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This project area examines the occurrence of groundwater, the aquifer character and water quality within the Samford Valley in Southeast Queensland. The valley is a peri-urban setting around 20 km northwest of Brisbane, and hosts both residential and rural activities. This research also considers the morphology of the valley, the relation of rainfall to recharge and the relationship between water resources and land use. The study was conducted as research towards a BAppSc Honours by Bronwyn Jones, School of Natural Resource Sciences, in 2007.
Research Elements
 New water bore being drilled in
Samford valley.
(Jones, B. 2007)
- Collecting and evaluating known data on the valley's geographical setting, physiography, and its hydrogeological character (how the geology controls water movement). The well defined geomorphological features of Samford Valley are a result of differential weathering (“reverse weathering”) where the granitic pluton has weathered away more than the country rocks its intruded.
- Using existing topographic data of the valley and surrounding ranges to produce models displaying the valley morphology, and an assessment of the form of the valley's natural drainage systems.
Mineral content in the groundwater in
Samford valley evaluated via water's
conductivity. (Jones, B. 2007)
Click to view larger image-
Data on human infrastructure, such as towns and roads, were also factored into the drainage and topographic models, which can be related to current land use.
- Collection of data presenting the fluctuation of rainfall and stream flows, which through analysis can determine whether groundwater is contributing to stream flow and when this occurs. This provided an understanding of the relationships between streams and groundwater within the valley.
Map of Samford featuring elevation
of land as well as drainage areas
from rainfall.
(Preda, M. 2007. Data from
Pine Rivers Shire)
Click to view larger image- The status of water supply within the valley is important. Most of the valley is reliant on rainfall tank storage, and groundwater. With the ongoing dry conditions, more groundwater bores are being drilled, water levels are falling, and many landowners are now paying to have water brought by tanker. In the north and eastern section of the valley are rural residential area, but much of the remainder is rural, in particular horse-related landuse.
Regions of Samford valley used for
varying types of land use.
(Qld Department of Natural
Resources, unpublished data).
Click to view larger image- Electrical conductivity was measured from all available bores in the Samford Valley to indicate the salinity of the groundwater. This data when mapped shows that within the central and northeastern section of the valley, the water is brackish to salty; this brackish water appear to discharge from the valley to the northeast. The groundwater towards the edges of the valley in general is fresher with much lower salinity.
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