pyramid creek salt interception scheme · from entering pyramid creek annually and thus reduce the...
TRANSCRIPT
Salt HarveSting OperatiOnThe salt harvesting operation consists of 240 Ha of ponds located on a 400 Ha site. All ponds are lined with polyethylene to minimise leakage for the ponds back to the groundwater. There is a buffer zone around the perimeter of these ponds that have been revegetated.
Pyramid Salt Pty Ltd is expecting to harvest upwards of 36,000 tonnes of salt annually from this site that will be used in the production of a range of salt products that include premium and specialty table salt products, swimming pool salt, and other industrial salt products.
tHe BaSin Salinity ManageMent Strategy 2001–2015The Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001–2015 is the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s response to the threats of salinity to water quality, environmental values, regional infrastructure and productive agricultural land. The strategy sets out how Basin Communities and Governments will work together to control salinity and protect important assets and environmental values.
A key element of the Basin Salinity Management Strategy was the implementation of a joint works program to offset a predicted 61EC future increase in average salinity at Morgan. Since the Strategy came into effect, the partner governments of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian government have, initially through the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and more recently the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, invested in the construction, operation and maintenance of Salt Interception and Drainage Disposal Schemes to meet the salinity targets of the BSMS, therefore protecting the River Murray from the impact of rising salinity.
a Joint Works project under the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001-2015. the scheme will prevent 22,000 tonnes of salt from entering pyramid Creek annually and thus reduce the salinity of the Kerang lakes and the river Murray. this is the first scheme designed to incorporate Salt Harvesting, which will result in a sustainable system.
pyraMiD CreeK – in COntextPyramid Creek is an approximately 60 Km long enlarged natural stream in Northern Victoria between Kow Swamp and the Kerang Weir.
This Creek is used as a major irrigation water carrier to the Kerang and Swan Hill irrigation areas and carries over 1,000 Ml/day.
In 1968–69 the creek was remodelled and deepened for more efficient delivery of irrigation flows. This work resulted in highly saline ground water being discharged into the Creek. Approximately 50,000 tonnes of salt enters Pyramid Creek each year with about 50% entering the Creek in the first 12.5 Km downstream of Kow Swamp.
Salt aS a reSOurCeAlthough Salt as a Resource opportunities are limited, it has been recognised by the Partner Governments of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority that to ensure sustainability of operation of salt interception commercial use of saline water may be appropriate. This could include saltland agronomy, timber production and salt harvesting and processing. Other uses of saline water include saline aquaculture and energy production.
Further Information
Murray-Darling Basin AuthorityTelephone (02) 6279 0100International + 61 2 6279 0100Postal Address GPO Box 1801,Canberra ACT 2601
For more information on Salinity or Salt Interception Schemes, visit the Murray-Darling Basin Authority website:www.mdba.gov.au
Goulburn-Murray Water Telephone: (03) 5451 0111
Pyramid Salt Pty Ltd Telephone: (03) 5455 1299 Fax: (03) 5455 1330 Email: [email protected]
Funded by the Victorian, South Australian, New South Wales and Australian Governments through the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
Salt harvested by: Managed by:
prOJeCt HiStOryThe salinity problem being caused by Pyramid Creek was identified by the Kerang Lakes Area Working Group in the later 1980’s.
Following extensive investigations by the Victorian Authorities, a project proposal was presented to the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council in 2001.
pyraMiD CreeK – tHe SCHeMeThe $12.8 m Salt Interception Scheme on the upper reaches of Pyramid Creek (first 12 Km downstream of Kow Swamp) will lower the groundwater table adjacent to the Creek preventing around 22,000 tonnes of salt from entering the Creek each year. This will result in reduced salinity of downstream waterways including the Loddon River, the Ramsar listed Kerang Lakes and the River Murray.
