Land management options for a salt-affected catchment on the Darling Downs [Queensland]
1992
Doherty, J.E. | Stallman, A.D. (Queensland Dept. of Primary Industries, Indooroopilly (Australia). Div. of Land Management)
A hydrogeological investigation was undertaken over a salt-affected catchment on the eastern Darling Downs. Existing data, including topographic, soils and geological data were collated. These data were supplemented with those gathered from a geophysical survey, borehole drilling, soil sampling and groundwater chemical analyses to provide an understanding of the hydrogeological processes operating within the catchment. A groundwater model assimilating much of this information was developed. The model was then used to test the efficacy of different catchment subsurface water management options including tree-planting in the upper and lower catchments, drainage and dewatering using pumps and windmills; the effects of using pumped water for irrigation within the lower catchment were also tested. The costs and benefits associated with these options as they related to salinity management were calculated. It was found that tree-planting would not be a cost effective management option; however irrigation would allow the dual benefits of reclaiming the salty and waterlogged land for dryland agriculture while allowing the introduction of some profitable irrigated agriculture into the catchment.
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