Transcript

Noosa Catchment Story

This map journal is part of a series prepared for the catchments of Queensland.

Understanding how water flows in the catchment

To effectively manage a catchment it is important to have a collective understanding of how the catchment works. This map journal summarises 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 the 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.

Please note that the use of the terms 'catchment' and 'basin' are sometimes used interchangeably. In this map journal the term 'catchment' has been used.

Main image. Northern shore of Lake Cootharaba, looking down the Noosa catchment - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

The Map Journal was prepared by the Queensland Wetlands Program in the Queensland Department of Environment and Science in collaboration with local partners.

How to view this Map Journal

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

Map Journal for the Noosa Catchment - water movement

This map journal describes the location, extent and values of the Noosa catchment (herein referred to as ‘the 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 they provide.

The Noosa River mouth, with Lake Weyba in the background (left) - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Noosa Catchment

The Noosa catchment has its headwaters in the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park. It has substantial groundwater input from a number of sources including large sand masses and undulating landscapes. The catchment is connected via groundwater through a continuous wetland system which extends up to Tin Can Bay.

The catchment covers approximately 854 square kilometres, with a stream network of approximately 1,505 kilometres* (click for animation).

The main tributaries of the Noosa River are Teewah, Kin Kin, Cooloothin and Ringtail creeks. The Noosa River flows through and/or receives water from the lakes of Como, Cooloola, Cootharaba, Cooroibah, Doonella and Weyba. Lake Weyba has several tributaries including Weyba, Eenie, Keyser, Horsman and Murdering creeks. The Noosa River flows into Laguna Bay and ultimately the Coral Sea.

The catchment also include smaller coastal waterways that flow directly to the sea, including Burgess, Marcus and Peregian creeks in the south, and Freshwater Creek and numerous unnamed waterways in the north.

The coastal catchments of the Great Sandy Strait are located to the north, the Mary catchment is located to the west and north, and the Maroochy catchment is located to the south.

The catchment falls mostly within the Noosa Shire Council area but is also included within the Gympie and Sunshine Coast regional council areas.

Main image. Recreational use of the Noosa River - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

*Based on Healthy Land and Water report card.

Values of the catchment

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

Most of the catchment is protected by conservation and natural areas, including large protected areas, nature refuges* and other recreational and cultural areas such as council reserves, together with the over-arching Noosa Biosphere Reserve.

The catchment has a population of approximately 37,000** and includes the centres of Noosa Heads, Noosaville, Tewantin, Kin Kin and Sunshine, Sunrise and Peregian beaches. There has been substantial development over time, particularly across the southern coastal areas. Away from the coast, there are large areas of grazing on native pastures** and other farming.

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.

*Protected areas of Queensland are those set aside for the conservation of natural and cultural values or for production of resources, including timber and quarry material. The mapped nature refuges are areas gazetted through a voluntary conservation agreement between the state government and private land owners.

**Based on Noosa Shire Council population in 2016.

***Grazing is mapped as ‘grazing on native pastures’ when there is greater than 50% of an area with a substantial native species component. If there is a limited extent of native species, the area is classified as ‘grazing on modified pastures (see links at the end of this map journal for further information regarding land use management classification).

Values of the catchment—economic

Urban development, residential living and tourism are strong drivers of the local economy.

The protected areas and waterways of the catchment are important to tourism and local communities.

There are areas of grazing (mostly on native pastures), together with horticulture, cropping and intensive animal production.

There are small areas of mining and quarrying scattered across the catchment, and two hard rock Key Resource Areas (KRAs).*

Main image. Cattle property on Wahpunga Creek and Wahpunga Range, Kin Kin - provided by Noosa and District Landcare.

*Hard rock, gravel and sand extraction shown is within KRAs (Key Resource Areas) only. KRAs are identified locations containing important extractive resources of state or regional significance worthy of protection for future use. Some KRAs include existing extractive operations (see link at end of map journal for more information).

Values of the catchment—environmental and social

The catchment contains a number of protected areas, with the largest being the Great Sandy, Tewantin and Noosa national parks. It also contains nature refuges, and other conservation and natural areas.

The freshwater waterways, lakes and wetlands of the catchment provide habitat for specialised animals such as fish, birds, turtles and platypus, and many are DIWA-Listed (Directory of Important Wetlands Australia). The six lakes of this catchment are particularly important features as natural lakes are rare in Queensland.

Estuarine areas support seagrass, intertidal flats, mangroves and saltmarsh ecosystems. These provide habitat for migratory birds, fisheries species (e.g. crustaceans and fish), turtles, dolphins and many other species. Many are DIWA-listed and included in the declared Noosa River Fish Habitat Area (FHA).

Protected and open space areas also provide recreational activities such as walking, bike riding and bird watching. These activities provide substantial social and health benefits and are also very important for tourism. The waterways of the catchment support swimming, fishing, motor boating, paddling and many other water-based activities. Information about the different types of wetlands shown in this mapping is provided here.

