When the River Runs Dry The Murray-Darling region appears to be...

When the River Runs Dry

 

The Murray-Darling region appears to be facing an uncertain future, something forewarned by climate scientists and the BOM.

The system has beenthreatened in the past, but in modern times the level of investment in so greatthat even a relatively minor reduction in water supply means hundreds ofmillions of lost income.

This region generates about $30 billion via the food production and tourism and politiciansunderstand clearly what it means if there is a serious water crisis in thefuture.

 

Recent news about large numbers of fish dying in the Menindee lakes region has brought long-standing issuesrelating to the Murray-Darling food bowl to national attention, but theresidents are well aware of a host of issues such as water salinity, algalblooms, Ross River fever and other mosquito borne diseases.

 

Models by climate scientists predict southern Australia will get hotter and drier meaning waterrunoff into catchments as first the soil needs to be saturated before water flows.

 

 As well the level of water loss from soils and plant surfaces will increase as a result of a drier atmosphere.

 

That means dams,watercourses, open channels and lakes will lose more water than in the past.Crops will lose quality as plants need to keep cool in heatwaves, and if that doesn’t happen fruits and vegetables are damaged.

 

The nation’s largest horticultural region is likely to face a major shock at some stage affecting local economies and reducing the income councils need to services and infrastructures.

 

But all Australians will be affected as food prices would skyrocket due to shortages.

 

The purpose of this thread is to discuss ways to secure theregion’s irrigation needs and if possible expand production in order to capitalise on a growing Asian market.

 

These recent threads deal with some issues facing the Murray-Darling basin.

 

The David UnaiponPipeline………………............Post #: 37008165

 

Isdrought proofing Australia the possible dream? Post #: 36976391 

 

These posts provide some background information.

 

Our expected future rainfall……..…Post #:    36977923

 

Our river systems………………..….Post #:   36977955

 

The Great Artesian Basin………..…Post#:    36977233

 

Our expected future temperatures…Post #:    36978149

 

The Murray Darling Basin…………..Post #:   36977983