The Ord region
Overview of the 2011–12 year
Rainfall across the entire Ord region was generally above average for the 2011–12 year. These rainfall conditions, compared to the record high rainfall observed during the 2010–11 year, contributed to decreased inflows into the storages. The volume of water held in storages decreased during the 2011–12 year by 4,372,710 ML: a substantial change from the previous year, where water storage increased by 6,323,529 ML. Closing net water assets in the Ord region was 10,465,536 ML, compared to 14,840,722 ML at the end of the 2010–11 year. For more information on the region's water assets refer to Water accounting statements.
The key water account information for the Ord 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 Ord region during the 2011–12 year
 |
2011–12 | 2010–11 | Long–term average (1900–2011) |
| Rainfall: 771 mm | Rainfall: 1,390 mm | Rainfall: 673 mm | |
| Evapotranspiration: 717 mm | Evapotranspiration: 889 mm | Evapotranspiration: 541 mm | |
| For more detail on the Ord climate refer to Climate overview. | |||
 |
Upper Ord River | Negri River | Lower Ord River |
| Below mean annual flow | Below mean annual flow | Below mean annual flow | |
| For more detail on streamflow in the Ord region refer to Water overview. | |||
 |
2011–12 | 2010–11 | |
| Total water assets (as at 30 June) | 10,775,781 | 15,148,491 | |
| Total water liabilities (as at 30 June) | 310,245 | 307,769 | |
| Change in net water assets | (4,375,186) | 6,325,950 | |
| Closing net water assets | 10,465,536 | 14,840,722 | |
| For more detail on water assets and water liabilities refer to Water accounting statements. | |||
Notes: Water resources and systems
 |
30 June 2011 | 30 June 2010 | |||
| Total capacity | Volume | % of capacity | Volume | % of capacity | |
| 10,923,678 ML | 10,759,396 ML | 98.5% | 15,078,047 ML | 138% | |
| For more detail on surface water storage in the Ord region refer to Surface water. | |||||
 |
Total water abstracted | ||
| 2011–12 | 2010–11 | Recent activity | |
| Surface water: 175,813 ML | Surface water: 173,924 ML | Water abstraction for private users has increased | |
| Groundwater: 13,108 ML | Groundwater: 9,686 ML | ||
| For more detail on water abstraction in the Ord region refer to Surface water and Groundwater. | |||
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| Total water supplied | |||
| 2011–12 | 2010–11 | Recent activity | |
| 2,264 ML | 2,204 ML | Urban water supply remains relatively unchanged | |
| For more detail on the urban water system in the Ord region refer to Surface water and Groundwater. | |||
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| Total water supplied | |||
| 2011–12 | 2010–11 | Recent activity | |
| 155,362 ML | 161,155 ML | Diversion of surface water for irrigation has decreased | |
| For more detail on the irrigation scheme in the Ord region refer to Surface water and Groundwater. | |||