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Russell River Rapids - QLD159

Level of importance: National - Directory

Location:

17 degrees 27' 26" S, 145 degrees 49' 22" E; the site extends along the Russell River for c. 10 km in a general east-west direction and is 250-350 m wide, with its centre 150 km south of Cairns. It falls within the Mulgrave-Russell catchment (Queensland Department of Primary Industries 1993).

Biogeographic region: Wet Tropics

Shire: Cairns City and Eacham.

Area: 235 ha.

Elevation: 60-300 m ASL.

Other listed wetlands in same aggregation:

None.

Wetland type: B1, B14, B9, B4

Criteria for inclusion: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,

Site description:

Physical features: Landform: escarpment/mountains; alcoves, stream banks, channel benches, gullies, stream bed and stream channels. General geology: the majority of the site consists of metamorphosed Middle Paleozoic marine sediments (Hodgkinson Metamorphics). A small flow of Pliocene to Recent olivine basalt (Atherton Volcanics) crosses the site at its western extremity. The Lower Permian to Carboniferous granite mass that comprises Mt. Bartle Frere (Mareeba Granite) touches the site on the northeastern boundary (de Keyser 1964). Soils: the main soils are

mesotrophic yellow dermosols. There are also some mesotrophic kandosols. Climate: mean annual rainfall at Babinda (17 21" 002 S, 145 55" 002 E) is 4174 mm; driest quarter mean rainfall is 326 mm.

Hydrological features: The Russell River is one of four major river systems that drain the Atherton Tablelands. Its headwaters and floodplain have been largely cleared for agriculture. However its middle section, which is where the site lies, remains essentially intact. Water quality throughout the catchment is fairly good, however there are some problems with turbidity, sedimentation and high nutrient loads. These problems affect the site to some extent because it receives runoff from the Atherton Tableland. Streams entering the site from the north are draining Mt. Bartle Frere (the highest mountain in Queensland). Those entering from the south drain the Francis Range. Both areas are essentially pristine and the water quality in these streams is high.

Ecological features: Wetlands consist of series of boulder strewn rapids punctuated by still pools (most commonly on bends), point bars (most commonly gravel or shingle) and a few bouldery mid channel islands. Boulder and undercut caves are common, particularly in the west of the site. There are a few small alluvial flats that are regularly inundated and clothed with complex rainforest. Parts of many steep rock faces are kept perpetually wet by seepage. These support plant communities ranging from algal films through to relatively complex communities consisting of orchids, ferns, mosses, lichens and woody shrubs. Complex mesophyll/notophyll rainforest surrounds the site. Vegetation up to the level of annual floods consists of ruderal opportunists (including agricultural weeds such as para grass (Urochloa mutica) and blue billygoat weed (Ageratum houstonianum) and the escaped ornamental Tristemma mauritianum) and large flood damaged trees (mostly golden penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus)). Aquatic vegetation is very limited, macrophytes are generally absent and most communities are sparse and dominated by filamentous algae.

Significance: The Russell River Gorge forms the core of the highly significant wilderness area that extends south along the Bellenden Ker Range to Downey Creek.

Notable flora: Species recorded on or near the site include Baileyoxylon lanceolatum, Argyrodenron peralatum, Carnarvonia araliifolia, Acmena graveolens, Davidsonia pruriens, Musgravea stenostachya, Polyalthia michaelii, Castanospermum australe, Gmelina fasciculiflora, G. dalrympleana, Elaeocarpus stellaris (Sr), E. angustifolia, Endiandra palmerstonii, Beilschmiedia bancroftii and Geissois biagiana. Understorey species include: Dipteris conjugata (Sr), Calanthe triplicata, Cordyline cannifolia, Melodinus australis, Haplostichanthus sp. and Garcinia gibbsiae.

Notable fauna: The white-rumped swiftlet (Aerodramus spodiopygia) (Sr) nests in boulder caves and undercuts along the river (Godwin, M. pers. comm.). The site forms part of an important habitat area for the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) (Nv, Sv).

Other Fauna:

Social and Cultural values: Jiyer Cave, a large undercut cave on the river bank, is a highly significant Aboriginal occupation site, providing evidence of a rainforest based culture stretching back at least 6000 years. It is the only recorded and excavated rock shelter in the area (Horsfall 1987).

Land tenure: Wooroonoonan National Park.

Current land use: Conservation.

Disturbance or threat:Past/present: Sediments, nutrients and possibly other pollutants reach the site from its cleared headwaters.

Potential: None known.

Conservation measures taken:The whole site is within Wooroonoonan National Park and is protected under the World Heritage Properties Act 1984.

Management authority and jurisdiction:Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

References:de Keyser, F. (1964); Horsfall, N. (1987); Queensland Department of Primary Industries. (1993). See Queensland Reference List

Compiler & date:Perry, T.W., 1995. Edited Miller, G.J. and Worland, J.L., 2004.

Drainage:  

AWRC Division: NORTH-EAST COASTAWRC Region: BARRONAWRC Basin: MULGRAVE-RUSSELL RIVERSCatchment: Russell RiverSub-catchment: