snapshot measurements are conducted at specific times to target certain conditions e.g. end of the dry season when flows are at their lowest for the year.

Observation Parameters and Locations Measurements were carried out between the 6th and 23rd October 2014. Requirements for the snapshot measurements at each monitoring location are detailed in the Monitoring Requirements section of the Tindall Limestone Aquifer (Katherine) and Oolloo Aquifer Water Allocation Plan, Monitoring Program and summarised in Table 1. For the first time, groundwater monitoring has been included in the snapshot exercise. Table 1

Measurement Surface Water Groundwater

Water Level Gauge Board / Logger Dip Tape

Discharge Flow Measurement Flow Measurement at Springs Water Quality (Select Sites)

Field parameters (Electrical Conductivity, Temperature, pH, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen), Trace Metals and Nutrients..

Factors, which influence data quality, are summarised in Appendix A. Field Measurement Standards. The location of surface water monitoring sites is indicated in Figure 1 and Groundwater monitoring sites in Figure 2.

River Levels

Surface water levels at monitoring sites are based on gauge board readings or continuous logger data. The water level information together with the stream flow measurements are used to further develop the stage/discharge relationships of each monitoring site. Not all monitoring sites are equipped with gauge boards or loggers consequently some sites had no water levels recorded. The surface water level results are tabled in Appendix B.

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Figure 1: Surface Water Monitoring Sites, October 2014

River Flows

Stream flow measurements were performed using propeller type current meters or acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) instruments. Current meters were selected where channel sections were very small or spring flows provided insufficient suspended sediment for backscatter detection by the ADCPs. Otherwise flows were measured using a range of ADCPs, hydraulic conditions determined what model of ADCP was selected, maximising the accuracy of flow measurements. All flow measurements were performed to National quality assurance protocols. Spring and river flow results are tabled in Appendix C.

Groundwater Levels

The current monitoring program consists of 44 monitoring bores, all of which were plopped to determine a discrete standing water level (SWL) and depth below ground level. 24 of the 44 bores have data loggers installed, recording SWL every hour. Groundwater levels are tabled in Appendix B

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Figure 2: Groundwater Monitoring Sites, October 2014

Water Quality

Water quality monitoring involved the taking of in-situ measurements with a Hydrolab Quanta multi-parameter sonde and a Hach turbidity sensor. At select locations, water samples were collected and subsequently analysed at the NATA accredited, Northern Territory Environmental Laboratories. Elements measured and sampled are summarised in Table Table 2 Table 2

Hydrolab Quanta Hach Meter Water Samples

• Electrical Conductivity (EC)

• pH • Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

• Temperature

• Turbidity • General Parameters

• Total Nutrients • Filtered Nutrients

• Trace Metals

Water quality measurements were performed to the required standards and quality assurance protocol, taking into account site conditions. Probes were calibrated prior to and after the snapshot measurement exercise and results adjusted for sensor drift. In-situ field results are presented in Appendix D.

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Nutrients.

Nutrients occur naturally in rivers, but can also originate from human activities such as fertilizer application, storm runoff from pastoral and agricultural land, and wastewater. Water samples were collected for analysis of soluble (nitrite (NO2), nitrate (NO3), filterable reactive phosphorus(FRP)) and total nutrients (total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TN)), Soluble nutrient samples were filtered through a 0.45 µm filter in the field. All samples were refrigerated immediately after collection and frozen prior to sending to the laboratory. Samples were analysed according to APHA standard methods. The results are presented in Appendix E.

Trace Metals

Naturally, groundwater contains mineral ions which have dissolved from soil particles, sediments and rocks as the water travels along mineral surfaces in the pores or fractures of the unsaturated zone and the aquifer. Some ions may have originated from rainfall or river water that recharges to the aquifer. Results from sample analyses are expressed as a concentration with the units of micro grams per litre (µg/l). While many ions are tested for during analyses, the major trace metals of interest are reported in Appendix F.

Rainfall

Rainfall is one of the key criteria used by the Departments surface water and groundwater prediction models. Whilst the model is populated with gridded rainfall data supplied by the Bureau of Meteorology, some of this data is sourced from rain gauges located at DLRM gauging stations. DLRM rainfall data was collected from all monitoring sites in the catchment during the snapshot exercise to identify if sufficient rainfall had occurred to cause local runoff that could influence field measurements.

