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Groundwater as an adaptation option to current water resources management

The hydrology theme enhanced hydrological knowledge and advanced modelling capacity to inform water resources management and planning in the Murray–Darling Basin.
MD-WERP
Science and research

 

MD-WERP theme Hydrology
MD-WERP research question How can our understanding of groundwater management be used to improve our water resources practices?
Project title Groundwater as an adaptation to current water resources management
Research lead CSIRO
Authors Dennis Gonzalez, Guobin Fu, Stephanie Clark, Sreekanth Janardhanan, Ema Falez and Francis Chiew
Author contact details Sreekanth Janardhanan
Date of publication December 2024
Report full title Groundwater as an adaptation option to current water resources management
Keywords Alluvial aquifers; NSW; Murray–Darling Basin; aquifer prioritisation, aquifer sensitivity, groundwater; adaptation
Summary of output
  • This document is the final summary report of the MD-WERP Hydrology Project ‘Groundwater adaptation option to current water resources management’.
  • It summarises the key findings across different components of the groundwater study that investigated groundwater level trends, resilience, stress and sustainability; and managed aquifer recharge potential in the Basin.
  • The study focussed on 8 important alluvial aquifer systems of the Murray–Darling Basin.
Key findings / recommendations
  • Groundwater in the alluvial aquifers of the Basin is a critical resource that accounts for 8 to 18% of total water use in the Basin. Groundwater extractions have been found to increase during years of less surface water availability.
  • Trends analysis indicated that groundwater levels have been declining over the last 50 years with an average rate of 0.11 m/y across the alluvial aquifer system.
  • Causal analysis revealed the variable effects of climatic factors, flooding and increasing groundwater extractions of long-term changes in average groundwater levels in the aquifers.
  • Locally available aquifer storage in areas of groundwater level decline could be potentially explored for managed aquifer recharge to enhance water security. Conceptual analysis of selected MAR schemes was also evaluated.
  • While the analysis shows regional potential for aquifer storage, more detailed local-scale analysis is required to validate the potential and site viability for MAR.
Target audience Researchers, Australian Government, state governments, local governments

Published date: 19 May 2025