Calliope Catchment Story

Calliope Catchment Story

This catchment story is part of a series prepared for the catchments of Queensland.

Understanding how water flows in the catchment

To effectively manage the 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 focused 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. The Calliope River - provided by Fitzroy Basin Association Inc.

How to view this map journal

This map journal is presented in three parts:

1. Overall story (slide 4 to 7)
2. Detailed catchment description (slide 8 to 18)
3. Sub-catchment details (slide 19 to 28)

In some slides, due to scale restrictions, only part of the catchment is shown. Use your mouse to pan around the catchment to view all data.

Please note 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.

This map journal is best viewed in Chrome or Firefox, not Explorer. 

Map journal for the Calliope catchment—water movement

This map journal describes the location, extent and values of the Calliope 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.

The Calliope River flows into the Coral Sea via Port Curtis, and the coastal drainage flows directly to the Coral Sea. All waterways eventually drain to the coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Click here to see the water-flow animation.

Main image. Calliope River headwaters after Cyclone Marcia - provided by Fitzroy Basin Association Inc.

*The use of 'catchment' and 'basin' is sometimes interchangeable. In this map journal the term 'catchment' has been used.

Key characteristics

The Calliope catchment is located in Central Queensland. The main waterway is the Calliope River, together with numerous smaller waterways including Alma, Larcom and Neil creeks. Click here to view the fly-through animation.

• The catchment covers approximately 2,241 square kilometres, which is about 0.1 percent of Queensland's total area. Some of the key characteristics of the catchment include:
• The catchment is positioned on two major fault lines (Yarrol and Connors-Auburn).
• The geological nature of Calliope catchment does not allow for the development of major inland wetlands (palustrine), although significant wetland developments occur in the coastal areas, near Curtis Island.
• Much of the catchment has been cleared for land use purposes (primarily grazing).
• The catchment includes the Port of Gladstone, which is Queensland's largest multi-commodity port and is located within one of Australia's best natural deep-water harbours.
• The Calliope catchment also includes several smaller sub-catchments in the northern regions, where water flows from high elevated areas to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, near Curtis Island.

Information about the different types of wetlands shown in this mapping is provided here.

Hard geologies cover most of the catchment, which have low permeability and provide for fast surface water runoff, particularly where the landforms are steep. Much of the water runs off to the Calliope River, creating a near permanent habitat for aquatic species in the catchment. As a result, aquatic biodiversity in the Calliope River has been recognised as significant.

The Calliope River runs through several constrictions, formed due to the geological features. Constrictions affect water movement, especially at times of flooding where water backs-up, allowing for sediments to settle. There are several areas where alluvium has accumulated along the Calliope River, upstream of geological constrictions. The alluvium areas provide for some local groundwater recharge.

Main image. The Calliope River at Castlehope - provided by ©Queensland Government.

Conceptual models source: Groundwater dependent ecosystems, WetlandInfo 2014, Queensland Government, Queensland, viewed 27 February  2018 <https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/aquatic-ecosystems-natural/groundwater-dependent/>

Catchment Context

The Calliope catchment is located in Central Queensland and is part of the greater Fitzroy Basin Association Natural Resource Management (NRM) region. It falls within the Gladstone Regional and Banana Shire council areas.

• The Calliope catchment incorporates the following features:
• Declared Fish Habitat Areas (FHAs)
• Wetlands
• Protected areas

The catchment is surrounded by the Fitzroy, Dawson and Boyne rivers and Curtis Island sub-basins.

Vegetation

Historically, most of the catchment contained eucalyptus woodlands and open forests. There were also large areas of rainforests and scrubs, with areas of mangrove and saltmarsh in the coastal regions together with small areas of acacia-dominated woodlands. These different vegetation types combine to make up the pre-clearing vegetation of the Calliope catchment.

Much of the catchment has now been cleared for agricultural production, mining, industrial activities and urban development.

