• Region overview
• Contextual information
  • Physical information
  • Administration
  • Water rights
  • Climate overview
  • Water overview
• Water Accounting Statements
  • Water Assets and Water Liabilities
  • Changes in Water Assets and Water Liabilities
  • Water Flows
• Notes
  • Accounting policies
  • Supporting information
  • Quantification approach
  • Reconciliations
  • Segments
  • Water resources & systems
  • Water access & use
  • Future outlook
  • References
• Accountability statement

Murray–Darling Basin
Supporting information

Introduction

The following set of notes provides consolidated reports for surface and groundwater stores, urban water supply, irrigation water supply and off-channel water storages within the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) region during the 2013–14 year. The water stores included in the region are shown in Figure 1.

For more information about the region, please refer to the General description section of the 'Contextual information'.

Figure 1 Water stores and supplies within the MDB region

Information on all water flows to and from each water store is presented in this note, including between-store flows and transfers that are not presented in the water accounting statements. The between-store flows and transfers that occur in the region are presented in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Between-store flows that occur within the MDB region

The between-store flows and transfers (Figure 2), which are eliminated from the region's water accounting statements, are shown in italics throughout the following set of notes.

Surface water store

Surface water assets

The volume of the surface water assets includes water held in storages 13,156,647 ML; regulated rivers 1,126,812 ML and lakes and wetlands 1,893,866 ML at 30 June 2014.

Storages

The volume of water held in storages 13,156,647 ML, is used to supply water for entitlements in regulated systems and for flood mitigation purposes. The volume of dead storage is also reported for each storage. Specific details of individual storages with volume on 30 June 2014 and for the previous reporting years is provided in the downloadable table.

The reason for the difference between reported storage information between the Bureau and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is because MDBA website which is (updating fortnightly) only reports on storages that are Government-owned and are largely used for irrigation supply. MDBA does not report on storages used for other purposes within the MDB region. Also, MDBA does not report on storages that have a capacity of less than 10,000 ML and some storages (for urban water supply) are also not reported by MDBA. MDBA fortnightly-published storage volume information can be found here.

Storage volume information is presented according to MDB water resource plan (WRP) areas for surface water on 30 June 2014 in Figure 3 and the summary table is available as a downloadable table. The map highlights a large difference in total storage volume by WRP areas between Northern and Southern Basin of the MDB, due to very much below average rainfall in the Northern Basin. See Rainfall section in 'Climate overview'.

Figure 3 Total storage volume by surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Most of the major storages in the northern basin are located on the upper reaches of the rivers. Figure 4 shows the location of storages and towns within MDB region's northern basin and Figure 5 shows the percentage-full volume on 30 June 2014 for major storages.

Figure 4 Major storages and towns within MDB region's Northern Basin

Figure 5 Percentage-full volume on 30 June 2014 for major storages within MDB region's Northern Basin 

Figure 6 shows the total volume of water in the MDB region's northern basin's major storages at 30 June 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Most of the storages show a large decrease in volume for the reporting year due to very low rainfall and runoff during the reporting year. The total storage volume for the northern basin decreased from 64% full at 30 June 2013 to 30% full at 30 June 2014.

Figure 6 Total volume of water for major storages in MDB region's Northern Basin at 30 June 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014

Most of the major storages in the Southern Basin of the MDB are located on the upper reaches of the major rivers and the lower reaches of the Darling River. Figure 7 shows the location of storages and towns within MDB region's Southern Basin. Figure 8 shows the percentage-full volume on 30 June 2014 for major storages within MDB region's Southern Basin.

Figure 7 Major storages and towns within MDB region's Southern Basin

Figure 8 Percentage-full volume on 30 June 2014 for major storages within MDB region's Southern Basin

Figures 9 and 10 show the total volume of water in the MDB region's Southern Basin major storages at 30 June 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Due to the large number of storages in the basin, two figures are provided. The ordering of storages in the graph correspond to the storage order in the downloadable table for all storages. Most of the storages showed a decrease in volume for the reporting year due to below average rainfall. The total storage volume for the Southern Basin was 70% full at 30 June 2013 and dropped to 63% at 30 June 2014.

Figure 9 Total volume of water for major storages in MDB region's Southern Basin at 30 June 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014

Figure 10 Total volume of water for major storages in MDB region's Southern Basin at 30 June 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014

Unregulated River

Unregulated river water assets exist in the MDB region, but the volume could not be quantified due to the lack of data and a suitable quantification approach.

Regulated River

The volume at 30 June 2014 was  1,126,812 ML. This volume represents the regulated river channel volumes and the volume of water held in weirs, other ponds and storages in the MDB region that are on regulated rivers. Further a number of mid-river storages, locks, weirs also support the delivery of water. These storages form part of the river channel and usually only provide very short-term supply and are not included in the reported volume.

Regulated river channel volumes, volume of water held in weirs, other ponds and storages that are on regulated rivers are provided as a summary by WRP for surface water area in the downloadable table.

Volumes stored in river channel

Volumes stored in river channel represent in-channel storage volume excluding the water held in locks and weirs in the regulated River Murray system and the Lower Darling is 484,700 ML. The Edward and Wakool rivers, and the associated escapes and channels are part of the regulated River Murray system. Details of the regulated river channel volumes in the MDB region at the start and end of the 2013–14 year are provided in the downloadable table.

Volumes stored in river weirs and locks

Volumes held in the weirs and locks is 642,112 ML. More details are provided in the downloadable table.

Lakes and Wetlands

The volume at 30 June 2014 was 1,893,866 ML. Water from lakes and wetlands listed in the downloadable table is not used primarily to supply water for licensed entitlements. Storages are used to supply water for licensed entitlements.

The volume at 30 June was held in lakes and wetlands connected either seasonally or perennially to the river channel system. Information is provided only for selected lakes and wetlands in the Southern Basin of the MDB region. For other lakes and wetlands, particularly in the northern basin, the volumes were not available.

Lakes Burley Griffin, Ginninderra and Tuggeranong are used primarily for recreation, conservation, and aesthetic purposes and are not formally associated with the urban water supply system; however, water from these lakes can be abstracted or released to maintain environmental flows and for small-scale irrigation (see Canberra account).

At present, abstraction from Lake Ginninderra and Lake Tuggeranong is limited to volumes that would have negligible impact on the volume of the lakes (less than 50 ML).

Figure 11 Total volume of water in lakes and wetlands at 30 June 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014

Inter-region claim on water

The volume at 30 June 2014 was 670,826 ML. It includes claims on Snowy Hydro Limited (Snowy Hydro) for the balance of the required annual release (RAR). This volume applies only to the Southern Basin. The volumetric claim against Snowy Hydro is available as a downloadable table.

Claim for Snowy Hydro releases remaining

Each Snowy water year (see Quantification approaches), Snowy Hydro must release the RAR to the Tumut River and the Murray River. The RAR is set at the commencement of the Snowy water year for delivery over the next 12 months.

In drier times, dry Inflow sequence volume (DISV) allowance is made for reduced inflows to the Snowy Mountains Scheme. In the original Snowy water licence, the DISV reduced the RAR when inflows were lower than the historical drought sequence volumes, and increased the RAR as inflows recovered; however, in the Snowy water licence amendments that took effect on 4 October 2011, the RAR formula (refer to the downloadable table above) was modified to deduct (non-negative) DISV increase rather than add DISV from the previous 1 March and subtract the current DISV. This change resulted in the same reduced RAR during continuing dry conditions but when inflows improve (when recovering from a DISV state), the DISV recovery volumes are now stored in drought accounts rather than increasing the RAR.  DISV Increase adjustments are made to RAR on a monthly basis through the Snowy water year up to 1 March.

