Transcript

Understanding how water flows in the Burnett catchment

This map journal demonstrates the key features which influence water flow, including geology, topography, rainfall and runoff, vegetation, human modifications and land uses. Knowing how water moves in the landscape is fundamental to sustainably managing the catchment and the services it provides.

It is to be used in conjunction with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority's Burnett Catchment Flood Resilience Strategy. The strategy is provided in the first tab of this map series, and includes details on the following components of the Burnett catchment:

• Environmental values
• Social values
• Economic values

The map journal was prepared by the Queensland Wetlands Program in the Queensland Department of Environment and Science in collaboration with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

Table of contents

1. How to view this map journal
2. Subcatchments
3. Geology and topography
4. Rainfall
5. Vegetation
6. Infrastructure 
7. Water flow
8. Conclusion
9. Acknowledgements
10. Data source, links and extra information

Main image. The Burnett River from McConnell Lookout, Gayndah - provided by North Burnett Regional Council.

How to view this map journal

How to use this map journal:

• Use the navigation bar to explore the catchment story
• Click on the linked text to access more information about that topic
• In the map area, click on the features to access more information about that topic
• Images and graphics can be expanded by clicking the button at the top right hand corner
• YouTube videos may be used also to portray information. Wait for them to load, and pause and play as needed by clicking the middle of the screen.

This map journal is best viewed in Chrome or Firefox, not Explorer.

Main image. Looking towards Horseshoe Bay from the forts (WWII fortifications and infrastructure) - provided by Alana Lorimer.

Subcatchments

A 'catchment' is an area with a natural boundary (for example ridges, hills or mountains) where all surface water drains to a common channel to form rivers or creeks.*

The Burnett catchment is listed as a single catchment but consists of several distinct areas which have similar characteristics:

1. Barker and Barambah creeks subcatchment (Barker, Barambah and Boonara creeks together with many minor waterways)
2. Boyne and Auburn rivers subcatchment (the Stuart, Boyne and Auburn rivers, Cadarga, Grant and Johnson creeks, and Jimmie Gully together with many minor waterways)
3. Upper Burnett River subcatchment (the Burnett, Rawbelle and Nogo rivers, and Cameron, St John, Munholme, Monal, Three Moon, Misfortune, Splinter and Eastern creeks together with many minor waterways)
4. Lower Burnett River subcatchment (the Burnett River and Reid Creek together with many minor waterways)

*Definition sourced from the City of Gold Coast website - see links at the end of this map journal.

Main image. Farming with the Bunya Mountains in the background - provided by South Burnett Regional Council.

Geology and topography

Many different rock types combine to make up the geology of the Burnett catchment.

Water flow is fast off hard geologies such as granitoids, arenites, mafites and felsites, particularly when the topography is steep. More porous geologies, such as alluvium, colluvium, miscellaneous unconsolidated sediments and basalt allow surface water to infiltrate and recharge groundwater systems. Metamorphic geologies can allow for some local recharge of groundwater systems through fracturing.

Conceptual models for several of the catchment's geology types and flow characteristics are provided at the end of this slide. Weir on the Burnett River, upstream of Gayndah - provided by Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

The headwaters of Barker Creek flow from basalt (Bunya Mountains). The higher elevations of Barker and Barambah creeks are very steep and otherwise dominated by hard geologies such as mixed volcanics and sedimentary rocks including mafites and felsites and granitoids. The lower elevations are mostly undulating and also dominated by hard geologies, although there are areas of more porous geologies, such as basalt, alluvium, colluvium and ferricrete, in more gently undulating to flat landscapes.

The headwaters of the Boyne River flow from basalt (Bunya Mountains). The higher elevations are steep and otherwise dominated by hard geologies such as granitoids and arenites. The lower elevations are mostly undulating and also dominated by hard geologies, although there are more porous geologies, such as miscellaneous unconsolidated sediments*, alluvium,colluvium, ferricrete, duricrust and metamorphic geologies, in the more gently undulating landscapes.

