THE Tuross River turned muddy last Tuesday, with locals reporting it looking like coffee.
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Cadgee resident Kathy Bingham was first to noticed the turbidity and raised her concerns with council and the Narooma News.
She reported that the muddy plume was first seen going through Tin Pot, then Cadgee, and was moving downstream to Comerang.
Tony Hollis at Eurobodalla Quarries immediately checked his containment dams and said, “It’s certainly not from our quarry; our system comes off swamp creek. Our system is clean-as; there are no pollutants coming from our catchment.”
While a flush of rain can naturally raise turbidity levels, the muddiness seen in this event indicates there was also some significant soil disturbance, such as a river bank collapsing
The plume consists of soil particles being carried in the water, giving the muddy appearance.
The Eurobodalla Shire Council sought to determine the possible cause, by inspecting river banks and properties within the area, but did not identify the source.
They have determined that no further action is required. Council has also consulted the Environment Protection Authority on the matter.
On Friday Kathy Bingham said that at Cadgee the turbidity had started clearing up, and was almost back to normal. However the Shire Council officers saw it in the Tyrone Bridge area.