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Results and Discussion

Stream Flows

Flow measurements in cumecs are depicted in Figure 3. Flow measurement results are tabled in Appendix C.

Figure 3: Measured Stream Flows (m3/s), October 2014 The majority of measurements performed in the Katherine and Daly River catchments comply with the continuity principle with increasing flow moving downstream towards the lower catchment. The exception was between G8140159 (17 Mile Creek at Waterfall View) and G8140535 (Katherine River at Ironwood Station), a reach where flows decreased. The increase in stream flows from the upper to lower catchment in the Katherine and Daly River systems are illustrated in Figure 4 with the flow contribution from each tributary as indicated.

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Figure 4 Increasing Flows

represent tributary flow contribution, arrows in orange represents direct spring flow contribution Three significant flow contributions to stream flow are evident:

• The Tindall Limestone discharge in the upper reaches of the Flora River (G8140205)

• Where the Daly River crosses from the Florina Formation between G8140303 and G8140347 and between G8140067 and G8140098.

The contribution of flows from the sub catchments/geology formations relative to the total Katherine Daly catchment runoff is summarised in Table 3. Table 3

Aquifer Catchment Flows (m3/s)

Total Flow (m3/s)

Tindall Limestone

Katherine 2.830

11.425

Flora 4.885 Fergusson 0.865 Stray Creek 0.364

Douglas 2.329 Green Ant 0.152

Oolloo Katherine / Daly Total Catchment 29.768

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The annual minimum flow at Katherine Railway Bridge (G8140001), Dorisvale (G8140067) and Mount Nancar (G8140040) are graphically shown in Figure 5 for the period 1961 to 2013. The October 2014 stream flows are well above the average minimum flow at each of the respective sites although the flows do indicate that there has been a declining annual minimum flows over the past four years.

Figure 5 Annual minimum flows Historically there have been regular flow measurements performed at the various monitoring sites, however it is only in the last 5 years that the measurements have been conducted concurrently allowing a snapshot view of the relative contributions of groundwater discharge for each river section. October flows from 2011-14 are displayed in Figure 6

Figure 6 Historical Flows

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Rainfall

The total annual rainfall from 1st May to 30th April since 2010 is graphically shown in Figure 7 for Katherine Railway Bridge (G8140001), Dorisvale (G8140067) and Mount Nancar (G8140040). Higher rainfall in the 2010/11 wet season aligns with relatively high 2011 dry season flows depicted in Figure 6. Conversely lower rainfall since 2011/12has resulted in lower end of dry season flows.

Figure 7 Wet Season Rainfall

Groundwater Levels

Some of the data recorded at bores monitored within the Oolloo formation during the snapshot exercise show consistency in their reaction to local rainfall.

Figure 8 Logged water level readings (meters below measuring point) and rainfall

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Similarly, the standing water level in this bore in the Tindall formation responds to local rainfall events.

Figure 9 Logged water level readings and rainfall

Water Quality

Electrical Conductivity (EC)

Figure 10 EC (µs/cm) October 2014

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Electrical condutivity as an indicator of salinity is relatively uniform (528 to 739 µs/cm) however the data does indicate that recharge from Tindall Limestone aquifer especially in smaller tributaries has a higher electrical conductivity.

Temperature

Figure 11: Temperature (deg C) October 2014

The water temperature in the Katherine and Daly Rivers varied between 30.7°C and 33.3°C for sites where data was available. A Minimum temperature of 28.6 °C was recorded at Green Ant Creek.

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pH

Figure 12: pH October 2014

The pH results range from 7.28 to 8.43 for all sites sampled, which falls within the Australian guidelines for fresh water of 6.5 – 9.0.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Figure 13: Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) October 2014

Factors that can affect the DO results include temperature, diffusion from surrounding air, waste product of photosynthesis and aeration. Monitoring points with high DO values are

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located in tributaries that contain a number of rock bars, which assist with the aeration process resulting in a higher DO value.

Turbidity

Figure 14: Turbidity (NTU) October 2014

Turbidity values ranged from less than 1 to 3 NTU for all river and tributary sites where data was available.

Rainfall

Figure 15: Rainfall Distribution Total rainfall between 25th September and 25th October 2014 for each monitoring sites is shown in Figure 15. 17mm of rainfall recorded at G8140157 occurred after the flow measurement was performed and the resulting 20mm of river rise would not have had a measurable impact on data collected downstream.

