Australian Natural Resources Atlas

Natural Resource Topics

Water resources - Overview - Queensland

Location map of Great Artesian Basin - Eastern Recharge A - Queensland

Groundwater Management Unit: Great Artesian Basin - Eastern Recharge A - Queensland

Introduction

Great Artesian Basin (GAB) comprises 23 hydrologic zones (accounting for interstate / territory boundaries). These zones were determined by the Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council (GABCC) in 1999. The total area of the GAB is approximately 1.8 million sq km.

The Eastern Recharge A Groundwater Management Unit (GMU) is one of these hydrologic zones. Its area is about 65000 sq km which accounts for 3.6% of the total GAB area.

The Eastern Recharge A zone borders the western side of the Great Dividing Range for a distance of approximately 900 km. It has an average width of approximately 100 km and extends from the Mitchell River in the north to 50 km northeast of Blackall in the south.

Natural surface levels predominantly range from 300 m to 500 m above mean sea level. The natural surface levels reduce to approximately 100 m above mean sea level at the northwestern boundary and rise up to 800 m above mean sea level at the northeastern boundary of the GMU.

Rainfall in the Eastern Recharge A zone varies from about 450 mm/yr (inland at the southwest corner of the GMU) to greater than 800 mm/yr (at the northern most region). Approximately 70% of rainfall occurs in the months November to March.

Evaporation generally exceeds average annual rainfall. Average annual evaporation may exceed average annual rainfall by up to 2400 mm/yr in the majority and up to 1600 mm/yr at the northernmost tip of the GMU.

The dominant land use is for cattle industry purposes.

Leasehold land tenure predominates this zone including minor Freehold land tenure in the southern region.

The Eastern Recharge A zone is dominated by low woodland in the north and open woodland in the south.

Vital Statistics:

Area: 65,230 Km2
Total water allocated: no data
Total water consumed: 1,600 ML/yr
Average salinity: 215 mg/l
Sustainable yield: 1,400 ML/yr
Depth to top of aquifier: 0 m

Further Information

Key

   Links to an another web site
   Opens a pop-up window