The Barwon Estuary - an Example of the Estuarine Management Situation in Victoria

2006·1.9 MB·English

by  Sadiqul Awal

Contributions
The Barwon estuary - an example ofthe
estuarine management situation in Victoria
Sadiqul Awal
16BackousWay,NoblePark,Victoria3174
Email:[email protected]
Abstract
TheimportanceofAustralianestuariesiswell established. However, the managementoftheseestu-
ariesisnotreceivingappropriateattention. Thispaperexaminesthe managementsituationofestuar-
ies in Australia through a catchment level assessment ofthe Barwon estuary. The study finds that
there arepotential gapsbetweentherelevantmanagementagencies. Thestudy identifiesthe reasons
for these gaps. The study also reveals that there are many opportunities through which estuaries
could be managed very' effectively. The study finally suggests the effective management approach
forestuaries inAustralia.. (The VictorianNaturalist123(2),2006,84-00)
Introduction
This paper examines the management sit- planning and management ofestuaries in
uation of Australian estuaries through a Australia has not been coordinated or inte-
micro-level assessmentofthe Barwon estu- grated (Harty 2000) and sometimes is
ary. Estuaries in Australia are extremely ignored(NLWRA2000a).
important in terms ofsocial, economic and This paperexaminesthe management sit-
environmental values. They are widely uation of small estuaries in Australia,
exploited for numerous diverse purposes through a catchment level assessment of
(NLWRA 2000a), and thereby suffermany the Barwon estuary in Victoria. The
negative effects (Boxshall 2001). Barwon estuary was chosen forthe follow-
Nonetheless, effective management of ingreasons:
Australian estuaries isstill missing. •the region supports a large agricultural
Australia has over 1000 estuaries, and industry in itscatchments(Loone 1996);
most Australians live in towns and cities •the estuary has significant national and
situated on or near estuaries (NLWRA international importance(Roberts 1993);
2000a). Many studies (e.g. Hancock 1995; •both coastal management programs and
Hutching and Saengcr 1987; Saengcr catchment management programs are in
1991) have emphasised the significance of place intheregion; and
Australian estuaries to commercial and •the estuarine environment is being
recreational fishing. Australia’s recreation- degraded (Corangamite CALP Board
al fishing industry is worth over $2.9 bil- 1997; Oliver2000).
lion each year and at least 60% occurs
(NLWRA Barwon Estuary System
within estuaries 2000b).
The Barwon estuary complex exhibits
Production ofprawns from the northern
prawn fishery was worth over $107m in physical, chemical and biological charac-
1999/2000(ABARE 2001). teristics representative ofother Australian
Australian estuaries and their associated estuaries (Sherwood et al. 1988). In their
morphological units are the foundation of study, Sherwood et al (1988) divided the
someofthemost biologicallyrichandpro- whole estuary complex into four spatial
ductive environments in the coastal zone components(Fig. 1):
(Butcherand Saenger 1994). The dominant •Upper Barwon;
•Reedy Lake;
ecological habitats found in Australian
•Lake Connewarre; and
estuaries are salt marshes, mangroves, sea-
grass meadows, sandflats and mudflats •Lower Barwon.
(Morrisey 1995; Adam 1995; Poiner and The catchment of the Upper Barwon
River and tributaries is located in the
Peterken 1995).