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Conclusion The monitoring framework was developed to better understand groundwater and surface water interactions better. This snapshot measurement exercise successfully contributed to this process and built upon results from similar exercises conducted in October 2009, May 2013, October 2013 and June 2014. Patterns of groundwater discharge are consistent despite different rainfall distribution and totals. Assessment of the flow measurements has resulted in the snapshot measurement sites for 2015 being revised. Douglas River downstream of old homestead (G8140063) has been removed from the site list.

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Appendix A - Field Measurement Standards

Water Levels

The main factors that have an influence on the accuracy of water level measurements at surface water and groundwater monitoring sites summarised in Table 1.2. Table 1.2

Type Conditions Influences Description

Surface Water

Hydraulic

Wave action Waves created during high flows, wind and or turbulence at gauge plates

Instrument Location Point of measurement is a significant distance from gauge plates, especially during high flows.

River Bend (outside)

Water level higher at the outside of the bend.

River Bend (inside) Water level lower at the inside of the bend. Velocity High velocities creates turbulence, etc.

Turbulence Eddies / turbulence created at gauge boards. Create difficulty in reading due to fluctuations in water level.

Back Flow Back flow creates difficulties in reading gauge plates

Site

Sediment Sediment deposition at gauge plates. Gauge plates can be buried under sediment.

Debris Debris that is deposited at gauge plates. Difficult to take readings without maintenance work

Gauge Plates

Unstable gauge posts

Gauge posts that are unstable create inaccuracies in the gauge plate heights.

Unreadable gauge plates

Gauge plates that are in a bad condition is difficult to read and create inaccuracies in the readings

Gauge Plate Numbers

Missing numbers create confusion and can create mistakes of up to 1m in gauge plate readings.

Surveys In correct surveys and adjustments on gauge plates causes error in gauge plate readings.

Groundwater

Production Boreholes

Size of Well Insufficient space to perform water level measurements with existing equipment

Pumping Pumping operations influences the water level measurements

Casing Collar

Unstable casing Unstable casing causes errors in the water level measurement

Level Indicators

Equipment condition

Instruments with faded increments can cause errors in measurements.

Increments Course increments on tape measure will lead to different interpolation of values

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Stream Flow

Factors influencing accuracy of discharge measurements are categorised under environmental and system influences. System influences are created by the type of instrumentation used and can be minimised if standards are followed. Environmental influences result from site conditions and actions by the operator and generally have a much greater impact on measurement accuracy. Environmental factors having an influence on flow accuracy are:

• Wind: The wind causes the water level to osculate which has a large effect on the flow if the wind direction is parallel with the flow direction.

• Large pools: Reduce velocity drastically

• Water vegetation: Influences the accuracy of depth and velocity measurements.

• Algae growth: Algae that floats in the water can influence the signal strength of the ADCP.

Consideration of the Hydraulic requirements of a monitoring section is essential for accurate discharge measurements. As far as possible, during the gauging section selection process the monitoring site needs to comply with the following:

• Uniform cross section

• Flow in the stream should be confined to a single well-defined channel with stable banks.

• Bends upstream of site must be avoided if possible

• Steep bed slopes upstream should be avoided if possible.

• Avoid deep pools that can influence the flow

• Avoid prominent obstructions in a pool or excessive plant growth that can affect the flow pattern.

• Turbulence \ eddies must be avoided.

• Negative \ back flow must be avoided at all times.

Water Quality

• Instrument / Sensor calibration.

• Compliance of water sampling procedure.

• The measurement location should be as close as practical to the mid-point of the stream.

• The sensors should be as close to the surface as possible. • Turbulence (waves, eddies) at the surface should be avoided; the measurement point

should be moved away from these areas as physical-chemical parameters will be affected.

• Standing water at the edges of streams should be avoided, as these are not representative of the stream.

• Deep pools with very low flow should be sampled as close as possible to the centre of the main pool.

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To minimise external factors influencing water quality measurement/sampling accuracy, the following protocols are adhered to:

• Instrument \ Sensor calibration.

• Compliance with water sampling procedure.

• Measurement undertaken as close as practical to the mid-point of the stream.

• Sensors as close to the surface as possible. • Turbulence (waves, eddies) at the surface are avoided; the measurement point should be

moved away from these areas as physical-chemical parameters will be affected.

• Standing water at the edges of streams should be avoided, as these are not representative of the stream.