Environmental water savings transferred from the Murrumbidgee River and the Murray River to the Snowy River or the montane streams result from entitlements acquired in the MDB region through completion of water-saving infrastructure projects or purchases of entitlements. When allocations are announced against these entitlements, the RAR (claim against Snowy Hydro) is reduced. Snowy Hydro subsequently makes these environmental releases to the Snowy River and other montane streams.

Other surface water assets

The volume at 30 June 2014 for other surface water assets was 10,079 ML. 

Rocky Valley Reservoir is located in Kiewa sustainable diversion limit (SDL) area in Victoria. Rocky Valley Reservoir does not form part of the entitlement system within the MDB region. It is a storage owned by a hydro-electric operator and the volume released each year is subject to operator's water licence. No orders can be placed on the storage for delivery of water to the entitlement system. It does not reflect a volume that can be used to support the total volume in storages. It is potentially an asset, although there is some doubt about when the asset can be claimed because it is not available to settle claims for water until the hydro-operator physically makes the release.

The details for Rocky Valley Reservoir are summarised in the downloadable table. The dead storage volume for the storage is not available.

Surface water liabilities

Surface water liabilities of 3,024,280 ML in the MDB region refer to the volume of surface water allocation remaining on licensed entitlements at the end of the 2013–14 year for:

• users
• urban water supply.
  
  

Surface water allocation remaining

The volume remaining for users at 30 June 2014 was 3,024,280 ML.

• The volume for users (non-environmental) in 2013–14 year was 2,397,771 ML. This volume represents surface water allocation remaining associated with a number of entitlement classes in the MDB region as at 30 June 2014.

• The volume for users (environmental purpose) in 2013–14 year was 626,509 ML. This volume represents surface water allocation remaining associated with a number of entitlement classes categorised as environmental in the MDB region as at 30 June 2014.

The allocation remaining for users: non-environmental and environmental purpose is provided in table 1.

Figure 12 shows the summary of surface water allocation carryover (excluding urban water supply) volume by WRP for surface water area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. Detail breakdown downloadable table is provided for users (non-environmental) and environmental purpose in the MDB region as at 30 June 2014.

Figure 12 Surface water allocation carryover for entitlement class (excluding urban water supply) by water resource plan area for surface water on 30 June 2014

Further information for Queensland

Surface water allocation remaining: urban water supply

The volume remaining for urban water supply at 30 June 2014 was 0 ML.

For the 2013–14 year, none of the SDL resource units in the MDB region reported surface water allocation remaining for urban water supply. 

Further information for Queensland

All allocation remaining at the end of the water year was forfeited and therefore allocation remaining was zero for Queensland WRP areas. While carryover does not apply for urban water supply, most water supply schemes hold water in reserve for high-priority urban use in Queensland.

Further information for New South Wales

There were zero remaining allocation volumes carried over to the following year for all the SDL resource units.

Further information for Victoria

There was allocation remaining for urban supplies in SDL resource units within Victoria; however, reliable information was not available at the data collection stage of the 2014 Account to distinguish urban carryover volumes. Therefore, any carryover volume for urban supply was included in carryover volumes reported under 'Surface water allocation remaining: users and environmental purpose'.

Further information for South Australia

All allocation remaining at the end of the water year for urban entitlements was forfeited and therefore allocation remaining was zero for the WRP areas.

Further information for Australian Capital Territory

In the Australian Capital Territory, no formal allocation announcement is made to extract water from storages. The allocation announcement for the year was assumed to be equal to the total entitlement volume. The difference between the allocation announcement and the allocation diversion was considered as forfeited. Therefore, allocation remaining (carryover) was zero.

Surface water inflows and outflows

A schematic diagram representing all the inflows and outflows associated with the surface water store in the MDB region is provided in Figure 13.

Figure 13 Water inflows and outflows for the surface water store within the MDB region during the 2013–14 year

Surface water inflows

Precipitation on surface water

The modelled volume for the 2013–14 year was 1,172,623 ML and it represents precipitation volumes on surface water assets within the MDB region. Precipitation on storages, regulated river channels, locks and weirs, lakes and other known water bodies within the region were taken into account. Precipitation information is presented according to MDB WRP areas for surface water for the period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 in Figure 14 and is available as a downloadable table. The map highlights differences in total precipitation volume by WRP areas between northern and Southern Basins of the MDB, due to very much below average rainfall in the northern basin. See Rainfall section in 'Climate overview'.

Specific details of precipitation on individual asset basis are included in the downloadable table. In both downloadable tables, volumes shown against a WRP area or surface water SDL resource unit are based on surface water assets geographically located within those areas.

Information on precipitation on other surface water assets (mainly unregulated rivers and unknown water bodies) was not available.

Figure 14 Precipitation on surface water assets by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

River inflow to region

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 151,000 ML for the MDB region. This is the discretionary flow made by Snowy Hydro to Murray and Tumut rivers to the Southern Basin of the region.

There was 89,948 ML inflow within the region during the 2013–14 year (from the Northern Basin to the Southern Basin; this is not an inflow to the whole MDB region). This inflow was from the Barwon–Darling watercourse SDL resource unit into the Lower Darling SDL resource unit, and was calculated at the upstream end of Menindee Lakes.

Groundwater discharge to surface water

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 117,572 ML. The detailed volumetric information is available in the downloadable table.

Groundwater discharge to surface water was only calculated for those New South Wales SDL resource units for which there was a groundwater model and groundwater discharge to a river was considered to be an important component of the groundwater balance. Groundwater discharge to surface water in SDL resource units other than reported in the downloadable table exists; however, relevant information was not available for the 2014 Account.

None of the groundwater models used for estimations of calculated volumes for fractured basement rock areas. In these areas, both surface runoff and the drainage of water below the soil layers normally included in the models were assumed to contribute to a total annual stream flow. This implicitly accounts for groundwater flow and river discharge in local groundwater flow systems that usually dominate these fractured rock areas. These discharge volumes are not represented in the reported volume, but contribute to the volume for Runoff to surface water.

Runoff to surface water

The largest surface water inflow was runoff to surface water 20,739,830 ML during the 2013–14 year in the MDB region. This modelled volume is about 18% less than the previous year, which reflects the below average rainfall experienced across the MDB region for the second year in a row (See Rainfall section in 'Climate overview').

Runoff to surface water volume is on a WRP for surface water area basis and is provided in Figure 15 and as a downloadable table. The map highlights the differences in modelled runoff volume in WRP areas between Northern Basin and Southern Basin, due to very much below average rainfall and soil moisture conditions in the Northern Basin during the reporting year. See Rainfall section in 'Climate overview' and Soil Moisture section in 'Water overview'.

Figure 15 Runoff to surface water by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Point return from irrigation scheme

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 259,779 ML. The volume represents point discharge of water from irrigation schemes to surface water within the MDB region. It includes overflows from irrigation scheme water supply channels, discharge of used irrigation water from irrigation scheme collection systems and other irrigation scheme point discharges.

