Transboundary Watershed by https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8 The Murray-Darling Basin en-us 2019-04-22 19:22:55 UTC 2026-01-25 14:51:47 UTC hello@padlet.com https://imgglb.padletcdn.com/v13/image?t=g_auto&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpadlet.net%2Ficons%2Fpng%2F1f331.png The Murray-Darling Basin kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352876138 Home to Australia's largest water source. ]]> 2019-04-20 20:07:32 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352876138 Physical Parameters kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352876180
  • The river spans across the country of Australia, covering 6 towns from the North of the Northern Territory to the South of South Australia.
  • The basin contains two major rivers, the Murray River and the Darling River, hence it's name. 
  • Area: 409,800 mi2
  • Length: 2.097 mi 
  • It is located between flat plains and mountain sides.
  • The annual water flow rate is 22,000 gigaliters. 
  • (Government, The Murray-Darling Basin, 2017)

    • ]]>     2019-04-20 20:08:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352876180     Social Parameters kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352876445
  • The basin is the largest geographical water source.
  • It is a dependable source for agriculture, irrigation, and the drinking supply.
  • 11,500 gigaliters is used annually for industrial and irrigation purposes. 
  • Major cash crops include rice and cotton.
  • The basin is home to 2 million people and a provider for 3 million people.
  • 40% of Australia's farms are located on the river. That's 50,900 farms!
  • There has been a substantial decrease in water, quality, health, erosion, blue-green algal blossoms, invasive species, and salinity levels.
  • There has been an increase in climate variability and drought formation.
  • Wetlands, floodplains, and groundwater are all listed as critically endangered. 
  • (Government, The Murray-Darling Basin, 2017)

    • ]]>     2019-04-20 20:13:26 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352876445     Major Land Uses of the Basin kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352876807
  • The basin is mostly used for agriculture (40%) such as dairy farming and cotton production.
  • Industries rely heavily on the basin for production.
  • The basin is a source for maintaining it's biodiversity of rivers and floodplains.
  • The basin is used for forestry purposes such as timber harvesting and road construction.
  • It is also used for recreational purposes such as boating, camping, and fishing, resulting in an $8 billion tourist industry. 
  • Mining and dam usage also rely on the basin. 
  • (Government, Water Use and Distribution, 2017)

    • ]]>     2019-04-20 20:20:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352876807     Political Conflicts kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352877143
  • There is a debate on how to resource the water and the management of it's uses.
  • These long debates effect many towns.
  • There is a debate on how much funding should be granted for the fish recovery program.
  • Residents have little trust in the government, the legitimacy of solution programs, and lack public confidence due to water theft and corruption allegations. 
  • (Government, The Murray-Darling Basin, 2017)


    • ]]>     2019-04-20 20:27:57 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352877143     Ecosystem Challenges kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352877361
  • The population of different species are declining.
  • Human interaction has drastically impacted the ecosystem of the river i.e.- population growth, farming, tourism, woodland cut downs, pollution, and increased waste.
  • Newer and introduced species are harming endangered plants.
  • Habitat deconstruction, fragmentation, and degradation are also impacting the ecosystem.
  • There is now poorer water quality.
  • New and introduced fish such as Carp and Mosquitoes are competing with native fish for food and survival.
  • (Government, The Murray-Darling Basin, 2017)
    • ]]>     2019-04-20 20:32:09 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352877361     Climate Change kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352877692
  • The climate in Australia is at a constant change. 
  • There has been an increase in drought occurrence and it's severity.
  • Less rainfall makes it more difficult for water storage.
  • The mouth of the basin is becoming impacted due to an increase in outflows.
  • The quantity of water resources are slowly diminishing. 
  • The future holds for more dry, arid, hot weather. 
  • (Government, 2017) 
    •  
    ]]>     2019-04-20 20:38:38 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352877692     Water Availability, Access, and Quality kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352877990
  • The basin is the allocation of state and federal government water holders.
  • They decide when, where, and how much water is released from the basin.
  • The use of dams, weirs, locks, pumps, and banks, water is time released to assure maximum benefits.
  • There are 3,000 water storages and management structures. 
  • There has been an increase in water turbidity due to erosion.
  • Runoff from soil and plants are contaminating waterways. 
  • The rate of flowing water has decreased. 
  • (The Department of Water, 2005)
    • ]]>     2019-04-20 20:44:35 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352877990     Home to kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352878263
  • 46 Native fish species
  • 367 species of birds, 98 waterbird species, 35 species are endangered 
  • 85 mammal species, 20 species being extinct, and 16 species are endangered
  • 53 frog species
  • 46 snake species, 5 species being endangered
  • 100 lizard species, 1 species being endangered
  • 3 freshwater turtle species
  • 124 macro-invertebrate families
  • With the decline in fish populations and species, this creates a potentially major risk on the ecological functioning of the basin  
  • (Government, The Murray-Darling Basin, 2017)
    • ]]>     2019-04-20 20:50:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352878263     Agriculture and Food kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352879015
  • $22 billion worth of food 
  • 9,200 irrigated agricultural businesses
  • Major agricultural industry is cotton growing
  • Rice is the main cereal crop grown
  • There is large irrigation for grains
  • Home to water primrose, eucalyptus blossoms, citrus blossoms, wildflowers, and water lilies
  • Home to water hens, possums, geese, wombats, kangaroos, bearded dragons, and koalas 
  • Large agricultural growth in apples, avocados, pistachios, eggplant, and grapes 
  • (Government, Basic Facts for Kids, 2017)
    • ]]>     2019-04-20 21:03:57 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352879015     Present Day Management kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352879271
  • The Water Act was presented in 2007 where it created sustainable diversion limits, environmental watering plans, quality and salinity management plans, and water trading rules. 
  • The Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program was implemented to modernize irrigation infrastructure.
  • Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin is a program initiated on November 26, 2012, to address over-allocation.
  • The Water Amendment Act of 2012 created the Long-Term Average Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment.
  • The Water Amendment Act of 2013 created the Water for the Environmental Special Account. 
  • (Government, The Murray-Darling Basin, 2017)
    • ]]>     2019-04-20 21:10:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352879271     Solutions: The Basin Plan kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352879569
  • The Basin Plan is an environmental plan to set limits on water that can be taken from from the basin annually, while leaving plenty to feed our rivers, wetlands, plants, and animals.
  • The plan was initiated for the protection and management of the Basin, as a whole system.
  • Its goal is to bring the river back to healthier levels while continuing to support farming and agriculture.
  • The Australian Government works with the Murray-Darling Basin states to create and deliver initiatives. 
  • The Basin Plan will also strengthen the protection of environmental flows, strengthen compliance, improve outcomes for indigenous peoples, and improve the confidence in residents of the Northern Basin Review Data.
  • However, there are limitations with this plan; water limit agreements for the environment, infrastructure development, groundwater management, water quality maintenance, and water markets and trade. 
  • (Government, A Plan for the Murray-Darling Basin, 2017)