Despite the importance ofestuaries and north-eastern section ofthe Otway Range
thus the need forcareful management, past in south-western Victoria. The Upper
84 The Victorian Naturalist
Contributions
Fig. 1.TheBarwonEstuarysystem
Barwon component of the complex is a Degradation of waterways in the region
river channel approximately 50 m wide, 3 due to catchmentactivities
to 4 m deep and about 10 km long The Catchment Condition Report
(Sherwoodetal. 1988). (Corangamite CALP Board 1997) identi-
Reedy Lake isthe largest freshwaterwet- fied 22 different degradation issues in the
landin central Victoria (Glynn 1997), with Corangamite region, many directly related
an approximate area of 12 knr and a mean to the estuary. The Corangamite CALP
depth of about 0.6 m (Sherwood et al. Board (1997) identifiedthe most important
1988). It is supplied with fresh water from management issue in the Barwon estuary
the Barwon River which has maintained as the excessive seasonal growth ofblue-
thelakeasmoreorlesspermanent. green algae. Trends at Queens Park, where
LakeConnewarre isa large(9.5 knr)shal- the Barwon enters Geelong City, indicate
low estuarine lagoon inthe lowerreaches of increasing levels of phosphorus in the
the Barwon River (Sherwood et al. 1988) water. High to very high nutrient levels
and is part ofthe Lake Connewarre State that pose threats to the viability of fish
Game Reserve. Lake Connewarrewas listed speciesand otherestuarine fauna also have
as an internationally significant wetland been recorded in the middle reaches ofthe
underthe RamsarConvention on December Barwon River (Corangamite CALP Board
1982 (Roberts 1993) and contains natural 1997). Corangamite Catchment Manage-
vegetation of significance to the region ment Authority(CCMA) (1998) statedthat
(Roberts 1993). significant progress in waterway manage-
The Lower Barwon is narrow, 3 to 4 m ment had been achieved in the
deep and about 10 km long (Sherwood el Corangamite region. Stream-side revegeta-
al. 1988). The organisms characteristic of tion, stormwater pollution reduction, ero-
this section ofthe complex are essentially sion control and enhancement ofwetland
estuarine forms that can tolerate a wide habitats and urban waterways were having
range ofsalinity. Mangrove and mud flats a beneficial effect on waterways.
occur along the Lower Barwon (Sherwood Nonetheless, the estuary itselfis not get-
etal. 1988). ting enough attention. As well as nutrient
Vol. 123 (2) 2006 85
Contributions
problems, other forms ofwater pollution, Program required under the SEPP and is
nearby industry and beach littering also included in the Regional Catchment
contributetoestuarine degradation(Adams Strategy. Similarly, the relationship with
2000; Oliver2000). the relevant water authority (Barwon
Water) is established through the develop-
Current management ofthe estuary and ment ofthe Regional Catchment Strategy.
its catchment The CCMA needs to ensure that the water
The management of the Barwon River authority is adequately consulted in the
Catchment falls under thejurisdiction of development ofthe Regional Catchment
the CCMA, which provides advice on the Strategy. The relationship with the
management of the land and water Department of Sustainability and
resources in the region. The Regional Environment (DSE) is developed through
Catchment Strategy (Corangamitc CALF the inclusion ofa representative on the
Board 1997) addresses issues relating to Authority. The Catchment Management
water quality, waterway management and Authority (CMA) has a broad rangeofnat-
river health. The Catchment Management ural resource management responsibilities;
Structures Working Party (1997) recom- however, in most cases they relate to a
mended that the Catchment Management strategic and coordinating role. Working
Authority be the principal body for catch- in partnership with other agencies, groups
ments within its region. Establishing close and organizations is, therefore, a key func-
partnership with otherorganizations within tion ofthe Authority. In this context the
the catchment is the main mechanism for CMA is to develop strategic directions for
developing relationships. For example, the land and water management in the region
relationship between Catchment and to develop and oversee appropriate
Management Authority and Environment work programs (DNRE 2000). DSP. also
Protection Authority is established through assists in the management ofthe catch-
the development ofthe State Environment ment, and is responsible for a number of
Protection Policy (SEPP). As stated by activities that impact on the health of the
Catchment Management Structures region. Otherprimary managementauthor-
Working Party (1997) the EPA in consul- ities in the area includethe following:
tation with the CCMA will developasetof •Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
environmental objectives under the SEPP - setting policy for waterway health,
policy, which will act as the minimum regulating point source pollution, carry-
environmental standards to be included ing out water quality monitoring pro-
within a Regional Catchment Strategy. The grams,licensingofdischarges;
CCMA is responsible forthe development •Barwon Water responsible for the man-
and implementation of the Attainment agement ofthe Barwon River, ensuring
Table 1.Non-governmentalorganizationsworkingintheBarwon Area.
NameofGroups Activities Grant Receivedfrom
LeighandDistrictLandcare Revegetationoftheriparian DSE
Group zonesofmanycreeks
Barrabool HillsLandcare Serratedtussockmanagement VictorianFarmers
Group (pestplant) Federation
Stonehaven/Fyansford Pestplant,pestanimal and TreeVictoria
LandcareGroup revegetation
FriendsofBuckleyFalls Revegetationwork DSE
VictorianFieldandGame Preserve,restore,develop,
Association maintainwaterbirds’ habitat
FriendsoftheBluff Workcloselywith Barwon Coastcare
CoastCommitteeManagement
Incorporation,theprimary
activitiesareweederadication,
revegetation,andoperationpf
anindigenousnursery.
