Stream Characteristics

Healthy streams

Healthy streams have the following characteristics

Channel complexity
Natural biodiversity

Terrestrial
Aquatic vertebrates
Macro-invertebrates

Riparian vegetation

Open – grassy
Forest

Water quality

Dissolved oxygen
Nutrient balance
Level of toxic substances

Continuity

Overview of Kedron Brook stream structure

Reach	Channel Structure	Riparian Vegetation	Water Flow	Limits to Water Quality
Upper catchment to Cedar Creek confluence	Original	Natural	Seasonal with pools	Minimal, recent urban development
Cedar Creek confluence to Webster Bridge	Mostly original	Partly natural, scattered riparian forest with grass areas.	Flows most of the time, pools during drought.	Urban runoff, industrial/roadway pollution (Sandy Creek)
Webster Bridge to Shaw Road	Channelised	Non native grasses and scattered trees.	Permanant	Urban runoff
Shaw Road to Toombul	Original	Non native grasses natural riparian forest areas	Permanent	Urban runoff
Toombul to Moreton Bay	Channelised	Mangroves that have established naturally	Tidal	Industrial roadway pollution

Water quality in Kedron Brook

The biodiversity of aquatic organisms declines with declining water quality. The quality of water in Kedron Brook is reported as being in fair condition. The lower water quality was recorded in the Ferny Grove reaches and improved as the stream flows through the Mitchelton reaches (BCC State of the Environment Report, 2001). There has only been limited systematic measurement of water quality along Kedron Brook.

The Australian Catholic University at Mitchelton includes a waterwatch component in their pre-service primary teacher course. Part of this unit involves testing at two sites along Kedron Brook for Benthic Macroinvertebrates and physical and chemical water tests. Studies showed water quality to be within acceptable limits but could be improved.

CI 08/07/2008

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