National assessment of surface water/ groundwater connectivity
Project details
| Objective: |
To carry out an analytical assessment of the magnitude and timing of current and future groundwater extraction interaction with stream flow in a minimum of 70 priority catchments across Australia. |
| Funding: |
$2,000,000 |
| Jurisdiction: |
National |
| Commenced: | February 2009 |
| Completion: | September 2011 |
About the project
The project will assist with the implementation of the NWI through the assessment of the extent of connectivity in priority catchments throughout Australia.
An analytical assessment of the magnitude and timing of current and future groundwater extraction interaction with stream flow in a minimum of 70 priority catchments across Australia will be carried out. This will include a consistent summary of the groundwater/surface water interaction results in the 20 catchments of the current MDB Sustainable Yield assessment. In addition to the 70 priority catchments, other catchments across Australia that are not assessed in detail will be covered by a short summary of their characteristics, linking them to the catchments covered under the detailed assessment.
Project benefits
The project will improve the understanding of groundwater/surface water connectivity in key areas. It will:
- inform and alert water managers in priority catchments of the risk to the connected resource that current and further groundwater extraction will have on stream flow
- provide water managers with screening information to enable them to focus future assessments such as detailed numerical modelling and/or on ground measurement
- provide water managers information that will assist with integrated management of groundwater: surface water connectivity in accordance with the NWI in priority catchments.
The outcomes of the project will better inform water managers in priority catchments of the need for integrated management of connected resources, through the assessment of current and future groundwater extraction interactions and impacts on stream flow.