Australian Natural Resources Atlas

Natural Resource Topics

Water resources - Management and Development - Queensland

Location map of Barambah Creek

Groundwater Management Unit: Barambah Creek

Introduction

Management Context:

Since the introduction of regulated surface water supplies, the use of groundwater for irrigation purposes in the Barambah Creek has decreased with a resultant increase in groundwater levels. Groundwater levels are being maintained by rainfall recharge and effluent streamflow. Regular water quality sampling should be continued to ensure stability of the resource.

Priority issues

Declining Water Levels

 NO

Salt Water Intrusion

 NO

SALINISATION

Dryland

 NO

Irrigation

 NO

Groundwater

 NO

Surface Water

 NO

Urban

 NO

Point Source Pollution

 NO

Diffuse Source Pollution

 NO

Subsidence

 NO

Artificial Recharge (ML/yr)

 no data

Ecosystems Protection

 NO

Surface Water Interaction

 NO

Management Plans

 NO

Defined Minimum Water Level

 NO

Comment: No priority issues are reported.

Comments on Management Responses

2020 Management Response:

The estimate of 1800 ML/yr for the forecast use for the year 2020 is based upon the GMU's assessed sustainable yield and the desired level of resource management.

2050 Management Response:

The estimate of 1800 ML/yr for the forecast use for the year 2050 is based upon the GMU's assessed sustainable yield and the desired level of resource management.

See QLD Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report for a review of management responses.

Assessment of monitoring in Barambah Creek

Efficacy of the network:

The current monitoring network for the Barambah Creek groundwater management unit consists of 21 observation bores with bi-annual monitoring frequency.

Continuous monitoring of water levels has occurred since the late 1960's to the present. while water quality data exists randomly from 1988. Some large gaps in the continuity of water level record occur in the mid 1980s and early 1990s

Data management requirements:

Queensland groundwater monitoring data, both water level and water quality is stored within the Groundwater Database (GWDB) system. The new system is based on web technology and is available through the Department's intranet.

Allocation and use data is obtained through the Water Entitlements Registration Database (WERD) which is an electronic database for water license details.

Both databases are managed locally at district level, with respect to the collection and entering of water monitoring, allocation and use data; and are accessed statewide.

Protective management:

Management of the groundwater resource of the Barambah Creek groundwater management unit aims at maintaining a longterm, sustainable resource and therefore, requires appropriate allocation rates, and the accurate monitoring of groundwater extraction, water level and water quality fluctuations.

Options for monitoring:

No options for Commenwealth, State, industry or community groups to address data gaps are identified or reported for the Barambah Creek GMU.

See QLD Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report for a review of monitoring.

What is the estimated demand for groundwater?

Sustainable Yield

Comment about sustainable yield figure: 

The sustainable yield has been estimated at 1800 Ml/yr. This figure was based on a water balance study using five years record of water level and water usage figures.

Sustainable yield:

ML/yr

Threshold year for sustainable year:

1,970 

Abstraction Volume 1996/1997:

1,650 ML 

Current Resource development categorisation:

Estimated Use in 2020

Comment:

Estimated use in 2020:

1,800 ML 

% change from 1996/1997:

10 

Resource development categorisation:

Estimated in 2050

Comment:

Estimated use in 2050:

1,800 ML 

% change from 1996/1997:

10 

Resource development categorisation:

 

What assumptions were used in this assessment

Development Potential:

The estimate of 1800 Ml/yr for the forecast use for the years of 2020 and 2050 is based on a water balance for the aquifer for five years from 1971 of groundwater levels and water usage figures. This was then compared to actual usage for later years to reassess the safe yield.

There is very limited potential for development as the estimated usage is equal to the sustainable yield.

Estimate of Use:

The estimate of 1800 ML/yr for the forecast use for the years 2020 and 2050 is based upon the GMU's assessed sustainable yield and the desired level of resource management.

Data Availability,Gaps and Recommendations

Data Availablility:

The availability of data is moderate with groundwater monitoring conducted at regular intervals in 21 bores since 1967. Water quality data exists for some 36 bores from 1988.

No abstraction or allocation data is available.

Current Gaps and Recommendations:

Data Gaps: Water quality data is limited. Some large gaps in the continuity of water level record occur in the mid 1980s and early 1990s

Recommendations: Since the introduction of regulated surface water supplies, the use of groundwater for irrigation purposes in the Barambah Creek has decreased with a resultant increase in groundwater levels. Groundwater levels are being maintained by rainfall recharge and effluent streamflow. Regular water level monitoring and water quality sampling should be continued to ensure stability of the resource.

Future Gaps:

There is no information need

Further information

Key

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