Surface water modelling: the specifics

Hydrological or surface water modelling has long played an important role in informing and guiding Victorian water policy, water resource planning and operational decision-making.

Planning

• Planning for the projected impacts of climate change on water availability and assessing water supply system augmentation options. Read about how urban water strategies draw upon modelled climate changes scenarios.
• Maintain and improve Victoria's water allocation framework
• Develop and implement long term water resource plans such as regional Sustainable Water Strategies, Long Term Water Resource assessments and Urban Water Strategies
• Develop and implement measures for extreme conditions such as dry condition preparedness and flood management plans
• Undertake environmental flows studies and develop environmental watering plans. Read about how we’ve done this in the Thomson River.
• Understand projected impacts of land-use change on nutrient loads to receiving waters and sediment transport.

Operation

• Inform the operation of large and complex water supply systems
• Forecast and report on Victoria's water availability and use

Compliance and technical assessments

• Demonstrate compliance with interstate water sharing arrangements developed for the Murray-Darling Basin. Read about how we do this to track Victoria’s compliance against Murray-Darling Basin Plan Sustainable Diversion Limits.
• Quantify and verify water savings arising from irrigation modernisation works and conservation and efficiency programs
• Establish sustainable limits on the amount of surface water that can be diverted from a river system
• Comply with obligations under Murray-Darling Basin Salinity Management Strategy.

Image credit: Craig Moodie