Rains put waterways at risk

Heavy rainfalls experienced last week could lead to higher algal levels in the region’s waterways and potentially threaten fish stock.

Department of Water’s Busselton district manager Kath Lynch said algal levels in certain waterways had already been unusually high after one of the driest winters on record in the south west.

“Run-offs from sudden summer rain events such as that being experienced at the moment will introduce further nutrients to poorly flushed rivers and estuaries,” she said.

“This increases the risk for algal blooms and associated low oxygen conditions, both of which pose a threat to aquatic organisms such as fish.”

The department is currently undertaking fortnightly water quality monitoring in the Geographe catchment.

“Water quality varies between the three locations and ranges from relatively good in some of the Geographe waterways to considerably poor in areas such as the Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands,” Dr Lynch said.