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Burdekin: Supporting information

For the water account period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

  • Annual rainfall in the Burdekin region during 2023–24 was above average for the fourth consecutive year, although runoff and surface water inflows into the region's surface water storages were below average.
  • Total storage volume in the Burdekin region increased by 4.4% during the reporting year, finishing at 96.0% full on 30 June 2024.
  • Approximately 49% of surface water and groundwater resources in the Burdekin region were taken, primarily for allocated diversions to irrigation users under the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme.

Schematic representation of the Burdekin region. In 2022–23, runoff was 15% more than average. Storage volumes at 30 June 2024 were 96% full, higher than the previous year. 45% of the total surface water allocation (1,572GL) was taken. 100% of the total groundwater allocation (119 GL) was taken.

For further information on the regions water accounting statements scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

Water assets

Lake Dalrymple, Burdekin region (Roslyn Budd, Budd Photography © 2019)

 

  • The total volume of water assets in the Burdekin region was 2,121 GL on 30 June 2024, with approximately 90% of the water assets held in surface water storages.
  • Aquifers accounted for approximately 8% of the total water assets in the Burdekin region, while the remaining volume of water assets was contained in rivers.
  • A detailed breakdown of water assets in the Burdekin region is available in the Statement of Water Assets and Water Liabilities.

 

Table S1 Accessible storage volume in the Burdekin region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Surface water 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Burdekin Falls 1,770,861 1,690,213 1,850,538 1,804,949 1,728,597 1,837,447
Clare Weir 16,394 13,096 14,401 15,691 15,512 13,609
Eungella 111,748 109,530 92,526 91,926 97,396 111,425
Giru Weir 685 690 657 711 764 759
Lake Paluma 11,512 10,229 9,427 11,309 7,846 11,490
Accessible total 1,911,200 1,823,758 1,967,549 1,924,586 1,850,115 1,974,730
Dead storage 9,405 9,405 9,405 9,405 9,405 9,405
Total storage 1,920,605 1,833,163 1,976,979 1,933,991 1,859,520 1,984,135
Total capacity 2,000,897 2,000,897 2,000,897 2,000,897 2,000,897 2,000,897
% full 96.0% 91.6% 98.8% 96.7% 92.9% 99.2%

 

  • The total storage volume in the Burdekin region increased by 4.4% during 2023–24, finishing at 96.0% full on 30 June 2024.
  • Lake Dalrymple, formed by Burdekin Falls Dam, accounts for almost 92% of the region's total surface water storage.

 

Map of Burdekin region showing the status of each storage at 30 June 2021. The storages are colour coded into ten categories of volume as a proportion of capacity. All storages (Lake Dalrymple, Lake Eungella, Clare Weir, and Giru Weir) were over 80% full. An inset line graph shows the time series of percentage-full storage volume between 1 July 2013–30 June 2021. Burdekin storages at 30 June 2021 were 97% full, slightly less than last year.
Figure S1 Percentage-full volume on 30 June 2024 for each storage and total storage volume from 2010–2024 (inset)

  • The total storage volume in the Burdekin region began the 2023–24 year at 91.6% full—the lowest opening storage volume since 2014–15
  • Following the region's driest August-to-October period on record, storages across the Burdekin region dropped to approximately 66% full during October.
  • In response to above-average rainfall in November and December, storages rebounded, rising above 100% full during December for the first time since April 2023.
  • On January 26, Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossed the Queensland coast near Townsville as a weakening category 1 system. Although the heaviest falls from the system occurred north of the Burdekin region, the region was still impacted by heavy rain, causing storages to increase rapidly, peaking around 125% full at the end of January.
  • At the conclusion of the 2023–24 wet season, storages were just above 100% full, but fell below full capacity during May, due to a lack of rain-bearing systems in April and May.
  • By 30 June 2024, the total storage volume in the Burdekin region was 96.0% full—up 4.4% from the same time last year.
  • More detailed information on individual storages in the Burdekin region is available on the Bureau of Meteorology's Water Information Dashboard.