The higher elevations of the Auburn River subcatchment are mostly undulating and dominated by hard geologies such as arenites, granitoids, mixed volcanics and sedimentary rocks including mafites and felsites and ironstone. There are also large areas of more porous miscellaneous unconsolidated sediments** in relatively flat, but elevated, landscapes. The lower elevations are also mostly undulating and dominated by hard geologies, although there are more porous geologies, such as alluvium, colluvium and metamorphic geologies, in the more gently undulating to flat landscapes.

Image: Weir on the Burnett River, upstream of Gayndah - provided by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

The higher elevations of the Upper Burnett River subcatchment are very steep and dominated by hard geologies such as arenites, mixed volcanics and sedimentary rocks including mafites and felsites, granitoids and gabbroids (including volcanic caldera). The lower elevations are mostly undulating and also dominated by hard geologies, although there are more porous geologies, such as alluvium, poorly consolidated sediments and basalt.

The Lower Burnett River subcatchment is steeper in the west and more undulating to flat in the coastal areas. It is dominated by hard geologies such as mixed volcanics and sedimentary rock including mafites and felsites, granitoids and arenites, although there are more porous geologies, such as Elliot Formation (sedimentary rock),*** basalt, alluvium, colluvium and ferricrete.

Image: Cropping, lower Burnett River - provided by Bundaberg Regional Council.

The Lower Burnett subcatchment narrows substantially and receives large volumes of water from the upstream subcatchments. This area is prone to flooding. Water backs-up behind the hard geologies, at a sharp bend in the river, and alluvium accumulates as the reduced water flow rate allows fine sediment to settle out of the water column. There are also alluvial deposits in associated with confluences of several waterways across the catchment.

The alluvium, basalt and Elliot Formation (sedimentary rock) of the lower catchment provide for some groundwater infiltration in an otherwise largely hard catchment. Hardening of the lower catchment by urban development has reduced infiltration in some parts, which can influence water flow and flooding.

Conceptual models by Queensland Government:

• Exclusion zones
• Permeable rocks
• Fractured rock
• Alluvia
• Alluvial aquifers
• Channel shape

*Land zone 3 (Alluvial river and creek flats). Defined as 'Recent Quaternary alluvial systems, including closed depressions, paleo-estuarine deposits currently under freshwater influence, inland lakes and associated wave built lunettes. Excludes colluvial deposits such as talus slopes and pediments. Includes a diverse range of soils, predominantly Vertosols and Sodosols; also with Dermosols, Kurosols, Chromosols, Kandosols, Tenosols, Rudosols and Hydrosols; and Organosols in high rainfall areas.' (Wilson et al. 2012) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information. Land zone mapping is available within the preclear vegetation mapping by clicking on the relevant polygon.

**Mostly land zone 5 (old loamy and sandy plains). Defined as 'Tertiary-early Quaternary extensive, uniform near level or gently undulating plains with sandy or loamy soils. Includes dissected remnants of these surfaces. Also includes plains with sandy or loamy soils of uncertain origin, and plateau remnants with moderate to deep soils usually overlying duricrust. Excludes recent Quaternary alluvial systems (land zone 3), exposed duricrust (land zone 7), and soils derived from underlying bedrock (land zones 8 to 12). Soils are usually Tenosols and Kandosols, also minor deep sandy surfaced Sodosols and Chromosols. There may be a duricrust at depth.' (Wilson et al. 2012) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information. Land zone mapping is available within the preclear vegetation mapping by clicking on the relevant polygon.

***Most sedimentary rock types have low permeability. The Elliot Formation sedimentary rock consists of sandstone, siltstone with minor mudstone, conglomerate and shale, and have experienced periods of deep weathering. This has caused sediments to become mottled, iron-rich or bleached and developed a distinct duricrust appearance, and increased permeability (Marshall et al. 2015; Wilson et al. 1999) - see links at the end of this map journal for further information.  