Main image. Green tree frog - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Values of the catchment—Noosa Biosphere Reserve

The Noosa catchment forms part of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve® which was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Program in 2007. There are over 550 biosphere reserves in 102 countries.*

'Biosphere Reserves are sites that:

demonstrate innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development

share their experience and ideas regionally, nationally and internationally within a world network of biosphere reserves, and

go beyond confined protected areas to where sustainable economic development is made possible through partnerships with its community.'*

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is the first in Queensland and covers approximately 150,000 hectares of freshwater, estuarine and terrestrial environments. The second biosphere reserve in Queensland is the adjoining Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve.

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve has a rich biodiversity, including:

more than 300 bird species (almost half of all Australia’s birds)

60 distinct ecosystems

approximately 1,300 plant species including Noosa’s floral symbol the Key’s Boronia (which is endemic to Cooloola)

a species-rich lakes and river system

unique landscapes with massive sand-blows, and

an ocean corridor important to mega marine fauna such as the 18,000 annual humpback whale migration.**

Main image. The Noosa River mouth, showing residential and natural parts of the catchment - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

*About Biospheres (Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd 2016) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information.

**Noosa Biosphere (Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd 2016) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information.

Natural features—geology and topography

The catchment is underlain by sand and other unconsolidated sediments, together with hard geologies and small outcrops of basalt. Most of the catchment is relatively flat with a change in elevation of only 80 metres from the Noosa River headwaters to mouth. The steepest areas are near Kin Kin in association with the Wahpunga Range where the ridge is 200 to 400 metres above sea level, and up to 440 metres above sea level.

The porous geologies (sand, alluvium, colluvium, other unconsolidated sediments and basalt) enable high amounts of water infiltration and recharge of groundwater, and the eastern parts of the catchment are groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs). The groundwater provides an important contribution to springs, creeks, wetlands and terrestrial vegetation year round. The Noosa River is one of the only freshwater systems in Queensland with flow all year round.

The harder geologies include sedimentary rock (arenites and mudrocks), intrusives (felsites, granitoids and dioritoids). These areas generally have low permeability and influence water flow and channel formation, with high surface water runoff. There are also small areas of ferricrete, which forms a thin layer with some cracking that allows for water infiltration.

The major geological groups of the catchment include the Kin Kin Beds, Tiaro Coal Measures, Myrtle Creek Sandstone and Woodum Granite, together with sand and other porous geologies.

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

Natural features—rainfall

Most of the catchment experiences very high average rainfall (1,501-2,000 millimetres per year), with the highest rainfall in central areas. Small areas in the north receive high average rainfall (1,001-1,500 millimetres per year).

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

Main image. Heavy rainfall along the Noosa River - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Natural features—vegetation

Vegetation affects how water flows through the catchment. The spatial extent and quality of vegetation are determined by natural factors, land use and management practices.

Vegetation slows water flow. This results in water being retained longer in the landscape, recharging groundwater aquifers, reducing erosion potential and resultant issues with water quality and sedimentation further downstream, and protects banks and shorelines.

Freshwater and estuarine wetlands slow the flow of floodwaters. They also provide habitat for a wide range of specialised flora and fauna.

Water lilies (exotic) and sedges of the catchment - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Historically, most of the catchment was covered by eucalyptus-dominated communities, rainforest and scrub, melaleuca woodland, other coastal communities including heath (wallum) and mangrove and saltmarsh.

These different vegetation types combine to make up the preclearing vegetation* of the Noosa catchment.

Main image. Vegetation along the Noosa National Park coastal track - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

*Broad Vegetation Groups derived from Regional Ecosystems. Regional Ecosystems are vegetation communities in a bioregion that are consistently associated with a particular combination of geology, landform and soil.

Modified features—vegetation clearing

Some of the original native vegetation has been cleared, however large areas remain including eucalyptus-dominated communities, other coastal communities including heath, melaleuca woodland and rainforest and scrub, together with mangrove and saltmarsh.

Most of the clearing has been in the south and west. Nearly all of the eucalyptus-dominated vegetation on floodplains, which dominated the Kin Kin floodplain, and the rainforest and scrub has been cleared. Much of the cleared native vegetation has however regrown* since initial clearing, including on the Kin Kin floodplain.

Explore the Swipe Map using either of the options below.**

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)

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

*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.

**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 infrastructure

Large areas of the catchment have been developed and there are many low permeability surfaces and barriers to aquatic species moving within waterways. The hardening of surfaces impacts flows in parts of the lower catchment, where there is more extensive urban development.

Modifications to channels, such as straightening, concrete lining, piping and filling in, can also increase flow rates.

Sand and gravel extraction can also substantially modify channel beds and flow. There is active erosion (evidenced by sediment slugs) along several waterways, including Kin Kin Creek.

Buildings and important infrastructure such as roads, tracks 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, which can increase erosion potential and affect fish passage by creating velocities that native fish cannot swim against.

