Groundwater licence holders in Carnarvon’s Subarea A with bores in the riverbed sands aquifer can take as much water as they like while the declaration is in place.
Unrestricted pumping was last declared in June 2021.
“The river flow plays a vital role in recharging the local aquifers used for town supply and food production,” Mid West Gascoyne Regional Manager Fleur Coaker said.
“Rainfall in the catchment at the end of March started flows that initially reached Carnarvon on 4 April.
“Subsequent rain generated more flows with a second peak arriving on Tuesday 11 April.
“There is the possibility of further smaller peaks from the upper catchment as waters continue to flow downstream.”
Carnarvon is a major foodbowl that relies on regular aquifer recharge to support irrigators in dry years.
“The water flowing into Carnarvon is good quality fresh water needed for high value horticulture, with the most recent peak flow recording salinity levels at Nine Mile Bridge of 105mg/L TDS (Total Dissolved Solids),” Ms Coaker said.
“We will continue to work with local irrigators to manage the resource for sustainable productive use and regional water security,” she said.
