Carnamah Airborne Gamma-Ray Survey Test Range
The test range is located approximately 9 kms east of the township of Carnamah, Western Australia (approximately 250 kms North of Perth on the Moora to Three Springs road). The following information about the test range is provided by Mr. Graham (Gary) Paterson (garyp@iinet.net.au) and is included here as a service to anyone wishing to use the site for calibration of airborne or ground gamma-ray spectrometers (see Disclaimer).
Location
The test range is located approximately 9 kms East of the township of Carnamah (approximately 250 kms North of Perth), on the Moora to Three Springs road. The start or Northern most end, is accessed from the bitumen Carnamah – Bunjil / Belvoir road. The test range follows the high voltage power line South for approximately 8 kms, crossing one secondary gravel road and ending at a second gravel road 6.5 kms from the old townsite of Winchester. The Southernmost end crosses a large seasonal creek bed and this area should be treated with caution in the winter months.
How To Get There
From Perth take the Great Northern Highway, past New Norcia turn left onto the Midlands Road to Moora – Coorow. Approximately 80 kms North of Moora the road crosses a causeway alongside a small lake system. This water is shallow and fresh enough to do an instrument background check. At Carnamah proceed east on the Bunjil Road for about 9 kms where the road climbs a low, scrub covered rocky hill and passes under the three-strand high voltage power line. Turn right through the gate under the power line.
If the weather conditions are suitable, the range can be exited at the Southern end and by proceeding to the South/West, back onto the Midlands Road at Winchester. The Test range is located on a single property so access permission is not a major issue. Property owner’s contact details:
Mr. Alan Griffiths
P.O. Box 50
Carnamah WA 6517
Tel. 08 99511213
Fax 08 99511344
Test Range End Co-Ordinates
The test range has the following MGA94 end co-ordinates: -
400879E 6715819N
401579E 6708270N
ZONE = 50
The power line does not fall in an absolutely straight line; rather it has a gentle curve along the region of the test range. If the aircraft is not following the line visually, but navigating via DGPS, then a navigable mid point should be picked.
Location note
Author's note: The original report was written in 1998 using the data available up to that time. This is reflected in the illustrations shown in the report. The concept of sampling only at the 'poles' rather than walking the range or sampling every 100 m was formed using these data and has been used since then. The revision of the report in 2003 did not incorporate later data, rather it added the information about the Radon test line on the Salt Lake, and the profiles of the 1998 airborne versus ground 'poles' and 100m data sets. Post 1998 there is only 'pole' data so no further analysis can be done. Please see downloadable document above right.
Ground spectrometer results
See the Ground Spectrometer Results document available for download at the top right-hand side of this page for a progressive record of ground spectrometer measurements from 1997. Author's note: The 'Carnamah_progressive.xls' file gives a graphic indication of how the means of all the ground surveys to date compare. The file is updated whenever a new survey is done.
Disclaimer
The information provided here has not been edited, checked or verified by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) or the Geological Survey of Western Australia.
This information is made available in good faith and derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of release on the DMP website. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the information and that they should verify all relevant representations, statements and information.
Neither the State of Western Australia ("State"), nor any employee or agent of the State or any agency or instrumentality of the State, nor any authors or contributors shall be responsible or liable for any loss, damage, personal injury or death howsoever caused (whether caused by any negligent or other unlawful act or omission of, by or on the part of the State, any agency or instrumentality of the State, or any agency or employee of the State, or otherwise) arising from the use or reliance on any information, data or advice (including incomplete, out-of-date, wrong, inaccurate or misleading information, data or advice) expressed or implied in the Department of Mines and Petroleum web pages and its sub-directories (http://www.DMP.wa.gov.au) by any person.