Cooroibah, Wooroi, Eenie and Marcus creeks are particularly prone to channelisation, given they are multi-channel systems that are typically amalgamated into one central channel under a road to efficiently pass low to medium flows.*

Main image. Road crossing (Noosa Catchment Biopassage project) - provided by Noosa and District Landcare.

*Noosa Shire - Waterways Assessment 2017 (Noosa & District Landcare Inc., et al. 2017) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information.

Modified features—dams, weirs and rural water storages

Dams and weirs also modify the natural water flow patterns, by holding water.

The Noosa catchment is one of the only South East Queensland (SEQ) catchments without a large impoundment, however there are several smaller weirs and rural water storages. These storages influence how and when water flows through parts of the catchment.

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.

Modified features—water supply

Most urban areas of the catchment are supplied with water from SEQ's drinking water grid, via the Noosa Water Treatment Plant (WTP) located at Lake Macdonald. The Noosa WTP sources water from Lake Macdonald (Six Mile Dam) and the Mary River. Other parts of the catchment source water from bores and rain water tanks.

Excerpt showing the northern part of the SEQ Water Grid (Seqwater 2017) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information.

Modified features—sediment

Increases in the volume and speed of runoff can increase erosion on hillslopes and within stream channels, resulting in sediment being carried into the waterways and downstream.

Urban runoff has many impacts on waterways in coastal areas, particularly erosion and sedimentation. During rainfall events, sediment and other pollutants are transported from natural areas, disturbed areas (e.g. construction sites) and impervious urban surfaces, and carried into the stormwater and stream networks. Impervious areas and stormwater networks generate high-speed and high-volume stormwater flows with strong erosive power. Stream stabilisation works have been undertaken across developed parts of the catchment.

Kin Kin Creek is prone to erosion associated with fine-grained sandstone. Wahpunga Creek has particularly bad gully erosion in some areas.

There is erosion along parts of the Noosa River estuary due to boat wash and pedestrian use, and lower Lake Weyba in association with residential development.

Main image. Suspended sediment in Lake Cooroibah - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

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. Runoff is from a variety of land uses, including rural, residential, commercial and industrial areas.

The Noosa Coastal STP receives sewage from urban areas north of, and including, Peregian Beach. It discharges treated wastewater into the western branch of Burgess Creek and ultimately the Coral Sea.

There are also many rural areas and more densely populated rural-residential areas that use on-site sewage facilities.

In 2017*, Healthy Land and Water graded the overall Environmental Condition of the Noosa catchment as “excellent” (A-). Freshwater health has declined from excellent to fair, due to a drop in freshwater macroinvertebrate and fish community health. Pollutant loads increased from very low to low. Estuarine water quality remains excellent.

Excerpt from Healthy Land & Water report card (larger segment of pie chart indicates better score). See links at end of map journal for more information.

Main image. Weyba Creek - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

*Healthy Waterways Noosa Catchment Report Card (for current report see links at end of map journal).

Water Flow

Surface water runoff flows across the landscape into tributary streams, which flow into the Noosa River and the smaller coastal creeks and ultimately into the Coral Sea (click to see animation*). The Noosa River flows through a series of lakes and receives water from Lake Weyba.

The remaining water either infiltrates the ground, where it supports a variety of terrestrial ecosystems and GDEs or is used for other purposes.

The restricted channels and gullies eventually flatten out to form waterways that meander across the floodplain. They pass through alluvial areas that store and release water, prolonging the times that streams flow.

*This information is presented for broad indicative purposes based on land forms and it does not indicate where flooding may occur. For detailed flooding maps see local council flood mapping (links provided at the end of this map journal).

The subcatchments

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.*

Larger catchments are made up of smaller areas, sometimes called subcatchments.

The Noosa catchment consists of large and small subcatchments. The characteristics of each subcatchment are different, and therefore water will flow differently in each one.

The catchment includes the following subcatchments that flow into the Noosa River, together with Noosa Coastal Creeks:

Upper Noosa River

Como Creek

Cooloola Creek

Upper Kin Kin Creek

Lower Kin Kin Creek

Lake Cootharaba

Cooloothin Creek

Ringtail Creek

Noosa River Estuary, and

Lake Weyba

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

Upper Noosa River upstream of Teewah Creek confluence

The headwaters of the Noosa River are within the Great Sandy National Park, and receive high to very high rainfall over hard sedimentary rock and ferricrete. The headwaters of Teewah Creek are also within the Great Sandy National Park, and receive high to very high rainfall over sand and other unconsolidated sediments, together with sedimentary rock and ferricrete.

There are many surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs in this area.* The large sand mass provides for extensive groundwater recharge, and the other unconsolidated sediments also provide for groundwater recharge. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies

This area is nearly all national park, however there are very small areas of softwood plantation forestry and production native forests. The original vegetation is largely intact and includes eucalyptus-dominated communities, heath, melaleuca woodland, and rainforest and scrub.

