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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
Surface Water Management Area: Mulgrave River
Introduction
The Mulgrave SWMA occupies an area of 1315 sq km and is located in North Queensland in the wet tropics. Its primary river, the Mulgrave River, originates in the Bellenden State Forest. It flows through mountainous, rainforested area down to Gordon Vale which lies in the coastal flatland and from there to Babinda, South of Cairns. Gravel extraction takes place in the river.
The mean annual rainfall for the period 1920- 1969 varies from 3000 to 4000 mm. Around Babinda and Gordonvale is sugar cane production.
Vital Statistics:
| Area: | 1,315 Km2 |
|---|---|
| Total storage volume: | no data |
| Total surface water use: | 8,438 ML/yr |
| Development category: | LOW DEVELOPMENT |
| Mean annual run-off: | 2,120,650 ML/yr |
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.
| Category | Development status | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | <30% | Low development |
| 2 | 30 - 70% | Moderate development |
| 3 | 70 - 100% | Highly developed |
| 4 | 100% | Overdeveloped |
* 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:
No sustainable yield studies are available for this SWMA.
This SWMA has a low level of development. A Water Management Plan is currently being developed for this SWMA to guide future development.
How saline are the surface water resources in the Mulgrave River 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.