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In this section you will find detailed information, including national overviews and state and regional level assessments, from the 2000-2002 National Land and Water Resources Audit theme assessments.
Water resources - Overview - Queensland
Groundwater Management Unit: Central Lockyer Valley
Introduction
The Central Lockyer Creek groundwater management unit (GMU) is located approximately 100 km west of Brisbane in the Lockyer Valley. The GMU extends over the shires of Gatton, Laidley and the south-west corner of Esk and is within the Clarendon Declared Sub-Artesian Area. This area is within the Brisbane River Basin (1432) covering about 140 sq km, which includes about 25 km of the Lockyer Creek and lower sections of the Laidley and Sandy Creeks.
Groundwater in the Central Lockyer Creek GMU is obtained from unconsolidated Quaternary alluvium. Throughout the Lockyer Valley alluvium is associated with the major creek valleys and contains clay, silt, sand and gravel. Limited groundwater is also contained in basalt, sandstone and shale. The alluvium overlies the Tertiary Main Range Volcanics, and Triassic and Jurassic sandstones. Annual sustainable yield in the GMU is 14000 Ml. Pumping rates throughout the valley are variable, ranging from a few litres per second to over 50 litres per second.
The Lockyer Valley has a sub-humid, sub-tropical climate experienceing long hot summers and relatively short mild winters. Average annual rainfall in the valley is about 820mm but in the south may be in excess of 1000mm. Rainfall is often associated with storms of high intensity and short duration. About 70% of the annual rain falls between October and March.
The Lockyer Valley is one of Queenslands major vegetable growing areas and relies heavily upon water from both surface and sub-surface water supplies. Groundwater in the Central Lockyer Creek GMU is suitable for irrigation and drinking water. Average annual usage in the GMU, is about 14000 Ml.
Vital Statistics:
| Area: | 140 Km2 |
|---|---|
| Total water allocated: | no data |
| Total water consumed: | 14,214 ML/yr |
| Average salinity: | 1,282 mg/l |
| Sustainable yield: | 14,000 ML/yr |
| Depth to top of aquifier: | 20 m |
Further Information
- The following groundwater management units also occur in Clarence-Morton Province
- Alstonville Basalt (NSW)
- Condamine - Condamine Groundwater Management Area Sub-Area 4 (QLD)
- Condamine River Alluvium (Cunningham to Ellangowan) (QLD)
- Condamine River Alluvium (Killarney to Murrays Bridge) (QLD)
- Condamine River Alluvium (Murrays Bridge to Cunningham) (QLD)
- Dalrymple Creek Alluvium (QLD)
- Flagstone Creek (QLD)
- Glengallan Creek (QLD)
- Kings Creek Alluvium (QLD)
- Laidley Creek (Upper Reach) (QLD)
- Lockyer - Helidon (QLD)
- Logan / Albert Rivers (QLD)
- Lower Lockyer Creek (QLD)
- Lower Oakey Creek Alluvium (QLD)
- Ma Ma Creek (QLD)
- Myall / Moola Creek North (QLD)
- Myall Creek (QLD)
- Nobby Basalts (QLD)
- North Coast Fractured Rocks (NSW)
- Oakey Creek Management Area (QLD)
- Richmond Coastal Sands (NSW)
- Richmond River Alluvium (NSW)
- Sandy Creek (QLD)
- Swan Creek Alluvium (QLD)
- Tenthill Creek (QLD)
- Toowoomba City Basalt (QLD)
- Unincorporated Area - Clarence Moreton (QLD)
- Unincorporated Area - Clarence-Morton Basin (NSW)
- Upper Hodgson Creek (QLD)
- Upper Lockyer Creek (QLD)
- View the Queensland Water Resources Assessment 2000 Report
- View the Queensland Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report
- For more information about water and other natural resource issues link to www.nrm.qld.gov.au.
- Link to data available for download on the Groundwater management units and provinces - ARC/INFO export
- Link to the Map Maker to make a map using this information.
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