Explore the swipe map using the option below. Depending on your internet browser, you may experience issues. Please note this application takes time to load:

• Interactive swipe map where you can zoom into areas and use the swipe bar (ESRI version)
• Interactive swipe map where you can use the swipe bar. Use the white slide bar at the bottom of the map for a comparison (HTML version)

Vegetation affects how water flows through the catchment, and this process is influenced by land use and management practices. Vegetation slows water, retaining it longer in the landscape and recharging groundwater aquifers. It also reduces the erosion potential and the loss of soil from the catchment.

Main image. The Calliope River at Castlehope - provided by ©Queensland Government.

Catchment characteristics

The Calliope catchment contains many environmental, economic and social values.

The catchment includes several townships, including Calliope, parts of Gladstone and several small areas of rural residential.
Most of the catchment is used for grazing on native pastures, together with conservation and natural environments, forestry, cropping, horticulture, mining and other minor land uses.

There are a number of parks, reserves and protected areas in the Calliope catchment. There are also many recreational areas, including areas for camping, bushwalking and water based activities.

Values of the catchment—land use

There has been significant changes throughout the catchment since the arrival of the first European settlers. Much of the catchment has now been cleared for land use practices (primarily grazing). Currently, the land use of Calliope catchment includes the following:

• Production from relatively natural environments (grazing) – 87%
• Conservation and natural environments – 5%
• Production from dry-land agriculture and plantations – 0.5%
• Production from irrigated agriculture and plantations – 0.5%
• Rural and urban residential – 3%
• Water storages – 4%

The land use of Calliope catchment includes several areas of mining and quarrying including hard rock and gravel and sand Key Resource Areas (KRAs).

These different land uses make up the land use of the Calliope catchment.

Please note 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 to view Land-use profile.

Values of the catchment—environmental

The Calliope catchment includes three national parks – Dan Dan, Kroombit Tops and Rundle Range. The catchment also includes the Calliope Conservation Park, Rundle Range Resource Reserve and several state forests.

The geological nature of Calliope catchment does not allow for the development of major inland (palustrine) wetlands, although significant wetland developments occur in the coastal areas (estuarine), near Curtis Island. The wetlands and creeks of the catchment provide habitat for many aquatic species, including plants, fish, freshwater turtles, frogs and migratory birds. Estuarine areas also support important plants.

Main image. Water dragon of the catchment - provided by Capricornia Catchments Inc.

Values of the catchment—water supply

Historically Tondoon Creek Weir was the main source of water supply, currently Awoonga High Dam (located to the south-east of the Calliope) is the main source of water supply for the Gladstone region.

There are many bores across the catchment, particularly around the major towns and regions consisting of alluvial sediments. These bores extract water for livestock and domestic uses and can influence groundwater.

Natural features—geology and topography

Calliope is located between two fault lines – Yarrol and Connors-Auburn. The Yarrol fault line runs from Broad Sound to The Narrows. Yarrol consists mainly of a Late Devonian to Carboniferous forearc basin succession. The catchment mainly consists of volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks deposited on a marine shelf that was shallower to the west and became progressively more emergent with time.

There are floodplains made up of alluvial sediments. Arenite-rudite, mafites and metamorphics in the very top of the catchment with sand ridges along the coast line.

Overall, the Calliope catchment is dominated by hard geologies with low permeability, generating a fast run-off system, which support the Calliope River.

These different rock types combine to make up the geology of the Calliope catchment.

Conceptual diagrams are provided to deliver a better understanding of geological interactions with water flow and the surrounding environment.

Conceptual models source: Groundwater dependent ecosystems, WetlandInfo 2014, Queensland Government, Queensland, viewed 27 February  2018,

Natural features—rainfall

The Calliope catchment experiences good rainfall (more than 1,000 millimetres per year) along its steeper sections. The remainder of the catchment experiences average rainfall (less than 1,000 millimetres per year).

