Publication Date
12-2022
Publisher
CSIRO
City
Perth
Abstract
This report contributes to the Transforming Agriculture in the Pilbara (TAP) initiative that has been developed to undertake the detailed studies in the Pilbara to bring suitable medium to large scale irrigation land to market for private investment. The research objective was to explore opportunities for irrigated agriculture north of Newman (Eastern Pilbara), deploying managed aquifer recharge (MAR) to secure water for irrigation. MAR source water identified was from mine dewatering surplus, generated from the large BHP Iron Ore operation in the Newman region. The objectives of this report were to:
- conceptualise the groundwater system and associated processes in the Newman area
- develop a numerical groundwater flow model of the alluvial aquifer
- explore alternatives options for MAR for irrigation development using up to 50 GL/y surplus water available from the mining operation in the Newman region.
Number of Pages
94
Keywords
airborne electromagnetic survey, hydrogeology, managed aquifer recharge, Pilbara, groundwater modelling
Disciplines
Agriculture | Geology | Hydrology | Sustainability | Water Resource Management
Recommended Citation
Schmid W, Rojas R, Donn M, Schelfhout C, Raiber M and Barron O (2022) Groundwater modelling of the Newman area for managed aquifer recharge assessment, report to Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, CSIRO, Perth.
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Included in
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Comments
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) of the Western Australian Government has identified priority areas across the state where investigations are required to assess the capacity for development of irrigated agriculture and related businesses. The Transforming Agriculture in the Pilbara (TAP) is an initiative that has been developed to undertake detailed studies in the Pilbara to bring suitable medium to large scale irrigation land to market for private investment in 2018.
DPIRD and CSIRO has jointly completed an investigation of opportunities for water resource development in the Karratha-Hinterland, De Grey catchment and Newman region in the Pilbara. Each study area was identified as a likely region for future irrigation developments subject to water availability and soil suitability.