Information on point returns from irrigation schemes has been provided only for Murrumbidgee and Victorian Murray river systems within the Southern Basin. There was no measured data available for the other irrigation areas, particularly in the Northern Basin within the MDB region. The details of the volume are as follows:

• the Coleambally irrigation area within Murrumbidgee NSW WRP area (15,935 ML) 
• the Broken Creek irrigation system (32,735 ML) and Torrumbarry system (211,109 ML) within the Victorian Murray WRP area.
  
  

Overbank flood return to river channel

Overbank flood return to river channel occurs in the MDB region; however, reliable data is not available, and currently there is no suitable quantification approach to estimate this volume.

Discharge from urban water supply system

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 32,551 ML. The volume represents treated urban wastewater discharge to surface water within ACT and Murrumbidgee NSW WRP for surface water areas. Information from other urban water supply systems, particularly within the Northern Basin, was not available. The breakdown of volumes is as follows:

Surface water outflows

Evaporation from surface water

The modelled volume for the 2013–14 year was 2,701,747 ML and it represents evaporation volumes from surface water assets within the MDB region. Evaporation from storages; regulated river channels; locks and weirs; lakes; and other known water bodies within the region were taken into account. Evaporation volumes from surface water assets are presented according to MDB surface water resources plan (WRP) areas on 30 June 2014 in Figure 16 and are available as a downloadable table.

Specific details of evaporation from individual asset basis are included in the detailed downloadable table. In both downloadable tables, volumes shown against a water resource plan (WRP) area or sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource unit is based on surface water assets geographically located within that area.

Figure 16 Evaporation from surface water assets by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

River outflow from the region

The volume for the whole MDB region for the 2013–14 year was 1,784,000 ML. This volume was the river outflow from South Australian Murray sustainable diversion limit (SDL) area to the sea estimated at the barrages by MDBA.

The same volume applies as the river outflow from the Southern Basin. The river outflows from the Northern Basin into the Southern Basin was 89,948 ML. This was the inflow from the Barwon–Darling watercourse SDL resource unit into the Lower Darling SDL resource unit calculated at the upstream end of Menindee Lakes.

Groundwater recharge from surface water

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 273,293 ML. The detailed volumetric information is available in the downloadable table.

Groundwater recharge from surface water was only calculated for those New South Wales sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units for which there was a groundwater model and groundwater discharge to a river was considered to be an important component of the groundwater balance. Groundwater recharge to surface water in SDL resource units other than included in the downloadable table exists however, relevant information was not available for the 2014 Account.

Surface water leakage to landscape

It is believed that leakage to landscape from surface water resources such as rivers and storages occurs in the MDB region; however, reliable volumes are not available, and currently there is no suitable quantification approach to estimate these volumes.

Overbank flood spilling

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 207,528 ML. The volume represents floodwaters that have overflowed the river channel top-of-bank (includes floodwater to floodplains but excludes flood waters to seasonally connected wetlands and other surface water stores).

Overbank flood spilling is classified as an unregulated event. The volume is applicable to several jurisdictions within the region; however, volumes were only available for Queensland. Therefore, the information applies only to the Northern Basin. The volumes shown in the above table were estimated from abstracted overland flood volumes. These volumes have been classified under the unsupplemented entitlement class within Queensland.

No information was available for water resource plan areas in other jurisdictions for this item.

The downloadable table summarises the information for the MDB region.

River and floodplain leakage, evaporation and errors

River and floodplain losses including evaporation, leakage and gauging errors in river inflow and outflow measurements. This volume was calculated applying a water balance approach. Therefore, any balancing volume for the whole MDB region is included under this item.

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 12,556,178 ML for the whole MDB region. A breakdown of the volume is provided by Water resource plan area in the downloadable table.

Surface water entitled diversion

Allocated diversions, non-allocated diversions, and water diversions under other statutory rights are the main forms of surface water diversions within the MDB region.

• The allocated diversions are associated with a water access entitlement. When an allocation is announced, an obligation (water liability) is created on the surface water to deliver water to the user. The entitlement holder (an individual, water supply organisation or environmental water provider, where necessary) then orders the release or delivery of the allocated water and diverts it, which reduces the water liability.

• Allocated diversion for non-environmental and environmental purpose was 7,894,069 ML, which is 63% of allocated diversions for available rights (12,469,268 ML) within the region for the 2013–14 year. The reported volume does not include South Australia diversion volume, as they were not available at the time of account publication.

• Non-allocated diversion for non-environmental and environmental purpose was 1,619,998 ML, which is 54% of non-allocated diversions for available rights (3,015,106 ML) within the region which are associated with a water access entitlement, but are primarily unregulated diversions.

• Allocated and non-allocated and diversions have decreased compared to diversions made during the 2012–13 year, which is due to less water availability because of reduced rainfall in the region.
  

• Other statutory rights for surface water diversions are non-entitled water rights. They may be conferred by jurisdictional Water Acts or be written in water management plans and include land owner basic rights, riparian rights, Indigenous rights and stock and domestic rights.

Graphs and downloadable tables for surface water rights, water availability and net diversions for the 2013–14 year are provided in the Water rights, entitlements, allocations and restrictions note.

Surface water diversions: other statutory rights

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 68,210 ML. This volume represents diversions made under water rights other than entitlements. These rights include land owner basic rights, riparian rights, and stock and domestic rights. The downloadable table summarises the information for the MDB region.

Entitled diversion of allocated surface water to users

The volume for the year was 7,565,617 ML to users.

• The volume for non-environmental diversion was 6,817,220 ML. The volume represents diversion (excluding urban water supply) associated with a number of entitlement classes in the MDB region. For Queensland, this volume includes surface water allocation diversions for both urban and non-urban supplemented entitlements. Information on entitled allocation diversions for urban water supply for other jurisdictions is included in Entitled diversion of allocated surface water to urban water supply.
• The volume delivered for environmental purposes was 748,397 ML. 

Figure 17 shows the summary by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on surface water allocation diversion (excluding urban water supply) within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 17 Entitled diversion of allocated surface water volume to users by water resource plan area for surface water on 30 June 2014

The volumes shown on the map includes allocated environmental water diverted from the source (but does not include environmental water used in water source) as reported by the states. Environmental volumes provided under General security entitlement class for New South Wales include volumes for the other entitlement classes (except for Conveyance class for NSW Murray). Inter-valley transfers have been accounted to the destination valley for environmental purposes.  

Entitled diversion of non-allocated surface water to users

The volume for the year was 1,337,092 ML to users.

• The volume for non-environmental diversion was 1,283,873 ML. This volume represents entitled diversion of non-allocated surface water (excluding urban water supply) in the MDB region. Non-allocated surface water diversions are made under water access entitlements, for which no present commitment (water liability) to deliver water to users was recognised.
• The volume delivered for environmental purposes was 53,219 ML. 

Figure 18 shows the summary by water resource plan area for surface water basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on surface water allocation diversion (excluding urban water supply) within the region is also provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 18 Entitled diversion of non-allocated surface water volume to users by water resource plan area for surface water on 30 June 2014

Further Information for Queensland

Queensland data includes unsupplemented irrigation water allocation with flow conditions, unsupplemented irrigation allocation without flow conditions, and unsupplemented water licences diversions. The overland flow take estimation is given in Overbank flood spilling.

