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Drainage divisions

Gulf drainage division

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Name: Gulf
Area type: Drainage division
Total area: 45,317,909 ha
% total Qld: 26.2%

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Based on wetland mapping version 7.0

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Gulf drainage division wetland area by system 2021
System Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 2,146,495 100.0% 4.7%
Total excluding riverine and artificial/highly modified riverine 1,240,365 57.8% 2.7%
Artificial and highly modified 18,750 0.9% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 649,467 30.3% 1.4%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 4,460 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 8,724 0.4% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 11 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 555,022 25.9% 1.2%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 3,935 0.2% 0.0%
Riverine 906,128 42.2% 2.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 649,467 30.3% 1.4%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (artificial) 11,580 0.5% 0.0%
Lacustrine (highly modified) 6,940 0.3% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 4,460 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 8,724 0.4% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 11 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (artificial) 225 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (highly modified) 1 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 555,022 25.9% 1.2%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 3,935 0.2% 0.0%
Riverine (artificial) 3 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (natural) 906,012 42.2% 2.0%
Riverine (slightly modified) 115 0.0% 0.0%

View wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

For definitions of artificial, highly modified, modified, slightly modified and natural wetlands, see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

Gulf drainage division wetland area by habitat 2021
Habitat Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 1,203,686 100.0% 2.7%
Mangroves - Casuarina 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other 181,487 15.1% 0.4%
Salt marsh and salt flats 466,385 38.7% 1.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 900 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 1,234 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 2 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 1,007 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 37,986 3.2% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 1,362 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 15,076 1.3% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 102,649 8.5% 0.2%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 4,175 0.3% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 9,901 0.8% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 193,423 16.1% 0.4%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 261 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 89,573 7.4% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 16,747 1.4% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 80,503 6.7% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 432 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 11 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 12 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 164 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 395 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other (natural) 181,487 15.1% 0.4%
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 466,385 38.7% 1.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 892 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 8 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 1,234 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 2 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 1,007 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 37,327 3.1% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 659 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 1,335 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 27 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 14,225 1.2% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 851 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 102,028 8.5% 0.2%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 621 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 4,175 0.3% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 9,759 0.8% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 142 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 193,311 16.1% 0.4%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 113 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 261 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 89,166 7.4% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 408 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 16,702 1.4% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 45 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 79,564 6.6% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 938 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 432 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 11 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 12 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 164 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 386 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 9 0.0% 0.0%

View wetland habitat area for all drainage divisions

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Wetland extent changes

Gulf drainage division wetland extent change by system
System 2021 area
(ha)		 2019 area
(ha)		 2017 area
(ha)		 2013 area
(ha)		 2009 area
(ha)		 2005 area
(ha)		 2001 area
(ha)		 pre-clear area
(ha)		 2021/pre-clear
percentage
Total 2,146,495 2,146,151 2,145,853 2,149,476 2,148,781 2,147,686 2,146,516 2,128,692 * 100.0%
Artificial and highly modified 18,750 18,424 18,004 17,282 16,591 15,401 14,100 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 649,467 649,467 649,471 649,474 649,474 649,474 649,474 650,238 99.9%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,831 92.3%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 8,724 8,723 8,719 8,714 8,624 8,675 8,661 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 555,022 555,075 555,093 555,703 555,791 555,826 555,900 559,876 99.1%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 3,935 3,935 3,935 3,590 3,656 3,644 3,631 0 n/a
Riverine 906,128 906,058 906,161 910,241 910,175 910,196 910,280 913,747 99.2%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 649,467 649,467 649,471 649,474 649,474 649,474 649,474 650,238 99.9%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Lacustrine (artificial) 11,580 11,502 11,512 11,078 10,424 9,523 8,376 0 n/a
Lacustrine (highly modified) 6,940 6,693 6,266 5,996 5,960 5,677 5,451 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,460 4,831 92.3%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 8,724 8,723 8,719 8,714 8,624 8,675 8,661 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 0 n/a
Palustrine (artificial) 225 225 222 205 203 197 194 0 n/a
Palustrine (highly modified) 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 75 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 555,022 555,075 555,093 555,703 555,791 555,826 555,900 559,876 99.1%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 3,935 3,935 3,935 3,590 3,656 3,644 3,631 0 n/a
Riverine (artificial) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 0 n/a
Riverine (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Riverine (natural) 906,012 905,942 906,045 910,126 910,060 910,081 910,164 913,747 99.2%
Riverine (slightly modified) 115 115 115 115 115 115 115 0 n/a

