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Baffle Catchment StoryThe catchment stories use real maps that can be interrogated, zoomed in and moved to explore the area in more detail. They take users through multiple maps, images and videos to provide engaging, in-depth information. Quick facts
Quick linksTranscriptBaffle Catchment StoryThis map journal is part of a series prepared for the catchments of Queensland. We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Gureng Gureng Traditional Owners of the land on which this project (or) map journal takes place, and Elders both past and present. We also recognise those whose ongoing effort to protect and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures will leave a lasting legacy for future Elders and leaders. Understanding how water flows in the catchmentTo effectively manage a catchment it is important to have a collective understanding of how the catchment works. This map journal gathers information from experts and other data sources to provide that understanding. The information was gathered using the ‘walking the landscape’ process, where experts systematically worked through a catchment in a facilitated workshop, to incorporate diverse knowledge on the landscape features and processes, both natural and human. It focussed on water flow and the key factors that affect water movement. The map journal was prepared by the Queensland Wetlands Program in the Queensland Department of Environment and Science in collaboration with local partners. Main image. Deepwater Creek - provided by ©Queensland Government. How to view this map journalThis map journal is best viewed in Chrome or Firefox, not Explorer. Map journal for the Baffle catchment–water movementThis map journal describes the location, extent and values of the Baffle catchment*, including Littabella Creek and several coastal drainages (herein referred to as the ‘Baffle catchment’). It demonstrates the key features which influence water flow, including geology, topography, rainfall and runoff, natural features, human modifications and land uses. Knowing how water moves in the landscape is fundamental to sustainably managing the catchment and the services it provides. *'Catchment' and 'basin' are sometimes used interchangeably. In this map journal the term 'catchment' has been used. Oyster Creek, looking upstream from Hills Road crossing - provided by ©Queensland Government. Baffle catchment storyThe Baffle catchment is located to the north of Bundaberg and is within the Burnett Mary Regional Group Natural Resource Management (BMRG NRM) area. It is part of the Gladstone and Bundaberg regional council areas. The catchment covers approximately 4,035 square kilometres (view animation). The catchment includes Baffle Creek and its tributaries, such as Three Mile, Gorge, Banksia, Granite, Third Camp, Oyster (Euleilah) and Bottle creeks. It also includes a number of smaller coastal drainages such as Littabella, Deepwater, Blackwater, Eurimbula, Middle, Pancake, Worthington, Pine, Sandy, Seven Mile, 12 Mile and 28 Mile creeks. Baffle Creek flows into the Coral Sea near Rules Beach, and the coastal drainages flow directly to the Coral Sea. All waterways drain to the coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The Boyne catchment is located to the north, the Kolan catchment is located to the south. Main image. Rules Beach - provided by ©Queensland Government. Values of the catchmentThe Baffle catchment has many social, economic and environmental values. The catchment has rural residential* areas; it has a population of approximately 6,100 and includes the townships of Agnes Water, Town of 1770, Miriam Vale, Lowmead, Rosedale and Bororen. Tourism is important to the catchment. It is popular for four wheel driving, camping, boating and fishing, and these activities also provide substantial social and health benefits to the local communities. Most of the catchment is used for grazing on native pastures, together with forestry and other farming. There are many protected areas across the catchment, including several large national parks, conservation parks, state forests, nature refuges, DIWA-listed (Directory of Important Wetlands wetlands) wetlands, Fish Habitat Areas (FHAs) and the Port of Gladstone-Rodd’s Bay Dugong Protection Area. The receiving waters are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMPA), which is a World Heritage Area (WHA). There is a drop-down legend for most maps and it can be accessed by clicking on 'LEGEND' at the top right of the map. On this map you can use the drop down legend for the land use. There are also 'pop-ups' for most mapping features - simply click on the mapping of interest for more information. Main images. Wetlands of Round Hill Creek (top far left), turtle hatchlings (top far right), cattle of the catchment (middle left), fishing hut of Rodd's Bay (centre), mangroves of the catchment (middle right), melaleuca wetland of Deepwater Creek (bottom left), fencing project in a wetland of the northern coastal drainages (bottom right) - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Tourist boat (top middle left), Deepwater National Park (bottom middle) - provided by ©Queensland Government. Acropora corals and feather star, Pancake Creek (top middle right) - provided by Dr. Ian Butler. *The rural residential areas shown include rural residential with farming and without farming. **This application may take time to load. Values of the catchment–economicPrimary production and tourism are strong drivers of the local economy. Most of the catchment is used for grazing on native pastures, together with grazing on irrigated and modified pastures, horticulture, cropping including sugar cane and production forestry (native). There are small areas of mining and quarrying including hard rock and gravel and sand Key Resource Areas (KRAs).