Myponga River

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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	Good
Riffle	Moderate

The edge habitat at this site is usually in good condition. The riffle section is present infrequently but has been rated in good to moderate condition in the past.

Ecological health assessment for May 2005

Habitat	Ecological health
Edge	Moderate
Riffle	Moderate

This site is usually in good condition.

Water chemistry

The indicators that are measured in the Myponga 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
Oxidised Nitrogen	Good
Total Nitrogen	Moderate
Soluble Phosphorus	Poor
Total Phosphorus	Poor
Turbidity	Good

Nitrogen and phosphorus levels can be elevated as a result of fertilisers or animal wastes being washed off the dairy farms in the catchment in addition to excessive direct stock access. The phosphorus results are higher than usual. Previously they have been classified as moderate. The classifications for nitrogen and turbidity are consistent with previous results. These issues are being addressed by the EPA through a Myponga Watercourse Restoration Project. This is an on-ground works project; fencing off watercourses to exclude stock, constructing stock crossings, installing off-stream watering points, and undertaking revegetation works.

Water chemistry classification for April to September 2005

Indicator	Classification
Oxidised Nitrogen	Poor
Total Nitrogen	Poor
Soluble Phosphorus	Poor
Total Phosphorus	Poor
Turbidity	Good

Nitrogen and phosphorus levels can be elevated as a result of fertilisers or animal wastes being washed off farms during storms or due to effluent outfalls. These poor nutrient results are unusually high. Previously they have been classified as good to moderate.

This page was last modified 13-09-2007