* Total 2021/pre-clear percentage excludes artificial and highly modified

metadata View 2021 wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2019 wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2017 wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2013 wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2009 wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2005 wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2001 wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

metadata View pre-clear wetland system extents for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2021/pre-clear wetland system extent percentages for all drainage divisions

Gulf drainage division wetland extent change by habitat
Habitat 2021 area
(ha)		 2019 area
(ha)		 2017 area
(ha)		 2013 area
(ha)		 2009 area
(ha)		 2005 area
(ha)		 2001 area
(ha)
Total 1,203,686 1,202,505 1,202,527 1,202,796 1,202,949 1,202,972 1,203,024
Mangroves - Casuarina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other 181,487 181,487 181,487 181,487 181,483 181,483 181,479
Salt marsh and salt flats 466,385 466,385 466,389 466,392 466,396 466,396 466,400
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 900 900 900 900 900 900 900
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 1,234 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 37,986 37,986 37,986 37,993 37,996 37,999 37,999
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 1,362 1,362 1,362 1,362 1,362 1,362 1,362
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 15,076 15,076 15,077 15,077 15,077 15,077 15,115
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 102,649 102,659 102,665 102,673 102,677 102,684 102,699
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 4,175 4,175 4,175 4,175 4,175 4,175 4,175
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 9,901 9,942 9,942 9,942 9,942 9,942 9,949
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 193,423 193,424 193,435 193,437 193,499 193,508 193,492
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 261 261 261 261 261 261 261
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 89,573 89,573 89,574 89,576 89,577 89,578 89,579
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 16,747 16,748 16,748 16,930 16,939 16,941 16,948
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 80,503 80,503 80,503 80,567 80,642 80,642 80,642
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 432 432 432 432 432 432 432
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 164 164 164 164 164 164 164
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 395 395 395 395 395 396 396
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other (natural) 181,487 181,487 181,487 181,487 181,483 181,483 181,479
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 466,385 466,385 466,389 466,392 466,396 466,396 466,400
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 892 892 892 892 892 892 892
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 1,234 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 37,327 37,327 37,327 37,334 37,338 37,340 37,340
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 659 659 659 659 659 659 659
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 1,335 1,335 1,335 1,335 1,335 1,335 1,335
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 27 27 27 27 27 27 27
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 14,225 14,225 14,226 14,226 14,226 14,226 14,264
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 851 851 851 851 851 851 851
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 102,028 102,039 102,044 102,053 102,057 102,063 102,079
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 621 621 621 621 621 621 621
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 4,175 4,175 4,175 4,175 4,175 4,175 4,175
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 9,759 9,800 9,800 9,800 9,800 9,800 9,807
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 142 142 142 142 142 142 142
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 193,311 193,311 193,323 193,325 193,388 193,406 193,392
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 113 113 113 113 111 102 100
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 261 261 261 261 261 261 261
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 89,166 89,166 89,166 89,168 89,169 89,170 89,171
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 408 408 408 408 408 408 408
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 16,702 16,703 16,703 16,885 16,898 16,899 16,907
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 45 45 45 45 41 41 41
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 79,564 79,564 79,565 79,952 79,957 79,959 79,960
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 938 938 938 614 685 682 682
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 432 432 432 432 432 432 432
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 164 164 164 164 164 164 164
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 386 386 386 386 386 387 387
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

metadata View 2021 wetland habitat area for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2019 wetland habitat area for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2017 wetland habitat area for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2013 wetland habitat area for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2009 wetland habitat area for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2005 wetland habitat area for all drainage divisions

metadata View 2001 wetland habitat area for all drainage divisions

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Australian Land Use and Management Classification (ALUMC) metadata

