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MIKE SHE Public Data Catalog – Basin Supplement

Great Artesian Basin

Version: 0.1 test template
Purpose: Basin-wide data sources and hydrological context for MIKE SHE models in the Great Artesian Basin
Complements: MIKE SHE Public Data Catalog – Australia and the state supplements for Queensland, NSW/ACT, South Australia and the Northern Territory

1. Hydrological Context

1.1 Overview

  • about 1.7 million km², roughly one-fifth of Australia
  • underlies parts of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory
  • one of the largest confined groundwater basins in the world
  • recharge mainly along the eastern margin (Great Dividing Range) and some western margins
  • discharge through springs, bores and diffuse upward leakage
  • very long flow paths, with groundwater ages up to around a million years or more

1.2 Relevance for MIKE SHE

Deep, confined regional flow is usually better represented in FEFLOW or MODFLOW. MIKE SHE is most useful in the GAB for:

  • estimating diffuse and focused recharge in the outcropping recharge beds
  • spring-fed wetlands and groundwater-dependent ecosystems
  • providing recharge as input to regional groundwater models

1.3 Key Modelling Challenges

  • historical pressure decline from uncontrolled flowing bores (addressed by bore capping programs)
  • coal seam gas depressurisation (Surat Basin)
  • mining extraction (e.g. Galilee Basin, Olympic Dam)
  • protection of GAB springs
  • very low and uncertain recharge rates

2. Major Aquifer Units

Unit Type Modelling Relevance
Precipice Sandstone Confined sandstone Deep aquifer, CSG context
Hutton Sandstone Confined sandstone Major aquifer in the east
Cadna-owie Formation – Hooray Sandstone Confined sandstone Main artesian aquifer
J aquifer (South Australia) Confined sandstone Mound springs, mining supply
Rolling Downs Group Aquitard Main confining unit

3. Basin-Wide Data Sources

Component Source Content MIKE SHE Use
Water resource assessment CSIRO Great Artesian Basin Water Resource Assessment Recharge estimates, water balance, hydrogeology Recharge comparison
Hydrogeological framework Geoscience Australia GAB geological and hydrogeological surfaces Layer geometry
Bioregional assessments Geological and Bioregional Assessments Data and models for coal and gas regions Impact context
CSG impacts OGIA Surat regional groundwater model, spring data Boundary conditions
Basin management DCCEEW – Great Artesian Basin GAB Strategic Management Plan Management context
National bore data BoM NGIS Bores, lithology, hydrostratigraphy Heads, layering

4. Where to Find State Data

Data Need QLD NSW SA NT
Bores and groundwater levels Queensland Globe Water Insights WaterConnect NR Maps
Geology GSQ MinView SARIG STRIKE
Springs Queensland Open Data SEED WaterConnect NR Maps

5. Modelling Notes

  • restrict MIKE SHE domains to recharge beds and spring areas rather than the whole basin
  • use SLGA soils and SILO forcing for recharge-bed models, with long simulation periods to capture episodic recharge
  • compare simulated recharge with published chloride mass balance estimates from the CSIRO assessment
  • represent springs as drains or specified discharge points
  • export recharge for use in regional FEFLOW or MODFLOW models

6. Checklist

  • [ ] recharge beds in the study area mapped
  • [ ] relevant state bore data collected
  • [ ] springs identified
  • [ ] CSIRO recharge estimates obtained for comparison
  • [ ] CSG and mining influence areas checked