    • ]]>     2019-04-20 21:17:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352879569     Solutions: The Water Resource Plan kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352880027
  • State governments are creating plans that will have set rules and regulations on how water will be used at a local or catchment level.
  • The plan will cover compliance of water rules and policies, water protection, water quality and salinity, aboriginal values, measuring and monitoring, and climate variability. 
  • The first stage in this plan is the preliminary and assist portion, the second stage is to asses, and the third and final stage will be to accredit these policies. 
  • (Government, Water Resource Plans, 2017)

    • ]]>     2019-04-20 21:27:28 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352880027     Solutions: The Northern Basin Projects kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352880196
  • This plan focuses on northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, that was amended in 2018.
  • Under these projects, they will focus on compliance with water laws, social and economic impacts, establish a commissioner, improve outcomes for indigenous peoples, and confidence in data. 
  • This plan is a compliment and supporter of the Basin Plan
  • (Government, Northern Basin Projects, 2017)

    • ]]>     2019-04-20 21:31:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/352880196     Ready Player One kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353134846
  • On the cusp of a declining environment, Ready Player One shares a story about the future; what the future holds for us depends on our actions now.
  • A utopian world created, OASIS, real-life individuals living in real-life problems and concerns (poverty, famine, and disease), the creator of OASIS builds this world full of fortune, players are set out to find it. 
  • In comparing this text with the extensive research I have done on the Murray-Darling Basin, there is a substantial amount of correlation between the two.
  • With poverty, famine, and disease, this creates major concerns on the environment. 
  • Through hard work and team building, it was possible for team members in OASIS to gain the fortune and start moving towards a more positive and healthier world.
  • With any transboundary watershed concerns with the environment, ecosystems, and water supply, working together and creating implementations and policies, we are able to move towards a more healthier and sustainable environment.
    • ]]>     2019-04-22 17:54:41 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353134846     References kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353156435

    Environment, D. (Director). (2012). Murray Darling Basin Plan [Motion Picture].

    Government, A. (2017). A Plan for the Murray-Darling Basin. Retrieved from The Murray-Darling Basin Authority: https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan/plan-murray-darling-basin

    Government, A. (2017). Basic Facts for Kids. Retrieved from The Murray-Darling Basin Authority: https://www.mdba.gov.au/education/kids-all-ages/basin-facts-kids

    Government, A. (2017). Climate Variability and Change. Retrieved from The Murray-Darling Basin Authority: https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/climate-change

    Government, A. (2017). Northern Basin Projects. Retrieved from The Murray-Darling Basin Authority: https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/northern-basin-projects

    Government, A. (2017). The Murray-Darling Basin. Retrieved from Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

    Government, A. (2017). Water Resource Plans. Retrieved from The Murray-Darling Basin Authority: https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/water-resource-plans

    Government, A. (2017). Water Use and Distribution. Retrieved from The Murray-Darling Basin Authority: https://www.mdba.gov.au/education/resources/water-use

    McCormick, B. (2013). Murray Darling Basin. Parliament of Australia, 81-83.

    MDBAMedia (Director). (2014). Food Production in the Murray-Darling Basin [Motion Picture].

    News, B. (Director). (2019). Daily News- Murray-Darling Report Shows Public Authorities Must Take Climate Change Risk Seriously [Motion Picture].

    News, B. t. (Director). (2019). Murray-Darling Warning: Behind the News [Motion Picture].

    The Department of Water, L. a. (2005, September 1). Salinity and Water Quality Overview. Retrieved from Internet Archive: WayBackMachine: https://web.archive.org/web/20060826043416/http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/salinity/index.html
    ]]>     2019-04-22 19:04:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353156435     Declining in Native Fish Species kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353163248 2019-04-22 19:29:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353163248 Murray-Darling Basin Plan kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353164974 2019-04-22 19:35:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353164974 Food Production Along the River kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353166124 2019-04-22 19:39:50 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353166124 Something Must be Done kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353166687 2019-04-22 19:42:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353166687 Precipitation Patters kelsey_grove https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353167597 2019-04-22 19:46:22 UTC https://padlet.com/kelsey_grove/xdiy3vsuqxr8/wish/353167597