Assessment of major spring systems in the Oolloo Dolostone, Daly River, NT
Project details
| Objective: | To assess and help protect the major spring systems in the Oolloo Dolostone aquifer. |
| Funding: |
$1,120 000 plus GST |
| Jurisdiction: | Northern Territory |
| Commenced: | April 2009 |
| Completion: | November 2011 |
About the project
The Daly River is the Northern Territory's most significant groundwater-dependent ecosystem (GDE) because it has many spring systems that provide a dry season baseflow of approximately 1,700 megalitres a day to the river. The Oolloo Dolostone groundwater system, which feeds the Daly River, is an area that is targeted for competing use by horticultural and other developments because of its potential for high yielding water bores.
The project, to be conducted by the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS) in collaboration with the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Charles Darwin University (CDU). The project will:
- fill key knowledge gaps concerning the water balance components of the system
- identify areas where development is likely to proceed and provide groundwater monitoring infrastructure
- identify appropriate adaptive management practices
- develop a robust system to manage the risks to the springs and dependent ecosystems.
Project benefits
The project will lead to improved understanding of water resources in the region, with adaptive management practices to protect these important springs and ecosystems. The data gathered will underpin the water-management plan for the Oolloo aquifer and Daly River. This will help ensure that National Water Initiative objectives are met within the planning process.
Progress
July 2011
This project has led to the discovery of a new groundwater formation which is helping to explain the expression of groundwater discharge to the Daly River.
Two components of the project have now been completed and can be downloaded:
- A Geographic Information System showing aspects of the Oolloo aquifer and surrounding features. It includes springs, aquifers, geology, recharge zones, boreholes, water quality and other layers. It is in Google Earth format so once Google Earth is installed, download the Oolloo Springs Google Earth file (614kb). Once it is downloaded to your hard drive, open it with Google Earth.
- Oolloo Aquifer Map is a hydrogeological map that displays information about the aquifer and the recharge and discharge processes associated with it. Download the map in pdf format (1.41 MB).
A major success of the Oolloo Dolostone work has been the discovery of a previously unmapped 'Florina formation' within the Oolloo Aquifer.
This has not only helped to better explain the expression of groundwater discharge to the Daly River, but will also improve the Northern Territories' capacity for water planning and management.