National Water Account 2018

Burdekin: Climate and water

  • Rainfall was higher than average in October 2017 and February–March 2018; all other months had below-average rainfall.
  • High rainfall over the northern part of the region in February–March 2018 led to very high streamflows in the Burdekin River in March and April; streamflows in the southern part of the region were relatively low. 

 

BUR_KeyMessage_C&W

 

For further information on the region's climate and water conditions during the 2017–18 year scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

About the region

  • The Burdekin region lies within the dry tropics of northern Australia, which has a distinct and predictable climatic seasonality. As a consequence, flow in the rivers is strongly seasonal.
  • Almost all rainfall in the region occurs during the wet season (November–April).

 

Climate conditions

Rainfall

Figure C1 Annual and monthly rainfall deciles for the Burdekin region during the 2017–18 year

 

  • Total area-averaged rainfall for the year was 522 mm, below the mean value of 643 mm.
  • Below-average to well below-average annual rainfall occurred over the entire southern part of the region; higher rainfall occurred over the northern part. 
  • Numerous rain-bearing systems throughout October 2017 brought widespread, moderate to locally heavy falls over much of the region.
  • An upper-level low pressure system during February–March 2018 contributed to above-average rainfall for that 2-month period across the northern part of the region. Some areas recorded their highest March rainfall on record.

 

 

Figure C2 Total monthly rainfall for the Burdekin region during the 2017–18 year compared with the average and percentiles for the region

 

  • Rainfall was higher than average in October 2017 and  February–March 2018; all other months had below-average rainfall.

 

Actual evapotranspiration

 

Figure C3 Annual and monthly actual evapotranspiration deciles for the Burdekin region during the 2017–18 year

 

  • Total area-averaged actual evapotranspiration was average to below average for most of the region.
  • A dry start to the year resulted in decreased water availability and below-average evapotranspiration during the dry season months (July–September 2017). 
  • The average to above-average evapotranspiration that occurred during October–December 2017 may be due to the increased water availability following high rainfall in October 2017.
  • Above-average evapotranspiration during March–May 2018 over the northern part of the region is attributed to increased water availability following very high rainfall in February–March over the upper reaches of the Burdekin River.

 

Soil moisture

 

Figure C5 Annual and monthly soil moisture deciles for the Burdekin region during the 2017–18 year

 

  • Soil moisture in the root zone (0–1m depth) was generally below average across most of the region.
  • Rainfall and soil moisture are typically closely aligned. For example, average to above-average soil moisture during October–November 2017 is likely due to the above-average rainfall that occurred during October 2017. The well above-average soil moisture conditions over the northern part of the region during March–May 2018 can be attributed to the very high rainfall in February–March over the upper reaches of the Burdekin River.
  • More information on soil moisture distribution across the Burdekin region is available in the Australian Landscape Water Balance.

 

Streamflow responses

Streamflow

 

Figure C6 Key flow gauging stations along the main rivers within the Burdekin region
Figure C6 Key flow gauging stations along the main rivers within the Burdekin region

 

  • The Burdekin, Cape and Suttor rivers provide the major inflows to Lake Dalrymple.
  • The Bowen river contributes to one of the major water supply schemes in the region.

 

 

Figure C7 Total monthly flow for key rivers during the 2017–18 year compared with the average and percentiles

 

  • Total annual flow in the Burdekin River was approxiately 25% above the average annual flow. 
  • The above-average monthly flow in the Burdekin River during March–April 2018 was primarily due to the high rainfall that occurred over the upper catchment area of the Burdekin River during February–March. The high streamflow during this period resulted in large outflows from the delta region
  • Total annual streamflows in the Bowen, Cape and Suttor rivers were less than 32% of the average annual flow. Streamflows during February–March 2018 in these rivers were relatively low compared to the Burdekin River. This is because most of the heavy rainfall during February–March occurred over the northern region; less rainfall occurred over the upper catchment areas of Bowen, Cape and Suttor rivers.

 

Major water reforms