Main image. Dirnbir, west of Gayndah - provided by North Burnett Regional Council.

Rainfall

The Burnett Mary region usually experiences annual wet and dry seasons, with most of the rainfall typically between November and March.

The hydrological seasonality associated with these wet and dry season flow conditions are critical to the ecological character, function and associated values of aquatic ecosystems. The dry season is also an essential part of the functioning of the system with these semi-permanent waterholes important for maintaining ecosystems.

Average annual rainfall across the Burnett catchment* ranges from 650 to 1,101 millimetres per year with higher rainfall over more coastal areas and the higher elevations of eastern Upper Burnett River and eastern Barkers Creek. 

Mean rainfall graphs: Bureau of Meteorology

Main image. Barkers Creek Road, Kingaroy - provided by Margie Lee Madigan. 

Vegetation

Water that falls as rain, or moves over the land as runoff, is slowed by vegetation, which then allows it to filter down into the soil and sub-soil. Slowing the flow of surface water helps to retain it longer on the land which in turn allows it to filter down through the soil and bedrock to recharge groundwater aquifers.

Conceptual model by Queensland Government: Vegetation cover and water flow

Conceptual model by Queensland Government: Groundwater dependent ecosystem types

Water moving slowly across the surface of the land also reduces the potential for erosion to occur and reduces the associated issues with water quality and sedimentation further downstream. Reducing the speed of runoff also plays a role in protecting banks and parts of the landscape prone to gully and rill erosion. 

The wetlands and creeks of the catchment also provide habitat for many important aquatic species, including plants, fish and birds. There are groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) in parts of the catchment.

Conceptual model by Queensland Government: Wetland types

A range of different land uses make up the land use of the Burnett Catchment.

Large areas of the original native (preclear) vegetation* have been cleared or partially cleared**, mostly for grazing on native pastures but also cropping, residential and associated services and other minor land uses. Much of the cleared vegetation has regrown.***

Explore the swipe map showing vegetation mapping over time (preclearing and remnant), using either of the options below.^

• Interactive Swipe App. where you can zoom into cleared areas and use the swipe bar (ESRI version)
• Interactive Swipe App. where you can use the swipe bar. Use the white slide bar at the bottom of the map for a comparison (HTML version)

Vegetation clearing and associated activities change the shape of the landscape and can modify surface and groundwater flow patterns.

  Image: Cropping - provided by South Burnett Regional Council.

*Broad Vegetation Groups (BVGs) are mapped for original native (preclear) vegetation and remnant vegetation. The BVGs are derived from Regional Ecosystems (REs), which are vegetation communities in a bioregion that are consistently associated with a particular combination of geology, landform and soil.

*The 2011 remnant vegetation mapping was undertaken at a map scale of 1:100,000 and 1:50,000 in part (including the Wet Tropics and Southeastern Queensland) and based on the Landsat imagery for 2011. It does not show all clearing, particularly relatively thin linear infrastructure.

***This dataset take time to load. Smaller areas of regrowth are not shown in this mapping. This dataset was prepared to support certain category C additions to the Regulated Vegetation Management Map under the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016. This dataset is described as: The 2013 areas of non-remnant native woody vegetation that have not been cleared between 1988 and 2014 that are homogenous for at least 0.5 hectare and occur in clumps of at least 2 hectares in coastal regions and 5 hectares elsewhere.

^Depending on your internet browser, you may experience issues with one or the other. Please note this application takes time to load.

Main image. Cattle grazing, Proston - provided by Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

Infrastructure

Important infrastructure such as roads, railways and creek crossings can create barriers and impermeable surfaces that redirect water through single points or culverts, leading to channelling of water in some parts of the catchment. Channelling, and modifications to natural channels such as straightening and diversions, can increase flow rates and erosion. 