pyramid Creek Salt interception Scheme
I&D
137
22
LEAKAGE FROMAQUITARD TO
AQUIFER
PYRAMID CREEK
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
WATER TABLE AND AQUIFER PIEZOMETRIC - LEVEL BEFORE PUMPING
WATER TABLE WITH INTERCEPTION
AQUIFER
INTERCEPTION WELL
KEY
Cross SectionDrill Rig. Photo: G-MW
Aerial Photo – Photo: G-MW
Photo of Commercial Salt Harvesting. Photo: Phill Pfeiffer
Pyramid Creek Salt Interception Scheme
SCHeMe OperatiOn• Goulburn-Murray Water operates and maintains the
interception scheme
• Pyramid Salt Pty Ltd operates and maintains a harvesting facility
• Goulburn-Murray Water monitors and manages the impact of the interception scheme
• Goulburn-Murray Water monitors the impact and performance of the salt harvesting pondage
interCeptiOn WOrKSThe salt interception works comprises 113 production bores along a 12 Km stretch of Pyramid Creek, each of which is equipped with an electrical submersible pump.
An extensive network of monitoring bores is used to monitor the performance of the production bores and the salt harvesting pondage.
A 3 Km transfer pipeline is used to deliver saline groundwater from the production bores to the salt harvesting ponds.
Groundwater salinity along this section of Pyramid Creek is around 44,000 EC Units (an EC unit is a measure of salinity concentration with seawater around 50,000 EC Units).
Mungo N.P.
Mallee Cliffs N.P.
Kinchega N.P.
Murray Sunset N.P.
Hattah-Kulkyne N.P.
Wyperfeld N.P.
Billiat ConservationPark
Murray River N.P.
Little Desert N.P.
Grampians N.P.Kinglake N.P. Lake Eildon N.P.
Alpine N.P.
Maragle State Forest
Namadgi N.P.
Brindabella N.P.
TinderryNatureReserve
Alpine N.P.
KosciuszkoN.P.
Yathong StateForest
Goobang N.P.
Gundabooka N.P.
Currawinya N.P.
Carnarvon N.P.
Culgoa N.P.
Mt. Kaputar N.P.
PilligaNature
Reserve
DanggaliConservation
Park
Big DesertWilderness
Park
ChestertonRange N.P.
NocolecheNature
Reserve
Cocoparra N.P.
Mt. Buffalo N.P.
Glenelg River
Hop
kins
Rive
r
Mitchell River
Snowy River
Shoa
lhaven River
Woll
ondil
ly Rive
r
Hawkesbury River
Hunter
River
Hunter River
Manning River
Macleay River
Clarence River
Mann River
Brisbane River
Burnett River
Auburn River
Dawson River
Fitzroy River
Nogoa River
Mac
kenz
ie Rive
r
Alice River
Barcoo River
Bullo
o R
iver
Thom
son
Riv
er
Cooper Creek
Cooper Creek
River Frome
Stize
leck
i Cre
ek
La Trobe River
Yarra River
Banrock Station
Lake Albacutya
Hattah–KulkyneLakes
KerangWetlands
Barmah Forest
GunbowerForest
Werai Forest
Riverland
Paroo–DarlingNational Park
Currawinya Lakes
Macquarie Marshes
Narran Lake
Fivebough–Tuckerbil
Lower Lakes andCoorong
Koondrook–PerricootaForest Millewa Forest
GininiFlats
Blue Lake
N E W S O U T H W A L E S
V I C T O R I A
S O U T HA U S T R A L I A
Q U E E N S L A N D
A C T
TaroomGayndah
Bundaberg
Hervey Bay
Kingaroy
Tambo
Blackall
Gatton
Maroochydore
Armidale
Grafton
Lismore
Tweed Heads-Coolangatta
Coffs Harbour
Port Macquarie
Muswellbrook
Newcastle
Wollongong
Goulburn
Batemans Bay
Bega
Eden
Lakes Entrance
Bairnsdale
Sale
Ballarat
Ararat
Hamilton
Warrnambool Geelong
MountGambier
Kingston SE
Keith
Bordertown
Gawler
Clare
Port Pirie
Port Augusta
Peterborough
Thargomindah
Quilpie
Cranbourne
Sunbury
Traralgon
Lithgow
Springsure
Nowra
Portland
Lock 10 Lock 11
Lock 15
Lock 1
Lock 2Lock 3
Lock 4
