Nalang Creek is a moderately sized stream in the upper South East with a catchment area of over 180 square kilometres. It rises in south-western Victoria to the south of Serviceton and flows as a discontinuous channel for much of its length, where it ultimately discharges into Mundulla Swamp at Mundulla. The major land uses are grazing and cropping. The monitoring site was located near ‘Olive Bank’, downstream from Frances Road, about nine kilometres south from Bordertown.
The creek was given a poor rating because the site sampled showed evidence of major changes in ecosystem structure and moderate changes to the way the ecosystem functions.There was considerable evidence of human disturbance, including poor riparian habitat, fine sediment deposition and probable nutrient enrichment from the largely cleared catchment.
Findings
The creek was given a poor rating because the site sampled showed evidence of major changes in ecosystem structure and moderate changes to the way the ecosystem functions.There was considerable evidence of human disturbance, including poor riparian habitat, fine sediment deposition and probable nutrient enrichment from the largely cleared catchment.
The 1.5 metre wide creek was dry in autumn and spring 2014, so macroinvertebrate and water quality data were not available for this site.
The sediments were dominated by detritus, clay and sand, and also included small amounts of gravel; samples taken from below the surface were grey sands that showed no evidence to indicate that the sediments had recently lacked oxygen (eg no black rocks or anaerobic smelling sediments). No significant areas of bank erosion were noted during either site visit but sheep and kangaroo droppings on the bank indicate they regularly access the area to feed.
No aquatic plants were growing in the channel or on the water’s edge.
The narrow (<5 metres wide) riparian zone consisted of patches of gum trees over and heavily grazed introduced grasses. The surrounding vegetation at the site was cleared sheep grazing and cropping land with only a few scattered gum trees remaining in the local landscape.
Special environmental features
None detected because creek appears to be too ephemeral to support any significant aquatic ecosystem values.
Pressures and management responses
Pressures
Management responses
Limited water flow
Through ground and surface water allocation planning and the South East Regional NRM Plan water affecting activity permit process the NRM Board seeks to manage water for environmental, social and economic purposes in a range of climatic scenarios.
Livestock have direct access at the site and upstream, causing sediment erosion and adding excessive nutrients (which leads to habitat disturbance, algal growth and aquatic weeds).
The South East NRM Board supports targeted projects that provide opportunities for landholders to access grants for fencing for stock exclusion from time to time for priority catchments.
Limited riparian zone vegetation at the site and upstream, providing minimal buffer protection from catchment landuses (reducing habitat quality).
The South East NRM Board assists landholders to access targeted grant opportunities for revegetation and ecosystem protection when funding is available. The Board also works closely with landholders consistent with the Board’s Regional Pest Management Plan to control weeds on their property and to assist in halting their spread to other properties.
Observed Condition
Expected Condition
