Arafura swamp water resources study
Williams, D.; Chudleigh, I.; Jolly, P.
E-Publications; E-Books; PublicationNT; Report ; 45/2003
2003
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).
Date:2003
English
Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment
Darwin
Report ; 45/2003
application/pdf.
Check within Publication or with content Publisher.
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/229247
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/673198
5 Background to Study and Project Aims Between 1996 and 1998 the water resources of East Arnhem Land were mapped as part of the East Arnhem Land Water Study (Zaar et al, 1999). The East Arnhem Land Water Study mapped the regional aquifer systems and developed regional relationships that indicate the interaction between groundwater and dry season stream flows. On completion of the Study it became apparent that a more comprehensive study was needed to show the complex and variable relationship between rainfall, stream flow and groundwater processes at a catchment level. The dependence of the environmental health of the Arafura Swamp on large spring flow into the lower reaches of the Goyder River was determined in the Study. Also determined was the gap in knowledge of that dependence. In response to this gap in knowledge the Arafura Swamp Water Resources Study was initiated. The Arafura Swamp Water Resources Study builds upon the knowledge gained in the East Arnhem Land Water Study. The primary purpose of the Arafura Swamp Water Resources Study is to provide relevant information on the hydrology of the Arafura Swamp so that Aboriginal landowners and managers will be able to include water related aspects in their land management planning. The information can also be used to assist the local community in making informed land management decisions. The specific objectives of the Arafura Swamp Water Resources Study were: 1. Develop rainfall/runoff relationships for the Arafura Swamp and contributing catchments, incorporating differences in runoff based on soils, vegetation, topography and geology. 2. Model surface water transport and flow patterns within the Arafura Swamp. This will aid land management planning for erosion and weed control, water quality management, and more effective management of land and water degradation issues. 3. Evaluate and describe the importance of groundwater systems. Identify the extent of aquifers and their discharges. Produce models to describe the relationships between rainfall, recharge, water table levels and groundwater discharges. 4. Integrate Indigenous knowledge. 5. Provide decision support materials in the form of maps, models, interpretive reports and databases that contain the natural and cultural knowledge. This report briefly outlines how these objectives have been met during the three years of the project. The report is only one of a number of products produced as outputs from the Arafura Swamp Water Resources Study. The other products are: Arafura Swamp Water Resources Study Interactive CD Interactive GIS Project, Maps and Satellite Images Catchment Management Issues Document All products are contained on the Arafura Swamp Water Resources Study CD that has been produced as the major output from this program of work.