This part of the Noosa catchment has substantial areas of wetland, and represents one of the most important freshwater wetland areas in South East Queensland (SEQ). There are large palustrine wetlands in the alluvium and ‘contains wetlands’** systems held-up in the undulations of a relatively flat landscape by hard underlying mudrock. The ‘contains wetlands’ areas may appear dry during extended periods of dry weather.

Water is extracted from the main channel at Coopers Corner by Gympie Regional Council, and pumped to Cooloola Cove and Tin Can Bay via a water treatment plant (inter-basin transfer).

The eastern waterways are tannin-stained and provide key habitat for protected species such as acid frogs, honey blue eye and Oxleyan pygmy perch.

*Terrestrial GDEs depend on underlying GDEs (e.g. the river gum Eucalyptus tereticornis), as opposed to surface expression GDEs which are wetlands.

**Areas mapped as ’contains wetlands’ typically include many small wetlands, which are too small to map individually.

Upper Noosa River downstream of Teewah Creek confluence

Nearly all of this area is within the Great Sandy National Park and receives very high rainfall over hard geologies, together with sand and other unconsolidated sediments.

There are many surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs in this area. The large sand masses providing for extensive groundwater recharge, and the other unconsolidated sediments also providing for recharge. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies.

The subcatchment is nearly all national park, however there are very small areas of production native forests and managed resource protection. The original vegetation is largely intact and includes eucalyptus-dominated communities and heath, together with melaleuca woodland, and rainforest and scrub.

This part of the Noosa catchment has substantial areas of wetland, and some are DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetlands). It represents one of the most important freshwater wetland areas in SEQ.

The channel is relatively wide through the Everglades downstream of Harry’s Hut, which may be related to flood overflow to Como and Cooloola lakes as the channel is relatively narrow downstream of the lakes (as the water flows into and is dissipated by the lakes).

The waterways are tannin-stained. The tidal influence extends upstream into this area with the limit defined by an exotic lily that cannot tolerate salinity (Fig Tree Lake).

Patterned fens have been recorded to the south-east of the Noosa River and Teewah Creek confluence. These fens are part of the Cooloola Patterned Fens, which are a distinct wetland that occurs in the Great Sandy Strait region from Wathumba (Fraser Island) to just north of Lake Cooloola. They are a GDE reliant on water from local perched aquifers overlying the regional aquifer.*

Patterned fens are rare geomorphic patterns of heath vegetation that typically form near the interface of estuarine and freshwater systems, when there is a sand mass behind the freshwater influence. The estuarine connection to the north could influence the distribution of patterned fens in the Noosa catchment.

The protected ground parrot is known from this subcatchment. They inhabit lowland dry and wet heathland, sedgeplain and sedgeland, with a seasonal shift in microhabitat use from dry heath (late autumn to early summer) to wet heath (summer).

*Determining groundwater dependence of the Cooloola Patterned Fens in south-eastern Queensland, and threats posed by groundwater extraction (McDougall et al. 2017) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information.

Como Creek

The headwaters of Como Creek receive very high rainfall over hard geologies. There are large areas of alluvium and sand on the lower-lying land, which provides for groundwater recharge and the lower lying parts are groundwater fed. There are surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs in the lower lying parts. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies.

Much of this subcatchment is used for forestry (production native and plantation) and grazing on native pastures, however large parts are protected within the Great Sandy National Park. Much of this subcatchment has been cleared however large areas of melaleuca woodland remain, together with eucalyptus-dominated communities, rainforest and scrub, and heath; and most of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing.

There are substantial areas of wetland, and some are DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetlands). Lake Como is also included within the declared Noosa River FHA.

Lake Como is shallow (0.5 metres) and alternates between fresh and estuarine based on rainfall, and is typically an estuarine system during dry weather. High flow events in the Noosa River overflow into Lake Como and then flow to Lake Cootharaba via overland flow.

There is a large rural water storage (Taranagu Station) and several smaller storages

The protected ground parrot is known from this subcatchment.

Cooloola Creek

Nearly all of the Cooloola Creek subcatchment is protected within the Great Sandy National Park. This subcatchment receives very high rainfall over mostly unconsolidated sediments, which provide for groundwater recharge and the system is groundwater fed. There are large surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs in this area.

Most of the original vegetation is intact and includes large areas of heath and eucalyptus-dominated communities, together with melaleuca woodland.

There are substantial areas of wetland, and most are DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetlands). This subcatchment supports all five wetland types in a largely undisturbed state. The lower reaches are also included within the declared Noosa River FHA.

Lake Cooloola is a lacustrine window lake; freshwater enters the lake through the alluvium and sand. This is an unusual window lake in that it is a freshwater system adjacent to the estuarine waters of the Noosa River and Lake Como.

Patterned fens have been recorded in the subcatchment.*

*Patterned fen mapping by Noosa and District Landcare.

Upper Kin Kin Creek

The headwaters of Kin Kin Creek receive very high rainfall over the hard geologies of Wahapunga Range (Kin Kin Beds), together with small basalt outcrops. This subcatchment has different geology to other parts of the catchment; it includes old metamorphosed sandstones and geological squeezes at higher elevations. There is alluvium along the channels, which provides for some local groundwater recharge and there are surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies.