These different rainfall levels combine to make up the rainfall of the Calliope catchment.

Modified features—vegetation clearing

Historically, most of the catchment contained eucalyptus woodlands and open forests. There were also large areas of rainforests and scrubs, with mangrove and saltmarsh in the coastal regions together with small areas of acacia-dominated woodlands. These different vegetation types combine to make up the pre-clearing vegetation of the Calliope catchment.

Farming and residential development have resulted in some clearing of original vegetation. However, some areas of vegetation have regrown since initial clearing.

Explore the swipe map using the option below. Depending on your internet browser, you may experience issues. Please note this application takes time to load.

• Interactive swipe app where you can zoom into areas and use the swipe bar (ESRI version)
• Interactive swipe app where you can use the swipe bar. Use the white slide bar at the bottom of the map for a comparison (HTML version)

Vegetation affects how water flows through the catchment, and this process is influenced by land use and management practices. Vegetation slows water, retaining it longer in the landscape and recharging groundwater aquifers. It also reduces the erosion potential and the loss of soil from the catchment.

These developments and activities change the shape of the landscape and can modify water flow patterns.

Main image. Riparian vegetation along the Calliope River at Castlehope - provided by ©Queensland Government.

*Depending on your internet browser, you may experience issues with one or the other. Please note this application takes time to load.

Conceptual models source: Groundwater dependent ecosystems, WetlandInfo 2014, Queensland Government, Queensland, viewed 27 February  2018,

Modified features—infrastructure

Buildings and important infrastructure such as roads, railways and creek crossings create impermeable surfaces and barriers that redirect water through single points or culverts, leading to channelling of water. This increases the rate of flow and the potential for erosion.

Modifications to channels, such as straightening and diversions, can also increase flow rates.

Main image. Old Calliope River bridge - provided by Capricornia Catchments Inc.

Conceptual models source: Groundwater dependent ecosystems, WetlandInfo 2014, Queensland Government, Queensland, viewed 27 February  2018,

Modified features—dams and weirs

Dams and weirs also modify the natural water flow patterns, by holding water. The catchment includes the Tondoon Creek Weir and numerous rural water storages (farm dams), which also modify water flows.

Awoonga High Dam (located to the south-east of Calliope) is currently the main source of water supply to the Gladstone region.

Main image. Rock ramp fishway - provided by Fitzroy Basin Association Inc.

Modified features—sediment

Increases 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.

The suspended sediment of most risk to the reef is the fine fraction. This is the component that contains most of the nitrogen and phosphorus content (and other contaminants), that travels widely in flood plumes rather than being deposited near the river mouth. This plume is very effective at reducing light when in suspension.

Furthermore, the impacts of suspended sediment contribute to the cumulative impacts of other stressors (e.g. freshwater flood plumes, elevated nutrients, impacts from cyclones, increasing sea surface temperatures) to increase the overall impact on organisms of the reef.

Please see links to the Fitzroy Basin Association's Water Quality Improvement Plan in the references section at the end of this map journal.

Main image. The Calliope River at Castlehope - provided by ©Queensland Government

Water quality

Water quality is influenced by runoff and point source inputs such as sewage treatment plants, septic tank seepage and stormwater discharge. Most of the catchment uses septic tanks, however there are Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at Gladstone, Yarwun and Calliope.

An annual report card is used to measures progress towards Reef Plan’s goals and targets. Please find links to the reports in the references section at the end of this map journal.

Main image. Bridge over the Calliope River - provided by  ©Queensland Government.

Neighbourhood catchments

A 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.*

The catchments in the Fitzroy Basin Association NRM area are made up of smaller areas, called sub-catchments or neighbourhood catchments.

The Calliope catchment includes several large and small sub-catchments. Features of each sub-catchment are different, and therefore water will flow differently in each one.