• Deep pools with very low flow should be sampled as close as possible to the center of the main pool.

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Appendix B – Water Levels

Surface water sites

Site Number Site Name Date Time Level

G8140159 Seventeen Mile Creek at Waterfall View 17/10/2014 14:13 0.697

G8140535 Katherine River - Ironwood Station 14/10/2014 13:50 1.355

G8140001 Katherine River at Railway Bridge 15/10/2014 09:36 0.240

G8140312 Katherine Hot Springs None

G8140222 Katherine River - Low Level Bridge 15/10/2014 11:22 0.250

G8140536 Katherine River - Wilden Station 16/10/2014 09:32 0.910

G8145747 King River 50 metres US from Katherine River 14/10/2014 None

G8140303 Katherine River at D/S King River 14/10/2014 None

G8140205 Flora River - Upstream Stoney Creek 14/10/2014 10:49 1.533

G8140347 Daly River at Florina Homestead Crossing 16/10/2014 None

G8140157 Fergusson River upstream of Bondi Creek 13/10/2014 13:20 2.562

G8140380 Fergusson River at Confluence Daly River 16/10/2014 None

G8140067 Daly River at upstream Dorisvale Crossing 13/10/2014 15:44 1.793

G8145749 Stray Creek - Fleming Road Crossing 14/10/2014 15:57 2.440

G8140098 Daly River - Theyona Station 15/10/2014 09:26 1.388

G8140038 Daly River at Oolloo Road Crossing 16/10/2014 09:49 25.804

G8140538 Douglas River - Tipperary Waterhole 14/10/2014 10:52 2.066

G8140325 Douglas River at Tipperary Crossing 16/10/2014 13:16 2.140

G8140161 Green Ant Creek at Tipperary 20/10/2014 15:26 0.152

G8140042 Daly River at 2km downstream of Beeboom Crossing 21/10/2014 13:37 0.869

G8140040 Daly River at Mount Nancar 23/10/2014 11:58 1.823

Groundwater sites

Site Number Site Name Date Time Level (m below measuring point)

RN007595 Dorisvale Station - WR 18/71 8/10/2014 11:08 39.28

RN008660 Scott Creek - WR 1/74 14/10/2014 14:41 20.25

RN020614 Douglas-Daly Experimental Station - 3/80 8/10/2014 9:00 13.16

RN021717 Tipperary 7/10/2014 16:52 24.51

RN021830 Douglas Daly - WR 3/82 7/10/2014 10:26 9.95

RN025285 Dougkas-Daly - WR 88/1 7/10/2014 13:05 7.37

RN025286 Douglas-Daly - WR 88/2 7/10/2014 9:35 9.88

RN030803 Larrakeyah Station - 2/96 9/10/2014 15:35 32.57

RN032750 Florina Station 9/10/2014 9:05 51.25


RN033033 Stray Creek 6/10/2014 15:23 16.9

RN033034 Stray Creek 6/10/2014 14:50 22.2

RN033035 Stray Creek 6/10/2014 12:55 18.87

RN033039 Manbulloo Station 14/10/2014 16:00 18.49

RN033132 Katherine/King River Junction 14/10/2014 11:37 12.82


RN033308 Dorisvale 8/10/2014 10:50 35.79

RN033309 Dorisvale 8/10/2014 10:40 44.95

RN033613 Jinduckin 8/10/2014 12:10 10.92

RN034363 Jinduckin 6/10/2014 15:50 13.04

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Site Number Site Name Date Time Level (m below measuring point)

RN034364 Jinduckin 6/10/2014 13:10 12.57

RN034366 Jinduckin 6/10/2014 14:01 5.71

RN034367 Jinduckin 8/10/2014 10:22 5.37

RN034368 Jinduckin 7/10/2014 16:15 19.72

RN034369 Jinduckin 7/10/2014 14:55 9.54

RN034594 Ballongilly Farm - NTG 1/05 9/10/2014 13:40 15.32



RN034597 Ballongilly Farm 9/10/2014 9:53 13.67

RN034900 Claravale Station 8/10/2014 14:20 18.6



RN036813 Flemming Rd 7/10/2014 9:35 9.46

RN036814 Flemming Rd 7/10/2014 9:00 11.14

RN036815 Flemming Rd 7/10/2014 11:40 13.32

RN036816 Flemming Rd 7/10/2014 11:45 9.75

RN036818 Flemming Rd 7/10/2014 12:30 5.46




RN037336 Oolloo 7/10/2014 15:40 5.12


RN037338 Manbulloo 14/10/2014 9:30 35.46

RN037339 Manbulloo 13/10/2014 14:32 20.27

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Appendix C – Flow Measurements The descriptions of “Site Influence” indicators are documented in Section 4.2.1.

