Introduction

The Cooper Creek SWMMA covers an area of about 244125 sq km. Draining into the eastern side of Lake Eyre, Cooper Creek is fed from the Thompson and Barcoo Rivers which rise in semi- arid central Queensland. The Thompson River flows in a south-westerly direction, with headwater tributaries including Torrens, Landsborough and Towerhill Creeks. Flowing in a south westerly direction the Barcoo River and the Alice River join with the Thompson River just north of Windorah to form Cooper Creek. South of Windorah, Cooper Creek disperses into a myriad of braided channels meandering through a vast floodplain with numerous swamps and waterholes. Occasional sand dunes protrude from an increasingly arid environment as the system approaches Lake Eyre.

With such flat topography, the Cooper Creek floods regularly from summer monsoon rains across the Thompson and Barcoo catchments. The channel system accomodates smaller flows in the main channels, while larger flood events expand over portions of the floodplain via secondary and tertiary distribution channels supplying flood waters to numerous swamps. In times of major flooding, the stream can be many kilometers wide and this prevents accurate gauging of high flows.

Annual rainfall varies between 145 mm at Lake Eyre to 490 mm at Prairie.

The major towns are Windorah, Blackall, Longreach and Barcaldine. The only major storages are waterholes. They range in length from 6 to 25 km and have average depths from 7 to 10 m. The seven largest waterholes make up half of the estimated volume of waterhole capacity on the Cooper Plain.

Significant water is extracted from this SWMA by water harvesting.

Vital Statistics:

A four-class classification system was developed to provide a simple method to communicate the status of the use and allocation of Australia's water resources in relation to sustainable water management.

It is important to recognise that adequately quantifying a sustainable flow regime or sustainable yield and consequent operating rules is a complex matter. State, Territory and scientific agencies continue to develop and apply methods and measures for determining sustainable flow regimes and sustainable yields.

This categorisation provides a general guide only. Please refer to the State and Territory Overview and Technical reports for detail on the analysis methods used.

* Water use as a percentage of sustainable flow regime (surface water) and sustainable yield (groundwater)

PLEASE NOTE:

Sustainable Yield:

No sustainable yield studies are available for this SWMA. A Water Management Plan is currently being developed for this SWMA.

PLEASE NOTE:

Categorisation:

This SWMA is in an isolated area with little or no development. Rainfall is distinctly seasonal and extremely variable on an annual basis. Significant use is made of groundwater rather that surface water in this SWMA. There is little demand water in this catchment due to its isolation and low population.

No sustainable yield studies are available for this SWMA. A Water Management Plan is currently being developed for this SWMA.

How saline are the surface water resources in the Cooper Creek (Qld) surface water management area?

No data were available about the salinity of surface water resources in the Basin / SWMA for the Australian Water Resources Assessment 2000.

Major water storages

Table: Major water storage areas:

Further Information

• View the Queensland Water Resources Assessment 2000 Report
• View the Queensland Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report
• Link to data available for download on the:
• Surface Water Management Areas
• Data from the 1985 Review of Australia's Water Resources and Water Use
• Link to the Map Maker to make a map using this information.
• For more information about water and other natural resource issues link to www.nrm.qld.gov.au.