DWLBC REPORT Preliminary assessment of the impacts of water resource development on Burra Creek Catchment 2008/01 Preliminary assessment of the impacts of water resource development on Burra Creek Catchment David Deane, Chris Graves, Paul Magarey and Laura Phipps Knowledge and Information Division Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation January 2008 Report DWLBC 2008/01 Knowledge and Information Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation 25 Grenfell Street, Adelaide GPO Box 2834, Adelaide SA 5001 Telephone National (08) 8463 6946 International +61 8 8463 6946 Fax National (08) 8463 6999 International +61 8 8463 6999 Website www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au Disclaimer The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and its employees do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use, of the information contained herein as regards to its correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency or otherwise. The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and its employees expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility to any person using the information or advice. Information contained in this document is correct at the time of writing. © Government of South Australia 2008 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Chief Executive, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, GPO Box 2834, Adelaide SA 5001. ISBN 978-1-921218-78-1 Deane, D, Graves, C, Magarey, PD & Phipps, L 2006, Preliminary assessment of the impacts of water resource development on Burra Creek catchment, DWLBC Report 2008/01, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Adelaide. FOREWORD South Australia’s unique and precious natural resources are fundamental to the economic and social wellbeing of the state. It is critical that these resources are managed in a sustainable manner to safeguard them both for current users and for future generations. The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) strives to ensure that our natural resources are managed so that they are available for all users, including the environment. In order for us to best manage these natural resources, it is imperative that we have a sound knowledge of their condition and how they are likely to respond to management changes. DWLBC scientific and technical staff continue to improve this knowledge through undertaking investigations, technical reviews and resource modelling. Rob Freeman CHIEF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF WATER, LAND AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Report DWLBC 2008/01 iii Preliminary assessment of the impacts of water resource development on Burra Creek Catchment Report DWLBC 2008/01 iv Preliminary assessment of the impacts of water resource development on Burra Creek Catchment ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Historical photos used in this report provided courtesy of the Burra Community Library were originally published in 'Burra, a Pictorial Memoir' compiled by Ian Auhl. The authors express their gratitude to the many landholders and community members who shared their valuable time and personal experiences. These people include David Linder, David and Jo Gebhardt, Ron and Leona Clarke, Chris Mosey, Ali Fricker, Bob Lamb, Gavin and Trish Philips, John Lindner and Mary Woolacott. Professional support and guidance was provided by staff from DWLBC Knowledge and Information Division, and was greatly appreciated by the authors. In particular, Bruce Murdoch, Theresa Heneker, Mark Alcorn, David Cresswell and Kumar Savadamuthu are acknowledged. Steve Barnett, Steve Kotz, Russel Deakin, Rob Leaney, Martin Fidge, Peta Hansen, Kevin Hudson and Jim Lenz also provided valuable input, and Anne Walters assisted in field surveys. Critique, comments and suggestions that significantly improved the report were provided by the following reviewers: Richard Clark, Tim Doeg, Tania Wilson, Scott Evans, Rebecca Arnold, David Lindner and Ashley Greenwood. This contribution was greatly appreciated. Acknowledgement and thanks are also given to the following agency staff for invaluable assistance with meetings, field observations, general advice and peer review: South Australian Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board (formerly RMCWMB) The SAMDB NRM Board has collaborated on aspects of the project including the provision of aerial photography and contributing to the acquisition of aerial videographic imagery. A number of staff have also contributed to the field and community consultation aspects of the project. In particular, the contribution of the following officers is acknowledged and appreciated: Mardi Van Der Wielen, Rebecca Arnold, Sarah Kuchel, Peter Harris (formerly APCB), Kylie Nicholls (contractor) and Dan Meldrum. Northern and Yorke NRM Board David Sloper, Mary-Anne Young, Kerry Ward, Trudie Stanley, Millie Nicholls. Native Fish SA Simon Westergaard (native fish field surveys and report; see Appendices), Mike Hammer. Regional Council of Goyder Trevor Wood. Environment Protection Authority Peter Goonan, Tracey Corbin. Report DWLBC 2008/01 v Preliminary assessment of the impacts of water resource development on Burra Creek Catchment ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Department for Environment and Heritage Ian Falkenberg, Michael Freak. This work was funded by the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality through the Northern and Yorke NRM Board Investment Strategy. Report DWLBC 2008/01 vi Preliminary assessment of the impacts of water resource development on Burra Creek Catchment CONTENTS FOREWORD...........................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................1 RAINFALL............................................................................................................................1 STREAMFLOW ...................................................................................................................1 GROUNDWATER RESOURCES ........................................................................................2 FARM DAM DEVELOPMENT LEVELS...............................................................................2 IMPACTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL WATER REQUIREMENTS ..........................................3 1. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................5 1.1 PURPOSE..................................................................................................................5 1.2 APPROACH ...............................................................................................................5 2. CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION ..........................................................................................7 2.1 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................7 2.2 CATCHMENT PHYSICAL CHARACTER.................................................................10 2.3 LAND USE ...............................................................................................................12 2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE......................................................................................12 2.5 SUB-CATCHMENT AREAS .....................................................................................13 3. WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT .........................................................................15 3.1 SURFACE WATER DEVELOPMENT ......................................................................15 3.1.1 Overview..............................................................................................................15 3.2 IMPACTS OF EXCESSIVE FARM DAM DEVELOPMENT......................................15 3.2.1 Number and storage capacity..............................................................................16 3.2.2 Farm dam density ................................................................................................18 3.3 GROUNDWATER DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................18 3.3.1 Drilling activity......................................................................................................20 3.3.2 Estimated groundwater use .................................................................................22 3.3.3 Pumping of groundwater from the Burra Mine (skillogalee dolomite) ..................24 3.3.4 Current water use ................................................................................................25 4. CATCHMENT HYDROLOGY .........................................................................................27 4.1 RAINFALL ................................................................................................................27 4.1.1 Data availability and processing ..........................................................................27 4.1.2 Data analysis .......................................................................................................30 4.2 EVAPORATION .......................................................................................................38