Further Information for New South Wales

New South Wales data includes supplementary diversions in the regulated system and unregulated diversions in the unregulated systems. Although the volume refers to non-allocated diversions, supplementary diversions are allocated by an available water determination following an announcement process as with the other allocated diversions.

New South Wales data includes 8,288 ML of water diverted from the unregulated Fish River within the Macquarie–Castlereagh region to Sydney Catchment Authority, Delta Electricity, and Lithgow City Council, for use outside the MDB region via the Fish River Water Supply Scheme under a commercial arrangement.

Further Information for Australian Capital Territory

Murrumbidgee NSW volumes include Australian Capital Territory volume for which Murrumbidgee New South Wales sustainable diversion limit area is the supply source.  

Australian Capital Territory volume provided includes diversions of unregulated flows under multi-use licences for non-potable water within the Australian Capital Territory. It includes urban use for licensed abstraction within the urban area, and other use for licensed abstraction outside the urban area.

Entitled diversion of allocated surface water to urban water supply

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 328,452 ML to urban water supply. The volume represents surface water allocation diversions for urban water supply associated with a number of entitlement classes in the MDB region.

Figure 19 shows the summary by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on surface water allocation diversion for urban water supply within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 19 Entitled diversion of allocated surface water volume for urban water supply by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Further information for Queensland

Refer to information under 'Entitled diversion of allocated surface water to users'.

Refer to deliver of water under inter-region agreement to surface water to Toowoomba regional council.

Further information for New South Wales

Volumes for New South Wales contain the diversions made under major and local water utility classes as well as the high security town water supply class. Water use for cultural, industrial, research, community and education activities have been categorised as non-urban.  Therefore, related information is included in 'Entitled diversion of allocated surface water to users'.

Further information for Victoria

There was 7 ML Goulburn allocation diversion transferred to Melbourne via the Killingworth Pump (north–south pipeline). 207 ML was transferred from Gouburn system via the Goldfields Superpipe to Ballarat and Bendigo during the 2013–14 year.

Further information for South Australia

South Australian urban diversions include the Metro–Adelaide and the South Australian country town allocation diversions. The diversions to Metro–Adelaide are part of the River Murray entitlements and are pumped from within the MDB region to Adelaide. The volume has been sourced from SA water annual report as S71 report was not available at the time of account publication.

Further information for Australian Capital Territory

The volume includes regulated diversions made from the Murrumbidgee River for urban purposes.

Entitled diversion of non-allocated surface water to urban water supply

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 7,168 ML to urban water supply. The volume represents surface water non-allocated diversions for urban water supply in the MDB region. Non-allocated diversions are made under water access entitlements, for which no present commitment (water liability) to deliver water to users was recognised.

Figure 20 shows the summary on a surface water resource plan area basis. Details by surface water resource plan area breakdown information is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 20 Entitled diversion of non-allocated surface water volume for urban water supply by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014 

Further information for Queensland

Surface water allocation announcements and increase of claim

Increase of inter-region surface water claim on water

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 2,059,594 ML. The volume applies only to the Southern Basin of the MDB region. Details are provided in the downloadable table.

• Claim for Snowy Hydro releases: It includes the increases in required annual release (RAR) that Snowy Hydro Limited (Snowy Hydro) was required to deliver to the Tumut and the Murray River 2,051,826 ML. The volume shown in the downloadable table was the increase in the RAR for the period 1 July 2013–30 June 2014 and related to the Snowy water year of 1 May 2014–30 April 2015. It also includes the dry inflow sequence volume (DISV) adjustments made to the RAR during the year on a month-by-month basis and other RAR adjustments.

• Claim by Grampians Wimmera–Mallee Water on water in the Glenelg River: A claim by Grampians Wimmera–Mallee Water in the Glenelg catchment of the water transferred-in during the 2013–14 year was 7,768 ML. It is reported under Delivery of water under inter-region agreement to surface water in 2013–14 year. Under a Victorian bulk entitlement, Grampians Wimmera–Mallee Water is able to transfer water from the Glenelg River upstream of and including Rocklands Reservoir, and the first and second Wannon creeks upstream of and including the weirs to the Wimmera–Mallee supply system, located within the MDB region's boundaries.

Surface water allocation announcements

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 6,918,972 ML.

This volume includes 357 ML of allocation trade adjustment in the MDB region. Information on surface water allocation announcements for urban water supply are included under Surface water allocation announcements – urban water supply.

Figure 21 shows the summary by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on surface water allocation annoucements within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 21 Surface water allocation announcements (excluding urban water supply) by water resource plan area for surface water on 30 June 2014

Surface water allocation announcements: urban water supply

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 520,674 ML.

Figure 22 shows the summary by water resource plan area for surface water basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on surface water allocation annoucements for urban water supply within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 22 Surface water allocation announcements for urban water supply by water resource plan area for surface water on 30 June 2014

Further information for Queensland

In Queensland, the resource operations plans (ROPs) distinguish between high and medium priority of supplemented water allocation. The water audit monitoring (WAM) data, which are the data source for the 2013 Account, only distinguish between supplemented and unsupplemented entitlements. Both urban and non-urban supplemented entitlements are included within supplemented entitlement class. Supplemented urban and supplemented non-urban volumes on allocations, diversions, and other attributes were received together and it was not possible for these to be separated out for two purposes. Therefore, surface water allocation announcements for both urban and non-urban supplemented entitlements are included in Surface water allocation announcements.

Further information for New South Wales

Volumes reported for New South Wales in this item contain the allocation announcements made under major and local water utility classes as well as the high security town water supply class. Water use for cultural, industrial, research, community, and education activities have been categorised as non-urban.  Therefore, related allocation announcements are included in 'Surface water allocation announcements'.

In calculating allocation announcements, impacts of implementing new water sharing plans and abolishing existing plans have been taken into account. In addition, water availability related to allocation announcements took into account impact of reservoir spilling.

Further information for Victoria

Victorian allocation announcements are shown in the source valley, even if the water was taken in a different destination valley. Therefore all entitlements in the Goulburn sustainable diversion limit (SDL) area have their allocation announcements shown in that area, rather than the destination valleys of the Loddon or the Campaspe.

Transfers to Melbourne via the North–South pipeline occur under a commercial arrangement and not under an entitlement. Therefore, no separate allocation volumes are available.

Further information for Australian Capital Territory

In the Australian Capital Territory, no formal allocation announcement is made to extract water from storages. The allocation announcement for the year is assumed to be equal to the total entitlement volume.

Further information for South Australia

The volume have been sourced from Adelaide NWA report as S71 report was not available at the time of account publication.

Surface water forfeitures and decrease of claim

Decrease of inter-region surface water claim

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 3,000 ML. The volume applies only to the Southern Basin of the MDB region.  The volume represents decreases to the required annual release (RAR) by Snowy Hydro Limited (Snowy Hydro). More details about RAR are available under inter-region claim on water. Decreases to the RAR include:

• relaxation volume reduction due to irrigators entitlements reaching full allocations and fullness of downstream storages
• the volume reserved as directed by the New South Wales Office of Water under clause 13.2 of the Snowy Water Licence to facilitate a potential inter-valley transfer  
• the allocated volume for the drought account.

Details are provided in the downloadable table on the decrease of claims against Snowy Hydro from 01 July 2013–30 June 2014 and related to the Snowy water year of 01 May 2013–30 April 2014.

