Aquatic ecosystems of Barratta Creek: review of existing knowledge

[Extract] This report is an interim report to review and summarise previous reports and outline action to date on the development of a management plan for the Barratta Creek catchment. Since before the construction of the Burdekin Dam and the development of the Burdekin-Haughton Water Supply Scheme (BHWSS) previously known as the Burdekin River Irrigation Area (BRIA), Barratta Creek has been the subject of extensive investigations on habitat values and water quality. Barratta Creek is arguably the most important floodplain habitat within the Burdekin Dry Tropics. The catchment maintains some near pristine open water lagoons and has no artificial barriers to migration of aquatic species along its length. Riparian vegetation is intact and provides migratory paths for both terrestrial and aquatic fauna throughout the catchment