Earth Sciences Commons^™

Investigations Of The Potential For Irrigated Agriculture On The Bonaparte Plains: Hydrogeology, Aquifer Properties And Groundwater Chemistry, Don Bennett, Paul Raper, Robert Paul, Tim Pope, Richard J. George Dr

Resource management technical reports

‘Cockatoo Sands’ is a common name for the Cockatoo Sands family of soils (comprising red to yellowish-red sands, sandy earths, and loamy earths) that have formed from quartz sandstone colluviums in relatively isolated patches throughout the East Kimberley region of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Cockatoo Sands are recognised as potentially suitable for irrigated agriculture because they are generally well drained and not subject to waterlogging or inundation. These characteristics allow them to be cultivated and prepared for planting various crops during the wet and dry seasons of northern Australia.

Expanding agricultural production onto the Cockatoo Sands around Kununurra …

Hydrogeology Of The Gillingarra Palaeochannel, Russell Speed, Adele Killen

Resource management technical reports

Previous groundwater investigations had identified the presence of palaeochannel sediments under the Capitela Valley in the Perth Basin, about 25 kilometres south-west of Moora. The sediments of this Capitela Palaeochannel were thought to form a discrete aquifer of good quality groundwater suitable for agriculture.

To improve our understanding of the Capitela Palaeochannel, its distribution, water quality and potential as a groundwater resource, we undertook an airborne electromagnetic (AEM) geophysical survey of the area in December 2012. This led to the discovery of a palaeochannel located in the Darling Range between Gillingarra and New Norcia, and we named this the Gillingarra …

Cockatoo Sands In The Victoria Highway And Carlton Hill Areas, East Kimberley: Hydrogeology, Aquifer Properties And Groundwater Chemistry, D L. Bennett, John Andrew Simons, Richard J. George Dr, Paul Raper

Resource management technical reports

Cockatoo Sands are recognised as potentially suitable for irrigated agriculture because they are generally well drained and not subject to waterlogging or inundation. These characteristics allow them to be cultivated and prepared for planting various crops during the wet and dry seasons of northern Australia. Expanding agricultural production onto the Cockatoo Sands around Kununurra will increase opportunities for agriculture by increasing the overall scale of agriculture, allowing year-round agricultural enterprise, new crops and new market opportunities.

DAFWA has assessed the soil characteristics and agriculturally suitable areas of Cockatoo Sands in the Victoria Highway and Carlton Hill areas near Kununurra. Potential …

Preliminary Summary Of Water Resource Investigations During 2012 At Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah, Lee J. Florea, Chelsie R. Dugan, Camille Mckinney

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

This manuscript considers the hydrology and geochemistry of water resources within Timpanogos Cave National Monument in American Fork, Utah. In particular, data are presented for five cave pools within the Monument and the American Fork River that flows through the Monument. Two independent dye trace attempts in this study have not established a connection between the surface near the canyon rim at the south border of the Monument and the cave pools or the river. Ion chemistry of the pools reveals elevated sulfate concentrations. Analysis of sulfate and other reaction products suggests the possibility of combined carbonic and sulfuric acids …

The Effects Of Evapotranspiration Upon Recharge Using The Stable Isotopes Of Oxygen And Hydrogen In The Carbonate Aquifers Of The Cumberland Plateau In Southeast Kentucky, Lee J. Florea

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

In this brief manuscript, we consider the variation of the stable isotopes of oxygen, δ18O, and hydrogen, δ2H, in samples collected during 2010 and 2011 from precipitation and shallow groundwater along the Cumberland Plateau of southeast Kentucky. These data from the 1,900-ha Redmond Creek karst aquifer lend insight into the source and timing of recharge to shallow groundwater in the epigenic karst of the U.S midcontinent. Specifically, we find that only 43% of precipitation remains as potential recharge after accounting for evapotranspiration, and 85% of this potential recharge occurs during only four two-week sampling periods. The isotopic composition of precipitation …

Weaber Plain Hydrogeology: Preliminary Results, Richard J. George Dr, John Andrew Simons, Paul Raper, Robert J. Paul, D L. Bennett, Rosemary H. Smith

Resource management technical reports

In 2008, the Ord Irrigation Expansion Project was approved by the Western Australian Government to develop irrigated agriculture on the Weaber Plain. Construction of the M2 supply channel connecting the ORIA and Weaber Plain, and the final period of irrigation design, environmental management and related approval processes commenced later in 2009. This process followed a protracted period of public and private industry planning and environmental assessment (Kinhill 2000). As a part of the environmental planning and approvals process, the WA Government was required to prepare a groundwater management plan and a hydrodynamic plan. These plans were to address potential issues …