The Victorian Naturalist
86
Contributions
adequate quantities of good quality context, Jackson (pers. comm. 2000) indi-
water are available to consumers and cated that there are many organisations
that wastewater is disposed ofin accor- working; however no one is doing work
dance with EPA license conditions fortheestuary. Oliver(2000), reportedthat
(BarwonWater 1994); the Barwon has always been neglected,
•Parks Victoria - responsible forthe man- therefore becoming more polluted day by
agement of Lake Connewarre State day.
Game Reserve; The above discussion reveals that,
•City of Greater Geelong - carries out despite many organisations working
environmental work with Barwon Water around the estuary, there is no single
and local schools to support the authority responsible for the management
Waterwatch program and the revegeta- ofthe estuary itself. There is no manage-
tion ofriparian zones on major streams mentplan fortheestuary. Atpresent, regu-
(CorangamiteCALP Board 1997); lations exist for water quality management
•The Barwon Coast Committee of but they are generally applied under the
Management Incorporation (BCCMI) different jurisdictions ofeach separate
is responsible for management ofthe management agency. This results in frag-
foreshorereserves; mentation ofresponsibilities and an un-
•Golden Plains Shire - actively supports coordinated approach. The emphasis on
local Landcare groups and projects, and reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels
theCorangamite Salinity Program. has directed attention away from other
In addition to these primary management important management issues, such as pro-
authorities there are a number ofcommu- tection ofestuarine shorelines, erosion,
nity-based volunteer groups and Non- estuarine beach littering and clearing of
Governmental Organisations involved in nativevegetation.
the environmental management of the
Barwon River and catchment (Table 1). It Scope for the better management ofthe
should be noted that there are two major estuary
Statewide environmental water quality Although the Barwonestuary itselfis not
monitoring programs in Victoria. These receiving enough management attention,
are: (1) the Victorian Water Quality there are ample opportunities through
Monitoring Network (VWQMN) managed which the Barwon could be managed very
by DSE. The VWQMN iscontractedoutto effectively. The establishment oftwo nat-
Water Ecoscience Pty. Ltd., with funding ural resource management programs in
provided by DSE, four regional water Victoria, that is, catchment and coastal
authorities and Melbourne Water; (2) a management, hasproducedameans ofbet-
network of fixed sites run and funded by ter management not only for the Barwon
the Environmental Protection Authority estuary, but also for other estuaries in the
(EPA). State.
VWQMN
The has three main compo- The relationship of Catchment
nents to monitor(Hunter 1993; Hunterand Management Authorities with the
Zampatti 1994; Hunter and Hedger 1995) Victorian Coastal Council
- rivers and streams, lakes and reservoirs, The Coastal Management Act 1995
and wetlands. The EPA Fixed Site makes provision for the preparation of a
Network monitored 20 rivers and streams Victorian Coastal Strategy and Coastal
in 1996 throughout the State, and five Action Plans and Management Plans for
(laVkeWsQiMnNthe Western District of Victoria coastal Crown Land. Estuaries fall under
1998). the definition of Coastal Crown Land
Surprisingly, none ofthe programs has underthe Actas:
responsibilities to monitor estuaries. In the CoastalCrown Landmeans-
words ofCALPC, DNRE and EPA (1996), la)any land reserved underthe Crown Land
'Estuaries are poorly represented in the (Reserves) Act 1978 for the protection of
statewide water quality programs; consid-
coastline;
eration needs to be given to developing an (b) any Crown Land within 200 metres of
estuarine component to VWQMN’. In this
Vol. 123 (2) 2006 87
Contributions
thehighwatermarkof- coastal authorities, as well as the many
i.thecoastalwatersofVictoria;or other State and Commonwealth govern-
ii.anyseawithinthelimitsofVictoria; ment bodies and private landowners. In
(c) the sea bed ofthe coastal waters of recent years, catchment management has
Victoria; undertaken initiatives in minimising nutri-
(d)theseabedofanyseawithinthelimitsof ent import from catchment activities, espe-
Victoria;and cially from agricultural activities, which
(e)anyCrown Landwhich isdeclaredbythe could improve estuarine as well as coastal
Governor-in-Council under sub-section (2) water quality and, ultimately, estuarine
to be coastal Crown Land - but does not environments. The establishment of the
include any land which the Governor-in- CCMA in 1997 hascoordinatedwaterways
