Cotton was planted on low soil moisture in the eastern Downs in anticipation of future rain and high commodity prices. To the west there has been excellent opportunity to sow irrigated and dryland cotton. Irrigation supplies are short in the eastern downs due to lack of summer rain runoff. Most horticultural areas lie within drought declared shires and the demand for water for fruit trees and vegetables has increased with the warmer weather. November proved to be very wet for most of the north, with some record totals.
Water supplies are adequate to abundant in most areas.
A lot of the rainfall was steady and prolonged with a few instances of sustained heavy falls. The highest streamflow originated in the Connors River with other good flows coming from the Mackenzie River, particularly Theresa Creek near Emerald. Moderate stream flows were recorded in the Comet and Dawson Rivers. There were long periods of water harvesting in these areas. Rainfall in all areas has been about average for the month.