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Description

Report to the Water Corporation of Western Australia

This report describes the fishes and freshwater crayfishes of the Donnelly and Warren River catchments and provides a risk assessment to these fauna of the proposed extraction of water from Record Brook (tributary of the Donnelly River) and subsequent transfer to Scabby Gully Dam (Warren River catchment). The proposed location of the structure in Record Brook is at the gauging station ~1 km upstream from the confluence with the Donnelly River. The project aims to divert peak flows in the winter and spring flow period, transferring around 500 ML each year. The size and shape of the interception structure is yet to be determined, but are likely to incorporate a concrete weir < 5m high and a reservoir.

The risks of transfer of parasites and disease, feral/native fish or crayfish from Record Brook to Scabby Gully Dam are low. Threats to fish and freshwater crayfish in Record Brook include changes to water quality (altered flow, altered habitat and/or changes in temperature, oxygen, salinity) and requires ongoing monitoring should the project be implemented. The highest threat to fish and freshwater fish would be the barrier to fish movement by construction of the proposed dam. The construction of a fishway at the proposed dam would reduce some of the negative impacts to fish migration but would also require ongoing monitoring. No specially protected fish and/or crayfish species have been recorded in Record Brook. However, Record Brook acts as an important nursery area for the Pouched Lamprey and this species is listed as a Priority Species (Priority 1) by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

ISBN

1 1921258 46 2

ISSN

1446 - 5868

Publication Date

3-2009

Series Number

20

Publisher

Department of Fisheries Western Australia

City

Perth

Keywords

Aquatic fauna, Record Brook, Donnelly River, Warren River, Western Australia

Disciplines

Animal Sciences | Aquaculture and Fisheries | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Fresh Water Studies | Hydrology | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology | Water Resource Management

Comments

This project was funded by the Water Corporation of Western Australia.

Fisheries Research Contract Report No. 20 - Risk assessment of the Record Brook inter-basin water transfer scheme to the aquatic fauna of the Donnelly and Warren Rivers

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