Events that increase the claims against Snowy Hydro are given under increase of inter-region surface water claim.

Adjustment and forfeiture of surface water allocation

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 675,466 ML for the whole region. The volume represents adjustment and forfeiture in surface water resource plan area of surface water allocation excluding for urban water supply.

Non-environmental volume was 420,432 ML and environmental volume was 255,034 ML.

Figure 23 shows the summary by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on adjustment and forfeiture of surface water allocation excluding for urban water supply within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 23 Adjustment and forfeiture of surface water allocation by water resource plan area for surface water on 30 June 2014

Further information for Queensland

In Queensland, the resource operation plans (ROPs) distinguish between 'high and medium priority of supplemented water allocation'. The water resource report (WRR) data which is the data source for the 2014 Account only distinguishes between 'supplemented' and 'unsupplemented' entitlements. Both urban and non-urban supplemented entitlements are included within the supplemented entitlement class. Supplemented urban and supplemented non-urban volumes on allocations, diversions and other attributes were received together and not possible to be separated out for the two purposes. Therefore, the volume includes adjustment and forfeiture volumes for both urban and non-urban supplemented entitlements.

Further information for New South Wales

Usually unused allocation balances are forfeited for entitlement classes: stock and domestic, community and education, and research and Aboriginal culture. In some cases, the allocation may be overdrawn and the balance is shown under Surface water allocation remaining.

In the Murrumbidgee water resource plan (WRP) area, irrigators may 'borrow' water from the Snowy Scheme. This borrow is made under a contractual agreement between the irrigator and the Snowy Scheme. The volume contracted is then credited by New South Wales Office of Water (NOW) to the individual account of the irrigator, allowing the irrigator to order water from the water assets administered by NOW. In parallel, the Snowy Scheme transfers the physical water into Blowering Reservoir in the Murrumbidgee WRP area. When the irrigator is able in subsequent years to repay the debt, they notify NOW, which debits the account from the volume previously borrowed, thus reducing the allocation announced earlier in the year. Inter-region claim on water provides details of the inter-region transfers from Snowy Hydro.

Further information for Victoria

Victorian allocation adjustment and forfeiture are shown in the source valley, even though the water was taken in a different destination valley. Therefore all entitlements in the Goulburn sustainable diversion limit (SDL) area have their allocation adjustments and forfeiture shown in that area, rather than the destination valleys of the Loddon or the Campaspe.

In Victoria, once an allocation has been made, regardless of its class, it goes into a single allocation account. Therefore, adjustment and forfeiture volumes are not specified as high reliability water share or a low reliability water share and are reported as combined high and low reliability water share.

Further information for South Australia

No carryover was permitted for South Australian Murray at the end of the 2013–14 year. For South Australia, adjustment and forfeiture volumes include the classes 3, 4, 7, and 9 as a 'combined class'. Carryover is not allowed for classes 1, 5, and 8, with all unused water within these classes is forfeited.

Adjustment and forfeiture of surface water allocation: urban water supply

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 192,222 ML. The volume represents adjustment and forfeiture in surface water resource plan area of surface water allocation for urban water supply in the MDB region.

Figure 24 shows the summary by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on adjustment and forfeiture of surface water allocation for urban water supply within the region is also provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 24 Adjustment and forfeiture of surface water allocation for urban water supply by water resource plan area for surface water on 30 June 2014

Further information for Queensland

In Queensland, the resource operation plans (ROPs) distinguish between high and medium priority of supplemented water allocation. The water resource reporting (WRR) data, which are the data source for the 2014 Account, only distinguish between supplemented and unsupplemented entitlements. Both urban and non-urban entitlements are included within supplemented entitlement class. Supplemented urban and supplemented non-urban volumes on allocations, diversions, and other attributes were received together and it was not possible for these to be separated out for two purposes. Therefore, adjustment and forfeiture of surface water allocation for both urban and non-urban supplemented entitlements are included in Adjustment and forfeiture of surface water allocation.     

Surface water store balancing item

The volume of the balancing item represents the volume necessary to reconcile the opening and closing balances of the surface water store with the physical water inflows and outflows (Table 2).

Groundwater store

Groundwater assets

Other groundwater assets

In the MDB region information is not available to distinguish water table aquifers and underlying aquifers. Therefore, data related to both these aquifer types have been reported under other groundwater assets.

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 3,089,527 ML for the MDB region.

Groundwater assets for the 2013-14 year are sustainable diversion limits (SDL) based on information provided by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Asset information for 2012-13 year were based on permissible consumptive volumes. This transition has resulted in the difference between total water assets which were 4,193,166 ML in the 2012-13 reporting year.

Figure 25 shows the summary of groundwater asset volumes on a water resource plan area basis for groundwater and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on groundwater asset volumes for each sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource unit in the water resource plan area is also provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 25 Groundwater asset volumes by groundwater resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Groundwater liabilites

Groundwater allocation remaining

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 2,132 ML. The volume represents the allocation remaining for groundwater where it is permissible to carryover unused non-urban groundwater allocations at the end of the 2013–14 year.

• The volume comprises of remaining allocations from Angas Bremer 1,601 ML and Marne Saunders 531 ML groundwater sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units in South Australia. No other groundwater SDL resource unit has reported remaining allocations.

• The following rules apply to the unused groundwater allocations within the Angas Bremer prescribed wells area (PWA) (South Australia Government 2014b):

1. Subject to Rule 2, water (except recharged water) taken and used from the wells in the Angas Bremer PWA will be allocated as a volume that may be taken and used in any water-use year.

2. Subject to rules 3 and 4, any unused portion of up to 30% of a water allocation for any water-use year (excluding recharged water) may be taken and used after the end of that water-use year (at any time over the subsequent three water-use years) with an allocation for a subsequent water-use year.

3. The combined amount of an allocation from a subsequent water-use year and any allocation from an earlier water-use year shall not exceed 130% of the allocation of that subsequent water-use year in which the combined allocations are taken and used.

4. For rules 1 to 3, a water-use year means the period between 1 July in any calendar year and 30 June in the following calendar year.

For the Marne Saunders SDL resource unit, carry-over volumes shall not exceed (South Australia Government 2014b):

• 20% of the volume of the base water allocation as at 1 July of the post-credit year, regardless of variations in the volume of the base water allocation that occur during that water use year, if the water is allocated in the fractured rock aquifer management zone
• 10% of the volume of the base water allocation as at 1 July of the post-credit year, regardless of variations in the volume of the base water allocation that occur during that water use year, if the water is allocated in the Unconfined Zone 1, Unconfined Zone 2, Unconfined Zone 3, Unconfined Zone 4, Unconfined Zone 5, Unconfined Zone 6, Confined Zone A, Confined Zone B, or Renmark Group Aquifer management zones.

For the Marne Saunders SDL resource unit, a carry-over allocation expires at the end of the post-credit year.

Groundwater allocation remaining–urban water supply

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 0 ML.

Groundwater inflows and outflows

A schematic diagram representing all the inflows and outflows associated with the groundwater store in the MDB region is provided in Figure 26.

