The Daly region

The Daly region is highly groundwater dependent, and is one of the few perennial river systems in Northern Australia. As such, these rivers are very important for environmental, cultural and social reasons. Water in the region is currently abstracted for a variety of agricultural and industrial purposes. With the region identified for potential increased development, it is important that water allocation plans incorporate the environmental, cultural and social values of the region.

Water supply in the Daly region is primarily sourced from groundwater aquifers with some sourced directly from rivers. This includes water supply to the region.s largest urban centre of Katherine. The region has one surface water storage, located near the township of Pine Creek, which has a capacity of 500 ML. Closing net water assets in the Daly region was -67,238 ML at the end of the 2011–12 year. This negative value is due to groundwater assets not being quantified rather than a shortage of water in the region.

The key water account information for the Daly region during the 2011–12 year are presented in the following table. Information on the uncertainty associated with the volumes presented in the table is provided in the relevant sections of the account.

Key water account information for the Daly region during the 2011–12 year

Contextual information: Climate overview

	2011–12	Long–term average (1900–2011)
	Rainfall: 1,127 mm	Rainfall: 1,034 mm
	Evapotranspiration: 904 mm	Evapotranspiration: 809 mm
For more detail on the Daly climate refer to Climate overview.

Contextual information: Water overview

	Daly River	Katherine River	Comment
	Above mean annual flow	Below mean annual flow	Two major rainfall events caused two floods in the region during January and March.
For more detail on streamflow in the Daly region refer to Water overview.

Water accounting statements

		2011–12
	Total water assets (as at 30 June)	500
	Total water liabilities (as at 30 June)	67,738
	Change in net water assets	666
	Closing net water assets	(67,238)
For more detail on water assets and water liabilities refer to Water accounting statements.

Notes: Water resources and systems

Surface water storage

		30 June 2012		30 June 2011
	Total capacity	Volume	% of capacity	Volume	% of capacity
	500 ML	500 ML	100% (assumed)	500 ML	100% (assumed)
For more detail on surface water in the Daly region refer to Surface water.

Water abstractions

	Total water abstracted
	2011–12	Comment
	Surface water: 7,255 ML	Most of the water abstractions are to individual users
	Groundwater: 20,684 ML
For more detail on water abstraction in the Daly region refer to Surface water and Groundwater.

Urban water supply

	Total water supplied
	2011–12	Comment
	Surface water: 2,355 ML	All urban water supply is to the town of Katherine
	Groundwater: 757 ML
For more detail on the urban water system in the Daly region refer to Surface water and Groundwater.