A fractured rock aquifer: The Clare Valley project

The fractured rock aquifers in the Clare Valley of South Australia (Figure 1) have been extensively researched over the past four years. The work has provided estimates of groundwater fluxes which will ensure sustainable development of the expanding wine industry and protection of the environment. The project has developed new techniques for estimating aquifer recharge rates and horizontal and vertical flow. These new methods have already been adopted by other fractured rock investigations throughout Australia. This paper presents some of the main findings of the study.