Gulf drainage division land use
ALUMC code and description Area (ha) % total area
Total 45,296,166 100.0%
2.1 Grazing native vegetation 35,873,870 79.2%
2.1.0 Grazing native vegetation 35,873,870 79.2%
1.2 Managed resource protection 4,216,495 9.3%
1.2.0 Managed resource protection 1,599,878 3.5%
1.2.2 Surface water supply 9,808 0.0%
1.2.5 Traditional indigenous uses 2,606,809 5.8%
1.1 Nature conservation 2,543,550 5.6%
1.1.3 National park 2,144,726 4.7%
1.1.4 Natural feature protection 171,686 0.4%
1.1.7 Other conserved area 227,137 0.5%
6.5 Marsh/wetland 1,997,047 4.4%
6.5.0 Marsh/wetland 1,969,495 4.3%
6.5.1 Marsh/wetland - conservation 27,551 0.1%
1.3 Other minimal use 207,979 0.5%
1.3.0 Other minimal use 14,746 0.0%
1.3.1 Defence 5,517 0.0%
1.3.3 Residual native cover 187,623 0.4%
1.3.4 Rehabilitation 94 0.0%
6.1 Lake 181,193 0.4%
6.1.0 Lake 178,042 0.4%
6.1.1 Lake - conservation 3,144 0.0%
6.1.2 Lake - production 7 0.0%
6.3 River 145,650 0.3%
6.3.0 River 141,738 0.3%
6.3.1 River - conservation 3,912 0.0%
5.8 Mining 30,783 0.1%
5.8.0 Mining 19,260 0.0%
5.8.1 Mines 7,878 0.0%
5.8.2 Quarries 1,397 0.0%
5.8.3 Tailings 1,779 0.0%
5.8.4 Extractive industry not in use 468 0.0%
4.3 Irrigated cropping 19,719 0.0%
4.3.0 Irrigated cropping 7,627 0.0%
4.3.2 Irrigated beverage and spice crops 147 0.0%
4.3.3 Irrigated hay and silage 1,372 0.0%
4.3.5 Irrigated sugar 10,574 0.0%
6.2 Reservoir/dam 16,697 0.0%
6.2.0 Reservoir/dam 16,117 0.0%
6.2.1 Reservoir 2 0.0%
6.2.2 Water storage - intensive use/farm dams 577 0.0%
5.4 Residential and farm infrastructure 12,792 0.0%
5.4.1 Urban residential 2,435 0.0%
5.4.2 Rural residential with agriculture 2,548 0.0%
5.4.3 Rural residential without agriculture 2,058 0.0%
5.4.4 Remote communities 1,211 0.0%
5.4.5 Farm buildings/infrastructure 4,540 0.0%
6.6 Estuary/coastal waters 9,403 0.0%
6.6.0 Estuary/coastal waters 9,403 0.0%
5.5 Services 7,955 0.0%
5.5.0 Services 5 0.0%
5.5.1 Commercial services 449 0.0%
5.5.2 Public services 494 0.0%
5.5.3 Recreation and culture 7,005 0.0%
5.5.4 Defence facilities - urban 2 0.0%
2.2 Production native forests 7,763 0.0%
2.2.0 Production native forests 7,763 0.0%
5.7 Transport and communication 6,559 0.0%
5.7.0 Transport and communication 2,298 0.0%
5.7.1 Airports/aerodromes 3,979 0.0%
5.7.2 Roads 90 0.0%
5.7.3 Railways 77 0.0%
5.7.4 Ports and water transport 31 0.0%
