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CRC PUBLICATIONS |
Analysis and Management of Unseasonal Surplus Flows in the Barmah-Millewa Forest
Jo Chong
Publication Type:
Technical Report
This is a publication of the current CRC for Catchment Hydrology
CRC Program:
River Restoration
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Publication Keywords:
Wetlands
Forests
Floods and Flooding
River Regulation
Stream Flow
Frequency Analysis
Seasons
Economics
Reviews
Hydrology
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Abstract / Summary:
The main goal of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Catchment Hydrology's River Restoration program is to provide the tools and understanding that will allow the environmental values of Australia's streams to be restored. A national priority for restoration is the Murray River with the 'Living Murray' process providing a focus
for governments and the community. A clear goal is to improve the condition of icon sites along the Murray including the Barmah-Millewa Forest which is also recognised as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar convention.
This report addresses one major threat to the forest; unseasonal flooding in the summer and autumn when the forest would normally be dry. Based on analysis of pre-regulation conditions (1908-1929) and current conditions (1980 - 2000), forest flooding has increased from 15.5% of days to 36.5% of days between December and April. In particular, small, localized floods, which inundate less than 10% of the
forest, occur at least eight times more frequently now, than before regulation. Work by others has related these hydrologic changes to tree death and changes in floristic structure in wetlands. There are also economic costs because much of the water that spills into the forest is lost to downstream irrigation.
There are a range of approaches to reduce unseasonal flooding. The two solutions investigated in this report are intended to decrease the risk of flooding when there is summer rainfall which suddenly decreases the demand for irrigation water. Water from upstream that has already been released to meet irrigation orders, is not required if it rains, so remains in the river and can cause forest flooding. Creating capacity
in the river to store or carry this extra flow can decrease unseasonal floods.
I am impressed with the comprehensive analysis of unseasonal flooding that has been carried out by Joanne Chong and commend this report to anyone interested in improving the condition of Australia's regulated rivers.
Mike Stewardson
Program Leader, River Restoration Program
CRC for Catchment Hydrology
This report is available for purchase from the Centre Office at $27.50 per copy (GST inclusive) and can be downloaded below.
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Centre Office:
CRC for Catchment Hydrology
Dept of Civil Engineering
Building 60
Monash University Vic 3800
Tel: +61 3 9905 2704
Fax: +61 3 9905 5033
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