Murray Darling Basin by https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o A presentation exploring the Murray Darling Basin in Southeastern Australia in-depth, and the complex challenges that it faces, and potential solutions to help combat those problems. en-us 2021-12-01 19:10:16 UTC 2025-06-21 14:57:59 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f41f.png Background Information 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923624880 The Darling-Murray Basin is located in Southeastern Australia and connects 3 of Australia's longest rivers (The Darling, The Murray, and the Murrumbidgee) together. It also covers 4 states and contains 25,000 wetlands, of which 16 are recognized as being of international importance. In addition, the basin homes many floodplains, which contain unique ecosystems such as the Barmah–Millewa Forest.

Photo Source: https:https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-12-15/murray-darling-basin-plan-evaluation-report-2020-released/12982530]]> 2021-12-01 19:21:06 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923624880 Social Parameters 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923626909 The Darling-Murray Basin is home to over 2.2 million people including 40 of the first Aboriginal Nations, who use the land for regulatory, provisional, cultural, and supporting services. The people of the First Nation have a deep spiritual connection with the land since before the first Europeans arrived, and rely on its wellbeing for their psychological and local identity. In addition, more than 40% of all of Australia's agriculture comes from the basin, making it extremely important for not only the people who reside in the basin, but all of Australia.

Photo Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/sep/21/indigenous-australians-most-ancient-civilisation-on-earth-dna-study-confirms

]]> 2021-12-01 19:22:11 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923626909 Casual Loop Diagram: Tying It All Together 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923665314 2021-12-01 19:42:21 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923665314 Species of the Basin 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923680925 The basin is home to 367 bird species, 85 mammal species, and over 50 native fish species. In addition, it homes 46 snake species and 100 lizard species. Some examples of these species include:

eastern grey kangaroos
red kangaroos
koalas
platypus
black flying foxes

Photo Source: https://www.planetzoogame.com/zoopedia/red-kangaroo

]]> 2021-12-01 19:51:10 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923680925 References 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923698485 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-water-basin-factbox/factbox-key-facts-about-australias-murray-darling-basin-idUSTRE6970MS20101008

https://www.mdba.gov.au/importance-murray-darling-basin/plants-animals-animals

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1002/(ISSN)1944-7973.MDBASIN1#:~:text=The%20Murray%2DDarling%20Basin%20(MDB,of%20the%20Australian%20agricultural%20output.

https://www.mdba.gov.au/about-basin/water-for-first-nations-people

https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/river-murray-new/basin-plan/importance-of-murray-darling-basin

https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/07/news/pollution-and-water-diversion-blot-the-murray-in-downstream-australia.html

https://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/mdba-statement-60-minutes-food-security-water-management

https://www.natureaustralia.org.au/donate-to-our-mission/donate/help-protect-the-murray-darling-basin/

https://theconversation.com/5-ways-the-government-can-clean-up-the-murray-darling-basin-plan-116265

]]> 2021-12-01 20:01:13 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1923698485 Physical Parameters 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928056871 The basin spans a total of 2,097 miles in length. The Murray River is 1,558 miles long, the 409,835 sq miles of the basin is "flat, low-lying and far inland." The rivers located within the basin are very long and slow-flowing and carry a large volume of water (~ 24,000 gigalitres.) Since the basin encompasses such a large space, the temperature and precipitation pattern of each part of the basin varies. In the East, there is a lot of Rainfall (up to 1,500 mm per year), in the South, there are many snow-filled months, and in the West there is little rainfall at all.
Photo Source: https://sites.google.com/site/thehumanitiesempanadas/farmland-at-the-murray-darling-basin-in-victoria]]> 2021-12-03 19:43:16 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928056871 Political History 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928265323 When Australia's 6 colonies became one nation on January 1st of 1901, one of the most challenging questions at hand was the control and share of the Murray-Darling Basin. In 1914, the River Murray Waters Agreement was signed, making it the first arrangement between South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian governments. Since then, there have been countless efforts to better and improve the water access and water quality. In 1917, the River Murray Commission was formed, and in the 1990's, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory joined the agreement. Then, in 2007, the Water Act was passed in order to "promote the use and management of the Basin’s water resources in a way that optimizes economic, social and environmental outcomes." Lastly, in 2012 the Murray–Darling Basin Plan became law to manage the Basin as a whole connected system, and maintain it for future generations.

