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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Matthew Kelly

Jerusalem Creek Falls dries up for the first time in memory

Wailing wall: The floor of Jerusalem Creek Falls that has stopped flowing. Picture: Ken Rubeli

Its crystal clear water and cascading falls have been photographed by thousands who have been mesmerised by the natural beauty of Jerusalem Creek Falls.

But a hard, dry rock face is all that remains since the Barrington water course stopped flowing in November, another victim of one of Australia's worst and prolonged droughts.

"There's a tiny bit of water that oozes out of from a couple of crevices but it evaporates in no time. It's hardly worth talking about," photographer and environmental educator Ken Rubeli who has lived in the area for 30 years said.

Like the Barrington River, it is the first time in living memory that Jerusalem Creek Falls has run dry.

Both water courses originate in the ancient springs of the Barrington Tops - which has had less than half of the average rainfall since March.

Pictures: Ken Rubeli

Grafton Shelton, 85, who has lived in the area since he was seven, said it was the first time he had known the creek to dry out.

"Jerusalem Creek even kept flowing in the 65 drought, it is what kept the river flowing. I have never seen it like this," he said.

"I said to someone the other day that until about six weeks ago I thought the drought was annoying, but now I'd say it's getting scary. There's just no sign that it's going to end."

Free flowing: Jerusalem Creek Falls in March 2017. Picture: Ken Rubeli

Despite that, Mr Shelton has no time for the climate change debate.

"It's crap, the weather has always gone in cycles," he said.

"I remember going to school when it was over 100 degrees for weeks on end and that was 70 years ago. They will tell you it's hotter now but I don't believe them."

But Mr Rubeli, who also has experience in forestry management, said he had no doubt dire state of the Barrington forest was linked to the changing climate.

"It's not just the rainfall but also the temperature. If you have a bit more rain, but higher temperature and lower humidity, the end result is a drier environment - that's where climate change comes into play." he said.

Tinder box: A section of dried out ecalypt forest around Jerusalem Creek Falls. Picture: Ken Rubeli

Despite receiving 14mm of rain a few nights ago, the area remains bone-dry.

With trees dying on every hill Mr Rubeli said he feared the drought's impact would be felt for decades to come.

"As a forester I don't think a lot of these trees will survive because their root systems are drying out. It's a different scenario to a bushfire that burns the leaves but the tree bounces back."

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