Background Fluorescence In Groundwater From A Tropical Karst Island Aquifer, Michelle Hoffman

Michelle Hoffman

Background levels of four fluorescent compounds were monitored biweekly at thirteen sampling sites on Guam, consisting of subtidal and intertidal springs, dissolution fractures, and internal upland contact spring discharge, over a 13-month period from 2006 to 2007. Samples were compared to local precipitation and to seawater samples from four nearby reef flats. The data revealed that the concentrations of optical brighteners were consistently two orders of magnitude greater than either sodium fluorescein or rhodamine WT, while Eosine Y was rarely detected. Background levels in seawater, by comparison, accounted for 25% or more of the fluorescent compounds detected at the thirteen …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Western Australian Part Of The Nullarbor Region, P A. Waddell, A K. Gardner, P Hennig

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor region, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 2005 and 2007, describes and maps the natural resources of the region. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the area's natural resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The Nullarbor region has …

The Southeastern Coastal Plain: An Overview, Lee J. Florea, H. L. Vacher

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Farm Water For The North-Eastern And Eastern Wheatbelt Of Western Australia (Zones 2 And 5), Susan Murphy-White

Resource management technical reports

Large proportions of Western Australia's dryland farms suffer from water supply problems in the form of shortages, poor quality or combinations of these two factors ... A regional study for the North-eastern and Eastern Wheatbelt of Western Australia was undertaken. The base data used to develop water supply areas included soil type, landscape units, geology, hydrogeology, native vegetation and existing far water resource infrastructure.

Lockhart Catchment Appraisal 2005, Susan Murphy-White, P Leoni

Resource management technical reports

The Lockhart Catchment is the largest subcatchment of the Avon River Basin covering just over 3.56 million hectares, including 15 Shires running from Quairading and Bruce Rock in the north to Pingrup and Lake King in the south. This document aims to give the reader a starting point from which to further assess larger scale areas of the catchment for the purpose of planning to reverse and improve land degradation and sustainable farming in Western Australia.

Grass Patch-Salmon Gums Area : Catchment Appraisal 2005, Angela Alderman

Resource management technical reports

Rapid catchment appraisal to assess the condition of, and future risks to, agricultural and natural resources within the Grass Patch-Salmon Gums area in Western Australia.

Groundwater Study Of The Boddington Townsite, Gregory Paul Raper

Resource management technical reports

A study of the groundwater beneath the Boddington townsite was carried out in April 2002. The aim was to assess the salinity risk to the townsite infrastructure and to accelerate the implementation of effective salinity management for the town. The study consisted of field reconnaissance, a drilling program, expansion of a groundwater-monitoring network installed in March 2001, and groundwater monitoring.

Gibson Oil Mallee Study : Drill Completion And Preliminary Hydrogeological Interpretation Report, John Andrew Simons, Peter Taylor, D L. Bennett, Western Australia. Department Of Conservation And Land Management

Resource management technical reports

Oil mallees are being planted in Western Australian wheatbelt farms with the expectation that they will reduce land salination by lowering watertables as well as providing income from combinations of eucalyptus oil distillation, power generation, activated carbon production and carbon sequestration in the future.

Wagin-Woodanilling (Zone 5) : Catchment Appraisal 2005, K Ohlsen, T Schulz, T W. Mathwin, Gina Pemberton, Henry Brockman, J Firth, Mitchell Davies, Heather M. Percy

Resource management technical reports

The aim of this report is to assess the current extent of salinity and other natural resource degradation issues and provide landholders with the best current management options to address natural resource management issues and enhance sustainable agricultural production.

Pingrup Townsite : Drilling Completion Report, Louise Hopgood, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia. Rural Towns Program

Resource management technical reports

Initial drilling was carried out in the townsite of Pingrup in Western Australia in April 2002. This report shows the findings of the study in terms of soil characteristics, watertable management and groundwater monitoring.

Upper Yilgarn Catchment Appraisal 2005, Keith Ohlsen, Susan Murphy-White

Resource management technical reports

Soil degradation on farmland reduces agricultural production and will often lead to damage to natural resources such as remnant vegetation and waterways, as well as to infrastructure, including roads and townsites. This report provides current information on the land degradation status for the Upper Yilgarn Catchment area in Western Australia by outlining: condition of the soils, hydrology, natural vegetation, farming systems and agricultural production and risks to natural resources.

