Trial Catchments
Work has been undertaken in two trial catchments as part of the Managing Connected Water Resources project. The proposed scope of the work in these catchments includes to:
- Test some of the assessment methods use to define the nature and degree of the connection between surface water and groundwater;
- Develop a conceptual understanding of water flow in and between streams, wetlands and aquifers;
- Develop a modelling framework allowing the simulation of these key surface water and groundwater processes. This modelling needs to be able to predict the overall hydrological response to proposed changes in water management;
- Develop linked economic assessment tools used to predict the economic implications of water management options;
- Use this hydrological-economic modelling to assist water management in the catchment, focussing on a conjunctive approach.
The trial catchments, the Border Rivers and the Lower Richmond were selected on the basis of contrasting hydrology, geology and management issues:
| Trial Catchment | Location | Climate | Geology | Land Use | Management Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border Rivers [PDF 207KB] | Inland Murray-Darling Basin | Hot Dry | Alluvial sediments, Great Artesian Basin sediments, Granites | Grazing, cereal cropping, cotton | Water availability, salinity, river health |
| Lower Richmond [PDF 314KB] | Coastal | Warm Humid | Basalt, coastal sediments | Grazing, horticulture, sugar cane | Water availability, ecosystem health, acid sulfate soils |