Maules Creek

The Maules Creek subcatchment of the Namoi has been the subject of investigation to determine the interrelationship between surface water and groundwater. The upper part of the catchment receives considerable recharge from ephemeral streams draining from the Nandewah Ranges and Mount Kaputar. It is probable that a large proportion of the available groundwater resource is supplied from these ephemeral sources but at present, we have no means of quantifying the recharge. It is proposed to extend existing borehole networks into the upper parts of the catchment and to monitor stream flow using new thermal based methods. Groundwater levels will be monitored at new piezometer sites. Field infrastructure will include transects of piezometers perpendicular to the streams, stream autosamplers, rain gauges and weather stations. Remote video cameras will be installed to monitor the stream flow changes. An existing BOM station at Maules Creek (Avoca East) will be incorporated in the network.