The Gwydir Valley

The Gwydir Valley is a highly productive rural region located in North West NSW, characterised by rich alluvial soils. Its main watercourse is the Gwydir River, which has two main tributaries, the Mehi River and Carole Creek. The headwaters of the Gwydir River are west of Armidale and Guyra, on the New England Tablelands.  

The Gwydir catchment is an inland terminal river network, or closed system as it is commonly referred to. Rivers' within the Gwydir diverge into a series of branching channels that distribute their flows across large areas, especially during flood times. Typically, water only reaches outside the valley, into the Barwon River during major (1 in 100 year) flood events, with all smaller flows discharged into the two main river channels - the Gingham and Lower Gwydir, which incorporate the Gwydir Wetlands.

Ground water

Climate

According to the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, the climate in Moree is characterised by long warm to hot summers, moderate and variable rainfall and a winter of cool clear days and cold frosty nights. Average maximum temperatures range from  17⁰C-19⁰C in the winter and up to 33⁰C during summer. Average minimum temperatures range from between 4⁰C and 5⁰C in the winter to between 18⁰C and 20⁰C in the summer.  The annual average rainfall for Moree is 585mm. Rainfall is typically summer dominant, although rainfall is relatively even during the remainder of the year. Summer rain tends to be more variable impacted by thunderstorms in the warmer months.