846327
Murray-Darling Basin
- It is located in south-east
Australia, and it
encompasses most of the
states of New South
Wales, Victoria,Australian
Capital Territory, lower
third of Queensland and
South Australia.
- This is the catchment
area for the Murray
River and the Darling
River, which covers
over 1 million km2. It is
the most significant
agricultural area in
Australia.
- This is the catchment
area for the Murray
River and the Darling
River, which covers
over 1 million km2. It is
the most significant
agricultural area in
Australia.
- Physical Factors
- The basin has a large
range of climactic
conditions and natural
environments: the
rainforests of the cool
and humid uplands,
temperate Mallee
country of the SE, the
subtropical areas of the
northeast, to the hot,
dry semi-arid and arid
lands of the far western
plains
- It receives relief
rainfall, as the
winds blow from
the east across
the Tasman Sea,
over the snowy
Mountains, then
feed the rivers
that flow down in
to the basin.
- Widespread deforestation in the area
has led to changes in water supply due to
less trees able to intercept the water.
- Widespread deforestation in the area
has led to changes in water supply due to
less trees able to intercept the water.
- Geology
- Main surface
soil type in the
basin is
cracking,
heavy, grey to
grey-brown
clay. Clay
expands when
wet and causes
surface water
to pond.
- Main surface
soil type in the
basin is
cracking,
heavy, grey to
grey-brown
clay. Clay
expands when
wet and causes
surface water
to pond.
- The basin has a large
range of climactic
conditions and natural
environments: the
rainforests of the cool
and humid uplands,
temperate Mallee
country of the SE, the
subtropical areas of the
northeast, to the hot,
dry semi-arid and arid
lands of the far western
plains
- More Facts
- 75% of Australia's irrigation. 50% of
Australia's cheep flock. 25% of
Australia's cattle herd. 50% of the
county's cropland. 40%+ of the
national agriculture
- 75% of Australia's irrigation. 50% of
Australia's cheep flock. 25% of
Australia's cattle herd. 50% of the
county's cropland. 40%+ of the
national agriculture
- Human Factor
- 95% of all water in the MDB is for irrigation so water is being depleted
- Native vegetation
covers 20% of the basin.
The land is mostly used
for urbanisation and
agricultural land
- Extensive use of fertilisers and the
lack of trees lead to a higher chance
of leaching and eutrophication in
bodies of water
- Population in New South
Wales is 7.4 m as of 2013,
this makes the area the
most populous state in
Australia. The increase of
population increases the
demand of water.
- 95% of all water in the MDB is for irrigation so water is being depleted
- The Murray-Darling Basin Authority
- Plans to manage a sustainable use of the water resources in a
way that protects the environment, as well as the communities
and industries that rely upon it
- There are 4 major storage (Dartmouth
and Hume reservoirs, Lake Victoria and
the Menindee Lakes. 14 weirs and lock.
5 barrages.
- Waterwise is a project
that encourages
households to use less
water. This include
installing efficient
shower heads,
installation of
micro-irrigation
equipment in gardens,
sweeping paths,
checcking taps and
spreading mulch in
gardens to reduce
water loss from
evaporation
- Plans to manage a sustainable use of the water resources in a
way that protects the environment, as well as the communities
and industries that rely upon it
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