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

Information report for the Oolloo dolostone aquifer water allocation plan / Dept. of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport.

This document is designed to introduce stakeholders and the community to the water allocation planning process for the Oolloo Aquifer. The Oolloo aquifer lies wholly within the Daly Roper Water Control district, stretching beneath the Daly river from southwest of Katherine and extending northwest to just beyond the Douglas River. Key assessments are to define the extent and capacity of the aquifer, to estimate future consumptive use and Indigenous stakeholders aspirations and build a model of the aquifer to predict ground and surface water levels under extraction regimes. The plan is for all licences to be issued by late 2010.
http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/water/oolloo/index.html

Fibre crops program environmental issues that relate to a pulp mill: Water management studies in the Daly River Basin

Dept of Primary Industry and Fisheries, 1990?
Assessment of water supply and wastewater disposal options were examined for a possible paper pulp mill operation in the Douglas/Daly area.

Copy available in NRETAS Library

Wangamaty (Lower Daly River) Management Plan

ECOZ Environmental Services, (2004?)
The Wangamaty Landcare Group (WLG) initiated this study to investigate the adoption of an integrated management plan for the Lower Daly region. Recommendations include:

• implemention of a 5 year Weed Action Plan
• development of an up to date legislative framework and planning instrument to identify and rectify gaps in dealing with resource management issues
• recommendations for managing riparian zones, rainforest and wetlands
• identification of monitoring needs
• professional development with the WLG
• water allocation plan and natural resource management strategy
• pest animal study
• strategic fire management plan

Copy available for loan: NRETAS and DPI Library

Hydrological changes and ecological impacts associated with water resource development in large floodplain rivers in the Australian tropics

Catherine Leigh, Fran Sheldon, 2008
River Research and Applications, v. 24(9) :1251 - 1270
We examined flow variability in large floodplain rivers in the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia, and the potential ecological impacts of future water resource development (WRD). Flow metrics based on long-term records were used to classify flow regimes and predict hydrological drivers of ecological function. Flow regimes of selected rivers were then compared with those simulated for pre- and post-WRD flows in the Darling River. We propose that flow permanence and regularity; flow variability and absence; and wet-dry seasonality are the key hydrological drivers of biodiversity and ecological function in the floodplain rivers of Australia's north. Reduced and homogenized habitat, loss of life-history cues, inhibited dispersal and shifts in community composition, as a result of WRD, threaten the ecological integrity of rivers adapted to the three hydrological drivers above.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117954745/abstract

The Effects of Artificial Sources of Water on Rangeland Biodiversity: Final report to the Biodiversity Convention and Strategy Section of the Biodiver

J. Landsberg, C. D. James, S. R. Morton, J. Hobbs, J. Stol, A. Drew and H. Tongway
CSIRO, Division of Wildlife and Ecology and Environment Australia

The study aimed to determine the effects of the provision of artificial waters and of the grazing it allows, on the native plants and animals inhabiting two of the major biomes of inland Australia. The study was based on field surveys which sampled biodiversity along gradients in grazing intensity extending out from artificial water sources. Given how widespread artificial waters have become throughout the rangelands, the results suggest that some 15-38% of species are at risk of declining substantially throughout these lands. Although similar proportions of species are favoured by the provision of water and grazing, and from 36-75% seem unaffected by it, the challenge is to develop strategies that will provide for the persistence of the vulnerable decreased species.

Although this study is directly related to the Daly Region, with the plans for future development and maybe an increase in artificial water sources, it is important to be aware of their effects.

Daly-Katherine River Basin water resources review

D. Kingston
Dept of the Northern Territory, Water Resources Branch

http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/hpa-services/techreport?report_id=WRD75024

The importance of water management at mines in protecting the environment: principles and some examples from the Top End

P. H. Woods
Institution of Engineers, Australia, Barton ACT, 21-24 Apr 1996

The environmental aspects of mine water management systems have become as important as reliability of water supply in mining. This is illustrated by four case studies of mines at Ranger, Pine Creek, Rustler's Roost and the McArthur River near Borroloola NT. Water management systems must be included in mine design during the permitting stage and demonstrated by monitoring during operations. Such systems must be in the highly variable climate of the wet-dry tropics. Intelligent water management reduces or eliminates pollution problems and reduces operational and rehabilitation costs. There is a general move towards no-contaminated-release water management systems and where this is feasible it has many advantages in reducing or eliminating adverse effects off site and greatly simplifies regulation.

Katherine River Development

I. Smith
Department of Transport and Works, Water Division

This report examines hydrological parameters likely to affect the development of the Katherine River at and above the town of Katherine. Broad scale environmental and economic considerations led to a recommendation for development of the next phase of water supply to the town, such development being seen as the major influence in the medium term future of the river. A comparative summary of all water supply options considered suited to the growth of the town of Katherine is presented. In addition to town water supply the irrigation and hydroelectric generating capability of the river is examined at a major damsite (Keckwick) at the N.E. boundary of Katherine Gorge National Park.