Fungi, Wahpunga Creek - provided by Noosa and District Landcare.

Much of this subcatchment is used for grazing on native pastures and rural residential, together with irrigated perennial horticulture and grazing on irrigated pastures. This subcatchment includes the Wahpunga Range hard rock KRA and quarry. Small parts are protected within the Woondum National Park.

Most of this subcatchment is cleared, however areas of eucalyptus-dominated communities, and rainforest and scrub remain. Most of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. There are areas of wetland, mostly riverine wetlands.

Lower elevations are prone to flooding, due to fast flow and limited infiltration over hard geologies and steep topography. Floodwaters broke the banks of the main channel during the 2011 flood. Historically, cedar logging removed woody debris in the channel and this influences flow and flooding. Some upstream reaches have been cleared of debris to reduce flooding upstream, however this can increase flooding downstream. Historically, there was a levee along parts of Doctor Pages Road.

There is slumping and slips across the higher elevations, mostly on cleared slopes but also in vegetated areas and particularly under lantana where tree roots are limited. There is gully erosion along parts of Wahpunga Creek, with evulsions and large sediment plugs along the main channel. Sediment from Kin Kin Creek deposits in upper Lake Cootharaba.*

Fencing projects have been undertaken to exclude cattle from the main channel (Kin Kin township to Wahpunga Creek). There is a strategic management plan for extensive cat’s claw weed from the Kin Kin township to Wahpunga Park. Madeira weed and camphor laurel have also been recorded, and Singapore Daisy is the most common weed at crossings throughout the Noosa catchment.

Historically, gravel extraction has created deep holes that now support good fish communities to downstream of the Kin Kin township.

Drinking water for the Kin Kin township is supplied by rainwater tanks and bores. There are also many rural water storages. Septic tanks are used across this subcatchment, including pump outs.

*Noosa Shire - Waterways Assessment 2017 (Noosa & District Landcare Inc., et al. 2017) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information.

Lower Kin Kin Creek

The lower Kin Kin Creek subcatchment receives very high rainfall over hard geologies (Kin Kin Beds), together with alluvium and other unconsolidated sediments. The unconsolidated sediments provide for some local groundwater recharge and there are surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies. The eastern slopes of the Wahpunga Range are slumping* across upper Sandy Creek on the Kin Kin Beds.

Most of this subcatchment is used for grazing (on native and modified/irrigated pastures), together rural residential, forestry (production native and plantation), and irrigated perennial horticulture. Parts of this subcatchment are protected within the Dangerbridge Nature Refuge, and the Great Sandy and Tewantin national parks.

Much of this subcatchment is cleared, however large areas of melaleuca woodland, eucalyptus-dominated communities, heath, and rainforest and scrub remain; and much of the cleared vegetation has also regrown since initial clearing. This subcatchment includes large areas of wetland at lower elevations, and some are DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetlands). The lower reaches are included in the declared Noosa River FHA.

Water flows up Sandy and Scrubby creeks during high flow events (flooding) in Kin Kin Creek, however floodwaters fall fast over the extensive floodplain. There are many paleochannels. The Eulama/Kin Kin floodplain area was laser leveled for cane originally, but also for legumes and forage cropping.

There are many rural water storages, and Horseshoe Lake is an off-stream waterbody of Sandy Creek.

This subcatchment has good fish diversity and recovery, and provides good breeding habitat for mullet and bass. There are limited major barriers (Galway Lane culvert and weirs in the national park and on Elanda Plains Station), however most culverts are barriers at low flow events. Historic cedar logging removed the bar at the creek mouth.

Lower Kin Kin Creek - provided by Noosa and District Landcare.

This subcatchment supports the protected ground parrot and endangered REs grow on the floodplain near Galloways Landing.

Giant rat’s tail and groundsel grow in the lower parts.

Main image. Lower Kin Kin Creek - provided by Noosa and District Landcare.

*Noosa Shire - Waterways Assessment 2017 (Noosa & District Landcare Inc., et al. 2017) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information.

Eastern Lake Cootharaba

Lake Cootharaba and the eastern bank receives mostly very high rainfall over sand and other unconsolidated sediments. The unconsolidated sediments provide for groundwater recharge and the system is groundwater fed with large surface (areas) and terrestrial GDEs.

Nearly all of the areas is protected within the Great Sandy National Park and Una Corbould Nature Refuge. Nearly all of the original vegetation is intact, including large areas of heath, melaleuca woodland and eucalyptus-dominated communities, together with mangrove and saltmarsh. Most of the cleared vegetation has also regrown since initial clearing. Vegetation was was historically cleared for sand mining in the south-east.

There are substantial areas of wetland. Lake Cootharaba is DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetland) and part of the declared Noosa River FHA. The lake is a large estuarine system directly adjacent to a large freshwater system in association with the sand masses. The freshwater wetlands of this area are dominated by melaleucas and eucalypts, which is different to the upstream wetlands which are dominated by grasses and sedges.