 

Water liabilities

Lake Dalrymple, Burdekin region (CSIRO © 2007)

 

  • Water liabilities in the Burdekin region refer to the volume of allocation remaining on licence entitlements at the end of the reporting period (30 June).
  • Licence entitlements in the Burdekin region contain carryover provisions, which allow any unused portion of the allocation to be carried over into the next reporting period.
  • As all groundwater extractions are taken through non-allocated purposes, there are no groundwater allocated licences in the Burdekin region.
  • A more detailed description of water allocations in the Burdekin region is provided in the Water use section.

 

Table S2 Opening and closing balance of surface water allocations for individual users in the Burdekin region over the past six water accounting periods
Description 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Opening balance at 01 July 269,898 0 159,976 108,151 119,813 74,084
add Allocation 1,140,093 1,140,093 1,140,093 1,181,223 1,170,327 1,159,180
less Allocated diversion 540,790 396,116 542,378 540,953 645,988 524,908
less Adjustment and forfeiture 599,303 474,079 757,691 588,445 536,001 588,543
Closing balance at 30 June 269,898 269,898 0 159,976 108,151 119,813

 

  • Surface water allocations in the Burdekin region were 1,410 GL for 2023–24, primarily for medium security surface water licences. This was 270 GL higher than the previous reporting year due to the additional allocations carried over from the 2022–23 year.
  • At the end of the 2023–24 reporting year, it was determined that 270 GL of surface water allocations would be carried over into the 2024–25 water year.

 

Water flows

Burdekin River near Charters Towers (CSIRO © Willem van Aken)

 

  • Total water inflows into the Burdekin region during 2023–24 were 6,967 GL, approximately half of the previous year's volume.
  • Surface water inflows contributed 88% (6,145 GL) of total water inflows, with runoff accounting for 93% of the surface water inflows.
  • Runoff into the region's surface water storages was 42% below than the long-term average of 9.715 GL (based on modelled data from 1971 to 2023), and the lowest since 2019–20.
  • Groundwater inflows contributed 12% (822 GL) of total water inflows, in which recharge from surface water resulted in 92% of the total groundwater inflows.
  • Artificial (managed) aquifer recharge, which occurs in the Lower Burdekin, attributed for 8% of the total groundwater inflows, almost double from the previous year. The volume of managed recharge is impacted by turbidity in the Burdekin River and changes in irrigation demand.
  • Total water outflows from the Burdekin region during 2023–24 were 8,618 GL, approximately 39% lower than the previous year.
  • Surface water outflows contributed 99% (8,500 GL) of total water outflows, mainly from outflow to sea , which comprised for 71% of the total surface water outflows.
  • Outflow to sea from the region's rivers was 39% below the long-term average of 9,969 GL (based on modelled data from 1971 to 2023), and the lowest since 2019–20.
  • Groundwater outflows contributed 1% (119 GL) of total water outflows, primarily from non-allocated extraction to irrigation users, which constituted for 98% of the total groundwater outflows.
  • A more detailed breakdown of inflows and outflows for the Burdekin is available in the Statement of Changes in Water Assets and Water Liabilities.

 

Water availability

 

Table S3 Annual surface water available in the Burdekin region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Surface water 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Water availability 7,814,347 13,581,242 8,063,131 12,231,676 4,687,760 23,548,736
Water accessible 1,571,913 1,301,408 1,478,335 1,447,413 1,448,179 1,393,504
Water taken 702,712 557,431 720,644 698,992 804,027 685,148
% water accessible taken 45% 43% 49% 48% 56% 49%

 