Site Number

Site Name River

System Flow m

3/s

Date Gauging

Instrument Site

Influences Rating

Deviation% Comment

G8140159 Seventeen Mile Creek at Waterfall View

Tributary 0.843 17/10/2014 Streampro -3.18

G8140535 Katherine River - Ironwood Station

Main Reach 0.523 14/10/2014 Streampro -9.57

G8140001 Katherine River at Railway Bridge


G8140312 Katherine Hot Springs Spring 0.358 15/10/2014 Streampro N/A No gauges

G8140222 Katherine River - Low Level Bridge


G8140536 Katherine River - Wilden Station

Main Reach 2.724 16/10/2014 Streampro 7.28

G8145747 King River 50 metres US from Katherine River

Tributary 0.167 14/10/2014 Streampro N/A No gauges

G8140303 Katherine River at D/S King River

Main Reach 2.830 14/10/2014 Streampro N/A No gauges

G8140205 Flora River - Upstream Stoney Creek

Tributary 4.885 14/10/2014 ADCP 9.15

G8140347 Daly River at Florina Homestead Crossing

Main Reach 9.033 16/10/2014 Streampro N/A No gauges

G8140157 Fergusson River upstream of Bondi Creek


G8140380 Fergusson River at Confluence Daly River

Tributary 0.865 16/10/2014 Streampro N/A No gauges

G8140067 Daly River at upstream Dorisvale Crossing

Main Reach 10.771 13/10/2014 ADCP 5.98

G8145749 Stray Creek - Fleming Road Crossing

Tributary 0.364 14/10/2014 Flow Tracker -22.00

G8140098 Daly River - Theyona Station

Main Reach 20.690 15/10/2014 Streampro W -1.73

G8140038 Daly River at Oolloo Road Crossing

Main Reach 23.972 16/10/2014 Streampro W -28.62

G8140538 Douglas River - Tipperary Waterhole


G8140325 Douglas River at Tipperary Crossing


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Site Number

Site Name River

System Flow m

3/s

Date Gauging

Instrument Site

Influences Rating

Deviation% Comment

G8140161 Green Ant Creek at Tipperary

Tributary 0.152 20/10/2014 Streampro 16.17

G8140042 Daly River at 2km downstream of Beeboom Crossing


G8140040 Daly River at Mount Nancar Main Reach 29.768 23/10/2014 Streampro 0.59

There are some cases where major discrepancies exist between measured flow and latest rating curve values in Hydstra. Aspects that influence the relationship include the following:

• unstable low flow stage discharge relationship

• control is not dominant feature and is affected by changes down stream

• the low flow stage/discharge relationships require further development.

Monitoring sites that do not have a stage discharge relationship in Hydstra show a rating deviation of N/A%.

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Appendix D – Water Quality Field Measurements Turbidity readings listed below are the average of 2 readings from Hach meters, rounded to the nearest whole number.

Site Site Name Date Time Temp pH D.O. DO E.C. Turb

Number (˚C) (mg/L) % sat (µS/cm) (NTU)

G8140159 Seventeen Mile Creek at Waterfall View 17/10/2014

G8140535 Katherine River at Ironwood Station 14/10/2014 32.91 7.1 7.06 98 29

G8140001 Katherine River at Railway Bridge 15/10/2014 30.48 6.8 3.67 49 445

G8140312 Katherine Hot Springs 15/10/2014 31.47 6.8 14 711

G8140222 Katherine River at Low Level Bridge 15/10/2014 31.35 7.0 4.92 67 583

G8140536 Katherine River at Wilden Station 16/10/2014 30.5 7.7 6.6 88 581

G8145747 King River 50 metres US from Katherine River 14/10/2014 15:30 32.55 7.92 8.26 114 731 1

G8140303 Katherine River at D/S King River 14/10/2014 14:45 32.97 7.91 8.86 124 659 2

G8140205 Flora River at Upstream Stoney Creek 14/10/2014 11:00 31.34 7.75 7.14 97 682 < 1

