Omaka River Aquifer

Groundwater losses from the Omaka River collect in the adjacent or underlying gravels to form a multi-layered groundwater system. This is known as the Omaka River Aquifer.

The shallow aquifer directly relies on losses from the Omaka River channel.

The deeper or lower layer is separated from the channel by a clay layer and is only recharged indirectly by larger flood events.

Effectively, the aquifer is an extension of the Omaka River.

This photograph is a typical view of the ephemeral Omaka River's lower reaches north of Hawkesbury Road under summer conditions.

The Omaka River Catchment is unusual in that its lower reaches are very long, elongated and separated from the upland area.

It follows that Omaka River flow affects areas from Cowslip Valley downstream to Woodbourne.