* Estuarine areas support commercial and recreational fisheries including fish, crabs (spanner, mud and blue swimmer), scallops and prawns. Tourists are attracted to the catchment for recreational activities, and to see iconic marine mammals such as the humpback whales, dugongs and marine turtles. Main image. The marina and boat ramp at Seventeen Seventy - provided by ©Queensland Government. Values of the catchment–environmental and socialThere are several protected areas across the catchment, including the relatively large Bulburin, Eurimbula and Littabella national parks together with conservation parks, state forests, nature refuges, DIWA-listed wetlands (Bustard Bay wetlands, Deepwater Creek, Granite Creek and Colosseum Inlet), FHAs (Colosseum Inlet, Rodd’s Harbour, Eurimbula, Seventeen Seventy-Round Hill and Baffle Creek) and the Port of Gladstone-Rodd’s Bay Dugong Protection Area. The GBR receiving waters, the nearby Ramsar-listed Great Sandy Strait and the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, support iconic marine mammals such as the humpback whales and dugong. The wider Burnett-Mary region contains six species of endangered and vulnerable marine turtles. Green, loggerhead and flatback turtles nesting on Rules Beach, together with other beaches across the Baffle catchment. Natural areas also provide for recreational activities. The catchment includes the major centres of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy. The town of Seventeen Seventy is so named because on the 24th of May 1770, Lieutenant James Cook (captain of the Endeavour) came ashore on the beach of Round Hill Creek in the vicinity of the present village.* Further information about some of the different types of wetlands across the catchments is provided below. Main images. Melaleuca wetland (top left), Seventeen Seventy cafe and bar (middle right) - provided by Mary Burnett Regional Group. Deepwater National Park (top middle), 4WD and pedestrian access to Rules Beach (top right), Deepwater National Park camping access track to beach (bottom left), Baffle Creek FHA signage (bottom middle), mangroves (bottom right) - provided by ©Queensland Government. Video footage of beaches - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. *Cook's Landing Place, Town of Seventeen Seventy (Queensland Government, 2016). Natural features–geology and topographyThe catchment is underlain by mostly hard geologies including granite and other intrusives (felsites, mafites, mudrocks, arenites, rudites, gabbroids, chert and diorites), metamorphosed sedimentary rock and carbonate. These areas generally have low permeability and influence water flow and channel formation, with high surface water runoff. Some of the metamorphosed rock provides for local groundwater recharge through fractures, and there are several springs. Southern parts of the catchment are underlain by sedimentary rock (mostly Brooweena and Elliott formations), which are also largely impervious. Track at Rules Beach showing underlying sand - provided by ©Queensland Government. There are alluvial deposits on the lower lying land in parts of the catchment, and large areas of sand and other unconsolidated sediments nearer to the coast. There are also small areas of deeply-weathered basalt. These unconsolidated sediments and the basalt provide for groundwater infiltration. These different rock types combine to make up the geology of the Baffle catchment. Main image. Exposed felsites of the Seventeen Seventy headland - provided by ©Queensland Government. Natural features–rainfallThere is high rainfall across the catchment, with slightly higher rainfall over the south-western ridge and Arthurs Seat. The average annual rainfall for the catchment is 994 millimetres.* *Fentie et al. (2014) – see links at the end of this map journal for further information about modelling of flow and water quality. Modified features–pre-clearing vegetation*Vegetation affects how water flows through the catchment, and this process is affected by land use and management practices. Vegetation slows water, retaining it longer in the landscape and recharging groundwater aquifers, and reducing the erosion potential and the loss of soil from the catchment. Historically, eucalypt-dominated vegetation grew over most of the catchment. There were also areas of rainforest and scrub, melaleuca woodland, wet eucalypt forest, other coastal communities including heath, and mangrove and saltmarsh. These different vegetation types combine to make up the preclearing vegetation of the Baffle catchment. Rainforest and scrub of the catchment - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Mangroves of the catchment - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Main image. Coastal communities on the sand dunes at Rules Beach - provided by ©Queensland Government. *Broad Vegetation Groups derived from Regional Ecosystems (REs), which are vegetation communities in a bioregion that are consistently associated with a particular combination of geology, landform and soil. Modified features–vegetation and land useLarge parts of the catchment have been cleared or partially-cleared for a range of rural land uses, particularly grazing on native pastures, however most of the original vegetation (remnant) remains or has regrown* since initial clearing. Large areas of remnant vegetation are protected. Explore the swipe map using either of the options below.***
