Watertable levels in the Shepparton Irrigation Region.
Rising watertables across northern Victoria due to recent wet years are alarming catchment authorities.
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An annual check of watertable levels has discovered a concerning number of areas where the watertable is within one metre of ground level.
Watertables close to the ground surface draws salt up into the root zone, potentially poisoning pastures and impacting native vegetation.
Water levels have been rising to a point not seen since 1995.
The data was collated based on monitoring results from Goulburn-Murray Water’s groundwater monitoring bores across the region.
Salinity and waterlogging issues occur when watertables rise to within one to two metres of the ground surface. In the Shepparton Irrigation Region, this is driven by rainfall on a wet catchment.
It’s predicted the problem could be exacerbated if we see the return of sustained wet conditions.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority sustainable landscapes manager Carl Walters said salinity and high watertables caused major economic losses and environmental damage in the Shepparton Irrigation Region in the 1980s and 1990s.
“About 30 years ago, the region was devastated by salinity,” Mr Walters said.
“Now with subsequent wet years and the return of a wet climatic experience, we are seeing evidence that salinity is an issue again.
“We can manage the risk, but we need awareness combined with investment to manage it.’’
There are about 900 private groundwater pumps in the region, enabling some landowners to manage their own risk.
“Salinity and waterlogging affects crop yields, soil health, roads and ecosystem balance,” Mr Walters said.
He said the problem led to the formation of the Shepparton Irrigation Land and Water Management Plan in the late 1980s.
“Since the 1980s significant public and private investments in adaptive management and hard work on compliance and policy issues have meant the SIR is more resilient, with responsive mechanisms like the ‘salinity readiness’ approach for the Public Groundwater Pump Network.
“This has seen Victoria consistently meet its Murray-Darling Basin salinity management obligations for the past 14 years and continually improve irrigation practices and water use efficiency over the past 30 years.”
Mr Walters said managing salinity in the SIR required constructive collaboration between landholders, water authorities and environmental agencies.
“By understanding the threat and adopting sustainable practices, we can protect our agricultural productivity, roads and natural resources.”
G-MW’s drainage program coordinator Mark Potter said groundwater monitoring and the SIR Shallow Groundwater Salinity Watch website had helped empower landholders to manage salinity threats effectively.
But he said the best way to combat the emerging salinity risk involved government and landowners continuing to row in the same direction.
“Long-term planning by the GBCMA and G-MW means we are maintaining robust defences against the ongoing salinity threat in the SIR.”
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