These structures have been installed and operated for a number of reasons: locks allow navigation on large rivers to facilitate boating traffic. In the past, this included commercial freight transport weirs create pool environments for diversion into irrigation channels, for pump intakes, recreational boating and swimming, and other aesthetic reasons dams store water for stock, domestic and irrigation supply, and for flood mitigation
Water flow can also be affected by structures, not in the waterway itself.
Most catchments have been cleared extensively for urban and / or rural development. During major rainfall or flood events this means there are increased volumes and velocities of water entering the waterways. In more urbanised areas, the increase of the land surface under hard surfaces can cause changes to natural flow patterns. For example, more water runs off faster from a car park than a playing field and less still runs off from a forest. Vegetation serves to slow the flow of water and increase its infiltration into soil and groundwater storages. This enables the water to flow more gradually into watercourses over a longer period of time. Without the vegetation, increased flow generally results in erosion and scouring of receiving watercourses.
The Bad and The Ugly: A Discussion in the local newspaper about factors affecting fish health in the estuary and the sightings of dead fish
Fish kill in Byron Bay
On the morning of Tuesday November 18 I was dismayed to see a large number of dead fish along the tide line of Main Beach. I am wondering if anyone knows what caused the fish kill.Not so long ago I saw the tide deposit a slimy green mat all along Belongil Beach, and I have heard a few people saying they have seen no dolphins for a while. Could it be that the Belongil estuary health has been compromised, and some serious and independent assessments need to be done before any go-ahead of any proposal which could increase toxicity and damage marine and human life?
Suzie Deyris, Byron Bay
Source: http://www.echo.net.au/2014/11/fish-kill-byron-bay/Fish kill causes
Fish kill causes refer to Suzie Deyris’s letter in Echonetdaily November 24 concerning ‘a slimy green mat all along Belongil Beach… and a large number of dead fish along the tide line of Main Beach on Tuesday November 18.’ This was well before the current storms that occurred in the Bay.
A constellation of factors presents itself in relation to this concern.
1. The current wetland sewerage system remains at Stage 1 in development (Stage 2 and Stage 3 were mooted many years ago). Information to hand indicates that this system is coping with the inflow of effluent but not the outflow. A recent published letter was submitted to The Echo advising of outflow waters leaching onto a nearby farming property. The extent of water necessitated the removal of cattle to higher land.
2. Two decades ago the Belongil waters were tested, revealing dangerous residues in the creek sands. In particular, cadmium was noted. In other words any heavy dumping of materials in this sensitive estuary will stir up these dangerous deposits.
3. Flannery’s development has been in progress for well over six months. Has Council monitored this development recently? In particular, the removal of waste materials?
4. Has Council completed a comprehensive report on the functioning of Stage 1 of the sewerage works?
Fish kills are very serious and their source needs to be investigated. In a metaphorical sense this is the oceanic ‘canary in the coalmine’ factor. Toxic waters can affect the brain and sight of living organisms (humans included). Gut viruses in the human brain destroy co-ordination.
Before the wrecking ball of proposed development ignites in Byron, in particular West Byron and Ewingsdale developments, the above issue remains of imperative public interest. Once again I ask will the pro-development Byron councillors submit to the Byron community the proposed treatment of sewage plan? Will this plan include Stage 2 and Stage 3 development? The community urgently requests this plan for it will no doubt specifically support inappropriate development, aided by lots of ‘pollyspeak’.
Two questions more in relation to this proposed infrastructure – Who pays? Who gains?
Jo Faith, Newtown