Introduction

The Georgina SWMA occupies an area of 255638 sq km and is located in far west Queensland with 111579sq km of the SWMA lying in the Northen Territory. The two major rivers in the SWMA are the Georgina and Sandover. The Georgina River flows from the north to the south and has a number of tributaries including the Ranken, James, Milne and Woodroffe Rivers and Manners Creek. The Sandover River originates in the far west corner of the SWMA in the Northern Territory and flows in an north-easterly direction before joining the Georgina River just over the Northern Territory/Queensland border. There are hundreds of named and potentially thousands of unnamed tributaries, creeks and streams within the SWMA. The majority of these flow intermittently and sometimes not at all over a drought year.

This Georgina River SWMA can be divided into four geographical regions which include:

• The north-eastern region on the edge of the Barkley Tablelands. The north-eastern region is characterised by semi-desert with scattered shrubs over stony plains. The Ranken and James Rivers lie in the northern section of the plains and both flow into the Georgina River.
• The western region which includes the Sandover River. This region has been described as sand desert and floodout country into which the Sandover River dissipates.
• The central eastern region (Northern Territory) which includes the Milne River River, Woodroffe River and Manners Creek. The terrain in this area is largely limestone or ironstone hills and rises covered with either spinifex or sparse mulga. The land between the hills is described as plains with sparse mulga and annual grasses.
• The south eastern region (Northern Territory) includes the catchment of the Marqua and Field Rivers. This region is located across the Northern Territory and Queensland borders and is believed to link the Eye Creek to the Diamantina River in periods of very heavy rainfall. The northern section of this zone consists of hills and low rises with occasional sandy plains covered in either spinifex or sparse mulga over annual grasses. The southern section consists of high parallel sand dunes in the Simpson desert.

The Georgina SWMA is in an isolated part of the country and consequently there is little development or activity taking place. The major population centres include Urandangi, Bedourie and Boulia in Queensland while Alice Springs lies just outside the SWMA in the Northern Territory. Cattle grazing is the predominant activity undertaken in the SWMA and as such there are numerous cattle stations and homesteads. The vast majority of roads and highways in the SWMA are unsealed and can be impassable during times of heavy rainfall.

The SWMA is located within an arid part of Australia. Rainfall varies between the four regions and ranges from 300-400mm/yr in the north-east, 200-300mm/yr in the central-weast, 100-200mm/yr in the south-east and 200- 300mm/yr in the west. The mean annual rainfall for the SWMA is approximately 240mm/yr. During the wet season widespread flooding does occur.

Due to the isolated and largely uninhabited nature of the SWMA there are no major water storages. Water supply to townships and homesteads is predominantly by way of groundwater extraction. The surface water of the SWMA plays an important role in recharging these groundwater reserves.

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.

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.

How saline are the surface water resources in the Georgina River (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:

There were no major water storages reported in this area as part of the assessment

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.