National Water Account 2019

Ord: Key findings

For the water account period 1 July 2018–30 June 2019

  • Below-average annual rainfall contributed to low streamflow across the region.
  • End of year storage dropped by 35% from last year, the second successive drop in annual storage.
  • Water use was 313 GL, more than 30% higher than last year, reflecting the dry conditions.

Climate and water

Rainfall

Rainfall icon

464 mm

below the average of 659 mm

Streamflow

Streamflow icon

below average

for entire wet season

Storage

Storage icon

54% full

arrowpointingdown

35% less than last year

Water use

Water sourced

Graph showing breakdown of water sources used in the Ord region. A total of 313,091 ML of water was used in the region in 2018–19. Surface water made up 98% of total water use; groundwater made up 2% of the use.

Water supplied

Graph showing breakdown of water users in the Ord region. A total of 313,091 ML of water was supplied to users in 2018–19. 86% of total water supply was for the irrigation scheme; 13% was for individual users; and 1% was for the urban system.

Water status

Allocations

416 GL

total surface water and groundwater allocations

Water assets

5,840 GL

water assets at 30 June 2019

3,150 GL less than last year

Outlook

Increase

in storage expected during the 2019–20 year