Burdekin: Region overview
The Burdekin River is one of Australia's largest rivers and is a large source of sediment and fresh water to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The Burdekin Falls dam was constructed along the Burdekin River to support irrigated agriculture and possible future hydroelectric generation in the region. The lower Burdekin River area is northern Australia's largest irrigated area covering approximately 800 km2 and is one of Australia's most important sugar producing regions.
Rainfall
443 mm
9% less than last year
68% of long-term average
Storage
73% full
26% less than last year
2,025,831 ML total capacity
Streamflow
Suttor-Belyando River
Burdekin River
Bowen River
Cape River
below average
less than last year
WATER SOURCES
WATER ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS
Assets
1,479,551 ML
26%
Liabilities
53,654 ML
42%
Inflows
1,812,276 ML
50%
Outflows
2,446,226 ML
22%
Net change
485,090 ML
WATER USE
934,138 ML
surface water diverted
3% less than last year
54,860 ML
groundwater extracted
37% more than last year
1,957 ML
supplied to urban system
18% more than last year
667,725 ML
supplied to irrigation scheme
23% more than last year