The Calliope is listed as a single catchment but consists of several distinct areas which require specific mention:

1. Upper Calliope (B8 and B9)
2. Mid Calliope (B3 and B10)
3. Lower Calliope (B4, B6, B7 and B11)
4. Smaller coastal sub-catchments (B1)

*Definition sourced from the City of Gold Coast website (see links at the end of this map journal).

Upper Calliope

B8: Calliope River, Alma Creek, Harper Creek, Paddock Creek, Alarm Creek

• Rainfall 799 to 1,001 millimetres per year. The sub-catchment experiences high rainfall with fast-flowing streams. The system is driven by periodic high rainfall events.
• The geology consists of granites to the south of the Calliope River with miscellaneous unconsolidated sediments along the ridges. Alluvium in the main river and creek lines. Alma Creek metamorphics; Arenite-rudite. Mixed sedimentary rocks and metamorphics headwaters of Calliope.
• Upper is semi-confined, mid around Boundary Creek is confined and unconfined in the floodplain near Dawson Highway. Meandering creeks along floodplains with small wetlands on the bends.
• Low transmissivity and little infiltration in mudrock. Fast run off and little infiltration.
• Land use is predominately grazing and is cleared, with small vegetated areas along the riparian and on the hill slopes. Eucalypt forest, dry scrub and some rainforest patches.
• Three gas pipelines under Alma Creek.
• Fire regime has changed from natural to managed, which influences vegetation community composition.
• Some groundwater fed wetlands at the confluence of Harper Creek and the Calliope River.
• Hill slope erosion is the dominant erosion process here (WQIP).

Main image. Downstream of the Mount Alma crossing - provided by Capricornia Catchments Inc.

Upper Calliope

B9: Budjerie Creek, Oaky Creek, Boundary Creek

• Rainfall 799 to 1,001 millimetres per year. Highest in Maxwelton State Forest and Kroombit Tops National Park. The country is very hilly and experiences high rainfall with fast flowing streams.
• Geology is mixed volcanic and sedimentary rocks ‘Three Moon Conglomerate’ in upper areas. Sand, gravel, colluvial floodout sheets upper areas of Budjerie Creek and surrounds. Metamorphics through very top of the catchment Budjerie Creek. Granites and alluvium through lower areas and some arenite-mudrock through eastern side.
• Some sand build up in the Calliope River. Erosive soils and cattle tracks have caused gully erosion and hill slope erosion due to low ground cover.
• The sub-catchment is dominated by grazing on small, lifestyle blocks. It is heavily timbered on lighter soils.
• National parks working closely with graziers and landowners for fire regime. Planning goes into the national park regions for fire regimes.
• Some wetland development at the edge of the alluvium being held in place by surrounding geology. Wetland development in Branch Creek. Associated with areas where there are finer sediment upstream of the granites.
• Large waterhole that is used recreationally for years at the confluence of the Calliope River and Catfish Creek.
• The Calliope River is unconfined in the alluvium, then confined by the geologies near the sharp turn (dog leg) at the Catfish Creek confluence. Permanent waterholes.
• Budjerie, Oaky and  Toms creeks are steep, flashy, slopes, minimal alluvium. Little infiltration. Confined higher up and then unconfined in the alluvial areas.
• Minimal riparian development in the upper and mid reaches. There is some riparian in the floodplain in the lower undulating areas outside granites.
• Sheep Station Creek is similar to creeks above, but the water backs up at the bridge crossing in flood times.