A range of different land use types combine to make up the land use of the Baffle catchment.** These developments and activities change the shape of the landscape and can modify water flow patterns. Main image. Partially-cleared melaleuca woodland for grazing - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. *Smaller areas of regrowth are not shown in this mapping. This dataset was prepared to support certain category C additions to the Regulated Vegetation Management Map under the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016. This dataset is described as: The 2013 areas of non-remnant native woody vegetation that have not been cleared between 1988 and 2014 that are homogenous for at least 0.5 hectare and occur in clumps of at least 2 hectares in coastal regions and 5 hectares elsewhere. **Australian Land Use Management Classification (Department of Agriculture and Water Resources 2010) - see links at end of this map journal for further details. ***Depending on your internet browser, you may experience issues with one or the other. Please note this application takes time to load. Modified features–channels and infrastructureBuildings and important infrastructure such as roads, railways and creek crossings create barriers and low permeability surfaces that redirect water through single points or culverts, leading to channelling of water. This increases the rate of flow and the potential for erosion. Parts of the catchment have been developed and there are many low permeability surfaces. There are also barriers to some flow events, however most are overtopped in low to moderate flow events. Modifications to channels, such as straightening and diversions, can also increase flow rates. Main images. Oyster Creek Hills Road crossing (top left) - provided by ©Queensland Government. Oyster Creek causeway with culverts on Taunton Road, Eulilah (top right, bottom right), clearing adjacent to Fernfield Road (bottom left) - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Modified features–dams and weirsDams and weirs also modify the natural water flow patterns, by holding water. Rural water storage, Deepwater - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Baffle Creek does not have any large impoundments, however there are several smaller weirs and rural water storages, particularly in the Captain Creek area and the Littabella area in association with horticulture and cropping. These storages influence how and when water flows through parts of the catchment, including tidal extent. Most of these weirs and storages are not fitted with fishways. Many are barriers* to fish passage during baseflow conditions, with movement during flood conditions only. Weir on Deepwater Creek - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. *As identified by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Main image. Rural water storage, Deepwater - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Modified features–water qualityIncreases in the volume and speed of runoff can increase erosion in the landscape and the stream channels, resulting in sediment being carried downstream and reduced water quality. Water quality is influenced by runoff and point source inputs such as sewage treatment plants (STPs) and additional inputs such as septic tank seepage and stormwater discharge. The STP at Agnes Water receives sewerage from the local area, however most of the catchment uses septic tanks. These areas are also serviced with town water sourced from bores and the Agnes Water desalination plant, however water for most of the catchment is supplied by private bore or rain tank. Water extraction from bores can influence groundwater.* The five-year Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan** seeks to improve the water quality flowing from the catchments adjacent to the GBR, including the Baffle catchment and wider Burnett Mary region. The plan aligns with the Australian and Queensland governments’ Great Barrier Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef Plan 2050), and is based on the best available independent scientific advice as provided by the Scientific Consensus Statement 2017.*** The Great Barrier Reef Catchment Loads Modelling Program**** estimates average annual loads of key pollutants (sediment, nutrients and pesticides) for each of the 35 catchments draining to the GBR as part of the Paddock to Reef program. It assesses progress towards the Reef Plan 2050 water quality targets. A technical report has been prepared for the Burnett Mary region.^ The Burnett Mary region received a C rating for catchment loads during 2014-2015. Catchment loads scored particularly poorly for sediment (E rating) and particulate nitrogen (E rating), despite good ground cover (A rating).^^ The 2015 Burnett Mary Water Quality Improvement Plan^^^ sets a series of targets and specific costing for reaching these targets to help with prioritising actions to improve water quality in the region. It combines the latest scientific information and bio-economic modelling. This 2015 plan supersedes the 2009 Burnett-Baffle Water Quality Improvement Plan.^^^^ Main image. Birds of Round Hill Creek, Seventeen Seventy - provided by ©Queensland Government. *DNRM bore mapping **Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan 2017-2022, Draft - for consultation (Queensland Government 2017) – see links at the end of this map journal for further information. ***2017 Scientific Consensus Statement, Land Use Impacts on Great Barrier Reef Water Quality and Ecosystem Condition (Queensland Government 2017) – see links at the end of this map journal for further information. ****Great Barrier Reef Catchment Loads Modelling Program (Queensland Government 2017) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information. ^Modelling reductions of pollutant loads due to improved management practices in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Burnett Mary NRM region Technical Report Volume 7 (Fentie et al. 2014) – see links at the end of this map journal for further information. ^^Reef Report Card 2015 (Queensland Government 2016) – see links at the end of this map journal for further information. ^^^Burnett-Mary Water Quality Improvement Plan (Burnett Mary Regional Group 2015) – see links at the end of this map journal for further information. ^^^^Burnett-Baffle Water Quality Improvement Plan (Burnett Mary Regional Group 2009) – see links at the end of this map journal for further information. Water flowWater flows across the landscape into streams and eventually into Baffle Creek or the coastal drainages of the catchment (view animation*). The remaining water either sinks into the ground where it supports a variety of terrestrial and groundwater dependent ecosystems or is used for other purposes. The smaller channels and gullies eventually flatten out to form larger waterways that flow through lower lying land. They pass through unconsolidated areas which store and release water, prolonging the time streams flow. *This application takes time to load. The subcatchmentsA catchment is an area with a natural boundary (for example ridges, hills or mountains) where all surface water drains to a common channel to form rivers or creeks.