The palustrine wetlands to the south of Teewah village are a freshwater system adjacent to the beach (which is unusual as there is typically estuarine wetland between freshwater wetlands and the ocean or beach).

The top third of the lake is influenced by Kin Kin creek. Fine sediments dominate southern parts of the lake and coarse sediments dominate northern parts, with winds moving the suspended fine sediments from the south to the north. There is a gravel ‘reef’ directly off Elanda Point.

Lake Cootharaba provides natural flood storage and buffers the downstream reaches of the Noosa River from flooding. During the major flood of 1992 (a one in two hundred year rainfall event), flooding of downstream reaches around Noosaville and Noosa Heads was greatly reduced due to flood storage of the upstream lakes (particularly Cootharaba, Cooroibah, Weyba and Doonella). During this event, sediment-laden water can be seen in the west and clearer tannin-stained water can be seen in the east.

The lake has two low tides per day; typically five hours of outgoing tide and seven hours of incoming tide. Tidal waters typically extend to Harry’s Hut, however salinity can vary and the upstream part can be relatively fresh following extensive rainfall. Substantial temperature variations within the lake can act as a barrier for fish movement. Seagrass (Zostera muelleri) grows in the south-east corner of the lake and there is a thin fringe of mangroves in parts.

Western Lake Cootharaba

The western bank of Lake Cootharaba receives very high rainfall over hard geologies, together with unconsolidated geologies. The unconsolidated sediments provide for groundwater recharge and the system is groundwater fed with surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs in parts. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies.

Southern parts of this area are used for rural residential, grazing on native pastures, irrigated perennial horticulture and plantation forestry. Some areas are also protected within the Great Sandy National Park and the Dangerfield and Penda Scrub nature refuges.

Large parts have been cleared however large areas of melaleuca woodland and eucalyptus-dominated communities remain, together with rainforest and scrub, mangrove and saltmarsh, and heath. Most of the cleared vegetation has also regrown since initial clearing. There are substantial areas of wetland across this area.

The Noosa Shire Council bore (Lake Flat Road) supplies water to some facilities in the area. Water is also sourced through private bores and there are many bores in the Boreen Point and Elanda Point areas. There are also many rural water storages, particularly in the sandstone near Boreen Point.

Four pump stations service most facilities in the area. All sewage is pumped to Council's covered storage tank on Louis Bazzo Drive, where it is then tankered to Cooroy STP in the adjacent Mary catchment. Parts of Boreen Point are also sewered to Cooroy STP. The privately-owned camping area has a small treatment wetland; other parts of this subcatchment use septic tanks.

Main image. Boreen Point on the western bank of Lake Cootharaba, looking downstream - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Cooloothin Creek

The headwaters of Cooloothin Creek receive very high rainfall over hard geologies. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies. There is alluvium and other unconsolidated sediments on the lower-lying land and slopes (colluvium), which provides for some local groundwater recharge. There are surface (areas and lines) GDEs, together with terrestrial GDEs such as large river gums (Eucalyptus tereticornis).

Much of this subcatchment is used for forestry (plantation and production native), together with grazing on native pastures, irrigated horticulture (tree nuts) and rural residential. Parts of this subcatchment are protected within the Tewantin National Park and Cooloothin Conservation Park.

Much of this subcatchment is cleared, however melaleuca woodland, eucalyptus-dominated communities, and rainforest and scrub remain, together with heath and mangrove and saltmarsh. Some of the cleared vegetation has also regrown since initial clearing.

There are large areas of wetland at lower elevations, and some are DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetlands). The lower reaches are included within the declared Noosa River FHA.

Ringtail Creek

The headwaters of Ringtail Creek receive very high rainfall over hard arenite (sandstones). There are large areas of alluvium and colluvium, which provide for groundwater recharge and there are surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs at the lower elevations. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies.

Much of this subcatchment is used for rural residential, grazing on native pastures and forestry (plantation and production native), together with horticulture, cropping, intensive animal production (aquaculture, horse studs) and mining. This subcatchment also includes the Ringtail Creek hard rock KRA. Large parts are protected within the Tewantin and Great Sandy national parks.

Much of this subcatchment is cleared, however eucalyptus-dominated communities, heath and melaleuca woodland remain, together with rainforest and scrub. Much of the cleared vegetation has also regrown since initial clearing.

There are large areas of wetland, and some are DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetlands). The headwaters support a Bangalow (picabeen) palm wetland complex (west of Lake Macdonald), which is a bedrock-controlled freshwater wetland system.

This subcatchment has many bores; substantially more than other parts of the Noosa catchment. There are also a several rural water storages, most of which are dug into the groundwater.

The urban Cooroibah township is sewered to Noosa Coastal STP, however most rural areas use septic tanks.

Groundsel has been recorded in this subcatchment.