Mid Calliope

B3: Calliope River, Branch Creek, Scrub Creek, Larcom Creek, Gravel Creek

• Generally experiences high rainfall from 801 to 1,001 millimetres per year.
• The geology consists of carbonate outcrops in upper areas (Limestone) in west; Mount Alma Formation arenite-mudrock and alluvium/colluvium in upper Larcom Creek. Characterised by alluvial box flats.
• Gum top box on the colluvium (saline soils). More open forest then in the alluvium. Clearing of gum top box leads to erosion in these areas.
• East End Limestone Mine cuts into the complex groundwater system at the limestone mine, drawing down groundwater to access limestone.
• Fine-grained sediment, poor soils, not much infiltration, water runs off to form alluvial areas, transmissivity low. Minimal groundwater recharge through the alluvium.
• There is some grazing in this area, mostly on small, lifestyle blocks, though there are a small number of larger grazing enterprises. There is some State Development Area land and mining in the catchment.
• Yarwun alumina refinery. Alumina is refined from bauxite using a chemical process (Bayer Process), the by-product (red mud or bauxite residue) is stored and a fine white powder (Alumina) is created. Seawater is pumped into the dam to neutralise the bauxite. Hot water is released back into The Narrows.
• Construction site and aluminium smelter above the red mud dam. There is a constructed wetland here to catch sediment and act as a treatment system.
• As well as the leveed dam on Larcom Creek for the Rio Tinto site – there are also pipelines and railways in the area.
• Top of Mt Larcom is a very high diversity area with three species unique to this spot. Scrub rainforest communities with rare and threatened species and significant shrubs.
• Weeds and pest species in some areas; hymenachne, para grass, cats claw.

Main image. Blackgate Road crossing of the Calliope River - provided by Capricornia Catchments Inc.

Mid Calliope

B10: Calliope River, Double Creek and Neill Creek

• Rainfall is between 801 and 1,001 millimetres per year. It is a relatively high rainfall area.
• The geology is the Mount Alma formation sandstone and silt-stone to the west side of valley, and alluvium in creeks and valley floodplain to River. Rockhampton Group sedimentary rocks on eastern side of valley. Granite outcrops.
• Fast, flashy and incised in the head waters, confined systems. Waterholes in Double Creek and some large sand banks in the Calliope on the bends. Neill Creek has come patches where sand is built up as well.
• Some licenced bores and dams, stock watering from the creeks, mainly groundwater or overland flow.
• Dominated by grazing on small, lifestyle blocks and horse paddocks. It is heavily timbered with some scrub country but mostly lighter soils. Dan Dan National Park and Dan Dan State Forest.
• Castle Hope Gauging station on the Calliope River.
• This sub-catchment delivers the most sediment from stream bank erosion of all the Boyne and Calliope catchments (WQIP).
• Sand extraction from the Calliope River at the quarry.
• Naturally not a large amount of riparian vegetation, some riparian up in the headwaters of Neill Creek. Well vegetated at Double Creek. Below Dan Dan National Park, there is some clearing through the area and an abundance of scrub (dry rainforest). Dan Dan is mostly scrub, semi-evergreen, dry rainforest.
• Vegetation growing instream, on the sand bars.
• Lots of weeds in Neill Creek.

Lower Calliope

B4: Gravel Creek, Oaky Creek

• Rainfall is relatively high in some areas, between 901 and 1,001 millimetres per year.
• The geology consists mainly of sedimentary rock, alluvium in the floodplains of creeks, mixed sedimentary rocks and mafites around the floodplain of the Calliope River. Some arenite-mudrock and granites.
• Gravel Creek has incised headwaters, small, not too steep, some alluvial sediments further down the system. Small amounts of riparian  in the headwaters, but progressively less further downstream into the sub-catchment. Erosional areas in the grazing country. State forest is well- vegetated.
• Oaky Creek has little headwaters, moves quickly into the alluvium.
• The Calliope River is a constrained river. Devils Elbow is a very high velocity point.
• There is a mixture of large scale landholders and smaller, lifestyle blocks.
• Hillslope and stream bank erosion is the dominant erosion process. Some actively eroding gullies in riparian areas.