* Larger catchments are made up of smaller areas, sometimes called subcatchments. The Baffle catchment consists of large and small subcatchments. The characteristics of each subcatchment are different, and therefore water will flow differently in each one. The Baffle catchment includes the following subcatchments that flow into Baffle Creek:
Together with the coastal drainages of:
The northern coastal drainages have been split into the following areas for the purposes of this map journal:
*Definition sourced from the City of Gold Coast website (see links at the end of this map journal). Three Mile CreekThe headwaters of Three Mile Creek are steep with peaks to 739 metres elevation, and include several protected areas. They receive moderate to high rainfall over hard geologies. The lower lying areas have alluvium underlain by hard geologies, which provides for some local groundwater recharge. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies. This landscape retains water, which is held in the system by the hard geologies. This is an uncommon type of floodplain with shallow confined lagoons, undefined channels, broad and shallow wetland system with many paleochannels. Most of this area has been cleared or partially-cleared for grazing on native pastures, together with production forests (native), cropping, rural residential and services. This subcatchment includes the relatively large township of Miriam Vale. There are several conservation and natural environments along the ridges, including parts of the relatively large Castle Tower and Eurimbula and Bulburin national parks. Most of the lower lying eucalypt forest has been cleared, however large areas have regrown since initial clearing. Eucalypt vegetation, including wet eucalypt forest, and rainforest and scrub remains on the ridges. The subcatchment has several freshwater wetlands including large areas of ‘contains wetlands’*. The ‘contains wetlands’ areas includes lots of small wetlands held-up in shallow soils underlain by hard rock. *Areas mapped as ’contains wetlands’ typically include many small wetlands, which are too small to map individually. Gorge CreekThe headwaters of Gorge Creek receive high rainfall over hard felsites; they are protected within Eurimbula National Park. These headwaters are steep and prone to slips, and also include several gorges. The main channel has formed along a fault line and the creek lines are incised. The lower lying parts are also underlain by hard geologies, together with limited alluvium which provides for some local groundwater recharge. The mafites give rise to fractured rock aquifers and springs. Surface water runoff is high, with fast flow on the lower lying land which is prone to flash flooding. Most of the subcatchment is being used for grazing (mostly on native pastures), together with production forests (native), rural residential and services. Most of the vegetation remains and large areas have regrown since initial clearing. This subcatchment has several freshwater wetlands, including areas of ‘contains wetlands’ and a perched riverine wetland. Off-stream dams in the central clearing provide refugia for fish. Banksia CreekThe headwaters of Banksia Creek are steep with peaks to 873 metres elevation, and include several national parks. They receive high rainfall over hard granite and gabbroid. The lower lying parts are also underlain by hard geologies, together with alluvium which provides for some local groundwater recharge. There are many paleochannels in the alluvium, and a geological constriction at the granite gorge which can cause flooding upstream. Surface water runoff is high, with fast creek flow. Large parts of the lower lying land have been cleared or partially-cleared for grazing (mostly on native pastures) and production forestry (native). There are conservation and natural environments across the higher elevations, including parts of Bulburin and Mount Colosseum national parks. Large areas of vegetation remain, particularly on the slopes, and large areas have regrown since initial clearing. This subcatchment has several freshwater wetlands including large areas of ‘contains wetlands’. Granite CreekThe headwaters of Granite Creek are steep with peaks to 790 metres elevation, receive high rainfall over hard geologies. Most of the headwaters are protected by Bulburin National Park, including large areas of rainforest and scrub (Regional Ecosystem, RE 12.3.3). The lower lying parts include limited alluvium underlain by hard geologies. There is a fault line running down the middle of the subcatchment. Surface water runoff is high, with fast creek flow. The alluvium provides for some local groundwater recharge and there are many paleochannels. There is a constriction at the granite gorge with flooding at the creek mouth due to the constriction and large catchment area up against hard rock. The mafites give rise to fractured rock aquifers and springs. Much of the lower lying land is being used for grazing on native pastures and production forestry (native), together with plantation forestry and rural residential. Much of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. There are extensive gallery rainforests (RE 12.3.1) along the floodplain. Total suspended sediment levels in waterways can be high, associated with the impacts