Tactical projects and reports
- an error across a number of pages related to the percentage of the proportional volume of surface water extraction due to floodplain harvesting from less than 10% to 20-25%
- typographical errors
Explaining the causes of reduced flow through the northern Basin
Status: Complete
Multiple recent reviews have highlighted a growing need to examine the causes of flow changes that have been observed across the northern Basin over recent years. This project aims to address this need to examine the causes of the reduced flows. The work will collate available information regarding changed northern Basin flows, categorise which drivers are expected to be the leading contributors to this change, and make recommendations for future research.
The outcomes of the project can be used to inform future, larger research projects, including those that will underpin future modelling and policy responses, including the Basin Plan Review.
This report was updated on 16 February 2023 to correct:
These corrections have been updated in this current version of the document.
Evaluation of causes of reduced flow in the northern Murray–Darling Basin (pdf, 62pp)
Innovation sweep, scoping and development of drone-based waterbird monitoring
Status: Completed
With the invention of drones, easy access, affordable satellite imagery and GPS, and artificial intelligence (i.e. object recognition software), come new possibilities for collecting data on animals and vegetation across the large landscape of the Basin. This project aims to use this technology to increase capacity to understand trends in water-bird populations.
The expected outcome of this project is that the MDBA will be better placed to invest in broad landscape monitoring techniques which will serve well into the future – future proofing our monitoring investment and better able to adopt the new technology when it arrives.
Reports
Innovation sweep (pdf, 96pp)
Nesting waterbird colony population size monitoring using automated counts on drone imagery (pdf, 26pp)
Hydro-climate storylines
Status: Completed
The hydroclimate of the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) is changing. The future will be warmer and is likely to be drier with more severe droughts. These changes pose a threat to sustainable management of the basin as they are likely to have significant impacts on the Basin’s water availability, agricultural production, communities and the environment.
This project developed expert advice on the projected impacts of climate change on water availability in the MDB, including the generation of a small suite of storylines (synthetic climate scenarios) to support a climate risk assessment across social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes. It also developed guidance on a long-term strategy for assessing climate risks in basin water management as part of MDBA’s climate change program.
The advice and storylines will provide the basis for understanding and simulating the scale of changes projected to flow regimes, and water availability in the MDB.
The Hydroclimate Futures for the Murray–Darling Basin (CSIRO) report is available on the MDBA website.
Waterbird Foraging Habitat
Status: Complete
Waterbird foraging habitat condition is a key knowledge gap in applying a whole-of-lifecycle approach to applying water for the environment. In the past, water for the environment has largely focused on extending inundation to support colonial breeding events. This project will enhance understanding of foraging habitat requirements and its spatial relationship to other habitat types. The impacts of a drier climate will also be examined to infer likely future habitat condition changes. This will inform how to best apply water for the environment to treat future risks and support waterbird lifecycle requirements into the future.
This project will involve developing a conceptual lifecycle model, remote sensing analysis and identify climate change impacts on future foraging habitat availability.
What is happening with riverbank stability along the River Murray?
Status: Initiated
This project involves a desktop review and synthesis of existing information regarding riverbank erosion, development of science communication materials, scoping a strategic plan for monitoring erosion in the future. It will take a whole-of-river view of the Murray River – all 2,500 kilometres of it – to develop a shared understanding of where and why erosion is happening and how this can differ reach to reach. This will lay the groundwork to shape priorities to address it, where possible.
The project will collate and document the factors that influence erosion along the Murray River. It will also provide the community with meaningful and relevant information to build a shared understanding of what influences erosion and to help clarify roles and responsibilities relating to erosion along the Murray River within each state.
Knowledge synthesis of the latest science on blue-green algae and an assessment of whether algal blooms are becoming more frequent or severe
Status: Complete
This project is a desktop analysis to produce a synthesis of current knowledge on blue-green algae (BGA) bloom dynamics, impacts, and current management options as well as limitations It will also provide an analysis of recent trends in BGA blooms to investigate are they becoming more frequent and severe, where are the knowledge gaps and what regions are at greatest risk.
BGA is increasing as a key concern for Basin communities, particularly along the River Murray. BGA blooms are expected to increase in frequency and span under hotter futures. This has serious consequences for Basin communities and farmers, as well as the tourism industry.