Katherine Water Supply and Sewerage Development Plan

Power and Water Authority
Through the development plan the aim was to provide background and information on the current Katherine Water Supply and Sewerage systems, outline future needs and alternatives, encourage Community participation and discussion of water and wastewater issues. Issues of relevance to this consultation process include; the cost of providing the water supply and sewerage services and tariff structures, the development of future water sources, the continued use of the Katherine River as a major water source, the levels of service desired, the degree of security of supply required to cover the low rainfall years and the costs involved, the management of water demand through more efficient use of water both inside the home and in the garden, the treatment and disposal of sewerage and reuse of effluent, horticultural use of Katherine River and possible future dams and the protection of water sources from pollution.

Water resources Wadeye (Port Keats) and Nauiyu (Daly River) region, traditional knowledge report

A. Matsuyama and T. Haig
Dept of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, Natural Systems Division
http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/hpa-services/techreport?report_id=WRD03030

Water Resources of Wadeye (Port Keats) and Nauiyu (Daly River) region, main report

A. Matsuyama and T. Haig
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment
The water resources of the Daly River/ Port Keats and Malak-Malak Aboriginal Land trusts were mapped, described and evaluated. The traditional knowledge that the Aboriginal people hold in regards to their water resources was incorporated into the technical study. A set of decision-making tools comprised of reports, maps and an interactive CD-ROM was developed as a result of the study.
http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/hpa-services/techreport?report_id=WRD03029

Groundwater use by vegetation in a tropical savannah riparian zone (Daly River, Australia)

S. Lamontagne, P. G. Cook, A. O'Grady and D. Eamus
Journal of Hydrology, 310, 1-4, 280-293, 2005
Soil water matric potentials and the deuterium composition at natural abundance levels of xylem water, soil water, river water and groundwater were used to evaluate whether trees use groundwater during the dry season in the riparian zone of the Daly River (Northern Territory, Australia). Groundwater was a significant source of water for plant transpiration, probably accounting for more than 50% of the water transpired during the dry season. Use of groundwater varied between species. A decline in the regional water table as a result of groundwater pumping may affect the health of riparian zone vegetation in the Daly River because groundwater use is significant during the dry season.
doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.01.009

Katherine Water Use Review: Final Report

D. Jaeschke
Jesky Fencing and Contracting for Katherine Horticultural Association, The 2005 Katherine Future Directions Forum identified the achievement of water security and sustainability as the most important issue facing horticulture and horticulturalists in the Katherine area.

Formulation of a water management and allocation plan is critical for the proper development of industry in the Katherine area. Planning cannot proceed without appropriate information. Anecdotal evidence suggests some views are held that consider currently available data is insufficient for sound decision making. This review aims to assemble available hydrological data, and independently collect water usage data from horticulturalists and other users.

Recognition of Aboriginal rights, interests and values in river research and management: Perspectives from northern Australia

S. Jackson, M. Storrs and J. Morrison, 2006.
Ecological Management and Restoration, v6 (2) p.105-110.
This paper documents Aboriginal perspectives from certain areas in northern Australia, defined as the region of tropical savannas stretching from Townsville to Broome, and offers a number of suggestions for improving current knowledge of Aboriginal values and Aboriginal participation rates in water and catchment management. The paper highlights the cultural significance of rivers and water in selected northern regions, and provides a preliminary outline of research and management priorities as determined by key north Australian Aboriginal land management organizations. Priorities include developing the capacity for collaborative aquatic resource management, conservation of traditional ecological knowledge, riparian resource inventories and threat assessment, as well as improved Aboriginal participation in catchment management and water policy. Although there is a strong north Australian focus to this paper, the issues raised are relevant to water and natural resource management policy throughout Australia.

Compartmentalising culture: the articulation and consideration of Indigenous values in water resources management

S. Jackson, 2006
Australian Geographer, v.37 (1) pp. 19-31.
This paper focuses on the treatment of Indigenous values in contemporary water resource management. The Daly River region of the Northern Territory is undergoing increased agricultural intensification. A 12 month planning exercise sought to integrate social, economic, environmental and cultural values into decisions about land use and water extraction. Separate treatment of Indigenous and non-Indigenous social values compounded the reification of Aboriginal ‘cultural values’ which were perceived largely within the confines of a cultural heritage paradigm. The heritage paradigm and other common influential theories of value focus on objects, entities and places at the expense of recognition and valuation of relationships, processes and connections between social groups, people and place, and people and non-human entities.

Indigenous values and water resource management: a case study from the Northern Territory

S. Jackson
Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 12, 3, 136-146, 2005
The nature of Indigenous values for water do not easily translate into Western environmental management frameworks, which have a utilitarian focus. This paper describes the nature of Indigenous values in the Daly river region of the Northern Territory undergoing intensive natural resource management planning.