Bayesian network models for environmental flow decision making in the Daly River, Northern Territory, Australia

Terence U. Chan, Barry T. Hart, Mark J. Kennard, Bradley J. Pusey, Will Shenton, Michael M. Douglas, Eric Valentine, Sandeep Patel
River Research and Applications, Sept 2010
This paper reports the development and application of two Bayesian Network models to assist decision making on the environmental flows required to maintain the ecological health of the Daly River. The abundances of two fish species—barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and sooty grunter (Hephaestus fuliginosus)—were chosen as the ecological endpoints for the models, which linked dry season flows to key aspects of the biology of each species. If current extraction entitlements were fully utilized, the models showed there would be significant impacts on the populations of these two fish species.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rra.1456/abstract

Water in the Daly region report

Report on water in the Daly region of the Timor Sea drainage division from the northern Australia Sustainable Yeilds Report.
This region report contains information on water availability and demand, context and water balance results for the Daly region, August 2009.

http://www.csiro.au/resources/Daly-report-NASY.html

Water in the Timor Sea Drainage Division report

A report to the Australian government for the CSIRO Northern Australia Sustainable Yeilds Project. August 2009
The Daly is one of six regions covered in this report. Water resources are assessed using available historical data and modelling under various climate scenarios. Knowledge gaps are identified.

http://www.csiro.au/science/NASY-Timor-Sea.html

High and low flow regime changes at environmental assets across northern Australia under future climate and development scenarios

DL McJannet, JW Wallace, A Henderson and J McMahon, December 2009.
A report to the Australian government from the CSIRO Northern Australia Sustainable Yields Project.
This report summarises the assessment of the impact of current and predicted future water resources development on key environmental assets. It includes technical details on the approaches used and data produced and summarises data and knowledge gaps which must be addressed for robust future sustaianble yeilds assessments.

http://www.csiro.au/partnerships/NASY-Science-Reports.html

Diffuse groundwater recharge modelling across northern Australia

Russell S. Crosbie, James L. McCallum and Glenn A. Harrington, December 2009
A report to the Australian government from the CSIRO Northern Australia Sustainable Yeilds Project.
This report investigates the impact of climate changes scenarios on groundwater recharge in a range of north Australian catchments.

http://www.csiro.au/partnerships/NASY-Science-Reports.html

A model to predict the response of the benthic macroalga Spirogyra to reduced base flow in the tropical Australia

S. A. Townsend and A. V. Padovan 2009
River Research and Applications v. 25(9) p. 1193-1203

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/122208520/ABSTRACT
A model was developed to predict the impact of reduced dry season base flow, due to groundwater and river extraction, on the standing crop of Spirogyra along an 18 km reach of the Daly River, located in the Australian wet/dry tropics.

Visions of Tropical River Futures for Northern Australia

N. Collier, Coast 2 Coast Conference, Darwin 2008
Potential scenarios for the Daly River region are explored using a systems modelling approach engaging multiple stakeholders.
http://www.track.gov.au/publications/registry/144

TRaCK Project: 1.1: Scenarios for tropical rivers and coasts: integrating the TRaCK research program

Exploring scenarios for a tropical river catchment using systems dynamics modelling

River Symposium Conference, Brisbane 2008.
Potential scenarios for the Daly River region are explored using a systems modelling approach engaging multiple stakeholders.
http://www.track.gov.au/publications/registry/158
see TRaCK project 1.1 Scenarios for tropical rivers and coasts: integrating the TRaCK research program

Aspects of Modelling the Daly River

Valentine, Eric M.
In: Proceedings of Water Down Under 2008; pages: 875-884. Lambert, Martin (Editor); Daniell, Trevor M (Editor); Leonard, Michael (Editor). Modbury, SA: Engineers Australia ; Causal Productions, 2008.
"Observations suggest that there has been considerable siltation in the estuary since 1880, and there are indications that there are instabilities in the channel plan form. The question as to whether these instabilities are driven by hydrological or anthropogenic influences from previous limited agricultural development is crucial to the decision on future development and how it should be managed. A numerical model of the hydrodynamics and morphology of the Daly River is being constructed to help determine the transport and fate of sediments on the floodplain and in the channel. This paper presents an overview of some model approaches being applied to the Daly River."

Available through Informit Engineering Collection or through the National Library.

