Effects of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef

•Sediment loads are lower in a catchment with cattle excluded for 17 years.•Most of the sediment and nutrient load is derived from a few large runoff events.•Recovery of degraded savanna rangelands is slow and strongly influenced by climate.•Road work can significantly increase sediment and nutrient concentrations and loads.