EDWARD-WAKOOL AERATORS A Community Initiated Response to Fish Deaths A summary of voluntary actions taken by local individuals supported by government agencies February 2017 Version Author Date Reviewed by 1.0 Dan Hutton February 2017 Roger Knight (WMLIG) 1.1 Dan Hutton February 2017 Roger Knight (WMLIG) Acknowledgement The Western Murray Land Improvement Group would like to acknowledge all those who contributed to this initiative. In particular Tim Betts, Stephen Coates, Robert Glenn and David Woodland for huge involvement and their openness; Sean & Helen Collins together with Narrandera Fisheries for the loan of the aerators. Roger Knight for his dedication, commitment and hard work in coordinating this venture; Linda Duffy (CEWO) for her support and Jamie Hearn (MLLS) for his continued support of the local community. Figure 1: Paddlewheel aerator in operation at Edward Park on the Edward River (photo Luke Pearce). Front cover – Local protest on the approach to Moulamein Township (photo anonymous). 2 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1 Contents Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................................ 2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 4 2016 Flooding Event ............................................................................................................................. 5 Community Response ........................................................................................................................... 6 Aerators Site Locations and Installation................................................................................................ 8 Aerator & Site details .......................................................................................................................... 10 Tueloga ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Cartwheel Bend .............................................................................................................................. 13 Edward Park .................................................................................................................................... 14 Moulamein...................................................................................................................................... 15 Birdswood ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Media Coverage .................................................................................................................................. 17 Costs, Expenses, Funding & Reimbursement ...................................................................................... 18 Incidental Observations, Experiences and Suggestions ...................................................................... 18 Observations ................................................................................................................................... 18 Experiences ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Suggestions ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................... 20 Comments and Quotes ....................................................................................................................... 21 Appendix 1 - ABC Rural News ............................................................................................................. 22 Appendix 2 – MLLS Facebook.............................................................................................................. 26 Appendix 3 – Koondrook & Barham Bridge Article #1 ........................................................................ 27 Appendix 3 – Koondrook & Barham Bridge Article #2 ........................................................................ 28 3 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1 Introduction The fish deaths attributed to the hypoxic Blackwater that closely followed the 2016 flood event, understandably sparked a passionate response from the Edward-Wakool community. At the time much appeared in the press although unfortunately and as is too often the case, some tended to be emotive, inaccurate sensationalism and not representative of community opinions and feeling. This report focuses on one immediate, proactive response initiated by a small group of committed locals and their contribution to temporarily install borrowed and homemade aerators in an attempt to create small, fish refuges by temporarily raising the level of dissolved oxygen. By documenting their collective endeavours, observations, experiences and suggestions they hope to improve the knowledge and understanding of the impacts fish deaths have on rural communities as well as what practical actions might be taken in the future to counter the impacts of hypoxia. Background The Edward and Wakool Rivers are two of the major components of the Edward-Wakool System, an elaborate matrix of rivers, creeks and channels that flow west of the Cadell Fault which runs on a north south axis from Deniliquin to Echuca, through to Kyalite and the confluence of the Murray and Wakool Rivers. In addition, the numerous rivers, creeks and flood runners the area is crisscrossed by a labyrinth of irrigation channels (see figure 2 below). Figure 2: This maps shows the extent and complexity of the Edward Wakool system In 2010 in response to local concerns of the adverse impact of the millennial drought on local native fish populations the Murray Catchment Management Authority (MCMA) initiated the Fish and Flows 4 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1 project. This project focused on monitoring and regenerating native fish populations through