Figure 26 Water inflows and outflows for the groundwater store within the MDB region during the 2013–14 year

Groundwater inflows

Groundwater inflow from outside region

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 2,733 ML. The volume applies only to the Southern Basin. The volume represents lateral flow of groundwater into the MDB region from inland groundwater aquifers that extend outside the region. This volume represents the lateral inflow into the region from both Murray Limestone and Renmark Group aquifers along the boundary near the Murray mouth as shown in Figure 27. The volume was estimated for sections of the MDB boundary that are not co-incident with the coastline.

Lateral inflow of groundwater into the region across the coast line is not included in this volume which is reported under Groundwater inflow from outside region at coast.

Figure 27 Through flow boundaries at Murray mouth considered for the lateral inflow into the MDB region

Regional groundwater flow across the MDB region boundary was considered important:

• in aquifers underlying the MDB surface drainage outlet to the Southern Ocean
• to and from the Great Artesian Basin (GAB).

The GAB aquifers underlying the north of the MDB region were not considered to be part of the region based on its definition. Therefore, groundwater flow from the GAB upwards to near-surface aquifers was considered to be inflow from outside the region. No data was available to quantify inflow from the GAB. All the other boundaries were assumed no flow boundaries, mostly representing a groundwater divide due to bedrock outcrop.

Groundwater flow from the Northern Basin to the Southern Basin was also considered negligible. This was due to the fact that the segment boundary mainly represents a groundwater divide and it is mainly composed of fractured rocks with a local flow system and therefore negligible regional flow.

Groundwater inflow from outside region at coast

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 82 ML. The volume applies only to the Southern Basin of the MDB region.

The regional groundwater flow at the coastline into the MDB region is a sum of flow along the Murray mouth through the major sedimentary aquifers. The flow was considered to occur in the Murray Group Limestone aquifer and the Renmark Group aquifer where these aquifers cross the vertical cross-section at the coastline (see Figure 27). The inflow may be either fresh or saline groundwater.

Recharge from landscape

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 3,552,532 ML. The downloadable table provides more detailed volumetric information.

sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units other than those included in the table exist and may be relevant to the item; however, relevant information was not available for the 2014 account.

Groundwater recharge from surface water

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 273,293 ML. The downloadable table provides more detailed volumetric information.

Groundwater recharge from surface water was only calculated for those New South Wales sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units for which there was a groundwater model and groundwater discharge to a river was considered to be an important component of the groundwater balance. Groundwater recharge to surface water in SDL resource units other than included in the downloadable table exists however, relevant information was not available for the 2014 Account.

Leakage from off-channel water storage

It is believed that leakage from off-channel water storage to groundwater occurs in the MDB region;  however, currently there is no suitable quantification approach to estimate the volume. It is assumed that exclusion of this volume has a negligible effect on the water balance for the groundwater store.

Managed Aquifer recharge: other schemes

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 1,211 ML. The volume comprises of managed aquifer recharge volumes from Angas Bremer (Quaternary sediments and Murray Group limestone) groundwater sustainable diversion limit (SDL) area in South Australia. Information from other groundwater SDL resource units was not available. The volume applies only to the Southern Basin of the MDB region. 

Recharge was initially carried out in Angas Bremer to improve the quality of the groundwater and to store surface water flows during the non-irrigation season. Currently, the River Murray pipeline capacity is not capable of meeting all water demands during the peak of the irrigation season, meaning licensees would need to take water off-peak and store it in the aquifer for later use.

Groundwater outflows

Groundwater outflow to outside region

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 31 ML. The volume applies only to the Southern Basin of the MDB region.

Groundwater outflow to outside region at coast

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 1,516 ML. The volume applies only to the Southern Basin of the MDB region.

The regional groundwater flow at the coastline out of the MDB region is a sum of flow along the Murray mouth through the major sedimentary aquifers. The outflow was considered to occur in the Murray Group Limestone Aquifer and the Renmark Group Aquifer where these aquifers cross the vertical cross-section at the coastline (see Figure 27).

Discharge to landscape

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 1,583,868 ML for the whole MDB region. The volume represents discharge from aquifers to landscape that includes soil, unconnected lakes and wetlands. The downloadable table provides more detailed volumetric information.

Groundwater discharge to surface water

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 117,572 ML for the whole MDB region. The detailed information is available in the downloadable table.

Groundwater discharge to surface water was only calculated for those New South Wales sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units for which there was a groundwater model and groundwater discharge to a river was considered to be an important component of the groundwater balance. Groundwater discharge to surface water in SDL resource units other than included in the downloadable table exists however, relevant information was not available for the 2014 Account.

None of the groundwater models used for estimations calculated volumes for fractured basement rock areas. In these areas, both surface runoff and the drainage of water below the soil layers normally included in the models were assumed to contribute to a total annual stream flow. This implicitly accounts for groundwater flow and river discharge in local groundwater flow systems that usually dominate these fractured rock areas. These discharge volumes are not represented in this item, but contribute to the volume for Runoff to surface water.

Other groundwater outflows

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 2,117,214 ML. The volume represents the reduction of supplementary entitlements during the 2013–14 year in New South Wales as stipulated in water sharing plans. New South Wales supplementary access licence volumes are included in Other groundwater assets as groundwater assets. These licence volumes are set to decrease each year until they disappear completely to bring all groundwater entitlements to a level of extraction that is sustainable. The detailed information is available in the downloadable table.

Groundwater allocation extractions

Allocation extraction and extraction under other statutory rights are the main forms of groundwater extractions within the MDB region. The allocation extractions are associated with a water access entitlement.

• Allocation extractions are reported under 'Entitled extraction of allocated groundwater to users' (primarily for non-urban purposes) and urban water supply.
• Allocation extractions to users was 1,120,132 ML which included 942,234 ML for users and 5,674 ML for environmental purpose. This was 43% of total right of 2,694,337 ML within the region for the 2013–14 year. Allocated extractions have increased from reported volume of 942,342 ML for 2012–13 year. 
• Allocation extractions for urban supply was 34,497 ML within the region for the 2013-14 year.

Graphs and downloadable tables for Groundwater rights, total water availability and extractions during the 2013–14 year are provided in the Water rights, entitlements, allocations and restrictions note.

Groundwater extractions–other statutory rights

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 221,408 ML. The volume represents groundwater extractions made under other statutory rights. The other statutory rights include landowner basic rights, riparian rights, and stock and domestic rights.

Figure 28 shows the summary by Groundwater resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on groundwater extraction under other statutory rights in the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 28 Groundwater extractions-other statutory rights by Groundwater resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Entitled extraction of allocated groundwater to users

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 1,120,132 ML. The volume represents groundwater allocation extraction (excluding urban water supply) in groundwater resource plan areas associated with a number of entitlement classes in the MDB region.

Figure 29 shows the summary by groundwater resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on groundwater allocation extraction (excluding urban water supply) within the region is also provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 29 Entitled extraction of allocated Groundwater volume to users by Groundwater resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Additional information

The sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units not shown in the downloadable tables may have volumes relevant to the item; however, relevant information was not available for the 2014 Account.

Allocations may be made for urban, stock and domestic or irrigation purposes under a single class of licence in the particular water resource plan area. Where the purpose was not known, and it was a general class of licence, the groundwater allocation announcement has been included under 'aquifer'.

Further information for Queensland

Water sharing plans were yet to commence or data was unavailable for the groundwater SDL's GS56 and Queensland MDB: Deep.

Entitled extraction of allocated groundwater to urban water supply

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 34,497 ML. The volume represents groundwater allocation diversion in groundwater resource plan areas for urban water supply in the MDB region.

