Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program    2009 Report Card Results    Catchment Results    Northern Catchments   Maroochy River Catchment and Estuary

Download Pdf of Map (1.05MB) Catchment Facts Total area: 630km2 Stream network length: 438km Local Councils: Sunshine Coast Regional Council Dominant land uses: Predominantly agriculture and urban land uses with some native bush Most of the catchment has been cleared for agricultural and urban uses Cooloolabin and Wappa dams impound streams above the South Maroochy River Freshwater results C Maroochy Catchment    Streams in fair condition. Minor improvements in the Physical/Chemical, Ecosystem Processes, Aquatic Macroinvertebrates and Fish indicators. Declines in Nutrient Cycling with autumn 2009 scores substantially lower than last year. Estuarine results C Maroochy Estuary    Decrease in dissolved oxygen and increases in turbidity, nutrient levels and phytoplankton abundance, particularly in the mid reaches of the estuary. Small increase in biological health rating with lower sewage nitrogen signal detected and conservative nutrient mixing plots. Salinity throughout estuary lowest since 2001, indicative of high freshwater inputs. Other Maroochy Catchment links:   Local Councils Community/Catchment Groups Community Education Centres   Sunshine Coast Regional Council    Sunshine Coast Environment Council    Bilai Environmental Education Centre   Maroochy Catchment Centre     For more information on the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program Report Card, please log on to: http://www.health-e-waterways.org/reportcard