Archived water quality assessments
Ecological health
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 |
Moderate
|
| Riffle |
Moderate
|
Both the edge and riffle habitats are usually rated in good condition.
There were much fewer macroinvertebrates found on this occasion
than previously. The reason for this drop in diversity is unclear.
Ecological health assessment for May 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Good
|
| Riffle |
Good
|
Water chemistry
The indicators that are measured in the Light River are nutrients
(nitrogen and phosphorus), turbidity and salinity.
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
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
These classifications are consistent with previous results, although
total nitrogen has been measured at elevated levels on occasions
and is often classified as moderate. The Northern
and Yorke NRM Board are supporting landholders to restrict
stock access to the creek and encouraging revegetation with local
native species, which should facilitate improvements in water
quality.
Water chemistry classification for April to September 2005
|
Indicator
|
Classification
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
This page was last modified 13-09-2007
|
