Australian Natural Resources Atlas

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Water resources - Management and Development - Queensland

Location map of Russell River

Groundwater Management Unit: Russell River

Introduction

Management Context:

The majority of caneland in the Russell River GMU occurs on the river floodplain. Much of the land is poorly drained resulting in reduced crop yield at times, due to waterlogging of soil and local flooding. Past drainage systems have had mixed success, sometimes adversely impacting in downstream areas. A basin-wide management strategy is being co-ordinated for the Mulgrave and Russell Rivers area.

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

 YES

Surface Water Interaction

 YES

Management Plans

 NO

Defined Minimum Water Level

 NO

Comment: Much of the land is poorly drained resulting in reduced crop yield at times, due to waterlogging of soil and local flooding. Past drainage systems have had mixed success, sometimes adversely impacting in downstream areas.

Comments on Management Responses

2020 Management Response:

A forecast use estimate of 600 Ml/yr in 2020 is based upon historical estimates of use and development potential.

2050 Management Response:

A forecast use estimate of 1200 Ml/yr in 2050 is based upon historical estimates of use and development potential.

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

Assessment of monitoring in Russell River

Efficacy of the network:

Limited monitoring of groundwater level commenced in 1987 after which a number of sampling gaps occured in 1989/90 and 1995/96. Post 1990 water quality data exists for 25 bores within the GMU there is no metered abstraction data.

The current monitoring network for the Russell River groundwater management unit consists of 25 observation bores with a proposed bi-annual to monthly monitoring frequency.

Data management requirements:

Queensland groundwater monitoring data, including water level and water quality, is stored within the Groundwater Database (GWDB) system. The new GWDB system uses 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 licences.

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:

The Russell / Mulgrave Landcare Group operates in the Mulgrave Catchment and address major issues in the area.

Options for monitoring:

No options for Commonwealth, State, industry or community groups to address data gaps are identified or reported for the Russell River 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: 

Assessment of the groundwater resource in the adjoining Mulgrave River GMU, provides a sustainable yield of 20000 Ml/yr while the combined sustainable yield assessed for the Russell and Mulgrave GMUs is about 45000 Ml /yr. As no sustainable groundwater yield estimates are reported for the Russell River GMU it is assumed that the GMU might contain around 25000 Ml/yr.

Sustainable yield:

ML/yr

Threshold year for sustainable year:

2,100 

Abstraction Volume 1996/1997:

600 ML 

Current Resource development categorisation:

 

Estimated Use in 2020

Comment:

 

Estimated use in 2020:

600 ML 

% change from 1996/1997:

0 

Resource development categorisation:

 

Estimated in 2050

Comment:

 

Estimated use in 2050:

1,200 ML 

% change from 1996/1997:

100 

Resource development categorisation:

 

What assumptions were used in this assessment

Development Potential:

The Russell River GMU falls within the Cairns Coast Declared Sub-Artesian Area however only few licences for bores exist on account of the high annual rainfall. Under a high demand scenario, low groundwater use estimates ( <1200Ml/yr) are forecast. Hence the sustainable yield would not be under threat of be exhausted. Potential for development of the groundwater resources in the GMU is also hampered by the restriction from surrounding World Heritage Areas, National Parks and State Forests. Groundwater is however available for development in the alluvial area.

Estimate of Use:

Forecast estimates of groundwater use in 2020 and 2050 in the Russell River GMU are based historical estimates of use and development potential.

Data Availability,Gaps and Recommendations

Data Availablility:

Limited monitoring of groundwater levels commences in 1987 after which time a number of gaps occured in 1989/90 and 1995/96. Post-1990 water quality data exists for 25 bores within the GMU and there is no metered abstraction data.

Current Gaps and Recommendations:

Data Gaps: Over the period of water level monitoring a number of sampling gaps occurred in 1989/90 and 1995/96 and there is metering of groundwater use.

Recommendations: Monitoring of groundwater levels and quality should continue in the observation network on a bi-annual to monthly frequency. There is however no current need to meter groundwater abstractions.

Future Gaps:

With the exception of continued monitoring of water level and water quality in the Tully and Murray Rivers GMU, no information needs or gaps are identified.

Further information

Key

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