Photo Source: https://www.theland.com.au/story/5403621/drought-myth-holds-murray-darling-back/]]> 2021-12-03 23:40:25 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928265323 Land Use: Agriculture 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928280866 Over 9,200 farmers are dependent on water from the basin to turn their land into productive farmland so that they could grow things such as wool, cotton, wheat, sheep, cattle, dairy produce, rice, oil-seed, wine, fruit, and vegetables. It is said that ~ $24 billion is contributed to Australia's economy through these agricultural activities.]]> 2021-12-04 00:08:50 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928280866 Land Use: Recreational 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928284922 There are many recreational activities that rely on the Murray-Darling Basin having good water quality and quantity. Activities such as boating festivals and water ski races, as well as canoeing, recreational fishing, waterskiing, or riverboat tours.]]> 2021-12-04 00:15:36 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928284922 Land Use: Cultural & Spiritual 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928354090 The people of the First Nation that live and directly thrive off the water of the Murray Darling Basin, benefit from "cultural flows" or water entitlements which allow the indigenous people the right to use and manage the basin's water, allowing them to use the land for their spiritual and cultural heritage and values. Some examples include participating in ceremonies or harvesting medicinal plants and herbs. In addition, these cultural flows help protect burial mounds, scarred trees, and campsites.]]> 2021-12-04 01:58:28 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928354090 Ecosystem Challenges: Droughts 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928368025 Because the Murray-Darling Basin has extremely variable weather, and it is constantly changing throughout the year, the area is susceptible to droughts. When there is not enough rainfall, there is a lot of stress on the ecosystem, as water sources are depleted. The more droughts there are, the more water is evaporated, the higher the temperature and salinity of the water is, which creates inhabitable conditions for fish to survive. This ripples throughout the whole ecosystem, as the water conditions for human use via irrigation for the farmlands are destroyed as well.

]]> 2021-12-04 02:16:44 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928368025 Ecosystem Consequences: Brushfires 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928383831 Since the Murray-Darling Basin experiences frequent droughts, this leads to the surrounding land being overly dry. As a direct consequence of this, there are frequent bushfires. After a bushfire happens, the wind picks up the ash and minerals and brings those particles into the river waterways. Then, the ecosystem suffers as a result. There is less oxygen in the water, reducing the water quality, and in turn creating more blackwater events. Likewise, there is a reduced water flow, which also affects the water quality and quantity.]]> 2021-12-04 02:39:21 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928383831 Ecosystem Challenges: Flooding 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928400322 Just as the area is susceptible to drought because of varying climate patterns, there are also issues with flooding. This leads to issues such as overbank deposits, and the riverbanks eroding which brings in abundant and unhealthy amounts of sediment and nutrient-rich run-off into the water, further affecting its quality.]]> 2021-12-04 03:03:07 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928400322 Climate Change 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928418253 As the planet's temperature continues to rise, and more and more greenhouse gasses are being expelled into the atmosphere, the Murray- Darling Basin is expected to become drier and drier. Many climate models suggest that global warming increases precipitation variability, which is an issue that the basin already is facing. With precipitation variability threatening to become even more grave, droughts and floods will continue to plague the Basin. This means that the agricultural systems that rely on the rivers of the basin could potentially collapse, and threaten food security and water quality for present and future generations.]]> 2021-12-04 03:23:13 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928418253 Ecosystem Consequences: Algal Blooms & Mass Fish Deaths 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928458434 There have been countless accounts throughout the years of thousands of dead fish showing up on the river banks because of the droughts- as there is higher salinity and temperature rapidly changes, and precipitation brings nitrogen-rich runoff into the river creating algae blooms. In a similar manner, the heavy metals from exposed acid sulfate soils also result in a plethora of fish deaths.]]> 2021-12-04 04:28:51 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928458434 Ecosystem Challenges: Pollution 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928461342 Due to agricultural land use from around the basin, the rivers of the Murray Darling are constantly being flushed with chemicals from farms, and other nutrient-rich pollutants and substances. This directly affects the water quality and water safety and is problematic to the people and towns who depend on it for drinking water, such as the town of Adelaide who gets its drinking water from the basin itself.]]> 2021-12-04 04:33:29 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928461342 Water Quality 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928530507 Water Quality: Thanks to all of the regulation and laws passed to protect the Murray-Darling Basin, the water quality is generally good throughout the basin. However, this is being threatened by bushfires, algal blooms, climate change, irrigation pollution, droughts and flooding. ]]> 2021-12-04 07:20:50 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928530507 Ecosystem Challenges: Acid Sulfate Soil 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928530812 Acid sulfate soils are natural and cause no harm when submerged under water. However, when there are droughts and water levels go down, these soils are exposed and a chemical reaction occurs. Acidification happens when oxygen and acid sulfate mix, resulting in complex reactions that create sulfuric acid- in turn releasing heavy metals into the water basin system.]]> 2021-12-04 07:21:34 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928530812 Water Access & Availability 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928543958 Water access and availability has been declining in the Murray-Darling Basin as there has been an increasing demand for water for agricultural purposes given the rising population. This, put together with the natural droughts that the Basin is prone to, has had long-term damage on the health of its waterways. To make matters worse, climate change has brought about extreme flooding and drought periods, further restricting the access and availability of safe water sources.

