South Para River

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Introduction

The South Para River is a fresh to brackish stream that meets the North Para River, which then becomes the Gawler River before discharging into Gulf St Vincent. The site on Mount Road is in a forested area. From there the stream flows into the Warren reservoir and then into the South Para reservoir. Elevated turbidity and nutrient levels are the most likely water quality problems.

At Mount Road the South Para River is a small stream with extensive reed beds in the channel and eucalypts on the banks. >> Map (782KB PDF)

Water quality assessment

Water quality is assessed as being in good, moderate or poor condition by interpreting ecological health and water chemistry data in the context of protecting environmental values. >> More

Ecological health is assessed in spring and autumn using the AUSRIVAS model. We use macroinvertebrates for this purpose because they provide a relatively simple way to assess the health of an aquatic ecosystem. >> More

Water chemistry is measured each month. We measure chemical indicators because when they reach a certain level they can cause stress or toxicity to animals and plants in an ecosystem. Some indicators can also indicate if the water is suitable for drinking water or for activities such as swimming. >> More

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.

Go here to find out how we classify ecological health in streams.

Ecological health assessment for June 2006

Habitat	Ecological health
Edge	Good
Riffle	Good

These ratings are consistent with previous results. The generally good water quality and complex habitat at this site means that this stream is equivalent to other best condition sites in the State.

The edge habitat was highly diverse with 57 different types of macroinvertebrates found in autumn 2006. The most common species were amphipods (Austrochiltonia australis), mayflies (Tasmanocoenis tillyardi), hypogastrurid springtails and non-biting midges (Chironomus species).

The riffle was less diverse with 35 different macroinvertebrates; the most common being hydrobiid snails, Tasmanocoenis tillyardi, gripopterygid stoneflies and Austrochiltonia australis. The riffle included a range of flow dependant macroinvertebrates (e.g. blackfly larvae, caddisfly Cheumatopsyche species, stoneflies and mayflies), supporting the good classification.

The site included a number of unusual species for the region including a mite from the family Unionicolidae (Recifella species) and the dragonfly Austrogomphus guerini.

Download ecological health data

• All the macroinvertebrate data for the South Para River

Water chemistry

The indicators measured in the South Para 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.

Go here to find out how we organise and classify the chemistry data.

Water chemistry classification for April to September 2006

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

The results in this monitoring period were generally consistent with or lower than previous results for this site. The total nitrogen concentration was elevated although the oxidised nitrogen was quite low. This suggests most of the nitrogen was bound up in suspended sediment. This is supported by the general observation that high nitrogen concentrations tend to occur during winter months when flows in the river are more likely to carry suspended sediment.

The nutrients and turbidity levels in the South Para tend to vary according to creek flows, with high concentrations most often recorded in winter months. The Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board is developing a regional NRM Plan, which will build on the catchment water management plans prepared previously for this region.

>> Archived results

Download water chemistry graphs

• Oxidised nitrogen in the South Para River
  
• Total nitrogen in the South Para River
  
• Total phosphorus in the South Para River
  
• Soluble phosphorus in the South Para River
  
• Turbidity in the South Para River
  
• Salinity in the South Para River

Download raw chemistry data

• All chemistry data for the South Para River

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