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Salt questions

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:10 pm
by fredeuce
Given the apparent tidal effect caused by a full moon there will need to be a strict dress code introduced! No more runnng around in jocks!

This is basically targeted toward animal as it is clear we do not need any risk of additional "full moon" activity at the lake upsetting conditiions. :D :D

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:17 pm
by Reverend Hedgash
:lol:

hmmm... I think I am starting to figure out where the expression once in a blue moon came from... cold Speedweeks!

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:22 pm
by Norm
Hay the cooler the air the more fuel you get in the faster ya go. :mrgreen: :twisted: :evil: oh yes baby

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:00 am
by gennyshovel
" dig a bloody big hole at the far end of the lake "
Wot,,and rename it, Lake Bonneville? :?: :shock:
Tiny 8)

more thoughts

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:45 pm
by David Leikvold
OK, we still don't know why the salt is soggy but let's expand a bit on what we already think we know. The Great Artesian Basin area in Queensland has been flooded in the last few weeks. Some of that floodwater must surely have found its way into the underground water table and the level would have risen everywhere. With Lake G only 400 ft above sea level it must be very close to the top of the water in the Basin. With the exception of the rain at Woomera last week there hasn't been any noteworthy rainfall in the area so the water must be underground. And the phases of the moon aren't currently helping either. There must be tidal and gravitational effects on a volume of water bigger than Queensland. Any thoughts anyone?

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:40 am
by DLRA
At the meeting on Sunday there were a lot of people asking a bucket load of questions about the atmospheric, biological, geological and historical aspects of the Lake. The standard answer was, I don't know. Well it's about time we had some answers.

I've spent a fair bit of time yesterday doing some research on the internet. There's certainly a lot more stuff on there than what was available even 12 months ago.

I have found some terrific stuff on weather patterns, but the 2 closest reference points are Woomera and Nonning. Some of the records go back to the 40's and you can definately see trends in the weather patterns.

Also found some interesting info about what the lake is and why, but in generalist terms, not necessarily directly related to Gairdner.

I reckon you may be on to something with artesian water as what I have read so far makes reference to this, but once again nothing to connect it directly to the lake.

I've also found some interesting stuff on claims both native and mining.

Also found an amazing report on the storage of radiation waste at Wommera and how they were going to get it there.

What I will do over the next couple of days is compile this into a reference page on the website so that all can access it. Where possible I have been downloading documents, 'cause you just don't know if they are gunna be there when you go back.

So, for any one who has a bit of time on their hands or the inclination to do a bit of research, here's your big chance, I will glady publish anything that is forwarded to me.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:37 pm
by internetscooter
Great minds think alike :wink:

I am a PhD student (with access to the RMIT library/databases). I have pinged a research Dr doing an indepth study a salt lake (Lake Tyrrell). Hopefully he will ping me back with some useful stuff. All I need is names, database info and keywords (such as "geobiology") and I can quickly track down research in that area.

http://wwwrses.anu.edu.au/research/inde ... geobiology

If I get a bite I'll pass it on before doing anything more as I don't want to step on anyone's toes or come across a representing the DLRA.

If there is no info, then this guy may be interested in generating some with our help.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:32 pm
by PJQ2
After last year's poking about and postings it was apparent that core sample analysis would give all sorts of info about how the lake works.
Go for it Mr. Scooter guy, let's find out whether lake studies have been done.

Lake Tyrell is in the region. The geology is probably similar.

local knowledge

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:04 pm
by Dr Goggles
OK, I just spoke to a station owner near Woomera at the top of Gairdner....he's been in the area for over thirty years and here is what he said " I don't care what anybody says the effect is tidal" , he cited varying water hole levels over the course of twenty four hours when there has been no rain for weeks and is adamant that there is a "king-tide" situation occurring.

He said other lakes in the area are "sloppy" right now too.

We had a great old chat and I'm going to ring him when I have a bit more time and take notes and write something more expansive about his experiences and observations in the area .

Because? I've got an itch that needs scratching , badly. :twisted: :twisted:

Boring

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:31 pm
by Dr Goggles
If there was a bore drilled beside the lake it could have some sort of "depth gauge" put in it and a recording device to measuring the rise and fall of the water table , this could then be correlated against all sorts of other data , like rainfall , temperature and the moon cycle or whether Holdens are better than Fords ...and stuff like that.

seriously though something like that might cost what, ten grand or less....good insurance I reckon.

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:46 pm
by PJQ2
What about the watering hole at the turn-off to the drivers camp? Is that a bore hole?

yes!

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:32 pm
by David Leikvold
Doc, good onya. So the station owner knows it's tidal. He'd know better than anyone else. Now we need to find out how quickly it changes. There's more wet weather hitting Qld this week, a monsoonal trough that has dumped 300mm in some areas causing more flooding. The more it rains now the less gets soaked into the soil and the more that can get into the Basin. This La Nina (I can't get the squiggle above the second n) effect isn't going to stop anytime soon. I'm guessing that the Lake will be consistently soggy for months.
I just had a horrible thought. If it is a combination of high water table and lunar phases how dry might it be in two weeks when the moon is gone?

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:19 am
by Greg Watters
David given the altitude difference of Gairdener to other nearby lakes i don't think any of Queenslands runoff will influence us , occasional showers drifting down after cyclones may but going by history
http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/ ... utt=normal
there usually shouldn't be enough rain to worry about.

one thing i did notice about this table is the wind is less in April,if the salt has recovered by them we may get a good meeting yet..

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:37 am
by David Leikvold
Greg, from another post we know that surface water from Qld never makes it to the lake, the catchment area is mostly north west, my concern was that the floods will raise the water table in the Great Artesian Basin and affect the lake anyway. I wish we had an OS map of the state so we could see which way surface water flows.
One thing we haven't heard much about is how our timing affects the property owners. I seem to remember reading that March is a quiet time for them but they get busy with mustering and shearing and whatever else they have to do at other times of year. Your point about the wind is very valid. A dry windless week would be heaven on a stick.

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:30 pm
by Rob
David Leikvold wrote: I wish we had an OS map of the state so we could see which way surface water flows.

Surely the Dept of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation would have one? (Say that 3 times fast!).
I trawled online and came up with:

http://www.asdd.sa.gov.au/asdd/ANZSA1024000017.html

and

Contact information
Contact organisation: Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC)
Contact position: Manager Water Information
Postal address: GPO Box 1047
Locality: Adelaide
State: SA
Country: Australia
Postcode: 5001
Telephone: 08 8463 6975
Facsimile: 08 8463 6999
Electronic mail address: Walker.CraigM@saugov.sa.gov.au

Cheers,
Rob