Australian Natural Resources Atlas

Natural Resource Topics

Water resources - Management and Development - Queensland

Location map of Barker Creek

Groundwater Management Unit: Barker Creek

Introduction

Management Context:

Extensive saltwater intrusion has occurred in the Woongarra GMU due to the over exploitation of the groundwater system. The groundwater flow model constructed in 1983 is used extensively in the management of the Woongarra GMU and initiated the installation of an additonal monitoring network in the Elliott Heads area to detect water quality changes and identify saltwater intrusion.

Strategies for both short and long term sustainable management of the groundwater resource of the Woongarra GMU include:

the ongoing use and calibration of a groundwater flow model based upon the integrated finite difference principle. Originally constructed to calculate the yield of the Woongarra groundwater system, the model is now utilised as a management tool and assists in the setting of 'announced' allocations.

identifying the location and monitoring the movement of the saltwater interface.

identification and location of extraction points in sensitive areas such as along the coastline where lowering of the water table may induce/exacerbate saltwater intrusion.

Pollution from septic tanks and elevated nitrate concentrations, primarily derived from from nitrogenous fertilisers, present as other priority issues in the Woongarra groundwater mangement unit. The groundwater resource of the Woongarra The Barker Creek GMU is a significant user of groundwater for irrigation, with groundwater levels being maintained by rainfall recharge and streamflow infiltration. 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 6200 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 6200 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 Barker Creek

Efficacy of the network:

The current monitoring network for the Barker Creek groundwater management unit consists of 11 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 Barker 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 Barker 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 6200 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:

5,750 ML 

Current Resource development categorisation:

Estimated Use in 2020

Comment:

Estimated use in 2020:

6,200 ML 

% change from 1996/1997:

8 

Resource development categorisation:

Estimated in 2050

Comment:

Estimated use in 2050:

6,200 ML 

% change from 1996/1997:

8 

Resource development categorisation:

 

What assumptions were used in this assessment

Development Potential:

The estimate of 6200 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 6200 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 11 bores since 1967. Water quality data exists for some 23 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: The Barker Creek GMU is a significant user of groundwater for irrigation, with groundwater levels being maintained by rainfall recharge and streamflow infiltration. 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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