Lock 5
Lock 6
Lock 7Lock 8
Lock 9
Torrumbarry Weir
Yarrawonga Weir
Barrages
Weir 32
Menindee Main Weir
Bourke Weir
Melbourne
Sydney
Adelaide
Brisbane
CanberraBillabong CreekEdward River
Tuppal Creek
River Murray
Darling River
Murrumbidgee River
Mitta Mitta River
Ovens River
Kiewa River
Broken River
Broken CreekGoulburn River
Goulburn River
Cam
pasp
e Ri
ver
Loddon RiverAvoca River
Wimmera River
Avon River
Rich
ards
on R
iver
Lachlan River
Bogan River
Par
oo River
Warrego R
iver
Talbragar River
Castlereagh River
Namoi River
Coxs
Cre
ek
Severn River
Macintyre River
Weir RiverMoonie River
Condamine River
Culgoa River
Narran River
Birrie River
Mun
galla
la C
reek
Neb
ine
Cree
kW
arre
go R
iver
Lang
lo R
iver
War
d R
iver
Niv
e R
iver
Maranoa R
iver
Balonne River
Macquarie River
Gwydir River
Mehi River Macintyre RiverBarwon River
Tumut River
Darling River
Grea
t D
arlin
g Anabranch
River Murray
River Murray
Bee
chal
Cre
ek
Willandra Creek
Bland Creek
Wakool River
Niemur River
River Murray
Dumaresq River
River Murray
Murray Bridge
Swan Reach
Karoonda
Morgan
Burra
Renmark
Loxton
Pinnaroo
Murrayville
Mildura
Nhill
Horsham
Halls Gap
Hopetoun
Maryborough
Bendigo
Kerang
Swan Hill
Moulamein
Deniliquin
Echuca
Shepparton
Jerilderie
Tocumwal
Wangaratta
Bright
CorowaAlbury
Omeo
Khancoban
Cabramurra
Tumbarumba
Henty
LockhartTumut
Wagga WaggaGundagai
Yass
Crookwell
BoorowaYoung
Cowra OberonGrenfell
West Wyalong
LeetonHay
Griffith
Goolgowi
Hillston
Lake Cargelligo
Condobolin
Forbes
Temora
ParkesOrange Portland
Rylstone
MudgeeWellington
DubboDunedoo
Tullamore
Tottenham
Nyngan
CoolahWarren
CoonabarabranGulargambone
Coonamble
Werris Creek
Walgett
Wee Waa
Narrabri
Manilla
Tamworth
Uralla
Bundarra
Inverell
Warialda
Glen Innes
Moree
Mungindi
Dirranbandi
Goondiwindi
Texas
Tenterfield
Inglewood
Millmerran
Stanthorpe
Warwick
Toowoomba
Dalby
TaraSurat
MilesChinchilla
RomaMitchell
Augathella
Charleville
St George
Cunnamulla
Goodooga
Brewarrina
Bourke
Cobar
White Cliffs
Wilcannia
Menindee
Broken Hill
Ivanhoe
Cooma
Adaminaby
Narrandera
Bathurst
Gunnedah
Balranald
Robinvale
Blanchetown
Meningie
Tailem Bend
Ouyen
Tooleybuc
Seymour
Benalla
Mansfield
Barmera
Clayton
Barham
Hanwood
Lightning Ridge
Allora
Cootamundra
Booligal
Pooncarie
Hungerford
Wanaaring
Cheepie
Wyandra
Morven
Condamine
MoonieBollon
Enngonia
ByrockLouth
Sea Lake
Mannum
Wentworth
Goolwa
Donald
Finley
Hattah
Wodonga
Narromine
Eildon Reservoir
Winton Wetlands
Waranga Basin
EppalockReservoir
TullaroopReservoir
CairnCurranReservoir
Lake Nillahcootie
DartmouthReservoir
Hume Reservoir
BloweringReservoir
TalbingoReservoir
BurrinjuckReservoir
Wyangala Reservoir
Carcoar Reservoir
BurrendongReservoir
WindamereReservoir
Lake Albert
Lake Alexandrina
Lake Victoria
MenindeeLakes
Narran Lakes
LakeGeorge
Lake Hindmarsh
The Coorong
Lake Buloke
Hattah Lakes
Lake Mulwala
Jack Taylor Weir
Lake Cargelligo
Lake Brewster
Lake Cowal
Kow Swamp
Murray Mouth
Willandra Lakes region
Great CumbungSwamp
Keepit Reservoir
Split RockReservoir
Chaffey Reservoir
Copeton Reservoir
Coolmunda Reservoir
Pindari Reservoir
Beardmore Reservoir
0 50 100
Kilometres
N
KERANG
LITTLE MURRAY RIVER
LO
DD
ON
RIV
ER
BARR
CREEK
GUNBOWER CREEK
PENTAL ISLANDSWAN HILL
PENTAL ISLANDPUMPING STATION
LITTLE MURRAY
WEIR
WOORINENHORTICULTURE
PUMP STATION
TRESCOI.D.