Photo Source:

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Growth-in-water-use-in-the-Murray-Darling-Basin-since-1920-Chartres-and-Williams-2006_fig4_319701330

]]> 2021-12-04 07:41:52 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928543958 Energy Sources At Threat 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928548527 With the reduction of water availability, there will be less water available to produce renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric power. Other energy sources that also depend on water such as gas, will also become more scarce as there will be less available water to produce them.]]> 2021-12-04 07:49:28 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928548527 Agriculture and Food Security 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928551396 In order to have food security, the agricultural industry needs to be able to provide Australia with sufficient food to eat. This means that the Basin must be kept in pristine shape. Thus, healthy rivers and food security go hand in hand. Australia has faced many droughts that have affected some of its most important crops such as rice (that rely on a lot of water to be farmed). Since rice is a cheap commodity for a lot of nations, and Australia exports ~ 350,000 tonnes per year, other nations also depend on Australia for their food security as well. ]]> 2021-12-04 07:53:33 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928551396 Current management of the system 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928551585 The current management of the system has emphasized the need of balancing "economic, community, environmental and cultural" values. Every year, the Murray-Darling Basin authority assesses the water quality targets and puts them into a 5-year report. The Basin Governments also use an adaptive management approach in which they are constantly using new information to make the changes and adjustments necessary to maintain the Basin in a healthy state.]]> 2021-12-04 07:53:51 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928551585 Water Justice for the First Nation Communities 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928551807 First Nation groups such as the Tati Tati are establishing environmental justice along the Margooya Lagoon via cultural flows. This example of increased control of aboriginal management of the Murray-Darling Basin. As stated in the video, the goal is to have the water flow as naturally as possible, because that was the way that the river was intended to flow.

Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYtG_Km5h]]> 2021-12-04 07:54:13 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928551807 Solution #1: Protect River Flows 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928552267 Environmental water, or water dedicated to maintaining the health of rivers and wetlands, is essential for a healthy future of the Basin. There has to be water that is specifically allocated for environmental use. This water should not be allowed to be redirected and used for other purposes by the private sector. Since Australia is a place that is very susceptible to drought, removing environmental water during drought periods can completely collapse the entire equilibrium of the system. With this being said, there need to be laws implemented that protect the water when it's flowing at its lowest. In addition, projects that fund purchases made to protect and dedicate the land for conservation efforts are brilliant ways to ensure that the water is being preserved and protected.

An example of recent efforts that have been made was the purchase of the Great Cunbung made in early 2019, which is said to be "the most valuable private conservation-focused purchase in Australia’s history." Doing this has protected the land from being converted into irrigated farmland, and thus saving millions of gallons from being extracted from the area.]]> 2021-12-04 07:54:54 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928552267 Solution #2: Improve Water Transparency 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928552340 Although there are reports that are published every 5 years on the Basin's water quality, this is simply not enough. There needs to be improved transparency in all stages and all parts of reporting real-time water quality of the Murray-Darling Basin. This would require an in-depth, consistent, and reliable series of systems to track and publically report the water quality. This may include reporting systems such as satellites, mandatory metering, and salinity trackers. This would benefit both the people of the First Nations, as well as the Australian government in finding ways to work together and understand the water system more in-depth with live and up-to-date data.

An example of a preexisting system that exists is found on the government website: https://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/system-view.
This live-data tracking system has 60 different points in the Basin and tracks their flow, volume, release, water temperature, salinity, and rainfall. However, a lot of the data is lacking and is not continuously being updated, appearing as "not measured." This means we really have to redevelop the way in which efforts such as these ones are being executed, because without completeness of data, it is hard to bear the benefits of this solution.]]> 2021-12-04 07:55:01 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928552340 Solution #3: Linking Water and Other Natural Resource Management 9yhwrvsmyq https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928552397 In order to create change when it comes to rives, we have to think systematically and not linearly. The health of rivers depends a lot on other natural resources such as riverbank habitats, floodplain land, and the surrounding catchments. With this being said, they should not be treated as separate entities and should be included in the Basin Plan. However, when the Basin Plan got implemented, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission had removed the existing more integrated system they had that included catchments. This is problematic in that real improvements cannot be made if we fail to see the system as a whole, leading to the "fixes that fail" model that we see time over time.]]> 2021-12-04 07:55:06 UTC https://padlet.com/9yhwrvsmyq/3gyfctv6cu7zoy0o/wish/1928552397