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Planning the Water Future » Allocation Planning » Ord River

The Ord River plan area

Ord map

The Ord River basin is in the east of Western Australia's Kimberley region and drains an area of 55 100 square kilometres. At 650 km long the Ord River is one of the state's major river systems.

Ord River water resources

The Ord River is fed from its tributaries, the Dunham, Negri and Wilson rivers. The flow of the Ord River has changed dramatically since the Kununurra diversion dam and the Ord River dam were constructed on the river.

Water planning in the Ord area

Go to plan

We developed a plan in 2006 to prescribe how the waters of the Ord River were to be shared over the next three years.

Since the plan release in 2006, we've completed a comprehensive study outlining how much water is needed to maintain the ecology of the lower Ord River. This study provides more accurate, detailed data on ecological water requirements and supports the next phase of water management planning for the Ord River.

We are currently preparing the supplement to the Ord River water management plan which is intended for release in late 2008. The addendum will be open for a public comment period of three months from the release date.

Why has the department prepared a plan for the Ord?

There are a number of reasons we need a water management plan in the Ord area. These include:

  • protecting the environment of the lower Ord River, taking into account the environmental changes since the construction of the Ord River dam
  • providing secure water supplies for irrigation and hydro-power generation
  • planning guidance for the Western Australian portion of the new Western Australian-Northern Territory irrigation area (M2) and irrigation developments on the lower Ord River downstream of House Roof Hill
  • identifying the potential for further hydro-electricity generation at the Ord River and Kununurra diversion dams
  • indicating the potential for additional irrigation allocations

How can I access information on the Ord that the department has produced?

We are committed to making our technical information that is used in the planning process available to the public.

Please click on the links below to access the main reports relevant to the Ord:
  The Ord River water management plan
Adobe Portable Document Format Ord River water management plan
Document Size: 1699889 bytes
 

  Ecological reports
Adobe Portable Document Format Assessment of pesticides in aquatic organisms – Ord River Western Australia
Document Size: 583661 bytes
This document details the results of pesticide (particularly DDT) analysis on biological samples collected in the Ord and Pentecost catchments. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Ecological water requirements for the lower Ord River - EWR 4
Document Size: 3271849 bytes
The revised ecological water requirement study for the lower Ord River to support the next phase of water management planning for the Ord River. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format HG 07 - Plate 2, Ord River Irrigation Area Hydrogeology
Document Size: 2526048 bytes
 
Adobe Portable Document Format HG 07 - Plate 1, Ord River Irrigation Area Geology
Document Size: 5812637 bytes
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Environmental values, flow related issues and objectives for the lower Ord River, Western Australia
Document Size: 1466552 bytes
This document summarises the scientific studies conducted during the previous 5-6 years on the lower Ord River and provides technical information that will help determine the ecological water requirements for the lower Ord River. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Lower Ord River functional habitat mapping: Evaluation and field trial of remote sensing platforms and imaging techniques
Document Size: 4641642 bytes
This study involved an analysis of remote sensing techniques to identify the most beneficial approach.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Lower Ord River - Fish habitat survey
Document Size: 1737504 bytes
Sections of the lower Ord River were surveyed to provide a report on fish communities and their habitat requirements. This information contributed to the revision of an interim water allocation plan. The habitat survey also provides a basis for long-term monitoring of invertebrate and fish communities.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Lower Ord River - Fish response to lowered Ord River flow
Document Size: 874602 bytes
This report details the studies undertaken of fish communities in selected habitats in the lower Ord River describing how fish communities and their habitats respond to low flows. 
 
Adobe Portable Document Format Lower Ord River - Invertebrate habitat survey
Document Size: 697320 bytes
Aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of the lower Ord River were sampled in late October (late dry season) 2001 to identify and describe key habitats and the macroinvertebrates that live in them.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format HG 07 - Hydrogeology of the Ord River irrigation area
Document Size: 2211980 bytes
This report provides the regional framework to plan management strategies to control rising groundwater levels.  
 

  Hydrological and hydro-geological reports
Adobe Portable Document Format HG 07 - Hydrogeology of the Ord River irrigation area
Document Size: 2211980 bytes
This report provides the regional framework to plan management strategies to control rising groundwater levels.  
 
Adobe Portable Document Format HG 07 - Plate 1, Ord River Irrigation Area Geology
Document Size: 5812637 bytes
 
Adobe Portable Document Format HG 07 - Plate 2, Ord River Irrigation Area Hydrogeology
Document Size: 2526048 bytes
 

  Social reports
Adobe Portable Document Format Gunanurang: (Kununurra) Big River - Aboriginal cultural values of the Ord River and wetlands
Document Size: 555794 bytes
This study provides information and recommendations that facilitate Aboriginal involvement in waterway management and future water allocation planning.  
 

Further information

For licensing information, please contact the Kimberley Regional office in Kununurra. Phone 08 9166 4100.

For planning information, please contact the Department of Water’s Water Allocation Planning branch. Phone 08 6364 7600 or email allocationplanning@water.wa.gov.au.