BOGA
FISHPOINTWEIR
TUTCHEWOP
KANGAROORACECOURSE
CHARM
NO. 7 CHANNEL
SCOTTS CK
6/7
CH
L.
R IVER MURRAY
SHEE
PWA
SH C
K.
WEIR
KERANGWEIR
REGULATOR
THIRD L.MIDDLE L.
REEDY L.
REGULATOR
ELIZABETH
BAEL BAEL
DUCKCULLENS
THEMARSH
SECONDMARSH
IRRIGATEDHORTICULTURE
BARR CREEK -LAKE TUTCHEWOP
AVOCA FLOODOUTFALL ROUTE
KANGAROODIVERTERS
WANDEL
LA C
K.
WANDELLAFOREST
WASHPEN CK.
JOHNSON HIRDSWAMP
PYRAMID CREEK SIS
& SALT HARVESTING
PONDS
MACORNA
CHANNEL
NATIONAL
PYRAMID
CREEK
BEND
IGO
CK.
BU
LLOC
K C
K.
NIN
E MILE C
REEK
RV
R.
AV
OC
A
TORRUMBARRY WEIR
DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE TORRUMBARRY IRRIGATION SYSTEM
CHA
NN
EL
LEGEND
COHUNA
KOW SWAMP
KOW SWAMP
MACORNA CHANNEL
FLANNERYS BRIDGE
MANSFIELDS BRIDGE
CREEK
CREEK
BOX
PYRAMIDCREEK
BULLO
CK BOX BRIDGE CHURCHS CUT (CHANNEL)
Scale of kilometres
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
N
SALT HARVESTING PONDS
HA
RE
LAN
E
HORFIELD SCHOOL
HILDEBRANDS
PEACES
CHURCHS
L‘HULLIER LANE
PYRAMID
- LEIT
CHVILLE RD
ROAD
ROAD
ROAD
ROAD
COHUNA - LEITCHVILLE
MA
NSF
IELD
S
R
OA
D
FLAN
NER
Y R
D
MO
RR
IS
R
OA
D
ROAD
PYR
AM
ID -
LE
ITC
HV
ILLE
RO
AD
Scheme Map RIVERS/CREEKS/CSD
CHANNELS
INTERCEPTION BORES
STORAGE POND
CONCENTRATOR POND
CRYSTALISER POND
BITTERN POND
PROCESS AREA
SALT HARVESTING POND BUFFER
COMMUNITY SURFACE DRAIN BUFFER
REVEGETATION AREA
DISPOSAL MAIN
LEGEND
SCREENTYPICAL SUBMERSIBLEPUMP CONFIGURATION
PUMP
MOTOR
FLEXIBLE COLUMN
BORE CASING
EXISTING WATER LEVEL MOTOR CABLE
DRAWNDOWN WATER LEVEL
BORE CAP
SWITCHBOARD
POWER IN
AIR VALVE
NON–RETURN VALVE
COLLECTIONMANIFOLD
CONCRETEAPRON
Pyramid Creek Salt Interception Scheme
SCHeMe OperatiOn• Goulburn-Murray Water operates and maintains the
interception scheme
• Pyramid Salt Pty Ltd operates and maintains a harvesting facility
• Goulburn-Murray Water monitors and manages the impact of the interception scheme
• Goulburn-Murray Water monitors the impact and performance of the salt harvesting pondage
interCeptiOn WOrKSThe salt interception works comprises 113 production bores along a 12 Km stretch of Pyramid Creek, each of which is equipped with an electrical submersible pump.
