Full Title
Understanding blackwater events and managed flows in the Wakool System - a scoping study
Contact Person
Dr Darren Baldwin
Project Team
Dr Darren Baldwin, Dr Sally Hladyz and Dr Susanne Watkins
Funding Body
Murray Catchment Management Authority
Duration
May 2009 - June 2010
Outcomes
Hladyz S, Watkins SC and Baldwin DS (2009). Current understanding of blackwater events relating to the Edward-Wakool River System. Draft Report prepared for the Murray Catchment Management Authority by the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, October, 43pp.
Summary
Recent Murray cod mortalities in the Wakool River region have highlighted the paucity of information on blackwater events, particularly in relation to managed flows. Blackwater events are caused by the inundation of high loads of carbon during high water temperatures, following drying events. This decreases oxygen levels in the water column to levels that are lethal to aquatic organisms. These events have occurred historically, however, recent management practices have seen an increase in fish mortalities.
Many permanent and ephemeral creeks in the Wakool region and other parts of New South Wales have recently dried as a result of water abstraction and drought conditions. Blackwater events are likely to become more common due to current management practises of releasing flows for irrigation purposes under drought conditions without consideration of timing and carbon loads. This investigation will broaden our understanding of blackwater events through an examination of carbon dynamics in order to better inform managers in this region.
