Current Projects
Gulf Water Study
This is a three year project jointly funded by NRETA and the Water Smart Australia Program. It will map the water resources of the area bordering the southern Gulf of Carpentaria. The project also involves detailed investigations of the Roper River catchment, its groundwater systems and its interplay with dependent ecosystems. Three 1:500,000 scale groundwater maps will be produced with accompanying explanatory notes. The maps will also show springs and late Dry season stream flows.
It is due to be completed by 1/9/2009.
Groundwater Map of the Northern Territory
A groundwater map at 1:2,000,000 scale will be produced. It will depict aquifer types, typical bore yields, groundwater discharge areas and water quality. A set of explanatory notes will accompany the map.
It is due to be completed by 1/9/2008.
Biophysical Modelling of Water Quality in a Groundwater Dependant Ecosystem
The project is a joint study by NRETA, Charles Darwin University and CSIRO Land and Water. It will quantify water sources and water use by spring-fed rainforest ecosystems in the Darwin Water Control District. It will examine historical groundwater data, climate and fire regimes and input these into a groundwater model and assess the threats of saline intrusion to the area should excessive extraction of groundwater occur. The primary outcome of this project is to refine the hydrologic model used to allocate groundwater in the McMinns/Howard East groundwater system in the Darwin Water Control District.
It is a two year project due to be completed by 30/6/2008
Darwin Rural Area Groundwater Water Quality Investigations
This project is examining localised high arsenic concentrations in groundwater. It aims to identify the source of the arsenic and to determine if bore construction influences the concentrations measured at the well head.
It is due to be completed by 1/12/2008.
Ngukurr Water Supply - Groundwater Investigation
This project aims to identify a new water supply borefield for Ngukurr. It involves exploratory drilling and geophysical surveys.
It is due to be completed by 9/8/2008.
Urapunga Water Supply - Groundwater Investigation
This project aims to identify a new water supply borefield for Urapunga. It involves exploratory drilling and geophysical surveys.
It is due to be completed by 1/9/2008.
Groundwater Dependence of Arid Zone Vegetation
This project is a joint study between NRETA, CSIRO Land and Water and the University of Tasmania. It is using isotopic and hydrochemical techniques as well as soil physics to determine if arid zone vegetation utilises groundwater.
It extends on parts of the Ti-Tree and Amadeus basins and is due to be completed by 30/6/2008.
Water Resources of the Great Artesian Basin
Isotopic and hydrochemical techniques will be used to investigate recharge on the western margin of the basin. Both the mechanism and timing of recharge will be investigated. The project area crosses into South Australia and is a joint study between NRETA, South Australian Department of Land and Water and Flinders University.
It is a three year study which will begin in 2008.
Regional Assessment of Palaeochannels
This project aims to understand the hydrogeology of Tertiary aged palaeochannels deposits in the Tanami desert and areas further south. The study area includes parts of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It is a joint project between NRETA, Geoscience Australia, NT Geological Survey, SA Dept. Land & Water, WA Geological Survey and the WA Dept. Water.
It is a five year project starting in 2008.
