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Western Cape and Gulf Freshwater Biogeographic Province

Western Cape and Gulf Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Water quality

Wet season (Jan-Mar) Average temperature (25°) Temperature varies along a west east gradient Width of riparian zone (37m) Small trees Grasses Low relief ratio Percentage of water which is base flow (8%) Annual spate duration (1 month) Annual no-flow duration (7 months) Sandstone Clay High macroinvertebrate richness Turbidity variable through region Turbidity variable through region Large woody debris cover (8%) Submerged and emergent macrophyte growth forms dominant Concave bank shape category Convex bank shape category Dominant bank slope (10°-80°) Fauna Fauna

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Turbidity

High turbidity, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

River Crossing on road to Lawn Hill, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Turbidity is highly variable across the province: at most sites it is low (median of 6), though some areas are highly turbid (pulling up the mean to 51). This effect can also be seen as the turbidity values range from extremely low (minimum of 1) to the extent measurable by the field meters (maximum of 1000).

Primary productivity and light climate

Methods

Mean SE Maximum Minimum Median
Turbidity (NTU) * 51.373 12.825 1000 1 6

*All available field measurements taken from available reference site data from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines AQEIS database, December 2009. 

Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Western Cape and Gulf Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Water quality, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/aquatic-ecosystems-natural/riverine/freshwater-biogeo/western-cape-and-gulf/water-quality.html

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation