Table of Contents
- 1 What kind of climate does the River Murray experience?
- 2 Is rain falling in Murray-Darling Basin?
- 3 How is climate change affecting the Murray-Darling Basin?
- 4 What are the problems with the Murray river?
- 5 Why is the Murray-Darling Basin so important?
- 6 How have humans affected the Murray-Darling Basin?
What kind of climate does the River Murray experience?
The Murraylands enjoys a Mediterranean-style climate, with hot dry summers and mild winters. The land itself is semi-arid and the north-east of the region has desert like conditions. Summer temperatures average 28oC, with cooling sea breezes.
Is rain falling in Murray-Darling Basin?
Three per cent of the area, in the east, received above average rainfall. Total rainfall was 22 mm, 33 per cent lower than the long-term mean of 33 mm for August….Rainfall statistics.
| Rainfall decile group | Percentage of area |
|---|---|
| Average | 48% |
| Below average | 46% |
| Very much below average | 3% |
| Lowest on record since 1900 | 0% |
Is the Murray-Darling Basin in drought 2021?
Drought. Water storages in the Murray–Darling Basin continued to fill during September. As of 29 September 2021, the Hume Dam was sitting at 97% capacity while some smaller storages in the northern Basin were above 100% capacity.
How is climate change affecting the Murray-Darling Basin?
The Bureau of Meteorology says average rainfall in the Basin is projected to decrease because of climate change. Less rainfall will affect the storage of water and increase demand from irrigators and communities. Monitoring, new science and evaluation are at the core of adaptive management in the Murray–Darling Basin.
What are the problems with the Murray river?
Many issues affect the water resources and ecosystems of the MDB including salinity, erosion, blue-green algal blooms, water quality, and invasive species. Climate change and resultant possible increases in drought pose a significant risk to the availability of surface water in the MDB.
What animals live in the Murray-Darling Basin?
Native animals found in the Murray–Darling Basin include:
- eastern quolls (luaners)
- eastern grey kangaroos.
- red kangaroos.
- platypus.
- sugar gliders.
- brush tailed rock wallabies.
- koalas.
- common ringtail possums.
Why is the Murray-Darling Basin so important?
The Murray–Darling Basin is of significant environmental, cultural and economic value to Australia. It’s home to 16 internationally significant wetlands, 35 endangered species and 98 different species of waterbirds. More than 2.2 million people live in the Basin, including people from 40 different First Nations.
How have humans affected the Murray-Darling Basin?
There are many threats to the quality of water in the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers, lakes and dams. Salinity occurs naturally in groundwater, however human practices such as irrigation and land clearing cause water tables to rise, bringing salt to the surface and into rivers.
Why do people rely on the Murray-Darling Basin?
More than 3 million Australians rely on the Murray-Darling Basin rivers for drinking water, including Canberra and Adelaide. Home to more than 40 Aboriginal Nations with deep cultural, social, environmental, spiritual and economic connection to their lands and waters.