Feasibility assessment of opportunities for underground technologies in Queensland

Project overview

This desktop assessment undertaken by GHD identified areas of Queensland that may be suitable for underground water storage technologies. These include things such as sand dams or sub-surface dams to support agricultural development. 

Sand dams and sub-surface dams are technologies that are used to capture seasonal flows or groundwater recharge events. They are then stored for off-season use. 

The project included a literature review and a multi criteria analysis to identify areas with good potential for location of sand dams and sub-surface dams. These areas were considered suitable for further detailed investigation. 

Goals of the assessment

Underground technologies that can improve water security include:

• managed aquifer recharge
• sand dams
• underground dams. 

These technologies are used to capture additional water when it’s available and store it underground for future use. This can help manage variable flows by:

• storing water from wet years to use in dry years
• capturing water in the wet season and storing it to use in the dry season. 

This assessment aimed to identify areas in Queensland where sand dams or underground dams could be used to support future agricultural development. 

Outcomes of the assessment

The project identified a number of potentially suitable regions in Queensland for sand dams or sub-surface dams. Areas with good potential for sand dams were identified in the: 

• Bowen region 
• Cape York
• wet tropics 
• south-eastern and central portions of the Mitchell catchment. 

Areas with good potential for sub-surface dams were identified in the: 

• Flinders and Gilbert catchments
• central and southwestern parts of the Mitchell catchment
• parts of the upper Burdekin catchment
• St George alluvium. 

Additional investigations of areas identified in this assessment are needed before progressing potential opportunities for sand dams or sub-surface dams. 

Environmental and cultural considerations

Environmental and heritage attributes and First Nations interests were included as criteria in the multi-criteria analysis used to identify potentially suitable areas. These would need to be considered further in any future, more detailed analysis, of potential sites for sand dams or underground dams.