of cats claw and bank slumping. This subcatchment has several freshwater wetlands including very large areas of ‘contains wetlands’. It also supports diverse fish communities, with large waterholes and connections to the estuary although there are several minor barriers to fish passage near the national park boundary. Scrubby and Upper Baffle creeksThe Scrubby and upper Baffle creeks subcatchment is underlain by mostly granite and other hard geologies, together with limited alluvium and basalt. The alluvium and basalt provide for some local groundwater recharge, and this reach typically contains shallow and permanent water with hyporheic flow (mixing of ground and surface water). Surface water runoff is high, with fast creek flow. There are also many paleochannels, loops in the channel and off-stream waterholes. There is a geological constriction upstream of Lowmead. Most of this subcatchment is being used for grazing (mostly on native pastures), together with production forestry (native), rural residential and services. Most of this subcatchment is however still vegetated and gallery rainforest remains along the main channel; much of the cleared vegetation has also regrown since initial clearing. There are several conservation and natural environments, including Waroo National Park. This subcatchment supports freshwater wetlands including areas of ‘contains wetlands’ and riverine wetland. It also supports diverse fish communities, with large waterholes and connections to the estuary. Part of the main channel is included within the Baffle Creek FHA. Third Camp CreekThe headwaters of Third Camp Creek are steep and receive high rainfall over a mix of hard geologies and sedimentary rock; they are protected within Monduran State Forest. The lower reaches are also underlain by hard geologies. Surface water runoff is high and creek flow is fast. Most of the lower lying land has been cleared or partially-cleared for grazing on native pastures, together with production forestry (native), rural residential and services. The slopes are still mostly vegetated, and some of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. There are also conservation and natural environments, including Waroo National Park and Monduran State Forest. This subcatchment has small areas of freshwater wetland. Oyster CreekThe headwaters of Oyster (Euleilah) Creek are steep and receive high rainfall over hard felsites. The lower elevations include alluvium underlain by hard geologies, which provides for some local groundwater recharge. There are springs in the felsites.
This subcatchment is hydrologically complex. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies and wetlands are held up in the alluvium by the hard geologies. The areas of ‘contains wetlands’ include perched aquifers that support are particularly important to groundwater recharge. The lower reaches of the main channel are included within the Baffle Creek FHA. There is tidal influence to the mid reaches with good connectivity to estuary (barramundi and mangrove jack). Most of the subcatchment has been cleared or partially-cleared for grazing on native pastures, together with rural residential, services, production forestry (native), horticulture and mining. Large areas of eucalypt vegetation, rainforest and scrub, melaleuca woodland and coastal communities including heath remain, mostly on the slopes, and some cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. The subcatchment includes conservation and natural environments such as Arthurs Seat State Forest. There is a rural water storage on most properties in the Captain Creek area. Bottle CreekThe headwaters of Bottle Creek are mostly undulating and receive high rainfall over hard geologies; they are protected within Littabella National Park. The lower elevations are underlain by hard geologies and sedimentary rock, together with limited alluvium which provides for local groundwater recharge. This area has abundant groundwater, particularly in the sandstone at the mouth. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies with fast flow into the alluvium. Most of the subcatchment is being used for grazing on native pastures, together with rural residential, services, horticulture, cropping, production forestry (native) and intensive animal production (aquaculture). Large areas of eucalypt vegetation remain, together with melaleuca woodland and mangrove and saltmarsh, and some cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. This subcatchment includes several protected areas. This subcatchment has several large freshwater wetlands. The lower reaches of the main channel are estuarine and included within the Baffle Creek FHA. The oxbow near the mouth supports a diverse plant community that includes peat moss, vine scrub, marine couch and mangroves. Lower Baffle CreekThe lower Baffle Creek subcatchment is underlain by hard geologies and sedimentary rock, together with alluvium. Surface water runoff is high and creek flow is fast. There is a flattening of the landscape at this point of the catchment. The estuary is limited in extent, due to the high ratio of surface water runoff (freshwater) to tidal input, and laterally confined. The main channel is within the Baffle Creek FHA. The lower estuary supports one of the most permanent and extensive seagrass meadows* within a lower estuary in the central Queensland region. The alluvium provides for some local groundwater recharge and there are many freshwater wetlands on the northern bank, which are ‘perched’ aquifers in the undulations within the sandstone (sedimentary rock). There are springs at the confluence with Bottle Creek and near Duck Creek. Most of this area has been cleared or partially-cleared for grazing (mostly on native pastures), together with production forestry (native), rural residential, services, perennial horticulture and intensive animal production (aquaculture). Much of the original melaleuca woodland has been