Goodlands Oil Mallee Study : Drill Completion And Preliminary Hydrogeological Interpretation, D L. Bennett, Russell John Speed, Peter Taylor, Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (Australia), Western Australia. Department Of Conservation And Land Management

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Avon Hotham Catchment Appraisal 2005, S Sharafi, H Lauk, Paul Galloway

Resource management technical reports

This report summarises current information on risks and impacts to agricultural production and natural resources within the Avon Hotham study area. It then identifies suitable options to manage such risks. The Avon Hotham study area is 1.9 million hectares and is made up of three sub catchments: West Avon, South Avon and Hotham, in south west Western Australia. Among the risks and impacts discussed are rainfall, surface drainage; major land degredation hazards are subsurface compaction and acidification.

An Inventory Of Rangelands In Part Of The Broome Shire, Western Australia, W E. Cotching

Technical Bulletins

The inventory of rangelands in part of the Broome Shire in Western Australia was undertaken by DAFWA between 1989 and 1990. It describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The survey of part of the Broome Shire …

South East Humps Focus Catchment Report, A Hollick

Resource management technical reports

This report provides a record of the activities carried out by the Lockhart Focus Support Team and the Catchment Group. It covers the results of the investigations and a summary of the group's catchment plan for the South East Humps Catchment east of Hyden in Western Australia. It covers the current best available information on soils, groundwater hydrology, surface water control, alternative crops and pastures, and revegetation options.

Lower Yilgarn Catchment Appraisal 2003, D G. Cummins

Resource management technical reports

This report summarises current information on risks and impacts to agricultural production and natural resources within the Lower Yilgarn Catchment. It also identifies suitable options to manage such risks. The report has been divided into three sections : the natural resource base, the catchment risks and management options and impacts. Rapid Catchment Appraisal aims to document salinity risk and management options by addressing all threats to the natural resource base.

Slides: Overview Of Ground-Water Quality And Related Management Issues, Mike Wireman

Groundwater in the West (Summer Conference, June 16-18)

Presenter: Mike Wireman, Regional Groundwater Expert, EPA Region 8.

32 slides.

Groundwater Study Of The Narrogin Townsite, Edward K. Crossley

Resource management technical reports

A groundwater study was carried out in the townsite of Narrogin, Western Australia, in April 2002. The study consisted of a drilling program to install a network of groundwater monitoring bores. This report contains background information for the town and its catchment, the climatic, geological and hydrogeological investigations, and conclusions on the town's salinity risk and recommendations for improved water management.

Narrogin Townsite Test Pumping Results 2003, Louise Hopgood

Resource management technical reports

Test pumping of a production bore in Narrogin took place for 24 hours in August 2003. Data generated by the test pumping was analysed along with groundwater monitoring, climate and geological data. Laboratory analyses of water samples from the production bore indicate very high levels of salinity and hardness which may lead to severe scaling and corrosion of pumps, pipes and pipe fittings.

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Pilbara Region, Western Australia, A M E Van Vreeswyk, K A. Leighton, A L. Payne, P Hennig

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the Pilbara region, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia between 1995 and 1999, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about 181 723 km². Seven …

Frankland-Gordon Area : Catchment Appraisal 2003, Tim D. Overheu, Natural Heritage Trust (Australia)

Resource management technical reports

Rapid catchment appraisal to assess the condition of, and future risks to, agricultural and natural resources within the Frankland Gordon area in Western Australia.

Infill Groundwater Study Of The Quairading Townsite, S Ghauri

Resource management technical reports

An infill groundwater study of Quairading in Western Australia was carried out as part of the Rural Towns Program Community Bores Project to clarify reasons for localised moisture accumulation in buildings.

Kellerberrin Townsite Test Pumping Results 2003, Louise Hopgood

Resource management technical reports

A production bore in Kellerberrin, Western Australia, was test pumped for 24 hours in August 2003. Data generated by the pumping were analysed with groundwater monitoring, climate and geological data. Laboratory analyses of water samples from the production bore indicate a low pH and very high levels of salinity, hardness, sodium, chloride, iron, sulphate, aluminium and manganese. This is likely to lead to scaling, blockages, staining and/or corrosion of pumps, pipes and pipe fittings.

Groundwater Study Of The York Townsite, Edward K. Crossley, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia. Rural Towns Program

Resource management technical reports

A groundwater study was carried out in the townsite of York in April-May 2002. The prupose was to collect information on local groundwater systems that could be used to develop a salinity management strategy. The study included a driling program, which established a network of monitoring bores. Seventy-seven monitoring bores were installed at 32 sites as well as a production bore for testing aquifer properties.