building collaborative partnerships between interested parties. This was well supported by a variety of local interest groups including the Edward-Wakool Anglers Association, the Wakool River Association, the Colligen-Niemur Action Group, the Barham Angling Club and the Deniliquin RSL Angling Club. The program also proved particularly beneficial in contributing to native fish monitoring and population regeneration following the 2010/11 hypoxic Blackwater event. Through the Fish and Flows project and subsequent Long-term Intervention Monitoring project (LTIM) coordinated by the MLLS, many locals have become actively involved and more knowledgeable of native fish as well as the broader operation and management of the Edward Wakool system, in particular the delivery of environmental flows. These important projects have not only increased public awareness, knowledge and involvement but also galvanised a sense of community responsibility and ownership of the river systems health and through that, community wellbeing. 2016 Flooding Event Following a reasonably wet 2016 autumn rain fall increased and upstream storages quickly began filling through July and August. By mid-September flows throughout the Edward-Wakool system were steadily rising and correspondingly dissolved oxygen levels were falling. The graph in Figure 3 shows the flows of the Edward River (mega litres per day) and corresponding dissolved oxygen levels (milligrams per litre) recorded at Deniliquin. They have been extracted from the NSW Government Department of Primary Industries Office of Water website (http://realtimedata.water.nsw.gov.au/water.stm) from August 1st to November 21st 2016. Edward River - Deniliquin - Flows & Dissolved Oxygen Levels Flows (ML/d) DO (mg/L) 90000 12 80000 10 70000 60000 8 Flow (ML/d) DO (mg/l) 50000 6 40000 30000 4 20000 2 10000 0 0 Figure 3: Flows and dissolved oxygen levels recorded in the Edward River at Deniliquin (sourced NSW DPI website) 5 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1 Through the winter of 2016 the quality of water entering and within the Edward-Wakool system was being regularly recorded and closely monitored by a variety of government agency staff and others. By the end of September dissolved oxygen levels had fallen sufficiently to cause widespread concerns. In response the MLLS who had been collating and dispersing water quality results, convened a meeting of the Murray Dissolved Oxygen Group (MDOG) to discuss concerning dissolved oxygen levels and possible mitigation options. MDOG which includes community representation was specifically formed for this purpose after the impacts of the 2010/11 hypoxic Blackwater event. The outcomes of MDOG efforts are not recorded in this document however; it is understood that MDOG’s primary focus was on providing fish refuges by delivering environmental flows directly into the Edward-Wakool system through utilising irrigation channel escapes. Community Response The installation of aerators by landholders across the Edward-Wakool system was initiated by Tim Betts who had experimented with homebuilt, improvised aerators during the 2010/11 hypoxic event. Living right on the water’s edge and witnessing the devastation of the 2010/11 event had a profound impact on Tim and his wife Adele as it did too many others who care deeply about preserving the environment in which they value living. It is important to appreciate the extent of the impact suffered by so many who observed first-hand the fish deaths in 2010/11 as it was one of the instrumental motivators behind this year’s initiative. Another was the perceived inability of government agencies to initiate effective mitigation measures. The entrenched views government agencies and landholders hold of one another, unfortunately remains a major obstacle in environmental management and appear pivotal in the landholder’s decision to act largely autonomously in this situation. Landholders are exceedingly self-reliant and well accustomed to resolving issues themselves; many saw the 2016 hypoxic event this way and acted accordingly. All those involved with the 2016 aerators initiative freely described the beneficial effects they experienced in their wellbeing from actively “doing something to help”. Many believe installing the aerators to be worthy exercise for that reason alone. Figure 4: Dead fish photographed on the Wakool River above the Barbers Ck junction 31st October 2016 (photo Luke Pearce). 6 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1 As the 2016 hypoxic event spread through the Edward-Wakool system and reports of fish deaths, in particular large cod, increased and landholder’s anxiety justifiably grew with fears of a repeat of the 2010/11 hypoxic event. Memories of thousands of dead fish of all sizes resurfaced; in some places they had covered the river from bank to bank. Many landholders spoke of feeling obligated by their conscience to “not stand by and do nothing” - they felt compelled to act. Roger Knight played a critical role in fielding community reports of fish deaths and communicating concerns to local government agency staff and seeking their support. He also played a vital role in sourcing and coordinating the installation of the aerators. The list of those who contributed and volunteered is long and many offers were not taken up due to the limits in available time, resources and logistical support. The full list of volunteers and their contributions appear in Table 1. Many of those involved in this year’s initiative suggested a post-event forum would be beneficial to share experiences and discuss long-term development