AWRA Pilbara-Gascoyne Assessment 2010

This assessment and related data examines water resources in the Pilbara–Gascoyne region in 2009–10 and over recent decades. Seasonal variability and trends in modelled water flows, stores and levels are considered at the regional level. Details for selected rivers, wetlands, groundwater, urban areas and agriculture are not addressed. At the time of writing, suitable quality controlled and assured information was not identified in the Australian Water Resources Information System (Bureau of Meteorology 2011a). It begins with an overview of key data and information on water flows in the region in recent times followed by a description of the region. Key data and information The assessment presents the 2009–10 annual landscape water flows in the Pilbara–Gascoyne region (no information is available for major storages in the region). Total annual rainfall for the Pilbara–Gascoyne region was the lowest in Australia for 2009–10 and the limited water availability also constrained evapotranspiration totals to below average levels These dry conditions resulted in very low regional landscape water yield1 for the year.