River Stability Issues in Northern Australia

Valentine, Eric M. 2006, in 30th Hydrology & Water Resources Symposium: Past, Present & Future. p. 568 -575
The Northern Territory Government plans to convert pastoral leases in the Daly River region to agriculture. Prior to this development it is important to understand the sediment dynamics of the system and the potential impacts on the river of water abstraction for irrigation. There is considerable debate about the effects that potential development of the river basin may have on the river channel. It has been suggested that there has been considerable siltation in the estuary since 1880, and recent observations of the channel indicate that there are instabilities in the channel plan-form. The question as to whether these instabilities are driven by hydrological or anthropogenic influences is crucial to the decision on future development and how it should be managed.
Source: Informit Engineering Collection.

A model to predict the response of the benthic macroalga Spirogyra to reduced base flow in the tropical Australia

S. A. Townsend, A. V. Padovan
River Research and Applications, Feb 2009
A model was developed to predict the impact of reduced dry season base flow, due to groundwater and river extraction, on the standing crop of Spirogyra along an 18 km reach of the Daly River. The model demonstrates the utility of applying a benthic algal model to evaluate the ecological impact of modified flow regimes and contribute to environmental flow recommendations.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122208520/abstract

Analysis and compilation of climate data for six key centres in Northern Australia

J. A. Motha and M. Dilshad
Dept. of Lands Planning and Environment, August 1996
This report describes the procedures followed to compile the required climate data, to run the LAMSAT Model, for Darwin, Katherine, Kununurra, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Douglas Daly. Data for Douglas Daly is discussed and presented in detail.

Evaluation of the USDA Curve Number Method for Agricultural Catchments in the Australian Semi Arid Tropics

M. Dilshad and L. J. Peel
Australian Journal of Soil Research, 32, 673-685, 1994

http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/84/paper/SR9940673.htm

Water Budgets: catchment water budgets and water resource assessment

R. Doble, P. Cook and J. McCallum
This project will use modelling and field methods to investigate surface – water groundwater processes in tropical river systems. The Fitzroy River (WA) and the Daly River will be used as a case study. The aims of the project are to:
1. Develop an understanding of bank storage processes in tropical rivers, and the relative importance of regional groundwater discharge in sustaining dry season flows and permanent water holes;
2. Model representative cross sections of the Fitzroy River to understand the relationships between groundwater and surface water regimes during wet and dry season fluctuations, using field data to support the modelling; and
3. Determine to what extent river water analyses are able to represent the integrated impacts of groundwater systems draining to the river.
In the Daly River, fieldwork will include groundwater sampling using existing NRETA boreholes at Oolloo Crossing to determine:
1. How floods influence groundwater next to the river, causing it to rise and fall. This will be determined by measuring the height of groundwater in the bores.
2. How the floods influence the salinity of the groundwater. This is determined by measuring the groundwater salinity (or electrical conductivity) in the bores, and will tell us how far in to the aquifer the river water flows during floods.
http://www.track.gov.au/research.html

Sediment and nutrient loads: regional scale sediment and nutrient budgets

G. Caitcheon
This project aims to identify which erosion processes, such as runoff, gully and bank erosion, are the most important influences of sediment and nutrient load in different parts of the catchment. The sediment river network model will be used to predict potential impacts of land use change on sediment and nutrient levels in rivers. Models will be developed and tested for the Mitchell river and the Daly river.
http://www.track.gov.au/research.html

Integrated Water Resource Monitoring Based on Hydrologic Modelling

A. Buick and D. YinFoo
Establish predictive models for surface-groundwater interactions and their responses to different types and levels of land use and development. Review existing water resource monitoring networks, systems and programmes and design and cost of required upgrading work.

Sediment and waterholes: bedload transport in large tropical rivers and its effect on dry-season pool habitats

A. Brooks
The results from this and other TRaCK research will be used to develop models that quantify how water and sediment moves. This a building block to developing models of how land use change will affect sediment movement in north Australian rivers and the availability and function of waterhole habitats. Research will focus on the Mitchell and Daly Rivers
http://www.track.gov.au/research.html

Development of an AUSRIVAS model for assessment of steam health in the Darwin-Daly region of the Northern Territory using family level data

Report to the National River Health Assessment Technical and Professional Advisory Committee. NRETA, 2005