Russell Basin

The Russell Basin has a population of approximately 1,700 people, largely in Babinda and Miriwinni.

The Russell River is among the least variable rivers in terms of annual flows in Australia, and the basin receives the highest rainfall in the region. The Russell River and Babinda Creek are the two key tributaries of the Russell Basin.

The upper catchment is in the relatively undisturbed rainforest environments of the Bellenden Ker Range.

The river floodplains and the lower river valley are dominated by sugarcane where the environment has been significantly modified with the loss of much of the original lowland rainforest.

Key results for 2024-25

The Russell Basin grade has remained ‘good’. The score was also unchanged at 76. 

• Water quality remained ‘good’ and the score decreased from 80 to 73.
• Pesticide risk remained low although the score decreased from the previous year.
• Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) declined from ‘good’ to ‘moderate’.
• Wetland extent remained ‘poor’. No further loss of wetland habitat was recorded since 2019.
• The flow indicator improved from ‘good’ to ‘very good’ since the previous year due to the return of a more typical rainfall pattern for the region. Poorer scores in 2023-24 were influenced by Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper (TC Jasper) with the early onset of the wet season and intense rainfall and flood events from mid-December. 

The diagram below shows the detailed results for each indicator by year. Click on the timeslider to see data from previous years.