and expansion of a landholder aerator initiative in preparation for future hypoxic Black-water events. Table 1: List of those who contributed and volunteered their services Name Contribution Tim & Adele Betts (Landholders) Project instigator, provided site, installation & power Stephen Coats (Landholders) Provided site, aerator, installation & power Sean & Helen Collins (Landholders) Loaned aerators Robert & Alison Glen (Landholders) Provided site, aerator, installation & power David Woodland (Landholder) Provided site, aerator, installation, power & electrical skills Greg Lodge (Landholder) Provided information and offered onsite power (not utilised) John Lolicato (Landholder) Information & offered site & power (not utilised) David, Darryl & Drew McDonald Information support (Landholders) Andrew Bowring (Kyalite Pistachios) Offered site & power (not utilised) Daniel Monk (Landholder) Provided information Luke Pearce & others Narrandera Fisheries Provided aerator, technical support & advice Linda Duffy (CEWO) Lobbied & petitioned for government support Jamie Hearne (Murray LLS) Provided funding, contacts & advice Roger Knight (Barham Angling Club/WMLIG) Key coordination, setup & logistical support Moulamein Lake Committee Onsite power and photos Kevin Bigmore & China Gibson (Moulamein Information, support & supervision assistance Lake pump station) Peter Clarke (Landholder) Set up assistance Troy Bright (Edward Wakool Angling Provided information &project communication e.g. ABC radio Association) Jason Mathers (Electrician) Offered aerators electrical assistance (not utilised) Many Tourists Set up assistance Ken Barnes (Kyalite Hotel) Knowledge, information on potential Kyalite sites Boyd’s Pumping & Supplies (Barham) Provided fitting & parts Andrew Ash (Hunter Marine/Swan Hill) Provided electrical assistance & information Colville Engineering (Barham) Offered pumps & assistance (not utilised) Dan Hutton (NRM Consultant) Assisted with coordination and provided report 7 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1 Aerators Site Locations and Installation A total of seven aerators were installed in late October early November at seven sites, three sites where on the Edward River and two sites on the Wakool River (see location map Figure 3). The units were installed at:  Tueloga - Wakool River - Tim & Adele Betts (three units)  Cartwheel Bend - Wakool River - Steven Coates (single unit)  Edward Park – Edward River - Robert & Alison Glenn (single unit)  Moulamein Bridge – Edward River – David Woodland (single unit)  Birdswood – Edward River – David Woodland (single unit) Figure 5: Map indicating the location of the five sites the seven aerators were installed. The location that the aerators were installed was heavily restricted by the necessity for access to an electrical power source; consequently sites were adjacent to homes and property buildings. This was advantageous for observations and maintenance of the units however; this resulted in the units being located in deeper sections of the main channel with stronger currents. Those involved suggested that having the capability to deploy the units in more suitable sites away from the main channels such as eddying pools, might improve the effectiveness of the aerators. Due to their intimate knowledge of their properties, all the landholders were able to suggest more suitable sites to install the aerators if a remote power source were available. 8 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1 The loaned paddlewheel units came with the added complication of being driven by 3 phase electric motors which unfortunately further restricted suitable installation sites. This issue was overcome by local electrician David Woodlands volunteering his time and skills to source, purchase and install a variable speed drive to one unit, enabling single phase, 240V power to be utilised. The variable speed drives costing $200.00 each, are just one example of how the voluntary involvement of such local expertise was vital to the initiative. Figure 6: The variable speed drives used on the paddlewheel aerators to convert single phase electricity to 3 phase (photo Dan Hutton). Other practical issues overcome by those involved included;  Aerators were loaned as follows o Narrandera Fisheries – 2 paddlewheel units o Sean & Helen Collins – 2 paddlewheel units o Time Betts – 2 home built units (1 using Roger’s compressor) o Roger Knight – 1 air compressor unit (utilised by Tim) o Steven Coats – 1 domestic pump unit  Transporting the aerators to installation sites was undertaken by a number of volunteers  Electrical connection, cables, vary speed drives and fittings where donated  Pipe fittings and other material were donated and borrowed  Electricity costs were estimated at $100 a quarter and willingly paid by the landholders  Five $200 fuel cards were provided by MLLS to reimburse volunteers out-of-pocket expenses  Four $100 fuel cards were donated by the WMLIG to reimburse volunteers out-of-pocket expenses 9 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1 Aerator & Site details Tueloga Owner: Mr Tim Betts River System: Wakool River Aerators Description Date installed Supplier Unit 1 Pump spray system from 2010/11 - 3 phase 25th Oct Tim Betts domestic pump Unit 2 Gate aerator - compressed air - 12V battery car 28th Oct Roger Knight compressor - changed to 240V compressor via extension cable Unit 3 4 wheel paddle wheel aerator - 3 phase -1.1kw 1st Nov Sean & Helen Collins motor Figure 7: Map indicating the location of the Tueloga units on the Wakool River. 10 Edward-Wakool River Aerators: February 2017 V1.1