Rivers - Assessment of River Condition - Queensland

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BURNETT RIVER

The Upper Burnett River system flows in a generally south-east direction and includes the north- western tributary of Nogo River and the south- western tributary of Auburn River up to the Lower Burnett River Gauging Station. The catchment has an area of 20040 sq. The average annual rainfall in the region varies from 1000mm in the Upper Burnett to 650mm in the north-western tributary catchment of the Nogo River. The average annual flow for the area is 996,000ML. Wuruma Dam is located on the Nogo River which at full supply level holds 165,400ML of water, and covers an area of 1,780ha. Other storages in the system includes: John Goleby Weir (3,780ML), Jones Weir (5,980ML) and Claude Wharton Weir (12,580ML). These storages provide water supplies for irrigation (80%) and the urban needs of the region. The Bundaberg Irrigation Scheme is located in South East Queensland near the towns of Bundaberg, Gin Gin, Childers and comprises water storages, a channel distribution system, and a State Government developed irrigation area. The Bundaberg Irrigation Area (BIA) has catchment area of 3720 sq km and is located in the lower reaches of the Kolan and Burnett Rivers. The mean annual catchment rainfall varies from 900mm in the west o 1140mm near Bundaberg. Average annual flow for the area is 622800ML. Storages in this part of the scheme include Ben Anderson Barrage (30300ML) Walla Weir (29500 ML) and Bingera Weir (4800 ML). Water supply for this area is supplemented by a transfer from the Kolan Basin. The Boyne catchment consists of two major tributaries, the Stuart and the Boyne and has a catchment area of 5855sq km. The Stuart River originates in the Great Dividing Range, and flows north-west to enter the Boyne River just upstream of the Boondooma Dam. The catchment area above Boondooma Dam is 4200sq km which constitutes 72% of the Boyne River catchment. The mean annual rainfall for the area varies from 900mm in the upper catchment of the Boyne River to 700mm in the lower section of the catchment. At full supply level the storage holds 212000ML of water and covers an area of 1920ha. The dam provides water for the Tarong Power station, for irrigation along the regulated section of the Boyne River and for some urban supply. The main land use in the catchment area is grazing. The principal crops in the area are soybeans, grain, sorghum and barley. The Three Moon Creek catchment has an area of 1580 sq km. The mean annual catchment rainfall varies between 800 mm and 1000 mm for the upper part of the catchment. In contrast, in the lower portion of the catchment below Cania Gorge the annual rainfall falls to 700mm/yr. The major storage on Three Mooon Creek is Cania Dam. At the full supply level the dam holds 89000ML of water and covers an area of 720ha. The storage provide water for irrigation and stock along Three Moon Creek. A significant amount of the water released is used to recharge the local alluvial aquifers. Irrigation supplies are extracted from these aquifers during most of the year. Barker/Barambah catchment form the major south eastern part of the Burnett River system and has a catchment area of 5905 sq km. The average annual rainfall varies from 900mm for the Barker Creek to 1100mm for the Barambah Creek in the upper catchment and 700mm in the lower reaches. Average annual flow for the area is 328800ML. The major storage in the area is Bjelke- Petersen Dam located on the Barker Creek. At full supply level the storage holds 125000ML of water and covers an area of 2150ha. Other storages in the system include: Sippel Weir (715ML), Cherbourg WH (100ML), Murgon Weir (490ML), Ficks crossing (150ML) and Silverleaf Weir (500ML).These storages provide water supplies for irrigation (80%), the urban needs of the region and recharging the Mondure aquifers.

The Burnett River Basin (136) ARCE was moderately modified and the ARCB was in reference condition. The basin condition was moderately modified based on the hydrological disturbance index, moderately modified based on the catchment disturbance index, moderately modified based on the habitat index and severely modified based on the nutrient and suspended load index.

The appropriate State agencies have reviewed this information and the following text is their comments and corrections.

The Queensland river condition workshop expert panel assessed the Auburn and the rest of the Burnett separately, given the Auburn?s better condition for most criteria. The Burnett was assessed as being in substantially modified condition as a result of the barriers, water quality, catchment condition and hydrology.

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