Figure 30 shows the summary by Groundwater resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on groundwater allocation extraction (excluding urban water supply) within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 30 Entitled extraction of allocated Groundwater volume to urban water supply by Groundwater resource plan area on 30 June 2014

For additional information and details of jurisdictions groundwater resource plans refer to item 'Entitled extraction of allocated groundwater to users' above.

Groundwater forteitures

Adjustment and forfeiture of groundwater allocation

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 1,077,872 ML. The volume represents adjustment and forfeiture of groundwater allocation excluding for urban water supply in the MDB region. The volumes for non-environmental is 1,024,102 ML and for environmental is 30,072 ML.

Figure 31 shows the summary by groundwater resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on adjustment and forfeiture of groundwater allocation excluding for urban water supply within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 31 Adjustment and forfeiture of groundwater allocation volume by Groundwater resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Adjustment and forfeiture of groundwater allocation: urban water supply

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 35,725 ML. The volume represents adjustment and forfeiture of groundwater allocation excluding for urban water supply in the MDB region.

Figure 32 shows the summary by groundwater resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on adjustment and forfeiture of groundwater allocation for urban water supply within the region is also provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 32 Adjustment and forfeiture of groundwater allocation volume - urban water supply by Groundwater resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Groundwater allocation announcements

Groundwater allocation announcements

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 2,197,732 ML. The volume represents groundwater allocation announcements to users (excluding urban water supply) associated with a number of entitlement classes in the MDB region. Information on groundwater allocation announcements for urban water supply is included under Groundwater allocation announcements – urban water supply.

Figure 33 shows the summary by groundwater resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on groundwater allocation announcements excluding for urban water supply within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 33 Groundwater allocation announcement volume to users by Groundwater resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Further information for Queensland, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory

The volumes provided for Queensland, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory were based on calculations made on surface water CAP valleys. Therefore, volumes provided for individual SDL resource units in these jurisdictions are approximated volumes. 

Allocations may be made for urban, stock and domestic, or irrigation purposes under a single class of licence in the particular water resource plan area. Where the purpose was not known, and it was a general class of licence, the groundwater allocation announcement has been included in this item under 'aquifer' entitlement class.

Further information for New South Wales

Groundwater allocation announcements: urban water supply

The volume for the 2013–14 year was 70,222 ML. The volume represents groundwater allocation announcements for urban water supply in the MDB region.

Figure 34 shows the summary by groundwater resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table. The detailed breakdown information on groundwater allocation announcements for urban water supply within the region is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 34 Groundwater allocation announcement volume for urban water supply by Groundwater resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Groundwater store balancing item

The 'Balancing item–groundwater store' represents the volume necessary to reconcile the opening and closing balance of the groundwater asset with all the water inflows and outflows.
The balancing item volume was 750,827 ML and can be attributed to the fact that groundwater assets and flows are calculated in ways that do not allow them to reconcile because:

• Groundwater asset (see Other groundwater assets) was quantified as the long-term annual extractable limits plus basic landowner water rights defined in water sharing plans. The change in groundwater asset during the 2013–14 year can be explained solely by the inclusion of additional sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units in the scope of the groundwater asset (see Other groundwater inflows) and the reduction of supplementary groundwater entitlements on issue in the New South Wales water sharing plans (see Other groundwater outflows).
• Inflows and outflows are estimated by models and represent, albeit with calculation errors, the inflows and outflows that change from year to year, depending on climatic conditions, extractions, etc. There is an inherent limitation in the accuracy of the groundwater volumes reported.

The balancing item–groundwater store is the difference between physical water inflows and outflows occurring during the 2013–14 year as given in Table 3. Estimated inflows and outflows are more sensibly compared to the change of water stored in the aquifers, as shown in the following section, than to the opening and closing balance of the groundwater asset.

More information on balancing item–groundwater store is available under Unaccounted–for difference.

Changes in groundwater stored in aquifers

Changes in the groundwater store volume of the water table aquifers for which data are available during the 2013–14 year were evaluated using aquifer characteristics and groundwater level measurements (details in 'Quantification methods'). The downloadable table reports on changes in the groundwater store volume of the watertable aquifers for the sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units within region for which data were available.

The table also indicates what method was used to quantify the change in groundwater storage in each sustainable diversion limit (SDL) resource units: either the Bureau method based on measured groundwater levels or the New South Wales groundwater model results (New South Wales models).

With time, trends in the yearly changes in groundwater storages would provide more useful information about the adequacy of the extraction limits set in the groundwater management plans. For instance, a long-term trend of negative changes in groundwater storage may indicate that groundwater in an area may be over allocated. For this year most of the changes indicate a decrease in groundwater storage that is consistent with the below average rainfall observed during the 2013–14 year.

Irrigation water

In the 2014 Account, non-urban details provided for MDB region includes irrigation information. Information on irrigation-specific entitlements, water availability and diversions for the MDB region is provided in this note; this information is extracted from these non-urban details. This information covers private irrigation diverters, major and minor irrigation schemes within the region.

Irrigation entitlements

As estimated from available data for the 2013–14 year, there were unregulated, supplementary and regulated entitlements totalling 11,469,095 ML for surface water diversion for irrigation purposes. The volume includes entitlements available for irrigation conveyance purposes. The volume is over 90% of total non-environmental entitlements including basic rights for surface water diversion.

The groundwater entitlement volume recognised for irrigation purposes is 2,341,693 ML as at end of 2013–14 year. This volume is just over 15% of total entitlements for irrigation purposes. It is likely that this volume includes some non-irrigation entitlements due to data distribution issues.

Water availability for irrigation purposes

During the 2013–14 year, 9,548,149 ML of surface water was available for diversion for irrigation purposes (South Australia volumes were not available at time of account publication). The volume includes net carryover volume from the previous year, allocation announcements during the year and net allocation trade. All carryover volumes and net allocation trade volumes other than those recognised for environmental purposes have been included. Therefore, these included volumes could be overestimated. For example, net allocation trade volume could include a relatively small volume designated for urban purposes.

Figure 34 compares surface water availability for irrigation purposes in the Northern, Southern and whole MDB basin for the 2012–13 year and the 2013–14 year, and is also available as a downloadable table.

The 2013–14 volume is about 82% of the volume available during the 2012–13 year which was 11,652,949 ML.The decrease mainly occurred in MDB areas in Queensland and New South Wales. This is clearly noticeable when water availability for the northern and Southern Basins are compared (see Figure 34). The northern basin shows an increase in water availability while the Southern Basin shows a decrease.

The drought severely affected northern MDB areas (see 'Climate overview') which resulted in lower allocation announcements, but high net carryover and net allocation trade which resulted in slightly higher water availability compared to the previous year. Southern MDB areas had lower net carryover and allocation announcements but higher net allocation trade which resulted in lower water availability compared to the previous year.

Figure 35 Total surface water availability for irrigation purposes in the Southern Basin, Northern Basin and whole region for 2012–13 and 2013–14 year

The volume of groundwater available for irrigation purposes during the 2013–14 year was 2,164,781 ML. The volume includes allocation announcements during the year and net carryover from the previous year for South Australian MDB areas. The 2013–14 year volume is a marginal increase from the previous year volume of 2,119,242 ML.

