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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: Upper Burnett River
Introduction
The Upper Burnett system flows in a generally south-east direction and includes the north- western tributary of Nogo River and the south- western tributary of Auburn River up to the Lower Burnett River Gauging Station. Splinter and Reids Creeks are also part of the system. This SWMA has an area of 20040 sq km and is bound to the north by the Three Moon Creek in the south by the Boyne and Stuart Rivers. The south-east by Barker and Barambah Creek, and, to the north-east by the Kolan River.
The average annual rainfall in the region varies from 1000mm in the Upper Burnett to 650mm in the north-western tributary catchment of the Nogo River. The average annual flow for the area is 996,000ML.
Wuruma Dam is located on the Nogo River at AMTD 23km. The Nogo River flows into Burnett River some 20km north of Eidsvold, which is the nearest town. At full supply level the storage holds 165,400ML of water, and covers an area of 1,780ha. Other storages in the system includes: John Goleby Weir (3,780ML), Jones Weir (5,980ML) and Claude Wharton Weir (12,580ML).
These storages provide water supplies for irrigation (80%) and the urban needs of the region.
Vital Statistics:
| Area: | 20,040 Km2 |
|---|---|
| Total storage volume: | 187,960 ML |
| Total surface water use: | 24,425 ML/yr |
| Development category: | MEDIUM DEVELOPMENT |
| Mean annual run-off: | 929,966 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.
PLEASE NOTE:
Categorisation:
No sustainable yield studies are available for this SWMA.
This SWMA has a medium level of development. A Water Allocation Management Plan has been develped for this SWMA but implementation procedures have yet to be developed.
How saline are the surface water resources in the Upper Burnett 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:
| Storage name: | Capacity (ML) |
|---|---|
| Wuruma Dam | 165,400 |
| John Goleby Weir | 3,780 |
| Jones(Mundubbera) Weir | 5,980 |
| Claude Wharton Weir(Gayndah) | 12,800 |
| Total | 187,960 |
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.