Council declaresundersub-section(2)notto management across the region and
be coastal Crown Land for the purposes of achievedsignificant progress in waterways
thisAct. management (CCMA 1998). On the other
Therefore, coastal Crown Land includes hand, coastal management can protect
all the estuaries ofthe Victorian coast and estuaries from activities occurring within
these are subject to the provisions of the the coastal zone. The Victorian Coastal
Coastal Management Act 1995. In this Strategy (VCC 1997) stated thata program
context, not only the Barwon estuary but to improve the management and conserva-
all otherestuariescome underthe custody tion of estuaries, bays and river mouths
ofthe CoastalManagementAct 1995. will be establishedincluding:
On the other hand, the Catchment •establishing accountability and responsi-
Management Structures Working Party bility foron-groundmanagement;
(1997) has delineated the responsibilities •development of criteria for artificially
ofRegional Coastal Boards on coastal land openingrivermouthsand estuaries;
as 'Coastal Boards should focus their •establishingminimum criteria forecolog-
activities solely on the coastal fringe with ical management;
Catchment Management Authorities being •coordination with Catchment
the primary organization within the catch- ManagementAuthorities to reduce sedi-
ment/ In their statement the Catchment mentation and to improve water quality
Management Structures Working Party intoestuariesandrivermouths.
(1997) has indicated that 'there is some From the above statements it is obvious
potential for confusion over the role of that both catchment and coastal programs
Coastal Boards and Catchment have the vision for the improvement of
Management Authorities because the estuaries. Nonetheless, in effect, estuaries
boundaries of the Coastal Boards’ influ- still are notreceivingadequateattention, as
ence extend into the catchment.’ has been seen from the Barwon Riverestu-
Therefore, a formal mechanism for liaison ary. There are several reasons for this.
was required to establish the relation Firstly, the relevant agencies are not well
between Coastal Boards and Catchment coordinated because of confusion over
Management Authorities (CMAs). responsibilitiesandpower,especiallycoor-
However, no principal guideline for a dination between the Catchment
coordinating mechanism has been formed Management Authority and the Coastal
between them. Therefore, the link between Council, which are the two important
catchment and coastal programs is ill authorities with major responsibilities for
defined. the management oftheestuary.
Secondly, legislation for estuarine man-
Scope for effective management of the agement is not adequate. In its proposed
estuary through proper links between recommendations in the area ot coastal
the catchment and coastal management management, the Land Conservation
programs Council (LCC) Victoria emphasized the
Management of estuaries should be desirability ofcreating a focused body for
lainndkecdoaswtiatlhctowmopocnoenmtpso.neTnhtuss-thecamtacnhamgeen-t mmaernitnei,neVsitcuatroirnieaa(nLdCcCo,ast1a9l96a)r.eaTmhaenaLgCeC-
ment efforts would involve catchment and emphasized that the authority should be
The Victorian Naturalist
88
.
Contributions
established by legislation to overcome agencies have some responsibility for the
fragmentation ofresponsibilities and leg- management ofrivers and adjacent estuar-
islative deficiencies in marine, estuarine ine areas, there is confusion about which
and coastal area management in Victoria. body has ultimate authority and should
To date, the role oflegislation for estuary take responsibility for all management
management has been overlooked or inad- decisions and implementations. For effec-
equately appreciated. tive management ofthe estuary, both the
Thirdly, estuarine programs are inade- catchmentandcoastal components mustbe
quate. Therearemany catchmentprograms addressed. It is important that the catch-
such as waterquality monitoring programs ment program and coastal program work
in waterways and streams, re-vegetation togetherto secure sustainable management
programs, community education programs oftheestuary.
etc. However, no program has yet been
References
broughtto focuson theestuary itself. Adam P (1995) Saltmarsh. In State ofthe Marine
Finally, there is no management plan for Environment ReportforAustralia. TechnicalAnnex
the estuary. Indeed, this study could not l: The Marine Environment Eds l.P Zann and P
identify any particular agency responsible Kailola.pp.97-105.(GreatBarrierReefMarinePark
Authority.Queensland)
for the management ofthe estuary itself. Adams D (2000) Hye on historic valley’s future. The
Lack ofplans or guidelines give rise to Age,May 13,2000,p. 17.