5.7.5 Navigation and communication 84 0.0%
4.4 Irrigated perennial horticulture 5,915 0.0%
4.4.0 Irrigated perennial horticulture 1,936 0.0%
4.4.1 Irrigated tree fruits 2,908 0.0%
4.4.2 Irrigated olives 49 0.0%
4.4.3 Irrigated tree nuts 393 0.0%
4.4.4 Irrigated vine fruits 90 0.0%
4.4.5 Irrigated shrub berries and fruits 202 0.0%
4.4.8 Irrigated citrus 337 0.0%
3.3 Cropping 4,914 0.0%
3.3.0 Cropping 2,517 0.0%
3.3.3 Hay and silage 2,397 0.0%
3.6 Land in transition 4,716 0.0%
3.6.0 Land in transition 413 0.0%
3.6.3 Land under rehabilitation 4,300 0.0%
3.6.5 Abandoned perennial horticulture 3 0.0%
5.3 Manufacturing and industrial 848 0.0%
5.3.0 Manufacturing and industrial 693 0.0%
5.3.2 Food processing factory 15 0.0%
5.3.3 Major industrial complex 127 0.0%
5.3.6 Oil refinery 12 0.0%
5.3.8 Abandoned manufacturing and industrial < 1 0.0%
5.2 Intensive animal production 647 0.0%
5.2.2 Feedlots 197 0.0%
5.2.3 Poultry farms 22 0.0%
5.2.5 Aquaculture 120 0.0%
5.2.6 Horse studs 173 0.0%
5.2.7 Saleyards/stockyards 134 0.0%
4.2 Grazing irrigated modified pastures 595 0.0%
4.2.0 Grazing irrigated modified pastures 595 0.0%
4.5 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 462 0.0%
4.5.0 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 305 0.0%
4.5.3 Irrigated seasonal vegetables and herbs 156 0.0%
5.9 Waste treatment and disposal 349 0.0%
5.9.0 Waste treatment and disposal 65 0.0%
5.9.2 Landfill 180 0.0%
5.9.3 Solid garbage 11 0.0%
5.9.5 Sewage 94 0.0%
3.1 Plantation forests 110 0.0%
3.1.0 Plantation forests 101 0.0%
3.1.1 Hardwood plantation forestry 9 0.0%
5.6 Utilities 100 0.0%
5.6.0 Utilities 11 0.0%
5.6.1 Fuel powered electricity generation 24 0.0%
5.6.3 Wind electricity generation < 1 0.0%
5.6.5 Electricity substations and transmission 33 0.0%
5.6.6 Gas treatment, storage and transmission < 1 0.0%
5.6.7 Water extraction and transmission 32 0.0%
5.1 Intensive horticulture 17 0.0%
5.1.0 Intensive horticulture 15 0.0%
5.1.5 Abandoned intensive horticulture 2 0.0%
3.2 Grazing modified pastures 16 0.0%
3.2.0 Grazing modified pastures 16 0.0%
6.4 Channel/aqueduct 12 0.0%
6.4.0 Channel/aqueduct 2 0.0%
6.4.1 Supply channel/aqueduct 9 0.0%
6.4.2 Drainage channel/aqueduct < 1 0.0%
4.1 Irrigated plantation forests 7 0.0%
4.1.0 Irrigated plantation forests 7 0.0%
3.4 Perennial horticulture 3 0.0%
3.4.0 Perennial horticulture 3 0.0%

