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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: Sandy Creek
Introduction
The Sandy Creek groundwater management unit (GMU) is located approximately 100 km west of Brisbane in the Lockyer Valley and is within the Shire of Laidley. Sandy Creek flows to the north and joins Laidley Creek in the Central Lockyer GMU. The Sandy Creek GMU covers an area of about 25 sq km and is within the Brisbane River Basin (1432).
Groundwater in the 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 consolidated rocks including basalt, sandstone and shale. The alluvium overlies the Tertiary Main Range Volcanics, and Triassic and Jurassic sandstones. Pumping rates throughout the valley are variable, ranging from a few litres per second to over 50 litres per second. Sustainable groundwater yield from the alluvium is approximately 580 Ml/yr.
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 reach 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 Sandy Creek GMU is generally only suitable for irrigation of crops tolerant of high salinity levels. It is estimated that the full sustainable yield, of 580 Ml/yr, is used in the GMU.
Vital Statistics:
| Area: | 25 Km2 |
|---|---|
| Total water allocated: | no data |
| Total water consumed: | 580 ML/yr |
| Average salinity: | 3,454 mg/l |
| Sustainable yield: | 580 ML/yr |
| Depth to top of aquifier: | 16 m |
Further Information
- The following groundwater management units also occur in Clarence-Morton Province
- Alstonville Basalt (NSW)
- Central Lockyer Valley (QLD)
- 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)
- 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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