Australian Bureau ofAgricultural and Resource
concern about the importance ofestuarine Economics (ABARE) (2001)Australian Fisheries
issues. Ineffect, estuary management plans Statistics 2001. (Australian Bureau ofAgricultural
reflect the agreed position ofall regulatory andResourceEconomics;Canberra)
Barwon Water (1994) The Barwon RiverSurvey-A
authorities and interested parties in relation LandcareandEnvironmentActionProgramProject.
to the future nature conservation, rehabili- (BarwonWater,Geelong,Victoria)
tation and development ofthe estuary. In Boxshall A (ed). (2001) Estuaries: where the catch-
ments meet coast. Envirolinx Futures Forum 2001.
the absence ofa management plan, neither May22,2001.(Envirolinx,Australia)
the catchment northe coastal programs are Bucher D and Saenger P (1994) A classification of
combining their efforts for the manage- tropicalandsubtropical Australianestuaries.Aquatic
Conservation21, 1-19.
mentoftheestuary. Catchment and Land Protection Council (CALCP),
Catchment management plans and DepartmentofNatural Resourcesand Environment
coastal action plans are appropriate means (DNRE)andEnvironmentProtection(EPA),Victoria
Australia(1996)TestingtheWaters. The1996review
to address management issues affecting ofVictorian waterquality monitoring. Technical
smaller estuaries in Victoria (ECC 2000). Discussionpaper.
Properly linked management ofestuaries Ca(t1c9h97m)enRtevMiaewnaogfeCmaetnchtmeSnttruMctaunraegsemWeonrtkiSntrgucPtaurrteys
should be captured within catchment and in Victoria. Report io the Minister forAgriculture
coastal management programs. To do this, and Resources and Minister forConservations and
LandManagement,Victoria.
a bridge is needed between catchment and Corangamite Catchment and Land Protection Board
coastal management programs. This study (1997) Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy.
argues that estuary management plans can (CorangamiteCatchmentandLandProtectionBoard,
Victoria)
setupthatbridgetoconnectthegap. CorangamiteCatchmentManagement.Authority(1998)
CorangamiteCatchmentManagementAnnualReport
Conclusion I997/9S. (Corangamite Catchment Management
The Barwon estuary providesan example Authority,Victoria)
Department ofNatural Resources and Environment
ofthe management situation ofestuaries in (DNRE).(2000)LandandWaterManagement.URL:
Victoria, especially for small estuaries. www.nre.vic.gov.au.Accessed12-12-2000.
Most ofthe environmental issues in the Environment Conservation Council (ECC) Victoria
(2000)Marine. CoastalandEstuarineInvestigation-
estuary have resulted from a wide variety FinalReport. (Environment Conservation Council,
of land and waterway uses and activities. Victoria)
hEaxbcietsastivleossn,utriinecnrtesasiendthsealeisntiutayriannedwoatthere,r GlpByaanrcnekdgMrfooru(Dn1ed9s9I7nP)feotRrermesastoAisuosrnocfceaiarMtReaseneaPdtgyye.lmLaetkdne..tRPelpaonrntipnrge--
problems are having a significant impact HancockDA(ed)(1995)Recreational Fishing:What’s
on the estuary. Catchment initiatives for tWhoerkCsahtocph?PAruosctereadliinagnsSoCcainebteyrrfao,r3F0i-s3h1BAiuogluosgty
reducing nutrient imports are being 1995. (Australian Soc,iety for Fish Biology,
improved. However, overall management Canberra)
ofthe estuary is lacking. As a number of HaPrrtoygrCam.(2D0ra0f0t)SoCuotahstWaelstaEnstduaMriaersiCnoeastPallaAncntiinogn
Vol. 123 (2) 2006 89
)
Contributions
Plan. Prepared forWesternCoastal Board, Victoria, Oliver K (2000) A river nowhere. The Geelong
HuAnustterraliKa. M (1993) Victorian Water Quality PoAidnveerrtIiRsaern,dMPaeyter24k,en20C00(.19p9.53).Seagrasses.InStateof
Monitoring Network: Annual Report 1993. (State the Marine Environment Reportfor Australia.