Water diversion for irrigation purposes

During the 2013-14 year, 7,992,770 ML of surface water was diverted for irrigation purposes (South Australia volumes not included due to S71 report not available at time of publication). The volume includes harvested water from overbank flood spilling, overland flow and diverted non-allocated water (primarily regulated), supplementary water and allocated water (primarily regulated). The diversion volume includes the volume delivered to users and distribution losses (e.g., conveyance volumes in New South Wales).

Figure 36 compares surface water diversions for irrigation purposes in four states and territory comprising the MDB basin for 2012–13 and 2013–14 year, and is also available as a downloadable table.

The 2013–14 volume is about 72% of the volume diverted during the 2012–13 year which was 11,066,618 ML. The decrease was observed across all four States; however, Queensland recorded the highest decrease of 46% (see Figure 36). Lower water availability in terms of volume and timing was the main reason for this decrease.

Figure 36 Total surface water diversions for irrigation purposes by jurisdictions in the MDB region for 2012-13 and 2013–14 year

Decreases in water diverted in major irrigation areas were comparable with the decrease noted for the whole region. All Murrumbidgee, NSW Murray and Victorian Goulburn-Murray irrigation areas recorded 20%–25% decreases in the volume diverted during the 2013–14 year. Coleambally Irrigation Area recorded a 33% decrease.

The volume of groundwater extracted for irrigation purposes during the 2013–14 year was 1,109,020 ML which is about 12% of the total volume abstracted for irrigation purposes. Water users extracted more groundwater, most likely due to decreases in available surface water. Increases in groundwater extraction during the 2013–14 year were approximately 30% in Queensland and 23% areas in New South Wales within MDB. The other three jurisdictions within the MDB region recorded decreases in groundwater extraction during the reporting year. 

Unaccounted-for difference

In the MDB region, the unaccounted-for difference is the volume necessary to reconcile the opening water storage and closing water storage with the total water inflows and total water outflows reported in the water accounting statements. The volume recognised in the water accounting statements of 750,827 ML represents the total unaccounted-for difference for the MDB region for the 2013–14 year.

The unaccounted–for difference is the volume necessary to reconcile the opening water storage and closing water storage with the total water inflows and total water outflows reported in the water accounting statements (Table 4).

The unaccounted–for difference can also be calculated by summing the volumes necessary to reconcile (balance) the opening and closing storage with the water inflows and outflows of each of the separate water stores of the region, as shown in Table 5.

Table 5 shows that the unaccounted-for difference volume is largely explained by the surface water and groundwater store balancing item volumes. Details of the balancing items of these two stores are available in Surface water store balancing item and Groundwater store balancing item. 

Off-channel storages

Background

The off-channel water storages consist of all private reservoirs that are used to harvest runoff before reaching surface water storages or that are filled by pumping from a watercourse or groundwater. These storages are not connected either seasonally or perennially to rivers, filled predominantly by local catchment runoff. They include off-channel farm dams, run-off dams, hill-side dams and industrial, commercial, and mining water storages. They exclude on-channel farm dams and other storages. The off-channel water storages for the 2014 Account were determined from waterbody mapping conducted by Geoscience Australia as those that:

• are not named storages (assuming that any storage with a name is unlikely to be a off-channel storage); and
• are above 600 m in elevation; and/or
• are above 600 m in elevation or are in areas that receive greater than 400 mm per annum in precipitation and are not within 50 m of a major or perennial stream.

The above rules attempt to divide storages into those that are likely to be filled primarily by local catchment runoff and those which are filled by abstraction from surface water, groundwater, or floodplain harvesting.

As discussed in General description in 'Physical information' under 'Contextual information', the off-channel water storages have been excluded from the scope of the MDB region for the purposes of the 2014 Account, because they constitute water already abstracted from the shared pool of water resources. Therefore off-channel water store volumes are not included as part of the region's water accounting statements. Off-channel water storages influence water assets and water liabilities recognised in the water accounting statements, however, because they harvest water from the landscape and thus reduce groundwater recharge and runoff into surface water.

More details on calculation of volumes for off-channel storages, precipation, runoff harvesting, evaporation and abstraction using AWRA-L model are available in the Quantification approaches section.

Off-channel storages inflows and outflows

A schematic diagram representing all the inflows and outflows associated with the off-channel water store in the MDB region is provided in Figure 37.

Figure 37 Water inflows and outflows for the off-channel water store within the MDB region during the 2013–14 year

Off-channel storages volume

The modelled volume for the 2013–14 year is 781,245 ML, a decreased of 9% from 858,844 ML recorded in the 2012–13 year. The modelled volume represents water held in constructed storages that are not connected either seasonally or perennially to rivers, filled predominantly by local catchment runoff within the MDB region.

Figure 38 shows the volume by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 38 Off-channel water storages volume by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Off-channel storages inflows

Precipitation on off-channel storages

The modelled volume for the 2013–14 year is 767,543 ML and it includes rain, sleet, snow, hail, or drizzle of water that falls on off-channel water storages within the MDB region. It decreased by 4% from 802,372 ML in 2012–13 year.

Figure 39 shows the breakdown volume by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 39 Precipitation on off-channel water storages by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Groundwater discharge into off-channel storages

Groundwater discharge into off-channel water storages is possible in the MDB region; however, currently there is no suitable quantification approach to estimate the volumes.

Runoff harvesting into off-channel storages

The modelled volume for the 2013–14 year is 1,003,572 ML and includes collection of runoff into off-channel water storages including local catchment runoff into off-channel water storages within the MDB region. It decreased by 4% from 1,045,619 ML in 2012–13 year.

Figure 40 shows the breakdown volume by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 40 Runoff harvesting volume into off-channel water storages by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Surface water diversion into off-channel storages

Surface water diversion into off-channel water storages occur in the MDB region; however, currently there is no suitable quantification approach to estimate the volumes.

Groundwater extraction into off-channel water storages

Groundwater extraction into off-channel water storages is possible in the MDB region; however, currently there is no suitable quantification approach to estimate the volumes.

Off-channel storages outflows

Evaporation from off-channel water storages

The modelled volume for the 2013–14 year is 1,139,318 ML and it includes water that passes into the atmosphere across a water/air interface from off-channel water storages within the MDB region. It decreased by 9% from 1,257,805 ML in 2012–13 year.

Figure 41 shows the breakdown volume by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table.

Figure 41 Evaporation from off-channel water storages by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Leakages from off-channel water storages

Leakages from off-channel water storages is possible in the MDB region; however, currently there is no suitable quantification approach to estimate the volumes. It is assumed that exclusion of this volume has negligible effect on the water balance for the off-channel water store.

Off-channel water abstraction

The modelled volume for the 2013–14 year is 710,380 ML and it includes water abstracted from off-channel water storages within the MDB region. It decreased by 17% from 858,308 ML in 2012–13 year.

Figure 42 shows the breakdown volume by surface water resource plan area basis and is provided as a downloadable table

Figure 42 Abstraction volume from off-channel water storages by Surface water resource plan area on 30 June 2014

Currently there is no suitable quantification approach to estimate the volume of 'Surface water diversion', 'Groundwater discharge', and 'Groundwater extraction and Leakage from off-channel water storages'. 

Off-channel water store balancing item

The balancing item volume represents the difference between the measured opening and closing balances of the off-channel water store, after physical water inflows and outflows have been applied (Table 6).

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