We investigated groundwater resources in the Gingin–Cowalla area to help manage the groundwater resources around Seabird, where an expansion of horticulture was driving increased demand for groundwater.
This investigation significantly improved the groundwater monitoring network, increased our knowledge of the Superficial aquifer, and now provides ongoing monitoring data to evaluate the impact of abstraction and climate change on the resource.
This investigation ran from 2005 to 2006 as part of our flagship State Groundwater Investigation Program.
What we did during the investigation
Through the Gingin–Cowalla groundwater investigation we installed 10 shallow monitoring bores into the Superficial aquifer within the Seabird, Karakin Lakes, North Moore River Park and Guilderton North subareas of the Gingin groundwater plan area.
Key findings and how we are using the information
The long-term, systematic collection of water-level data from the bores we installed as part of this study has provided critical data to help evaluate changes in aquifers and groundwater resources over time.
Data collected from the new bores also helped us develop the Gingin groundwater allocation plan 2015. We continue to monitor these bores and regularly evaluate the groundwater resources.
Where to get more details
You can download the Gingin groundwater allocation plan 2015.
You can ask for copies of the internal technical reports for this investigation by emailing groundwater.info@dwer.wa.gov.au. These include:
- Bore completion report for Gingin superficial aquifer groundwater investigation, HR254 (Lindsay 2006)
- Groundwater resource review – Gingin-Cowalla Rd, HR272 (Tuffs 2008).
Go to our Water Information Reporting portal to access data from the monitoring bores installed during the investigation.
Read more about our groundwater investigations by region across Western Australia.