Lower Calliope

B11: Calliope River, Leixlip Creek, Calligooran Creek

• Rainfall average appropriately 901 millimetres per year.
• Alluvium through the middle, arenite-mudrock in the west, elevated areas on the sedimentary in the west, fault line of mafites. Rockhampton Group sedimentary on west side of creek. Calliope beds, consisting of mixed sedimentary and mafites on east side of creek. Alluvium in the main river and creek lines. Small areas of carbonates (Limestone) and ultramafic rock.
• Natural constriction (narrow) could explain the natural rock bar and alluviual development to the south.
• The Calliope River has permanent waterholes. Floods 17.7 metres at maximum. Shallow water table.
• It is dominated by grazing on small, lifestyle blocks with some horticulture. Golf club in floodplain.
• Town water is sourced from Awoonga High Dam. Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) next to golf course, there is also a natural rock bar barrier.
• Limited riparian vegetation throughout. Hill slope and stream bank erosion and actively eroding gullies in the riparian areas.
• Tidal limit is up to the township of Calliope.

Lower Calliope

B6: Ginger Beer Creek, Clyde Creek

• Rainfall is relatively high in some areas, between 901 and 1,001 millimetres per year, but has some very dry areas as well.
• Geology consists mainly of arenite–mudrock, alluvium following creek lines, mixed sedimentary rocks and mafites to the south-west.
• There is a mixture of large scale landholders and smaller, lifestyle blocks. It is mainly open forest rural. Ginger Beer Creek has lifestyle bocks, grazing, peri-urban. After confluence of the Clyde it turns into more urban. Acreage sites.
• Some actively eroding gullies in riparian areas. Little riparian in most of the creeks, but has good rainforest on hills. Calliope main channel has limited riparian and mangroves along the small creeks.
• Wetland development in the lower areas of the sub-catchment, near Beecher.
• Sub-catchment provides for flood detention.
• Lots of weeds in this sub-catchment.

Lower Calliope

B7: Tondoon Creek, Police Creek, Kin Kora Creek, Auckland Creek, Briffney Creek, Carthurbie Creek

• Rainfall between 899 and 1,001 millimetres per year.
• Geology mainly includes arenite–mudrock, miscellaneous unconsolidated sediments in the estuaries and alluvium in the river/creek beds. Small sections of colluvium.
• Mouth of the Calliope River used to break through at Wiggins Island. Headwaters of the creeks start in fast flashy headwaters and there are lots of first order streams.
• Includes Gladstone urban centre and state development area.
• Lake Callemondah Causeway creates an artificial wetland. Backs up water to the botanic gardens causeway. A rock ramp fishway has been constructed, to provide fish access to the wetland. Water is also recirculated for use in the botanic gardens. Ornamental Creek in this region.
• Historically, Tondoon Creek Weir was the main source of water supply for the Gladstone region.
• Power station with water flowing in and flowing out. Hot water plume at mouth of the Calliope River.
• Highly modified system, much of the sub-catchment is classified as urban areas.
• Little riparian in the headwaters, riparian further down is not very wide.
• Capped landfill and operational landfill near Callemondah Lake.

Smaller coastal sub-catchments

B1: Calliope River, Manduran Creek, Black Swan, Teninge Creek, Boat Creek, Spring Creek, Sandy Creek