An extensive network of monitoring bores is used to monitor the performance of the production bores and the salt harvesting pondage.
A 3 Km transfer pipeline is used to deliver saline groundwater from the production bores to the salt harvesting ponds.
Groundwater salinity along this section of Pyramid Creek is around 44,000 EC Units (an EC unit is a measure of salinity concentration with seawater around 50,000 EC Units).
Mungo N.P.
Mallee Cliffs N.P.
Kinchega N.P.
Murray Sunset N.P.
Hattah-Kulkyne N.P.
Wyperfeld N.P.
Billiat ConservationPark
Murray River N.P.
Little Desert N.P.
Grampians N.P.Kinglake N.P. Lake Eildon N.P.
Alpine N.P.
Maragle State Forest
Namadgi N.P.
Brindabella N.P.
TinderryNatureReserve
Alpine N.P.
KosciuszkoN.P.
Yathong StateForest
Goobang N.P.
Gundabooka N.P.
Currawinya N.P.
Carnarvon N.P.
Culgoa N.P.
Mt. Kaputar N.P.
PilligaNature
Reserve
DanggaliConservation
Park
Big DesertWilderness
Park
ChestertonRange N.P.
NocolecheNature
Reserve
Cocoparra N.P.
Mt. Buffalo N.P.
Glenelg River
Hop
kins
Rive
r
Mitchell RiverSnowy River
Shoa
lhaven River
Woll
ondil
ly Rive
r
Hawkesbury River
Hunter
River
Hunter River
Manning River
Macleay River
Clarence River
Mann River
Brisbane River
Burnett River
Auburn River
Dawson River
Fitzroy River
Nogoa River
Mac
kenz
ie Rive
r
Alice River
Barcoo River
Bullo
o R
iver
Thom
son
Riv
er
Cooper Creek
Cooper Creek
River Frome
Stize
leck
i Cre
ek
La Trobe River
Yarra River
Banrock Station
Lake Albacutya
Hattah–KulkyneLakes
KerangWetlands
Barmah Forest
GunbowerForest
Werai Forest
Riverland
Paroo–DarlingNational Park
Currawinya Lakes
Macquarie Marshes
Narran Lake
Fivebough–Tuckerbil
Lower Lakes andCoorong
Koondrook–PerricootaForest Millewa Forest
GininiFlats
Blue Lake
N E W S O U T H W A L E S
V I C T O R I A
S O U T HA U S T R A L I A
Q U E E N S L A N D
A C T
TaroomGayndah
Bundaberg
Hervey Bay
Kingaroy
Tambo
Blackall
Gatton
Maroochydore
Armidale
Grafton
Lismore
Tweed Heads-Coolangatta
Coffs Harbour
Port Macquarie
Muswellbrook
Newcastle
Wollongong
Goulburn
Batemans Bay
Bega
Eden
Lakes Entrance
Bairnsdale
Sale
Ballarat
Ararat
Hamilton
Warrnambool Geelong
MountGambier
Kingston SE
Keith
Bordertown
Gawler
Clare
Port Pirie
Port Augusta
Peterborough
Thargomindah
Quilpie
Cranbourne
Sunbury
Traralgon
Lithgow
Springsure
Nowra
Portland
Lock 10 Lock 11
Lock 15
Lock 1
Lock 2Lock 3
Lock 4
Lock 5
Lock 6
Lock 7Lock 8
Lock 9
Torrumbarry Weir
Yarrawonga Weir
Barrages
Weir 32
Menindee Main Weir
Bourke Weir
Melbourne
Sydney
Adelaide
Brisbane
CanberraBillabong CreekEdward River
Tuppal Creek
River Murray
Darling River
Murrumbidgee River
Mitta Mitta River
Ovens River
Kiewa River
Broken River
Broken CreekGoulburn River
Goulburn River
Cam
pasp
e Ri
ver
Loddon River
Avoca River
Wimmera River
Avon River
Rich
ards
on R
iver
Lachlan River
Bogan River
Par
oo River
