Burdekin: Climate and water

  • Total annual rainfall for the 2021-22 year was above average for the second consecutive year.
  • Flooding affected the region during May 2022 following the region's second wettest May on record, but annual streamflows were below average.
  • Soil moisture in the root zone (0-1m depth) was average to above average across the region.

Schematic representation of the Burdekin region. In 2021–22, rainfall was 742 mm, higher than average. Streamflow in Burdekin River in 2021–22 was 2,514 GL compared to the average value of 4,642 GL. Soil moisture was average to above average.

For further information on the region's climate and water conditions during the 2021-22 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 and is characterised by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons.
  • Most of the rainfall occurs during November to April associated with the active phases of the monsoon and tropical cyclone activity.
  • As a consequence, most rivers are seasonal, flowing only in the periods after heavy rainfall.

 

Climate conditions

Rainfall

Figure C1 Annual and monthly rainfall deciles for the Burdekin region during the 2021–22 year

  • Total area-averaged rainfall for the 2021-22 year was 742 mm, above the mean value of 657 mm.
  • Rainfall was average to above average from winter through to mid spring 2021.
  • The development of a La Niña during late-spring contributed to a wetter than average November, particularly across the southern catchments.
  • Drier conditions persisted through early 2022 before heavy rainfall in April and May brought flooding to the region. In some locations, May 2022 was the wettest May on record.
  • More information on Australia's climate and water over the 2021-22 year can be found at: Financial year climate and water statement 2021-22.

 

Figure C2 Total monthly rainfall for the Burdekin region during the 2021–22 year compared with the average and percentiles for the region

  • Heavy rainfall in November 2021, April 2022 and May 2022 resulted in totals above the 90th percentile for these months.
  • Conversely, March had close to 30% and June had around 20% of the regional average monthly rainfall.

 

Actual evapotranspiration

Figure C3 Annual and monthly actual evapotranspiration deciles for the Burdekin region during the 2021–22 year

  • Annual actual evapotranspiration was above average for the 2021-22 year, particularly across the southern half of the region.
  • Evapotranspiration was above average in November and December 2021 due to the heavy rainfalls in received in the region in November.
  • By March 2022, lower summer rainfall and the reduced water availability resulted in below average evapotranspiration across most of the region.
  • Following the high April to May rainfall events, very much above average evapotranspiration was experienced right across the region during May and June 2022.

 

Soil moisture

Figure C4 Annual and monthly soil moisture deciles for the Burdekin region during the 2021–22 year

  • Soil moisture in the root zone (0–1m depth) was average to above average across the region during the 2021-22 year.
  • Following heavy November rainfall, root soil moisture was above average to very much above average for both November and December, particularly in the southern half of the region.
  • Low rainfall in February and March 2022 resulted in widespread drying of the root soil during March with some areas experiencing very much below average soil moisture.
  • However, the rainfall events, which caused flooding, in April to May returned soil moisture to very much above average levels during May and June.
  • More information on soil moisture distribution across the Burdekin region is available in the Australian Water Outlook.

 

Streamflow responses

Map of key gauging stations. Burdekin River at Sellheim, station number 120002C, near Charters Towers, Cape River at Taemas, station number 120302B, in the central east and Suttor River at St Anns, station number 120303A, in the south are located upstream of Lake Dalrymple. Bowen River at Myuna, station number 120205A, approximately 30km west of Collinsville is located on a major tributary of Burdekin River downstream of Lake Dalrymple.
Figure C5 Key flow gauging stations along the main rivers within the Burdekin region

  • The Burdekin, Cape and Suttor rivers are three primary rivers that flow into Lake Dalrymple, which supports the region's Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme.
  • The Bowen River is downstream of Lake Eungella and provides water for the region's Bowen Broken Water Supply Scheme.

 

Figure C6 Total monthly flow for major rivers in the Burdekin region during the 2021–22 year compared with the average and percentiles

  • The total annual flows in the region's major rivers were below avearge as a result of the below average to very much below average rainfall during the wet season. This is despite the region experiencing above the mean rainfall in the region. 
  • The gauge at Sellheim on the Burdekin River, the region's largest river, recorded an annual flow of 2,514 GL, compared to its average of 4,609 GL.
  • Bowen River flows remained low throughout most of the 2021-22 year, with the gauge at Myuna only recording 25% of the average annual flow.
  • Most of the region's annual flow occurred in two periods (November to December 2021 and May 2022) following significant rainfall events.