Groundwater and Surface Water
BRS's Water Sciences Program can provide a diverse range of expertise in all aspects of the water resources research and management, from freshwater ecology to hydrogeology, and across the realm of modelling, mapping and assessment of both surface and groundwater resources. Both collectively and individually Water Sciences staff represents many years experience in both the physical, chemical and biological aspects of surface and ground water resources research, as well as extensive skills in data management and interpretation, mapping and modelling.
BRS scientists are involved in a range of Murray-Darling Basin intergovernmental committees on salinity, groundwater, fisheries as well as participating on the steering committees for MDB core projects including the Sustainable Rivers Audit, and aspects of the Living Murray initiative. We are also called on to provide advice to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry policy on relevant issues before the Murray-Darling Basin Management Committee and assisting briefings for this and related meetings.
What We Do
- Advise on water policy, protocols and program's, including support for National Water Initiative water reforms agenda.
- Assess regional and local groundwater systems, sustainable yield and recharge in the context of improved national natural resource management.
- Assess surface water - groundwater interactions and impacts on groundwater dependent ecosystems.
- Assess water quality and evaluate aquifer vulnerability to contamination.
- Conduct environmental assessments and work on environmental issues such as impacts of mining.
- Provide support to intergovernmental committees implementing national natural resource management program's, particularly in the areas of water data infrastructure and salinity (e.g. Executive Steering Committee for Australian Water Resources Information, National Coordination Committee dryland salinity).
Tools and Approaches
- Undertake spatial and statistical analyses using Geographic Information System and database packages.
- Identify groundwater recharge, transmission and discharge zones.
- Collate and value-add to hydrological datasets for production of hydrogeological maps showing salinity and yield characteristics of major aquifers, watertable depths and salinity risks.
- Construct simulation models to predict effects of land and water management scenarios.
- Undertake comprehensive field and laboratory analyses for physical parameters, major and minor chemistry, heavy metals, trace elements, nutrients, pesticides, faecal indicator bacteria and isotopes.
- Disseminate results to local, State and Commonwealth agencies and to the community through bodies such as the Commonwealth and Regional NRM network/team, Landcare, catchment management committees, Land Councils, National Groundwater Committee, Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
Key Projects 2006/07
- Great Artesian Basin
- Identifying and Managing Connected Water Resources across Australia
- Managing Connected Water Resources
- National Water Commission - Australian Water Resources 2005