Warrego R
iver
Talbragar River
Castlereagh River
Namoi River
Coxs
Cre
ek
Severn River
Macintyre River
Weir RiverMoonie River
Condamine River
Culgoa River
Narran River
Birrie River
Mun
galla
la C
reek
Neb
ine
Cree
kW
arre
go R
iver
Lang
lo R
iver
War
d R
iver
Niv
e R
iver
Maranoa R
iver
Balonne River
Macquarie River
Gwydir River
Mehi River Macintyre RiverBarwon River
Tumut River
Darling River
Grea
t D
arlin
g Anabranch
River Murray
River Murray
Bee
chal
Cre
ek
Willandra Creek
Bland Creek
Wakool River
Niemur River
River Murray
Dumaresq River
River Murray
Murray Bridge
Swan Reach
Karoonda
Morgan
Burra
Renmark
Loxton
Pinnaroo
Murrayville
Mildura
Nhill
Horsham
Halls Gap
Hopetoun
Maryborough
Bendigo
Kerang
Swan Hill
Moulamein
Deniliquin
Echuca
Shepparton
Jerilderie
Tocumwal
Wangaratta
Bright
CorowaAlbury
Omeo
Khancoban
Cabramurra
Tumbarumba
Henty
LockhartTumut
Wagga WaggaGundagai
Yass
Crookwell
BoorowaYoung
Cowra OberonGrenfell
West Wyalong
LeetonHay
Griffith
Goolgowi
Hillston
Lake Cargelligo
Condobolin
Forbes
Temora
ParkesOrange Portland
Rylstone
MudgeeWellington
DubboDunedoo
Tullamore
Tottenham
Nyngan
CoolahWarren
CoonabarabranGulargambone
Coonamble
Werris Creek
Walgett
Wee Waa
Narrabri
Manilla
Tamworth
Uralla
Bundarra
Inverell
Warialda
Glen Innes
Moree
Mungindi
Dirranbandi
Goondiwindi
Texas
Tenterfield
Inglewood
Millmerran
Stanthorpe
Warwick
Toowoomba
Dalby
TaraSurat
MilesChinchilla
RomaMitchell
Augathella
Charleville
St George
Cunnamulla
Goodooga
Brewarrina
Bourke
Cobar
White Cliffs
Wilcannia
Menindee
Broken Hill
Ivanhoe
Cooma
Adaminaby
Narrandera
Bathurst
Gunnedah
Balranald
Robinvale
Blanchetown
Meningie
Tailem Bend
Ouyen
Tooleybuc
Seymour
Benalla
Mansfield
Barmera
Clayton
Barham
Hanwood
Lightning Ridge
Allora
Cootamundra
Booligal
Pooncarie
Hungerford
Wanaaring
Cheepie
Wyandra
Morven
Condamine
MoonieBollon
Enngonia
ByrockLouth
Sea Lake
Mannum
Wentworth
Goolwa
Donald
Finley
Hattah
Wodonga
Narromine
Eildon Reservoir
Winton Wetlands
Waranga Basin
EppalockReservoir
TullaroopReservoir
CairnCurranReservoir
Lake Nillahcootie
DartmouthReservoir
Hume Reservoir
BloweringReservoir
TalbingoReservoir
BurrinjuckReservoir
Wyangala Reservoir
Carcoar Reservoir
BurrendongReservoir
WindamereReservoir
Lake Albert
Lake Alexandrina
Lake Victoria
MenindeeLakes
Narran Lakes
LakeGeorge
Lake Hindmarsh
The Coorong
Lake Buloke
Hattah Lakes
Lake Mulwala
Jack Taylor Weir
Lake Cargelligo
Lake Brewster
Lake Cowal
Kow Swamp
Murray Mouth
Willandra Lakes region
Great CumbungSwamp
Keepit Reservoir
Split RockReservoir
Chaffey Reservoir
Copeton Reservoir
Coolmunda Reservoir
Pindari Reservoir
Beardmore Reservoir
0 50 100
Kilometres
N
KERANG
LITTLE MURRAY RIVER
LO
DD
ON
RIV
ER
BARR
CREEK
GUNBOWER CREEK
PENTAL ISLANDSWAN HILL
PENTAL ISLANDPUMPING STATION
LITTLE MURRAY
WEIR
WOORINENHORTICULTURE
PUMP STATION
TRESCOI.D.