G8140347 Daly River at Florina Homestead Crossing 16/10/2014

G8140157 Fergusson River upstream of Bondi Creek 13/10/2014 12:52 31.37 7.66 6.77 92 739 3

G8140380 Fergusson River at Confluence Daly River 16/10/2014

G8140067 Daly River at upstream Dorisvale Crossing 13/10/2014 16:26 33.3 8.05 7.26 102 601 3

G8145749 Stray Creek at Fleming Road Crossing 14/10/2014 15:56 31.15 8.19 7.73 104 537 < 1

G8140098 Daly River at Theyona Station 15/10/2014 10:15 31.86 7.47 6.4 88 619 2

G8140038 Daly River at Oolloo Road Crossing 16/10/2014 10:05 30.72 7.79 7.08 95 629 2

G8140538 Douglas River at Tipperary Waterhole 14/10/2014 11:35 31.54 7.28 6.02 82 731 2

G8140325 Douglas River at Tipperary Crossing 16/10/2014 14:01 31.62 8.02 6.79 93 528 3

G8140161 Green Ant Creek at Tipperary 20/10/2014 15:02 28.59 8.2 5.27 68 541 2

G8140042 Daly River at 2km downstream of Beeboom Crossing 21/10/2014 14:02 31.96 8.32 8.26 113 587 2

G8140040 Daly River at Mount Nancar 23/10/2014 12:21 31.1 8.43 7.8 105 552 3

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Appendix E – Water Quality - Nutrients

Sites are in upstream to downstream order. All nutrient concentrations are given in mg/L

Site Number

Site Name Date Time Ammonium (mg/L)

Nitrite (mg/L)

Nitrate (mg/L)

Phosphorous (mg/L)

Total Nitrogen

(mg/L)

Total Phosphorous

(mg/L)

G8140159 Seventeen Mile Creek at Waterfall View

17/10/2014 0.003 0.002 < 0.001 0.002 0.10 0.008

G8140535 Katherine River - Ironwood Station 14/10/2014 0.011 0.022 < 0.001 < 0.001 0.13 0.008 G8140001 Katherine River at Railway Bridge 15/10/2014 0.101 0.003 0.092 < 0.001 0.19 < 0.005 G8140312 Katherine Hot Springs 15/10/2014 < 0.001 < 0.001 0.099 < 0.001 0.11 < 0.005 G8140222 Katherine River - Low Level Bridge 15/10/2014 0.008 < 0.001 0.088 < 0.001 0.12 < 0.005 G8140536 Katherine River - Wilden Station 16/10/2014 0.012 0.004 0.020 < 0.001 0.12 < 0.005

G8145747 King River 50 metres US from Katherine River

14/10/2014 15:30 0.003 0.002 0.005 < 0.001 0.07 < 0.005

G8140303 Katherine River at D/S King River 14/10/2014 14:45 0.004 0.003 0.002 < 0.001 0.08 < 0.005

G8140205 Flora River - Upstream Stoney Creek

14/10/2014 11:00 0.008 0.001 0.003 < 0.001 0.08 < 0.005

G8140347 Daly River at Florina Homestead Crossing

16/10/2014 0.007 0.003 0.004 < 0.001 0.07 < 0.005

G8140157 Fergusson River upstream of Bondi Creek

13/10/2014 12:52 0.005 < 0.001 < 0.001 0.002 0.06 0.010

G8140380 Fergusson River at Confluence Daly River

16/10/2014 0.007 0.001 0.005 < 0.001 0.08 < 0.005

G8140067 Daly River at upstream Dorisvale Crossing

13/10/2014 16:26 0.008 0.002 0.001 < 0.001 0.08 < 0.005

G8145749 Stray Creek - Fleming Road Crossing

14/10/2014 15:56 0.010 0.002 0.003 < 0.001 0.07 < 0.005

G8140098 Daly River - Theyona Station 15/10/2014 10:15 0.005 0.002 < 0.001 < 0.001 0.06 < 0.005 G8140038 Daly River at Oolloo Road Crossing 16/10/2014 10:05 0.003 0.002 0.003 < 0.001 0.05 0.006

G8140538 Douglas River - Tipperary Waterhole

14/10/2014 11:35 0.003 0.002 0.023 < 0.001 0.08 0.005

G8140325 Douglas River - Tipperary Crossing

16/10/2014 14:01 0.011 0.003 0.055 < 0.001 0.09 < 0.005

G8140161 Green Ant Creek - Tipperary 20/10/2014 15:02 0.006 0.003 0.004 < 0.001 0.17 0.008

