Arkaroola Creek |
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Water quality links: Monitoring program & assessments << back to Arid Region |
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| Habitat |
Ecological health
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| Edge |
Moderate
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| Riffle |
Habitat not present
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The moderate condition of ecological health in Arkaroola Creek was consistent with previous monitoring at the site. Arkaroola Creek consists of a series of shallow waterholes that are only connected for brief periods after floods from major rains. The waterhole contained no aquatic plants, which normally provide a habitat for a range of macroinvertebrates. This absence of plant habitat is likely to limit site biodiversity .
In autumn 2006, 27 different types of macroinvertebrates were collected. The most common species included biting midges from the family Ceratopogonidae (Culicoides species) and non-biting midges from the family Chironomidae (Tanytarsus species). A rich dytiscid beetle and waterbug fauna was present but the site lacked any molluscs, crustaceans and mayflies when sampled. The most unusual records for the site were the presence of the non-biting midge Podonomopsis species and silk case-dwelling caddisfly Hellyethira simplex.
High nutrient levels in the stream often results in large algal
growths. This can be filamentous algae, providing habitat for
biting midge larvae and molluscs. Phytoplankton algae can also
occur, providing an abundant food source for many of the macroinvertebrates
that are present.
Download ecological health data
Water chemistry
The indicators measured in Arkaroola Creek are nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), turbidity and salinity. The concentration of these indicators is used to classify the water chemistry as being in good, moderate or poor condition, according to the needs of aquatic ecosystem protection. This site is only sampled every three months because of its remote location.
Go here to find out how we organise and classify the chemistry data.
Water chemistry classification for April to September 2006
Elevated nutrients in Arkaroola Creek are likely to be due to both native and feral animals (e.g. goats) accessing the waterhole. Elevated nutrients could lead to excessive algal growth, particularly during warmer months. The algal growth in this waterhole is sometimes filamentous and at other times phytoplankton throughout the water column. Dry and warm conditions can increase the amount of water evaporation, which can cause nutrient (and salinity) concentrations to naturally increase even more. This is a relatively common condition for the Arkaroola Creek.
The Arkaroola catchment is a wilderness area and dominated by native vegetation, albeit impacted to some extent by feral animals. The moderate and poor nutrient classifications have been determined by comparison with Australian guideline values for ecosystem protection. These guideline values are possibly not appropriate for this region of South Australia and the current classifications should be interpreted with caution. Further investigation is required to establish more appropriate guidelines.
Download water chemistry graphs
Download raw chemistry data
What is being done to improve the condition of South Australian rivers and streams
Efforts to improve the condition of South Australia's rivers and streams are being driven by various government agencies, primarily
The Environment Protection Authority
The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation
Natural Resource Management Boards
Department for Environment and Heritage (SA)Collaborative projects and programs being run by these agencies are based on the protection of environmental values, as explained in the National Water Quality Management Strategy. >> More
This page was last modified 25-09-2007