BOGA
FISHPOINTWEIR
TUTCHEWOP
KANGAROORACECOURSE
CHARM
NO. 7 CHANNEL
SCOTTS CK
6/7
CH
L.
R IVER MURRAY
SHEE
PWA
SH C
K.
WEIR
KERANGWEIR
REGULATOR
THIRD L.MIDDLE L.
REEDY L.
REGULATOR
ELIZABETH
BAEL BAEL
DUCKCULLENS
THEMARSH
SECONDMARSH
IRRIGATEDHORTICULTURE
BARR CREEK -LAKE TUTCHEWOP
AVOCA FLOODOUTFALL ROUTE
KANGAROODIVERTERS
WANDEL
LA C
K.
WANDELLAFOREST
WASHPEN CK.
JOHNSON HIRDSWAMP
PYRAMID CREEK SIS
& SALT HARVESTING
PONDS
MACORNA
CHANNEL
NATIONAL
PYRAMID
CREEK
BEND
IGO
CK.
BU
LLOC
K C
K.
NIN
E MILE C
REEK
RV
R.
AV
OC
ATORRUMBARRY
WEIR
DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION OF THE TORRUMBARRY IRRIGATION SYSTEM
CHA
NN
EL
LEGEND
COHUNA
KOW SWAMP
KOW SWAMP
MACORNA CHANNEL
FLANNERYS BRIDGE
MANSFIELDS BRIDGE
CREEK
CREEK
BOX
PYRAMIDCREEK
BULLO
CK BOX BRIDGE CHURCHS CUT (CHANNEL)
Scale of kilometres
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
N
SALT HARVESTING PONDS
HA
RE
LAN
E
HORFIELD SCHOOL
HILDEBRANDS
PEACES
CHURCHS
L‘HULLIER LANE
PYRAMID
- LEIT
CHVILLE RD
ROAD
ROAD
ROAD
ROAD
COHUNA - LEITCHVILLE
MA
NSF
IELD
S
R
OA
D
FLAN
NER
Y R
D
MO
RR
IS
R
OA
D
ROAD
PYR
AM
ID -
LE
ITC
HV
ILLE
RO
AD
Scheme Map RIVERS/CREEKS/CSD
CHANNELS
INTERCEPTION BORES
STORAGE POND
CONCENTRATOR POND
CRYSTALISER POND
BITTERN POND
PROCESS AREA
SALT HARVESTING POND BUFFER
COMMUNITY SURFACE DRAIN BUFFER
REVEGETATION AREA
DISPOSAL MAIN
LEGEND
SCREENTYPICAL SUBMERSIBLEPUMP CONFIGURATION
PUMP
MOTOR
FLEXIBLE COLUMN
BORE CASING
EXISTING WATER LEVEL MOTOR CABLE
DRAWNDOWN WATER LEVEL
BORE CAP
SWITCHBOARD
POWER IN
AIR VALVE
NON–RETURN VALVE
COLLECTIONMANIFOLD
CONCRETEAPRON
Salt HarveSting OperatiOnThe salt harvesting operation consists of 240 Ha of ponds located on a 400 Ha site. All ponds are lined with polyethylene to minimise leakage for the ponds back to the groundwater. There is a buffer zone around the perimeter of these ponds that have been revegetated.