G8140042 Daly River - 2km downstream of Beeboom Crossing

21/10/2014 14:02 0.004 < 0.001 0.003 < 0.001 0.06 0.008

G8140040 Daly River - Mount Nancar 23/10/2014 12:21 0.004 < 0.001 0.005 < 0.001 0.07 < 0.005

G8140042 Daly River - 2km downstream of Beeboom Crossing

21/10/2014 14:02 0.004 < 0.001 0.003 < 0.001 0.06 0.008

27

Site Number

Site Name Date Time Ammonium

(mg/L)

Nitrite

(mg/L)

Nitrate

(mg/L)

Phosphorous

(mg/L)

Total

Nitrogen (mg/L)

Total

Phosphorous (mg/L)

RN033132 Katherine/King River Junction 14/10/2014 0.018 0.002 0.012 < 0.001 0.02 0.013 RN033133 Manbulloo Station 14/10/2014 0.003 0.002 0.013 0.001 0.03 0.005 RN034363 Jinduckin 06/10/2014 < 0.001 < 0.001 0.888 0.002 0.89 < 0.005 RN034366 Jinduckin 06/10/2014 0.044 0.001 0.014 < 0.001 0.08 < 0.005 RN034368 Jinduckin 06/10/2014 0.001 0.002 0.529 0.001 0.51 0.005 RN034596 Ballongilly Farm - NTG 3/05 09/10/2014 0.014 0.003 0.022 0.001 0.03 0.008 RN034900 Claravale Station 08/10/2014 0.070 0.016 < 0.001 0.005 0.09 0.006 RN036813 Flemming Rd 07/10/2014 0.001 0.003 0.104 < 0.001 0.10 0.005

28

Appendix F – Trace Metals Selected Metals from Laboratory Analyses

Site Number

Site Name Date

Ars

en

ic

(µg

/L)

Bo

ron

(µ

g/L

)

Cad

miu

m

(µg

/L)

Ch

rom

ium

(µ

g/L

)

Co

pp

er

(µg

/L)

Lead

(µ

g/L

)

Man

gan

ese

(µ

g/L

)

Merc

ury

(µ

g/L

)

Nic

ke

l (µ

g/L

)

Sele

niu

m

(µg

/L)

Silv

er

(µg

/L)

Zin

c

(µg

/L)

G8140001 Katherine River - Railway Bridge 15/10/2014 0.45 13.5 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.2 0.04 140 < 0.02 0.27 < 0.2 < 0.05 1.2

G8140038 Daly River - Oolloo Rd. Crossing 16/10/2014 0.6 25.5 < 0.02 0.1 0.14 0.04 31.2 < 0.02 0.14 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.7

G8140067 Daly River - U/S Dorisvale Crossing 13/10/2014 0.7 31 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.2 0.04 28.5 < 0.02 0.17 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.8

G8140098 Daly River - Theyona Station 15/10/2014 0.6 26.5 < 0.02 0.1 0.15 0.02 37.7 < 0.02 0.15 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.4

G8140157 Fergusson River - U/S Bondi Creek 13/10/2014 1 20 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.33 0.04 34.4 0.02 0.17 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.7

G8140205 Flora River - U/S Stoney Creek 14/10/2014 0.55 45.5 < 0.02 0.3 0.13 < 0.01 9.2 < 0.02 0.27 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.7

G8140222 Katherine River - Low Level Bridge 15/10/2014 0.45 15.5 0.1 < 0.1 0.27 0.02 67.7 < 0.02 0.18 < 0.2 < 0.05 1.2

G8140303 Katherine River - D/S Kings River 14/10/2014 0.65 21 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.12 < 0.01 25.1 < 0.02 0.21 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.4

G8140312 Katherine River - CSIRO Hot Springs 15/10/2014 0.5 19.5 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.61 0.02 0.25 < 0.02 0.05 < 0.2 < 0.05 2

G8140325 Douglas River - Tipperary Crossing 16/10/2014 0.55 14.5 0.04 < 0.1 1.09 0.06 28.1 < 0.02 0.07 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.7

G8140347 Daly River - Florina Hstead Crossing 16/10/2014 0.6 32.5 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.19 0.02 24.7 < 0.02 0.15 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.5