cleared, however large areas of eucalypt vegetation remain together with rainforest and scrub and mangrove and saltmarsh; and much of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. *Mapping provided by State of the Estuarine Environment Report for the Burnett Mary NRM Region 2008 (BMRG et al. 2009). The extent and density of segarass varies over time, based on factors such as water clarity, sedimentation and nutrient availability. Littabella CreekThe headwaters of Littabella Creek are steep and receive high rainfall over hard geologies and sedimentary rock; much of the higher landscape is protected. The lower elevations are underlain by mostly sedimentary rock, together with limited alluvium and other unconsolidated sediments which provide for groundwater recharge. Surface water runoff is high with fast creek flow and this subcatchment retains water. Much of the subcatchment has been cleared or partially-cleared for grazing on native pastures, together with production forests (native), rural residential, horticulture, cropping, and intensive animal production (aquaculture). Some of the cropping (cane) is located on sand dunes, which overlay cracking clay. There are several relatively large rural water storages, in association with the farming, which capture overland flow. This subcatchment has substantial areas of wetland. There are many wetlands in depressions (alluvium and colluvium underlain by undulating sedimentary rock) and in between sand dunes. Large areas of eucalypt vegetation remains, together with melaleuca woodland, coastal communities including heath, rainforest and scrub, and mangrove and saltmarsh, and some vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. The subcatchment includes conservation and natural environments, including several large protected areas. The Littabella Creek mouth broke through during the big floods of 2011 and 2013. The beaches provide important marine turtle nesting habitat. Blackwater and Deepwater creeksThe Blackwater and Deepwater creeks subcatchment receives moderate to high rainfall over a mix of hard geologies and sedimentary rock, together with alluvium, colluvium and other unconsolidated sediments which provide for groundwater recharge. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies. The underlying Elliott formation (sandstone) runs seaward from the south-west, providing hard substrate for the inshore coral reefs at Rules Beach (Fingers Reef). Wreck and Flat rocks are part of the Agnes Water Volcanics (mafites and felsites). Dendronephthya soft coral on Fingers Reef - provided by Dr. Ian Butler. Wreck Rock beach - provided by ©Queensland Government. Wreck Rock - provided by ©Queensland Government. Much of the subcatchment is used for grazing on native pastures, together with rural residential and services, horticulture and cropping. This subcatchment includes the largest residential communities of the Baffle catchment, Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy. Large areas of eucalypt vegetation, melaleuca woodland and coastal communities including heath remain, together with rainforest and scrub and mangrove and saltmarsh. Some vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. The subcatchment includes conservation and natural environments, including several large protected areas. This subcatchment has substantial areas of wetland. It represents one of the most important freshwater wetland areas in the Baffle catchment, and is included within the DIWA. The wetlands are held-up in undulations by the hard geologies, and receive high runoff from volcanic ridges near Seventeen Seventy. Melaleuca wetlands of Deepwater Creek - provided by Burnett Mary Regional group. Estuarine waters are included within the Seventeen Seventy-Round Hill and Baffle Creek FHAs. This subcatchment has high freshwater fish biodiversity but compromised connectivity with a barrage on both creeks, in association with horticulture. Marine turtles nest along the beaches and there is an important loggerhead turtle rookery. The coastal sand dunes can be up to 40 metres high. Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy are sewered, however other parts of the subcatchment use septic tanks. Recently emerged turtle hatchlings hurrying down the beach - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Round Hill Creek estuary off 1770 - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Main image. Deepwater Creek - provided by ©Queensland Government. North-eastern coastal drainagesThe north-eastern coastal drainages (Round Hill, Eurimbula, Middle and Pancake creeks) receive high rainfall over hard geologies, sand and mud, together with limited alluvium and colluvium. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies into the unconsolidated sediments at lower elevations which provides for groundwater recharge. The Middle Island sand mass acts as an aquifer. The area has complicated hydrology with connections between creeks on certain tides. Causeways to Middle Island can influence flow. Much of this area is protected but large areas are being used for grazing on native pastures, together with rural residential and services. There is some grazing in the saltmarsh, and some fencing projects. Fencing project - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Large areas of remnant vegetation remain, including eucalypt vegetation, melaleuca woodland and coastal communities including heath, rainforest and scrub and mangrove and saltmarsh. There are rubber vine removal projects underway and groundsel has been recorded in this area. This subcatchment has substantial areas of wetland that are included in the DIWA. These northern coastal drainages provide for the most extensive estuaries of the Baffle catchment. The estuarine waters include part of the Seventeen Seventy-Round Hill and Rodds Harbour FHAs. The estuarine and coastal waters supports extensive seagrass meadows*, with the extent and density of seagrass meadows