Conceptual model by Queensland Government: Roads and water flow

The catchment has many dams and weirs, which also modify natural water flow patterns. They can hold water that would otherwise flow straight into the stream network, and influence tidal movement. There are many farm dams and several large impoundments for town water supply.

Image: Boondooma Lake, the upper Boyne River - provided by Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

There are also many bores*, which extract water groundwater and can influence these systems. Bores are particularly dense in association with: 

• the alluvium of Three Moon Creek,
• the alluvium and basalt of Barker and Barambah creeks, and
• the alluvium, basalt and sedimentary rock (Elliot Formation) near the Burnett River mouth.

Infrastructure can also affect fish passage through the catchment. 

*Taken from database storing registered water bore data from private water bores and Queensland Government groundwater investigation and monitoring bores.

Main image. The lower Burnett River running through Bundaberg - provided by Bundaberg Regional Council. 

Water flow

Water flows across the landscape into the waterways of the catchment (click for animation)*.

The remaining water either sinks into the ground where it supports a variety of terrestrial and groundwater dependent ecosystems or is used for other purposes.

The smaller channels and gullies eventually flatten out to form larger waterways that flow through lower lying land. They pass through unconsolidated areas which store and release water, prolonging the time streams flow.

*Please note this application takes time to load.

Main image. Water pooling on low-lying land - provided by South Burnett Regional Council.

Conclusion

The Burnett catchment shows how natural and modified features within the landscape impact on how water flows. These issues need to be managed to ensure that the significant natural (and social) values of the catchment are protected, and to minimise impacts on the multitude of values within the catchment and downstream in the GBR, while providing for residential, water supply, farming and other important land uses of the catchment.

Knowing how the catchment functions is also important for future planning, including climate resilience. With this knowledge, we can make better decisions about how we manage this vital area.

Main image. Bunya Mountains - provided by Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

Acknowledgements

Developed by the Queensland Wetlands Program in the Department of Environment and Science in partnership with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and the following local partners.

Bundaberg Regional Council

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council

North Burnett Regional Council

South Burnett Regional Council

Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils

This resource should be cited as: Burnett Catchment Story v1.0 (2019), presentation, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland.

Images provided by: Bundaberg Regional Council, North Burnett Regional Council, Queensland Reconstruction Authority, South Burnett Regional Council

The Queensland Wetlands Program supports projects and activities that result in long-term benefits to the sustainable management, wise use and protection of wetlands in Queensland. The tools developed by the Program help wetlands landholders, managers and decision makers in government and industry. 

Contact wetlands♲des.qld.gov.au or visit wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au

Disclaimer

This map journal has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within the document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this education module is from a number of sources and, as such, does not necessarily represent government or departmental policy.

Data source, links and extra information

Software Used

ArcGIS for Desktop | ArcGIS Online | Story Map Journal|Story Map Series |

Some of the information used to put together this Map Journal can be viewed on the QLD Globe.  

Queensland Globe allows you to view and explore Queensland spatial data and imagery. You can also download a cadastral SmartMap or purchase and download a current titles search.

More information about the layers used can be found here: Source Data Table

Flooding Information

Bundaberg Regional Council

North Burnett Regional Council

South Burnett Regional Council

Other References

City of Gold Coast (2021) About water catchments. [webpage] Accessed 25 August 2021

Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (2010) Australian Land Use Management Classification [webpage] Accessed 14 May 2019

Marshall, S. K., Fontaine, K., Kilgour, P. L. and Lewis, S. J. (2015) Regional Hydrogeological Characterisation of the Maryborough Basin, Queensland Technical report for the National Collaboration Framework Regional Hydrogeology Project. Geoscience Australia, Canberra

Wilson, P.R., Anderson, H.M and Brown D.M. (1999) Soils and Agricultural Suitability of the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Area, Queensland. Department of Natural Resources, Brisbane

Wilson, P.R, and Taylor, P.M. (2012) Land Zones of Queensland. Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane

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Last updated: 25 August 2021