In January 2013, the Burnett River catchment experienced the worst flood event on record. Due to rainfall associated with ex-tropical cyclone Oswald, the Burnett and many of its tributaries overflowed their banks in many places, inundating farms, homes, business places and local rubbish dumps.

Good quality water is vital for both human health and food production. This project gathered data on the current state of water quality in the upper Burnett to identify any risks to the supply of domestic, stock and irrigation water throughout the catchment.

Each month the project officer, Marion Denholm collected water samples at 12 locations across the North Burnett and measured temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH, turbidity, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia nitrogen and phosphates.

The project officer also collated historical water data to establish what changes may have occurred due to the recent flooding and provided a baseline of data against which to measure future changes.

BCCA partnered with Queensland Health and DERM and had the support of North Burnett Landcare, Central Burnett Landcare and BMRG. The local community was kept informed of the project’s progress and results and volunteers were welcome to assist in water sample collection and analysis.

The project also allowed for event monitoring twice a year to assess the immediate impact of significant rainfall events on the water quality at the monitoring sites.

The project found, thankfully, no major water quality concerns as a result of the 2013 flood. Natural changes in stream salinity levels have been the only fluctuations. Following rainfall and run-off, fresh water enters the stream and the salinity levels drop, as the water level drops the salinity levels rise again.

To view the final report click here!!