HuWnatteerrKLaMboarnadtorHyedogfeVricMtoMria()1995) Victorian Wafer LTePchZnaincnalaAndnnPexKaIi:loTlhaeppM.ar1i0n7e-1E1n7.vi(rGornemaetntB.arrEidesr
QualityMonitoringNetworkAnnualReport: 1994.A ReefMarineParkAuthority:Queensland)
report prepared for the Department ofConservation Roberts, B. (1993) The Cultural Heritage ofthe
and Natural Resources Industry StandardsGroup by Barwon River. A Study Commissioned by Barwon
WaterEcosciencePtyLtd. Water.(BarwonwaterAuthority:Geelong.Victoria)
Hunter KM and Zampatti BP(1994) Victorian Water Sacnger P (1991) Australian estuaries-ourmain pro-
Quality Monitoring NetworkAnnualReport 1994. ductionresource. In Proceedings, First Australian
HuSMttaacnthgeirWnoavgteesPr.(LaUannbdiovreaSrtsaoicrtynygoocffrVQiucPetoer(ni1sal9.a8Rn7ed)poPrrEtecsosN)ol.olgy12.of RPCieakncebr.eera(rtAaiu,sotn5r-aa7llSieaapnntdeRmebcSerpreo,artti1o98nf6ai,lsh.aipnnpdg1S6Cp1oo-r1nt6f7e.friesEhndicnGeg
LaM-nedSlpbCeoocunirsaenlrev)IantvieostnigCaotuinocnisl.(D1r9a9f6t)FMianralineReapnordtCo(aLsCtCa:l ShCaenordnwfoNeodedewratJtoEi,nonM:GiCtMacnhbe(el1lr9r8aB8I)XAMaSgtiuldtyonofC.lt,heWaBlasrhwoCnJ
LooneJ (1996) Barwon RiverandLakeColacSystem Estuary Complex. Technical Report to the
nutrientstudyresourcedocument: theoccurrenceoj DepartmentofWaterResources.Victoria.
AlgaIbloomandareviewofnutrientsintheBarwon Victoria Coastal Council (1997) Victoria Coastal
RiverandLake ColacSystem. (Water I-.eoScience; CouncilAnnualReport1996/97.Victoria,Australia.
Southern Rural Water Authority; Mt Waverley, Victorian Water Quality Monitoring Network
Victoria) (VWQMN). (1998) Victorian Water Quality
Morrisey D (1995) Saltmarshes. In Coastal Marine Monitoring Network Database. (Water EcoScience,
EMcGoloCghya>pomfaTnem(peedrs)a,teppAu2s0t5r-a2l2ia0,.A(JUniUvnedrseirtwyooofdNaenwd Melbourne)
SouthWalesPress:Sydney)
National Landand Water Resources Audit (NLWRA)
(2000a) Australia's NearPristineEstuaries: Assets Received10June2004;accepted17November2005
WorthProtecting.(NLWRA:Canberra)
National Land and Water Resources Audit (2000b)
AnnualReport 1999-2000. NationalLandandWater
ResourceAudit,Canberra.
One Hundred Years Ago
Atramp from Healesvilleto Buxton.
Botanical andOrnithological NotesforSeptember.
By A.D. Hardy, F.L.S. andMrs. Hardy.
...The walk from Healesville up the Blacks’ Spur demands at any time a fair amount
ofexertion, buton this occasion,with 2 inches of snow on the road at Healesville, the
conditions ofthe tramp at higher altitudes might be anticipated to present some diffi-
culty. Notwithstanding the advice of old residents, who declared the Spur to be
impassable on foot, we set out prepared for a rough time, cold feet, and a pedestrian
achievement ofsome novelty. That a member of our Club should be the first lady to
cross the Spur to Marysville with a reported foot depth ofsnow to walk through, and
therebyestablish arecord,wasatemptation irresistible.
...Atthe Maroondah or Watts Bridge,the formersite ofFernshaw, the snowdepth had
perceptibly increased, and we were soon convinced that botanical inquiry was for the
time almost impossible, as all butthe tall trees and larger shrubs were completely hid-
den. Further on small branches from the overhanging eucalypts littered the ground,
and here and there a great limb, unable to resist the increasing weight, had fallen and
grounded the telephone wire. Creaking and cracking branches overhead warned us to
get from under in time to avoid the impending danger, while from the more flexible
twigs there came frequent and sudden showers ofsnow, andoften heaviermasses that
fell without warning and drove one’s hat down over the ears in a way that was more
excitingthan pleasant.
From The VictorianNaturalist XXII, p. 164-165, February 8, 1906
,
The Victorian Naturalist
90