Why the Mighty Darling River is Drying Up
New research reveals that declining rainfall, rather than just water extraction, is a key factor causing the Darling River to dry up. Climate change has reduced rainfall in the Darling River catchment area, particularly during critical months such as April and May. This has exacerbated periods of low or no water flow, further impacting the environment and human water use. The findings underscore the need to rethink water management policies in the Murray-Darling Basin, taking into account climate change as a significant contributing factor.
Key Points
- Water levels in the Darling River have declined due to reduced rainfall, not just water extraction.
- Rainfall in the catchment area has decreased, particularly in late autumn, due to climate change.
- Climate change is affecting river flows even before water is extracted for irrigation and other uses.
- Extensive periods of very low water flow have been observed since the 1990s.
- Policy changes are needed to address the combined impacts of climate change and water extraction.
Summary
The drying of the Darling River is linked not only to water extraction but also to significant reductions in rainfall caused by climate change. Effective water management policies must now consider these dual factors to protect this vital resource.
Based on an article published in The Conversation.