G8140380 Fergusson River - Daly Confluence 16/10/2014 1.3 20.5 < 0.02 0.1 0.4 0.13 73.9 < 0.02 0.25 < 0.2 < 0.05 1

G8140535 Katherine River - Ironwood Station 14/10/2014 0.3 13.5 < 0.02 0.2 0.43 0.05 19.3 < 0.02 0.21 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.3

G8140536 Katherine River - Wilden Station 16/10/2014 0.5 17.5 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.16 0.03 21.9 < 0.02 0.13 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.8

G8140538 Douglas River - Tippera Waterhole 14/10/2014 0.55 15 < 0.02 0.1 0.1 0.04 32 < 0.02 0.05 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.7

G8145747 King River - 50m U/S Katherine River 14/10/2014 0.85 21 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.12 < 0.01 23.7 < 0.02 0.3 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.4

G8145749 Stray Creek - Flemming Rd 14/10/2014 0.55 17.5 0.06 < 0.1 0.14 0.02 17.5 < 0.02 0.06 < 0.2 < 0.05 2.2

29

Crossing

RN007821 Mataranka Station 15/10/2014 2.15 12 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.02 0.01 423 < 0.02 0.59 < 0.2 < 0.05 1.8

Site Number

Site Name Date

Ars

en

ic

(µg

/L)

Bo

ron

(µ

g/L

)

Cad

miu

m

(µg

/L)

Ch

rom

ium

(µ

g/L

)

Co

pp

er

(µg

/L)

Lead

(µ

g/L

)

Man

gan

ese

(µ

g/L

)

Merc

ury

(µ

g/L

)

Nic

ke

l (µ

g/L

)

Sele

niu

m

(µg

/L)

Silv

er

(µg

/L)

Zin

c

(µg

/L)

RN007838 Manbulloo 14/10/2014 0.5 32.5 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.01 0.04 0.9 < 0.02 0.03 < 0.2 < 0.05 0.6

RN022394 Uralla - WR 83/9 15/10/2014 0.3 18 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.46 0.09 0.44 < 0.02 0.05 < 0.2 < 0.05 3.2

RN022397 Katherine Depot - 12/83 16/10/2014 0.55 18.5 0.02 0.2 2.77 0.12 7.42 < 0.02 0.29 < 0.2 < 0.05 2.4

RN023427 King River - 84/4 15/10/2014 5.8 10.5 63 16.3 72.1 2450 110 0.08 10.2 0.4 0.4 152000

RN023648 Zimm Drive 10/10/2014 0.4 19 < 0.02 < 0.1 0.74 0.11 0.06 < 0.02 0.03 < 0.2 < 0.05 4.1

RN025126 Binjaree - WR 87/2 16/10/2014 1.4 22.5 < 0.02 < 0.1 1.08 0.22 0.5 < 0.02 0.09 < 0.2 < 0.05 3.9

RN033132 Katherine/King River Junction 14/10/2014 0.25 27.5 0.04 0.1 0.68 0.12 45.3 < 0.02 0.28 < 0.2 < 0.05 2.3

RN033133 Manbulloo Station 14/10/2014 0.2 17.5 0.04 < 0.1 1.72 0.06 29.5 < 0.02 0.59 < 0.2 < 0.05 3.9

RN034363 Jinduckin 6/10/2014 0.2 24 0.04 0.7 0.2 0.17 3.87 < 0.02 0.37 < 0.2 < 0.05 1

RN034366 Jinduckin 6/10/2014 0.25 15.5 0.02 0.2 0.13 0.06 279 < 0.02 0.72 < 0.2 < 0.05 1

RN034368 Jinduckin 6/10/2014 0.15 22.5 < 0.02 0.2 1.68 0.25 0.89 < 0.02 0.08 < 0.2 < 0.05 3.7

RN034596 Ballongilly Farm - NTG 3/05 9/10/2014 2.05 21.5 0.02 0.1 0.17 0.06 287 < 0.02 2.91 < 0.2 < 0.05 1.4

RN034900 Claravale Station 8/10/2014 10 41.5 < 0.02 < 0.1 1 0.15 267 < 0.02 0.16 < 0.2 < 0.05 8.9

RN036813 Flemming Rd 7/10/2014 0.35 20 0.04 1.2 2.25 0.07 1.21 < 0.02 0.63 < 0.2 < 0.05 1.5

Documents

End of Dry Season Stream Flow Measurements, Katherine and