Ducie River

Conservation and cultural values

With an average annual rainfall upwards of 1500mm across the catchment – most of which falls in the short wet season – the Ducie regularly pulses as a wild torrent, replenishing vast wetlands and carrying vital fresh water and nutrients to the marine environment.

The large Darwin Stringy-bark woodlands through which the main channels of the Ducie weave are among the healthiest on Cape York, while the fig tree dominated vine forests close to the shores hugging the river provide vital wildlife corridors. The nationally rare Nypa Palm is also found in dense cluters along the Ducie

The Ducie River supports extensive tidal mangrove forests. At high tide in these highly productive water, juvenile fish, prawns and shell-fish shelter among the roots, then at low tide crabs, mudskippers and worms emerge from the mud. Kingfishers, flycatchers and herons perch in the branches, or dart out to catch one of the abundant insects. The Mangrove Goanna, which grows up to two metres long, is sometimes mistaken for a crocodile, as it swims between the trees.

Mangroves are a key habitat for the Saltwater Crocodile which often grows 5 metres long, and terrifies tourists and animals alike. The Ducie River mangroves, estuaries and wetlands provide significant habitat for the Saltwater Crocodile as they are not prone to the extensive flooding events typical of the southern Gulf Plains areas, the vegetation is ideal for nesting and the river health is excellent.

The Anggamudi, Mpalitjahn and Teppathiggi people are the Traditional Owners of the Ducie River catchment area and maintain strong cultural and spiritual connections with the land and rivers. The traditional ecological knowledge and health of these communities is in turn critical to the ongoing health of this wild river system.

Threats

One of the greatest threats to the Ducie River is the extensive bauxite strip-mining. Comalco currently has the authority to build dams and extract significant amounts of water for their mining operations. However Wild Rivers will stop dam building on the Ducie River. It will also help ensure mining is quarantined from rivers and wetlands, with large buffer zones.

Other threats to the health of the Ducie River catchment are feral animals like wild pigs, invasive weeds and inappropriate fire management (non-Indigenous traditional burning). Wild River protection, as well as the Indigenous Wild River Ranger program, will help address these impacts.