varying over time based on factors such as water clarity, sedimentation and nutrient availability. Pancake Creek is unique in that there are large corals reefs adjacent to extensive mangrove forests. It is frequented by yachts and other vessels, together with campers and hikers. Eurimbula Creek provides good habitat for mudcrab and nursery grounds for mangrove jack and bream, and also includes water mouse habitat. Round Hill Creek has particularly high conservation values. The beaches provide important marine turtle nesting habitat. Acropora-dominated coral reef of Pancake Creek exposed at low tide - provided by Dr Ian Butler. Acropora coral with feather star, Pancake Creek - provided by Dr. Ian Butler. Brain coral, Pancake Creek - provided by Dr. Ian Butler. The protected water mouse - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Water mouse habitat - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Main images. Upper parts of Round Hill Creek - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. *Mapping shows where seagrass has been recorded during surveys undertaken during 1988 and between 2002 and 2014, as per mapping provided by Seagrass mapping synthesis: A resource for coastal management in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (Carter et al. 2016). The extent and density of seagrass varies over time. Rodd’s Harbour coastal drainagesThe Rodd’s Harbour coastal drainages (Rodd’s Peninsula and Worthington, Pine and Hillard creeks) receive moderate to high rainfall over granite and other hard geologies, together with limited alluvium and other unconsolidated sediments which provide for groundwater recharge. Surface water runoff is high. Rodd's Peninsula looking north-east near Ethel Rocks - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Most of this area is protected however large areas are used for grazing on native pastures, together with rural residential and services. There is some grazing in the saltmarsh, and some fencing projects. Remnant vegetation covers most of the subcatchment, including large areas of eucalypt vegetation and mangrove and saltmarsh, together with rainforest and scrub, coastal communities including heath and melaleuca woodland, however there are cleared areas around the townships of Rodds Bay and Turkey Beach. This subcatchment has substantial areas of wetland that are included in the DIWA. These northern coastal drainages provide for the most extensive estuaries of the catchment. The estuarine and coastal waters support extensive seagrass meadows*, and include part of the Rodds Harbour FHA and the Gladstone and Rodds Bay Dugong Protection Area. The beaches provide important marine turtle nesting habitat. Worthington Creek has rock bars on volcanics in the channel, which create hyper-saline pools (tidal and seasonal). The lower reaches are mangrove-lined and provide good fish nursery habitat. Fishing hut, Rodd's Peninsula - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Main image. Rodd's Bay - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. *Mapping shows where seagrass has been recorded during surveys undertaken during 1988 and between 2002 and 2014, as per mapping provided by Seagrass mapping synthesis: A resource for coastal management in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (Carter et al. 2016). The extent and density of seagrass varies over time. Seven Mile CreekThe coastal drainages of Seven Mile, Sandy and Scrubby creeks receive moderate to high rainfall over mostly hard geologies, together with limited alluvium and other unconsolidated sediments which provide for groundwater recharge. Surface water runoff is high. The Colosseum Inlet floodplain has paleochannels and large waterholes. This area is geologically similar to the adjacent Three Mile (headwaters of Baffle Creek) and the eastern subcatchments, in that it is undulating granites underlain by mafites and sedimentary rock, with limited alluvium. Nearly all of this area is being used for grazing on native pastures, however large areas of eucalypt vegetation remain, together with mangrove and saltmarsh, rainforest and scrub, and coastal communities including heath. Some vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. Some of the upper most parts are protected by Eurimbula National Park. This subcatchment has substantial areas of wetland that are included in the DIWA. These northern coastal drainages provide for the most extensive estuaries of the catchment. The estuarine and coastal waters support extensive seagrass meadows* and are part of the Colloseum Inlet FHA and Gladstone and Rodds Bay Dugong Protection Area. The estuarine system is relatively intact with good mangrove communities, despite the modified upstream catchment area. There are some minor barriers but mostly good connection to estuary, and juvenile bream have been recorded in Scrubby Creek. The beaches provide important marine turtle nesting habitat. *Mapping shows where seagrass has been recorded during surveys undertaken during 1988 and between 2002 and 2014, as per mapping provided by Seagrass mapping synthesis: A resource for coastal management in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (Carter et al. 2016). The extent and density of seagrass varies over time. Colosseum Inlet coastal drainagesThe Colosseum Inlet coastal drainages (12 Mile, 28 Mile and Oaky creeks) receive moderate to high rainfall over mostly gabbroid, together with limited alluvium and other unconsolidated sediments which provide for groundwater recharge. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies. The channels in the gabbroids (coarse grained volcanics) are fairly shallow, unstable and mobile with a dendritic pattern of water flow, and high erosion potential, which typically gives rise to estuarine sediments. There is highly erodible cattle country along the upper reaches near the township of Foreshores. Some of the headwaters are protected within Castle Tower National Park. Nearly all of this area is being used for grazing on native pastures, together with rural residential, production forests (native), and mining and quarrying. Areas of eucalypt vegetation and mangrove and saltmarsh remain, together with rainforest and scrub and coastal communities including heath, and much of the vegetation has also regrown since initial clearing. Most of the rainforest and scrubs is within protected areas. This subcatchment has substantial areas of wetland that are included in the DIWA. The ‘contains wetlands’ areas includes lots of small wetlands help-up in shallow soils underlain by hard rock, which is a similar formation to the adjacent Three Mile Creek subcatchment. These northern catchments provide for the most extensive estuaries of the Baffle catchment. The estuarine and coastal waters support extensive seagrass meadows*, and are part of the Colosseum Inlet FHA and Gladstone and Rodds Bay Dugong Protection Area. The beaches provide important marine turtle nesting habitat. Hummock Hill Island is an eastern sand deposit and freshwater reservoir. There are inshore reefs on a granite ridge that extends through Hummock Hill Island and offshore. *Mapping shows where seagrass has been recorded during surveys undertaken during 1988 and between 2002 and 2014, as per mapping provided by Seagrass mapping synthesis: A resource for coastal management in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (Carter et al. 2016). The extent and density of seagrass varies over time. ConclusionThe Baffle catchment shows how natural and modified features within the landscape impact on how water flows. These issues need to be managed to ensure that the significant natural (and social) values of the catchment are protected, and to minimise impacts on the multitude of values within the catchment and downstream in the Great Barrier Reef, while providing for residential, farming and other important land uses of the catchment. Knowing how the catchment functions is also important for future planning, including climate resilience. With this knowledge, we can make better decisions about how we manage this vital area. Main image. Melaleuca wetland (top left), farming (top right), Rodd's Bay (middle left), water mouse (bottom far left), marine turtle tracks (bottom left of centre) - provided by Burnett Mary Regional Group. Deepwater Creek (centre), Deepwater National Park beach access (bottom right of centre), Seventeen Seventy marina (bottom far right) - provided by ©Queensland Government. Acropora-dominated reef of Pancake Creek (middle right) - provided by Dr. Ian Butler. AcknowledgementsDeveloped by the Queensland Wetlands Program in the Department of Environment and Science in collaboration with local partners. Walking the Landscape contributors: Burnett Catchment Care Association Gidarjil Development Corporation Gladstone Conservation Council This resource should be cited as: Walking the Landscape – Baffle Catchment Map Journal v1.0 (2017), presentation, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland. Images provided by: Burnett Mary Regional Group, Dr. Ian Butler and ©Queensland Government. The Queensland Wetlands Program supports projects and activities that result in long-term benefits to the sustainable management, wise use and protection of wetlands in Queensland. The tools developed by the Program help wetlands landholders, managers and decision makers in government and industry. Contact wetlands♲des.qld.gov.au or visit wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au Disclaimer This map journal has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within the document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this education module is from a number of sources and, as such, does not necessarily represent government or departmental policy. Data source, links and information Software Used ArcGIS for Desktop | ArcGIS Online | Story Map Journal Some of the information used to put together this map journal can be viewed on the QLD Globe. The Queensland Globe is an interactive online tool that can be opened inside the Google Earth™ application. Queensland Globe allows you to view and explore Queensland spatial data and imagery. You can also download a cadastral SmartMap or purchase and download a current titles search. More information about the layers: Source Data Table Flooding Information: Gladstone Regional Council Other References Bureau of Meterology (2016) Climate Data Online [webpage] Accessed 20 September 2017. Burnett Mary Regional Group, Moss, A., Scheltinga, D. and Tilden, J. (2009) State of the Estuarine Environment Report for the Burnett Mary NRM Region 2008. Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management Inc., Bundaberg. Carter, A., McKenna, S., Rasheed, M., McKenzie L. and Coles R. (2016) Seagrass mapping synthesis: A resource for coastal management in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Report to the National Environmental Science Programme. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited, Cairns. City of Gold Coast (2021) About water catchments. [webpage] Accessed 25 August 2021 Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (2010) Australian Land Use Management Classification [webpage] Accessed 20 September 2017. Queensland Government (2017) 2017 Scientific Consensus Statement, Land Use Impacts on Great Barrier Reef Water Quality and Ecosystem Condition. Queensland Government, Brisbane. Queensland Government (2016) Reef Report Card 2015 [webpage] Accessed 25 October 2017. Queensland Government (2016) Key Resource Areas in Queensland [webpage] Accessed 25 Octoberber 2017. Last updated: 25 August 2021 This page should be cited as: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2021) Baffle Catchment Story, WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/processes-systems/water/catchment-stories/transcript-baffle.html |
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