Water allocation to River Murray wetlands: a basin wide modelling approach

This project will compare and contrast wetland types present along the Murray River under different watering regimes, using CSIRO’s floodplain inundation model and the MDBC SWEAT model.

It will assess changes in the proportions of wetland types due to regulation, predict the floristic composition of natural and regulated wetlands via the known response of key species to water regimes in the Murray River, compare and contrast model predictions with selected wetlands in the Murray basin, assess the influence of different wetland types on the ecology of the river system and predict how changes in the proportional representation of wetland types may impact upon the ecological character of the river.

The models will be used to identify optimal watering patterns for wetlands in order to maximise beneficial ecological outcomes and provide the MDBC, the River Murray Wetlands Working Group and State agencies with the information needed for flow allocation for these wetlands. This project is co-funded by the Murray Darling Basin Commission.

Expected project completion date: January 2009

Outcomes

1. To compare and contrast wetland types present under different watering regimes using CSIRO’s floodplain inundation model
2. Assess changes in the proportions of wetland types due to regulation
3. Predict the floristic composition of natural and regulated wetlands via the known response of key species to water regimes in the Murray River
4. Compare and contrast model predictions with selected wetlands in the Murray basin either via information from existing wetland surveys or by further field work to ensure the complete range of wetland types are represented
5. Assess the influence of different wetland types on the ecology of the river system and predict how changes in the proportional representation of wetland types may impact upon the ecological character of the river
6. Use this information as a base for water allocations in the River Murray basin

Publications and Resources

None listed

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Water allocation to River Murray wetlands: a basin wide modelling approach. [Online] (Updated June 16th, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3216 [Accessed Friday 10th of September 2010 07:30:05 PM ].