Drainage basins info metadata

Drainage sub-basins info metadata

Regional natural resource management (NRM) bodies info metadata

Local government areas info metadata

100K map tiles info metadata

Climate zones info metadata

  • map Desert
  • map Equatorial
  • map Grassland
  • map Subtropical
  • map Tropical

Bioregions info metadata

Biogeographic subregions info metadata

IBRA bioregions info metadata

IBRA subregions info metadata

Bioregional assessment areas info metadata

Marine meso-scale bioregions metadata

  • map East Cape York (ECY)
  • map Karumba-Nassau (KAN)
  • map Torres Strait (TS)
  • map Wellesley (WLY)
  • map West Cape York (WCY)

Marine provincial bioregions metadata

  • map Northeast Shelf Transition
  • map Northern Shelf Province

Regional plans info metadata

World Heritage areas info metadata

Ramsar internationally important wetlands info metadata

none

DIWA nationally important wetlands info metadata

National parks info metadata

Marine parks (Queensland) info metadata

Study areas metadata

none

Report cards metadata

none

Conservation parks info metadata

State forests info metadata

Forest reserves info metadata

Resources reserves info metadata

Timber reserves info metadata

  • map Royton Timber Reserve

Fish habitat areas info metadata

Coastal management district info metadata

  • map Available (all have been combined since February 2012)

Nature refuges info metadata

Freshwater biogeographic provinces info metadata

Aquatic Conservation Assessments (AquaBAMM) and others info metadata

Wetland (aquatic ecosystem) type—conceptual models info metadata

Wetland (aquatic ecosystem) type—management profiles info metadata

Groundwater dependent ecosystem type—conceptual models info metadata

Healthy Land and Water conceptual models info metadata

none

Water resource planning areas info metadata

Aquatic ecosystem monitoring programs info metadata

Point source monitoring info metadata

Wetland soil indicator case studies info metadata

Wetland management case studies info metadata

none

Wetland projects info metadata

Area specific conceptual model case studies info metadata

none

Paddock to Reef (P2R) report cards info metadata

none

Water Quality Improvement Plan catchments info metadata

none

EPP (Water) scheduled environmental values and water quality objectives info metadata

none

Shorebird zones info metadata

Biopassage structures info metadata

Name Construction year Structure types Stream name
map Arraw Dam 2019 Rock Ramp Norman Creek
map Augustus Downs 2012 Culvert Leichhardt River
map Bynoe River 2010 Cone Bynoe River
map Charlston Dam 2019 Bypass Finnegan Creek
map Cloncurry Weir 2015 Rock Ramp Cloncurry River
map Doomadgee Road 2009 Rock Ramp Gregory River
map Escott 2009 Cone Nicholson River
map Gin Arm 2009 Rock Ramp Gin Arm Creek
map Glenore Weir 2016 Cone Norman River
map Little Bynoe 2014 Cone Little Bynoe River
map Magowra Creek 2011 Culvert Magowra Creek
map Pear Tree Creek 2011 Culvert Pear Tree Creek
map Wernadinga Road 2009 Cone Flinders River

View information about legislation and policies

Wildlife

Kingdom
Class
 Native Introduced Wetland
indicator
species		 Rare or
threatened
species		 All
TOTAL 8,079 596 718 416 8,679
Animals 1,404 35 304 123 1,439
Mammals 172 18 7 28 190
Birds 542 10 98 47 552
Reptiles 359 2 35 30 361
Amphibians 87 1 28 16 88
Ray-finned fishes 93 3 95 0 96
Cartilaginous fishes 3 0 3 1 3
Insects 141 1 38 0 142
Malacostracans 6 0 0 1 6
Arachnids 1 0 0 0 1
Bacteria 19 0 0 0 19
Chromists 16 0 0 0 16
Fungi 605 0 0 0 605
Plants 6,034 561 414 293 6,599
Protozoans 1 0 0 0 1

Note: Wildlife statistics are based on information that has been submitted to the DETSI WildNet database and converted to a 10km² grid. The grid information has been intersected with the mapping polygons to determine the species lists. Click here to view the species grid metadata.

Information from WildNet can also be accessed via Wildlife Online and WetlandMaps.

Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

AreaType-drainage-division

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2016) Gulf drainage division — facts and maps, WetlandInfo website, accessed 8 May 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/drainage-division-gulf/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation