We collect two samples of macroinvertebrates, one from riffle
(or flowing water) habitat and one from edge (still water) habitat.
The diversity of the macroinvertebrate community is used to describe
ecological health as being in good,
moderate or poor
condition.
Ecological health assessment for December 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Good
|
| Riffle |
Moderate
|
These ratings are consistent with previous results.
Ecological health assessment for May 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Good
|
| Riffle |
Habitat not present
|
The indicators that are measured in Dry Creek are nutrients (nitrogen
and phosphorus), turbidity, salinity
and heavy metals. The concentrations of these indicators are used
to classify the water chemistry as being in good,
moderate or poor
condition, according to the needs of aquatic ecosystem protection.
Water chemistry classification for October 2005 to March 2006
|
Indicator
|
Classification
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Moderate
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
The amount of total nitrogen can be increased by fertilisers,
animal wastes or detergents being washed into urban stormwater
drains. These classifications are consistent with previous results.
The Greater
Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board have an active program
of educating industry and the community about reducing stormwater
pollution, which is the most significant influence on the Dry
Creek water quality.
Water chemistry classification for April to September 2005
|
Indicator
|
Classification
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
The amount of total nitrogen can be increased by fertilisers,
animal wastes or detergents being washed into urban stormwater
drains. The poor nitrogen results for the recent samples are consistent
with previous results.
