Down River Scheme

Pump Stations

Down River Pump Station

Located on the Bank of the Burdekin River at the sea interface toward the end of the South Burdekin Water Area, the Down River Pump Station consists of one electrically driven submersible pump, which is capable of delivering 600 litres of water per second or 50 megalitres per day to the top of the river bank. A pipeline runs underground from the bank to supply river water into the Down River Scheme.

Hodders Relift Pump Station

Strategically located within the Down River Scheme, the Hodders Relift station comprises of one 20 megalitre per day pusher pump which assists delivery of water to the Sandy Creek Diversion.

Sandy Creek Relift Pump Station

Strategically located within the Down River Scheme, the Sand Creek Relift station comprises of one 15 megalitre per day pusher pump which assists delivery of water to the Alma Recharge Area.

Sand Dams

McDonald Sand Dam

The McDonald Earth Dam has been strategically located at the end of the Down River system as a barrage for tidal/sea interface management.

Ramsden

The Ramsden Sand Dam is located approximately 500 metres above the Dover River Pump Station Infrastructure as a barrage for tidal/sea interface management.

Down River

The Down River Sand Dam is located directly below the Down River Pump Station Infrastructure to create a pumping pond as well as a barrage for tidal/sea interface management.

These sand dams are essential to maintain water quality and the operational efficiency of the pump.

Recharge Areas

There are 3 lagoons within the Down River scheme which are water replenishment areas used to maintain eco-systems and manage the sea-water interface, their capacities vary from 2 to 45 megalitres.

Diversion Areas

There are two diversion areas within the Down River Scheme, made of natural watercourses and lagoons inter-connected by man-made open earth channels with purpose of surface water distribution and groundwater replenishment. These diversion areas are commonly known as:

  • Down River Diversion Channel
  • Sandy Creek Diversion Channel

The Sandy Creek Diversion Channel provides water service from Down River to Alma Diversion. These diversion areas supply 32 surface water permits supplying a total base volume of 3,761 megalitres to 940 hectares