Biological condition of the Ring and Stitt Rivers: survey of aquatic biota, Spring 2013 and Autumn 2014

This report describes the results of surveys conducted in 2013/14 in the Ring and Stitt Rivers, comprised of one spring 2013 and one autumn 2014 seasonal sampling event for macroinvertebrates and fish.

This report forms part of what is now a routine biomonitoring exercise for the Ring and Stitt catchments. Surveys under this program have been previously reported for autumn and spring annually from 2005/06 to 2012/13 (Davies et al. 2005a, b; 2006a, b; 2007; 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013). These had been preceded by a detailed survey conducted in 2003/04 (Davies et al. 2004).

The primary aims of this monitoring are to:

describe the status of macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages in the Ring and Stitt Rivers;

evaluate changes over time and relate these to environmental conditions (especially habitat and water quality) and management actions (e.g. remediation of Hercules mine, management of wastewaters and drainage in the Rosebery area).