Upper Noosa Estuary

The upper Noosa River Estuary (upstream of Tewantin) receives very high rainfall over unconsolidated sediments, together with hard arenite-mudrock. The unconsolidated sediments provide for groundwater recharge and there is substantial groundwater recharge and discharge in this area. There are many surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs in this area. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies.

Most of this area is protected by the Queensland Government or large nature refuges. Most of the original vegetation is intact, including melaleuca woodland, eucalyptus-dominated communities and heath, together with mangrove and saltmarsh, and rainforest and scrub. Some areas have been cleared for rural residential, services, mining and intensive animal production (aquaculture), however most of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing.

There are substantial areas of wetland, and most are DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetlands). Mangroves are more extensive than further upstream around Lake Cootharaba, however they are still relatively limited in extent. The main channel includes part of the declared Noosa River FHA. The upper estuary supports a commercial fishery (mullet).

Lake Cooroibah is shallow and most water movement is through the boating channel. There is erosion associated with boat wash and pedestrian use and it can be very turbid, however there are still some seagrass beds.

Most urban areas and the Lakeside Park village are sewered to Noosa Coastal STP and supplied with town water. Most rural areas use septic tanks, with water supplied by rainwater tanks and bores. There are also a few small rural water storage.

Main image. Lake Cooroibah, looking upstream to Lake Cootharaba - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Lower Noosa River Estuary

The lower Noosa River Estuary (downstream of and including Tewantin) receives very high rainfall over a mix of geologies. Large areas of unconsolidated sediments provide for groundwater recharge and the system is groundwater fed with surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs. Parts of Noosaville have been built on unconsolidated sediments and this has reduced recharge in this area. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies in the west.

Large parts of this area are protected within the Great Sandy and Tewantin national parks, however there are also areas of urban development (urban residential and services), together with grazing on native pastures, manufacturing and industrial uses and mining. There has been historic sand mining from First Cutting to Third Cutting.

Most of the south-eastern parts have been cleared, however large areas of melaleuca woodland and eucalyptus-dominated communities remain, together with heath, mangrove and saltmarsh, and rainforest and scrub. Some of the cleared vegetation has also regrown since initial clearing.

Weeding on the sand island near the river mouth - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

There are large areas of wetland, and many are DIWA-listed (Noosa River Wetlands). The system has little head (rise); the wetlands sit in the undulations of the hard geologies and may be prone to rising sea level due to the low frontal dunes. Residential lake systems (canals) have been constructed in some of the wetlands. Noosa Waters has a lock with water pumped from the river. The declared Noosa River FHA includes Doonella Lake and most of the main channel.

Fishing along the banks of the Noosa River - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Urban areas are sewered to the Noosa Coastal STP and supplied with town water. Most rural areas use septic tanks and small STP packages plants, together with bores and rainwater tanks. There is a weir on upper Cranks Creek, several levees and a few small rural water storages.

Main image. Boats on the lower Noosa River - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Southern Lake Weyba

Southern Lake Weyba (south of, and including, Weyba Downs) receives very high rainfall over unconsolidated sediments, together with hard geologies. The unconsolidated sediments provide for groundwater recharge and the system is groundwater fed with many surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies.

Much of this area has been cleared for rural and urban residential, together with grazing on native pastures and waste treatment and disposal (solid garbage and landfill). Large areas of heath and melaleuca woodland remain, together with eucalyptus-dominated communities; and much of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. Much of the vegetation is protected within the Noosa National Park.

The urban areas are sewered to the Noosa Coastal STP and supplied with town water. Most rural areas use septic tanks (mostly STP package plants with some pump out), together with private bores and rainwater tanks. There are also a few rural water storages.

This area includes substantial wetlands, and most are DIWA-listed (Lake Weyba, Coolum Creek and Lower Maroochy River).

Lake Weyba is a large shallow (up to approximately two metres) estuarine system, however tidal movement on the lake is not noticeable due to wind-induced surface waves and the rainfall-associated water level. The main inputs are several small creeks and the large sand mass to the east. The lake can flow into Doonan Creek (Maroochy catchment) at the low lying waste treatment facility during flood.

On the low-lying land to the south of the lake, water flows both to the north via Murdering Creek and its tributaries, and also to Stumers Creek (Maroochy catchment) in the south.

Seagrass grows throughout the lake, and it was historically fished for mullet and oysters (1970s). The lake is included within the declared Noosa River FHA.

Northern Lake Weyba

Northern Lake Weyba (north of Weyba Downs) receives very high rainfall over unconsolidated sediments, together with hard geologies and man made fill. The large areas of unconsolidated sediments provide for groundwater recharge and the system is groundwater fed with surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs in this area. Surface water runoff is high over the hard geologies.

Much of this area has been cleared for rural and urban residential, together with manufacturing and industrial uses. Areas of heath and melaleuca woodland remain, together with eucalyptus-dominated communities, rainforest and scrub, and mangrove and saltmarsh; and much of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing. Large parts of this areas are protected by the Queensland Government or within nature refuges, and there are good buffers between waterways and development.