• Range of different creeks with own sub-catchment, flowing from west to east.
• Highly modified and steep, run off to the east.
• Rainfall is relatively high, between 901 and 1,001 millimetres per year up in the ranges and on the coast it is 801 millimetres per year.
• Geology consists of colluvium through northern parts of B3 and B1, erodible, higher salinity, dries out, slip risk in this region. Residual soils throughout and behind the estuarine areas close to the coast in B1.
• Unique formation of unconsolidated sediments.
• Shale oil on the coastal areas (Teninge Creek).
• Western flanks, mafites, sedimentary, basalt, felsites, range of different peaks, intrusives that have come up through underlying sedimentary, range of different geologies, colluvium deposits to east from weathering of probably the basalts.
• Unconsolidated materials to the east, residual quaternary, great quantities of melaleuca, Eucalyptus tereticornis, swamp mahogany, not well drained enough for alluvium, wet country coming into mangrove systems, relic hills through the Islands, salt flats, sitting over swamp that became the oil shales, some salt flats removed as part of terminal development.
• Black Swan, Teninge, Mosquito and Scrubby creeks have high run off in the upper slopes, steep and wet. Infiltration into groundwater. Sheetflow, some of the red soils here are naturally acidic.
• Deposits of copper, arsenic and manganese, some natural and some mining.
• Spring Creek is permanent, not much in terms of headwaters before it reaches the alluvial area, flows from the hills quickly, agriculture through the alluvial areas, large deposits of oil shale, pocket of alluvial area. Groundwater fed.
• Sandy Creek has an old quarry, road, rail and farm tracks, compromised, heavily impacted through sandy creek, larger floodplain area then developed rest of the way.
• Boat Creek has small landholder, quarry, upstream of road junction is water quality monitoring, permanent water in lower part of creek.
• Low transmissivity, aquifer, some groundwater infiltration and terrestrial Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDE).
• There is some grazing in this area and very little cropping. Most of this sub-catchment is State Development Area land.
• Landing Road is intercepting the watertable and re-directing the watertable. Disconnects the coast and estuarine areas. Overland flow is being altered by this modified landscape, roads and railway. Below Teningie Creek there are major modifications starting to occur.
• Tungsten mine (old) near the Calliope River. Red soils naturally acidic, runoff from them low pH.
• Sub-catchment is dominated with open forest. Vegetation includes Eucalyptus tereticornis and swamp mahogany with a melaleuca understory. Riparian is variable, some good patches in Black Swan, Teninge, Mosquito and Scrubby creeks.
• Boat Creek has weed issues, was quite diverse vegetation, dieback of freshwater vegetation which could be due to saltwater intrusion.
• Saltflats have been raised as ponds.
• Saltmarsh and estuarine wetlands at Black Swan, Teninge, Mosquito and Scrubby creeks.
• Boat Creek through the Yarwun areas, historically good vegetation and diversity. Revegetation work being done here.

Conclusion

The Calliope 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. Managing these issues minimises the impacts to the multitude of values within the catchment and downstream in the Great Barrier Reef. This provides sustainable residential areas, water supply, 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. The Calliope River - provided by Capricornia Catchments Inc.

Acknowledgments

Developed by the Queensland Wetlands Program in the Department of Environment and Science in partnership with:

Fitzroy Basin Association Inc.

Capricornia Catchments Inc.

Gladstone Ports Corporation

Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership

TropWATER

Gladstone Regional Council

This resource should be cited as: Walking the Landscape – Calliope Catchment Story v1.0 (2018), presentation, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland.
Images provided by: Fitzroy Basin Association Inc., Capricornia Catchments Inc. 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 www.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 extra information

Software Used ArcGIS for Desktop | ArcGIS Online | Story Map Journal| Story Map Series |
Some of the information used to put together this Map Journal can be viewed on the QLD Globe.  
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 used can be found here:

Source Data Table

Flooding Information

Rockhampton Regional Council

Banana Shire Council

Other References

Fitzroy Basin Association Inc. (2015) Water Quality Improvement Plan [webpage] Accessed 8 February 2018

Fitzroy Basin Association Inc. (2015) Sediment [webpage] Accessed 8 February 2018

Fitzroy Partnership for River Health (2015) Fitzroy Report Card [webpage] Accessed 15 October 2017.

Queensland Government (2016) Key Resource Areas in Queensland [webpage] Accessed 31 October 2016

Queensland Government (2016) Declared Fish Habitat Area Summary - Fitzroy River [webpage] Accessed 26 October 2017

Queensland Government (2017) Reef Report Card [webpage] Accessed 14 October 2017

City of Gold Coast (2021) About water catchments. [webpage] Accessed 25 August 2021

 

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2021) Calliope Catchment Story, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/processes-systems/water/catchment-stories/transcript-calliope.html