Pyramid Salt Pty Ltd is expecting to harvest upwards of 36,000 tonnes of salt annually from this site that will be used in the production of a range of salt products that include premium and specialty table salt products, swimming pool salt, and other industrial salt products.
tHe BaSin Salinity ManageMent Strategy 2001–2015The Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001–2015 is the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s response to the threats of salinity to water quality, environmental values, regional infrastructure and productive agricultural land. The strategy sets out how Basin Communities and Governments will work together to control salinity and protect important assets and environmental values.
A key element of the Basin Salinity Management Strategy was the implementation of a joint works program to offset a predicted 61EC future increase in average salinity at Morgan. Since the Strategy came into effect, the partner governments of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian government have, initially through the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and more recently the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, invested in the construction, operation and maintenance of Salt Interception and Drainage Disposal Schemes to meet the salinity targets of the BSMS, therefore protecting the River Murray from the impact of rising salinity.
a Joint Works project under the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001-2015. the scheme will prevent 22,000 tonnes of salt from entering pyramid Creek annually and thus reduce the salinity of the Kerang lakes and the river Murray. this is the first scheme designed to incorporate Salt Harvesting, which will result in a sustainable system.
pyraMiD CreeK – in COntextPyramid Creek is an approximately 60 Km long enlarged natural stream in Northern Victoria between Kow Swamp and the Kerang Weir.
This Creek is used as a major irrigation water carrier to the Kerang and Swan Hill irrigation areas and carries over 1,000 Ml/day.
In 1968–69 the creek was remodelled and deepened for more efficient delivery of irrigation flows. This work resulted in highly saline ground water being discharged into the Creek. Approximately 50,000 tonnes of salt enters Pyramid Creek each year with about 50% entering the Creek in the first 12.5 Km downstream of Kow Swamp.
Salt aS a reSOurCeAlthough Salt as a Resource opportunities are limited, it has been recognised by the Partner Governments of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority that to ensure sustainability of operation of salt interception commercial use of saline water may be appropriate. This could include saltland agronomy, timber production and salt harvesting and processing. Other uses of saline water include saline aquaculture and energy production.
Further Information
Murray-Darling Basin AuthorityTelephone (02) 6279 0100International + 61 2 6279 0100Postal Address GPO Box 1801,Canberra ACT 2601
For more information on Salinity or Salt Interception Schemes, visit the Murray-Darling Basin Authority website:www.mdba.gov.au
Goulburn-Murray Water Telephone: (03) 5451 0111
Pyramid Salt Pty Ltd Telephone: (03) 5455 1299 Fax: (03) 5455 1330 Email: [email protected]
Funded by the Victorian, South Australian, New South Wales and Australian Governments through the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
Salt harvested by: Managed by:
prOJeCt HiStOryThe salinity problem being caused by Pyramid Creek was identified by the Kerang Lakes Area Working Group in the later 1980’s.
Following extensive investigations by the Victorian Authorities, a project proposal was presented to the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council in 2001.
pyraMiD CreeK – tHe SCHeMeThe $12.8 m Salt Interception Scheme on the upper reaches of Pyramid Creek (first 12 Km downstream of Kow Swamp) will lower the groundwater table adjacent to the Creek preventing around 22,000 tonnes of salt from entering the Creek each year. This will result in reduced salinity of downstream waterways including the Loddon River, the Ramsar listed Kerang Lakes and the River Murray.
pyramid Creek Salt interception Scheme
I&D
137
22
LEAKAGE FROMAQUITARD TO
AQUIFER
PYRAMID CREEK
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
WATER TABLE AND AQUIFER PIEZOMETRIC - LEVEL BEFORE PUMPING
WATER TABLE WITH INTERCEPTION
AQUIFER
INTERCEPTION WELL
KEY
Cross SectionDrill Rig. Photo: G-MW
Aerial Photo – Photo: G-MW
Photo of Commercial Salt Harvesting. Photo: Phill Pfeiffer