  • Surface water availability in the Burdekin region during 2023–24 was 31% below the long-term average of 11,267 GL, and 42% lower than the previous year, reflecting the decrease in runoff across the region.
  • Changes in water availability across the Burdekin region are heavily influenced by runoff. Generally, when runoff increases or decreases, water availability responds in a similar way.
  • Despite the decrease in water availability, surface water accessible for take in the Burdekin region was the highest on record, 16% above the average of 1,354 GL, primarily due to increased carryover from the start of the reporting period.
  • In contrast, water taken from surface water resources in the Burdekin region was 10% below the average of 776 GL, but 26% higher than last year, mainly due to increased allocated diversions to irrigation users.
  • The increase in water taken from surface water resources during 2023–24 may reflect the drier conditions in early spring and late autumn increasing irrigation demand.
  • Overall, approximately 45% of the surface water accessible for take in the Burdekin region was taken, primarily for allocated diversions to various users across the region.

 

Water use

Burdekin River, Queensland (Bureau of Meteorology © Graham Hawke)

 

Consumptive use

 

Table S4 Surface water taken for consumptive use in the Burdekin region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Surface water 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Individual users 72,562 40,950 46,374 255,420 261,377 227,258
Industrial users 26,301 23,706 27,383 - - -
Inter-region supply 12,700 12,700 12,700 12,539 20,108 15,705
Irrigation users 427,859 317,508 454,195 429,153 520,330 440,911
Other users 133,790 133,165 150,153 - - -
Stock and domestic 28,408 28,426 28,426 - - -
Urban users 1,092 976 1,413 1,880 2,212 1,274
Total 702,712 577,431 720,644 698,992 804,027 685,148

 

Table S5 Groundwater taken for consumptive use in the Burdekin region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Groundwater 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Individual users - - - 148,028 147,521 136,748
Commercial users 104 104 104 - - -
Industrial users 1,029 1,232 679 - - -
Irrigation users 116,291 91,022 103,720 - - -
Mining users 140 140 556 - - -
Other users 447 338 364 - - -
Stock and domestic 648 648 648 - - -
Urban users 300 516 564 - - -
Total 118,959 94,000 106,635 148,028 147,521 136,748

 

  • A total of 822 GL of water was taken from surface water and groundwater resources for consumptive use in the Burdekin region during 2023–24, approximately 26% more than the previous year, primarily due to increased surface water allocated diversions to irrigation users.
  • Surface water diversions across the Burdekin region were 703 GL, around 26% higher than the previous year, but 10% below the average of 776 GL.
  • Approximately 61% of surface water diversions in the Burdekin region were to irrigation users (under the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme), while other users accounted for 19% of the surface water diversions. The remaining volume of diversions were for individual users (10%), stock and domestic purposes (4%), industrial users (4%), inter-region supply (2%), and urban users (less than 1%).
  • Allocated surface water diversions accounted for 77% of all surface water diversions, while the remaining volume of diversions were for was non-allocated purposes.
  • Groundwater extractions across the Burdekin region were 119 GL, around 27% more than last year, and 29% above the average of 92 GL.
  • Non-allocated extractions to irrigation users accounted for 98% of the total groundwater extractions, with the remaining volume of extractions made by industrial users, stock and domestic purposes, other users, urban users, mining users, and commercial users.
  • There are no allocated extractions in the Burdekin region.

 

Allocations and diversions

 

Table S6 Surface water allocations and diversions in the Burdekin region over the past six water accounting periods ending 30 June
Surface water 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Carryover 269,898 0 159,976 108,151 119,813 74,084
Allocated announcements 1,140,093 1,140,093 1,140,093 1,181,223 1,170,327 1,159,180
Allocated diversions 540,790 396,116 542,378 540,953 645,988 524,908
% used 38% 35% 42% 42% 50% 43%

 

  • Total surface water allocations in the Burdekin region during 2023–24 were 1,410 GL, approximately 24% more than the previous year.
  • Approximately 38% of the surface water allocated in the Burdekin region was used, mostly by irrigation users in the Burdekin River Irrigation Area.
  • There are no allocated groundwater entitlements in the Burdekin region—all extractions made are under non-allocated extractions.