This area includes substantial wetlands, and many are DIWA-listed (Lake Weyba). The lake and lower reaches are included within the declared Noosa River FHA. The area has high habitat and fish diversity, and there is an unusual RE with species new to science in the wallum heath upstream of the industrial estate. Sedges and wallum froglets occur in Keyser Creek and other waterways and wetlands in the area.

The urban areas are sewered to Noosa Coastal STP and supplied with town water. Most rural areas use septic tanks, together with private bores and rainwater tanks. There are also a few rural water storages.

There is some erosion on the banks of the lake near residential Noosa, and water quality issues have been recorded downstream of the industrial estate.

Northern Noosa Coastal Creeks

Most of the northern Noosa Coastal Creeks subcatchment (north of the Noosa River mouth) is within the Great Sandy National Park, and receives very high rainfall over a very old sand dune system. This is a groundwater fed system with the large sand mass providing for groundwater recharge and several surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs. it is a hydrologically complex system with several different aquifers.

This area includes large wetlands; mostly ‘contains wetlands’ systems held-up in the sand masses.

This area is nearly all national park, however it includes very small areas of urban residential (Teerwah village). Teerwah Village has many bores; more than most parts of the Noosa catchment.

The original vegetation is largely intact and includes eucalyptus-dominated communities, heath, and rainforest and scrub.

The water level in Lake Freshwater does not directly follow rainfall patterns (time-lagged) and appears to be groundwater fed by the (deeper) regional aquifer. It is a water-table window lake, although it appears to only partially intercept the regional aquifer when aquifer levels are high (given it has dried several times over the past 70 years).*

*Determining groundwater dependence of the Cooloola Patterned Fens in south-eastern Queensland, and threats posed by groundwater extraction (McDougall et al. 2017) and references contained within- see links at the end of this map journal for further information.

Southern Noosa Coastal Creeks

The southern Noosa Coastal Creeks subcatchment (south of the Noosa River mouth) receives very high rainfall over sand and other unconsolidated sediments, together with hard geologies. This is a groundwater fed system with large sand mass providing for groundwater recharge, and there are many surface (areas and lines) and terrestrial GDEs. Hard urban development is currently increasing runoff and reducing recharge in some areas. There are slips in some of the high sand dunes between Sunshine and Sunrise beaches.

Most of this area is protected by the Noosa National Park and Girraween Nature Refuge, however parts has been cleared for urban residential and services, together waste treatment and disposal. Large areas of eucalyptus-dominated communities, heath, rainforest and scrub, and melaleuca woodland remain, and some of the cleared vegetation has regrown since initial clearing.

There are large areas of wetland, and most are DIWA-listed (Lake Weyba). The wetlands are mostly ‘contains wetlands’ systems held-up in the sand masses and undulations in the hard geologies. These areas can appear dry during extended periods of dry weather.

The urban areas are sewered to Noosa Coastal STP and supplied with town water. Noosa Coastal STP discharges into the western branch of Burgess Creek. Burgess Creek exits onto northern Castaways Beach. The creek mouth is always open and flowing (permanent). Several flying fox colonies reside on the banks of Burgess Creek and lower Weyba Creek.

Main image. The Noosa National Park coastal track - provided by Noosa Shire Council.

Conclusion

The Noosa 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 many and significant natural and social values of the catchment are protected, while providing for residential, commercial 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.

Acknowledgements

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

Noosa Shire Council

Healthy Land and Water

Seqwater

Unitywater

Noosa and District Landcare

Noosa Integrated Catchment Association

Noosa Parks Association

Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation

Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation

Peregian Beach Community Association

Friends of Lake Weyba

Country Noosa

Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee

This resource should be cited as: Walking the Landscape – Noosa Catchment Map Journal v1.0 (2018), presentation, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland.

Images provided by: Noosa Shire Council, Noosa and District Landcare

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 sources, 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 used can be found here:

Source Data Table

Other References

Flooding Information

Noosa Shire Council

Sunshine Coast Regional Council

Other References

Bureau of Meterology (2016) Climate Data Online [webpage] Accessed 22 November 2017.

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.

Healthy Land and Water (2017) Noosa 2017 Report Card. [webpage] Accessed 22 November 2017.

McDougall A., Marshall S., and Espinoza T., (2017) Determining groundwater dependence of the Cooloola Patterned Fens in south-eastern Queensland, and threats posed by groundwater extraction. Marine and Freshwater Research, 68, 2336–2343.

Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd (2016) About Biospheres [webpage] Accessed 12 December 2017.

Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation Ltd (2016) Noosa Biosphere [webpage] Accessed 12 December 2017.

Noosa & District Landcare Inc., Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committe and Healthy Land and Water (2017) Noosa Shire - Waterways Assessment 2017. Noosa & District Landcare Inc., Pomona, Queensland.

Queensland Government (2016) Key Resource Areas in Queensland [webpage] Accessed 25 October 2017.

Seqwater (2017) SEQ Water Grid [webpage] Accessed 12 December 2017.

---

Last updated: 25 August 2021