The Yarraman Creek catchment is within the Liverpool Plains. The specific area considered by this study is bounded by the Warrumbungle Range in the south and the Caroona to Spring Ridge Road in the north. The total study area includes the entire floodplain and catchment, an area of approximately 51,500 hectares (515 square kilometres). The area of study falls under the control of the Quirindi Shire Council. The catchment is characterised by fertile black self-mulching soils which support dryland farming, irrigated cropping and cattle grazing. The rich soils make the Liverpool Plains one of the most productive areas for agriculture in NSW.

The main watercourses in the catchment area are Yarraman Creek, Kickerbell Creek, Camerons Creek, Campbells Creek and Ryemere Gully. Yarraman Creek is the primary watercourse. In the upper catchment the creek is reasonably well defined. In the lower floodplain the creek becomes less confined and during flood events breaks out and forms alternative channels. Downstream of the Spring Ridge-Caroona railway line, flow from Yarraman Creek follows two main paths. The first portion follows Native Dog Gully to the Mooki River, while the other portion joins the flow from Coomo Coomo Creek in the direction of Lake Goran.