Introduction

The Nogoa/Mackenzie system SWMA ha a catchment area 79615sq km, is surrounded by the Denham and Broadsound Ranges to the west and east. The Nogoa and Mackenzie Rivers are the major rivers in the Fitzroy Basin. The major tributaries are the Isaac, Connors and Comet Rivers.

Long term rainfall over the area is relatively uniform. The mean annual rainfall varies between 550 to 650mm, except for the eastern side of the Isaac River catchment, where mean annual rainfall rises to about 1800mm on the coastal range.

The major storage in the system is Fairbairn Dam, located on the Nogoa River at AMTD 685.6km. The nearest town is Emerald. At full supply level the storage has a capacity of 1301000ML and covers an area of 14900ha. Other storages in the system include Bedford and Bingegang weirs (Mackenzie River) and Tartrus Weir (Isaac River), Theresa Ck Dam, Bundoora Dam (German Ck) and Burton Gorge Dam (Isaac River).

Irrigation, urban, industrial and domestic water supplies are provided from the storage. Water for irrigation within the Emerald Irrigation Area is diverted from the dam through 126km of channel on the left bank and 53km of channel on the right bank of the Nogoa River.

The significant water consumers are irrigation farms (87%) in the Emerald Irrigation Area and along the Nogoa-Mackenzie River, several coal mines and a number of towns in the region, including Emerald, Blackwater, Clermont and Rolleston.

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 Allocation Management Plan has been developed for this SWMA but implemantion procedures have yet to be finalised.

PLEASE NOTE:

Categorisation:

No sustainable yield studies are available for this SWMA.

This SWMA has a high level of development. A Water Allocation Management Plan has been developed for this SWMA but implemantion procedures have yet to be finalised.

How saline are the surface water resources in the Nogoa / Mackenzie 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.