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Climate Sciences Sciences Dynamics Chemistry , of the Past Solid Earth 2 Techniques Geoscientific Methods and Methods and Physics Atmospheric Atmospheric Data Systems Data Geoscientific Earth System Earth Earth System Earth System Measurement Instrumentation Instrumentation Hydrology and and Hydrology Ocean Science Annales Biogeosciences The Cryosphere Natural Hazards and Earth System Model Development Model Geophysicae erent places across gradients of , A. Chanan ff 1 orts to mitigate these with the use orts and externally imposed solu- ff ff

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7198 7197 , P. Sivabalan 3 1 Climate orts to mitigate and reverse consequent degradation Sciences Sciences Dynamics Chemistry ff of the Past Solid Earth Techniques Geoscientific Methods and Methods and Physics Advances in Atmospheric Atmospheric Data Systems Data Geoscientific Geosciences Earth System Earth System Earth System Earth Measurement Instrumentation Instrumentation Hydrology and and Hydrology Ocean Science Biogeosciences The Cryosphere Natural Hazards EGU Journal Logos (RGB) and Earth System and Earth Model Model Development , and M. Sivapalan erent norms/goals and turning points characterized by their changes. 1 , D. Sounthararajah ff 1 This discussion paper is/has been under review for the journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS). Please refer to the corresponding final paper in HESS if available. University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia State Water Corporation of NSW, Sydney,University Australia of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA Water resource management decisionslated, we produce make, positive be or they negative infrastructure impacts or that policy in re- many cases can last a long time. coupled human-water system modelsthe trajectory can of provide their insights co-evolutionpatterns in into of a co-evolution dominant given of such system, controls coupled andclimatic, of systems socio-economic can in also and di be socio-cultural used conditions,generalizable to and understanding. interpret in this way to help develop 1 Introduction of infrastructure systems, policy frameworks,solutions. economic The instruments, paper and argues technological that, toneeds avoid to these costly be pendulum underpinned swings,explicitly management by include long-term the coupled two-waycluding coupling socio-hydrologic evolution between system of human models human and that values/norms hydrological relating systems, to in- water and the environment. Such swing between an exclusive focusthe on initial agricultural development stages and andrealization food of its production the in attendant adverse environmental socio-economicof impacts, benefits, e remedial followed measures, by andtions ultimately the to concerted gradual restore e environmentaldevelopment within health Murrumbidgee and is ecosystemdominance divided services. of into di The four 100 eras, yrThe each history various underpinned stages of by of the development can be characterized by the dominance, in turn, This paper presents aern case Australia study that illustrates centered the onuse dynamics the of for Murrumbidgee the food balance river production betweenof basin water and in the extraction and east- e riparian environment. In particular the paper traces the history of a pendulum Abstract 1 2 3 Received: 21 May 2013 – Accepted: 26Correspondence May to: 2013 J. – Kandasamy Published: ([email protected]) 5 June 2013 Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. Socio-hydrologic drivers of the Pendulum Swing between agriculture development and environmental health: a casefrom study Murrumbidgee River Basin, Australia J. Kandasamy Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss.,www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci-discuss.net/10/7197/2013/ 10, 7197–7233, 2013 doi:10.5194/hessd-10-7197-2013 © Author(s) 2013. CC Attribution 3.0 License. S. Vigneswaran 5 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ects of ff orts to mitigate their negative ff 7200 7199 culty in predicting this is compounded by the fact that humans ffi Gleick and Palaniappan (2010) describe the situation that prevails in the MDB in The rapid changes that the water cycle and the environment are likely to experience A vivid example of these water management challenges is the crisis situation that Australia has had a long history of promoting agricultural development through har- Consequently, hydrologic predictions over long timescales cannot escape from the that prediction and management frameworks must account for not only the e terms of “peak ecologicaltotal water”, costs which of they ecologicalhuman defined disruptions use as and of the damages that “point exceedgrow water.” the In beyond further, total which coming it value decades, the providedother as is parts by human likely of populations the that and worldneeds as such economies of well. humans problems Finding and the could ecosystems delicatean in balance become urgent the between need competing increasingly management worldwide. water of prevalent water resources in is becoming as a result of natural climatic variability and increasing anthropogenic changes require tructure and changes toto human water settlement allocation patterns. for irrigation, However, as theenvironmental part proposed degradation, of cutbacks the threaten Government the imposedwas solution economic to behind livelihood alleviate the of heated debate rural that Australia, followed which the Government intervention. utilisation within the MDBculture remained for 75 strongly yr. in Theintensive degradation favour irrigated of of the water agriculture, environment use andenvironmental resulting for failure impacts from irrigated of the contributed agri- long several toend period e a forced of the change hand of ofto community government achieve to attitudes, environmental act which outcomes inshifted in a (MDBA, in the decisive favour 2010). manner of The and theallocated impose environment, balance a for reflected has solution not human now only and in decisively environmental the uses, relative but amounts of also water in investments in water infras- posing major challenges for water management. has unfolded in recent(Roderick, times 2011). in The the crisistition Murray-Darling over Basin for water (MDB) water use in in resources eastern the between Australia MDB humans revolved around and the ecosystems. compe- The balance of water also increased demands for water, food and other amenities for a growing population, population regarding water and the environment. nessing its water resources, makingAgriculture it a development defining has feature brought of significantety, the contributing economic country’s social to benefits identity. to nationalsupplies. Australian economic However, soci- growth, it is regional becoming developmentbeen clear and achieved that secure at these food societal significantdegradation and environmental of, economic cost, the benefits riparian through had environment,biodiversity. mounting These impairment problems pressure have of been on, water exacerbated and by quality recent and prolonged reduction droughts and of twin problem of predicting howwater human in societies its themselves many willlustrated evolve manifestations. in with The the respect challenge case to study thisis from poses governed Australia for presented by prediction in the this istutional physical paper, structures clearly where (natural but il- the and these hydrology are human-induced), in socio-economic turn and shaped insti- by changing values and norms of the do not normally organizeresources; themselves instead, just the to reality optimizeas is access to that to maximize humans or the use overall utilizationwell-being and/or well-being could of manage be of water water framed some in resources or severalbe so ways, all drinking depending members on water of local supply society. circumstances:tion, to Such it cities, or human could or it it couldecosystem could be health. be protection water from for floods food or or hydropower it produc- could be protection of water quality or sources to satisfyresources increasing management human decisions populations, tocentury) there time be is scales. based an However, in onwe urgent order need predictions need to reasonable over models make for of long predictionsply water how of (decadal water. future future But human to water societies the resources will di demand, use and sup- Therefore, in the emergent Anthropocene, given the growing demand for water re- 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | orts by MDB States (New ff of south-east Australia, represent- 2 7202 7201 orts to mitigate these with the use of remedial measures, and ff orts and externally imposed solutions to restore environmental ff One of the goals of this paper is trace the history of the “pendulum swing” between an The trend analyses reported in this paper were carried on primary data sourced from The Murrumbidgee river basin, one of the largest sub-basins within MDB (Fig. 1), is This paper will present the history of how the water crisis unfolded in the MDB, Bureau of Statistics, and the Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, its attendant socio-economic benefits, followed by theenvironmental gradual impacts, realization e of the adverse ultimately concerted e health and ecosystemsubstantial services. literature This that existed goal in theadditional is form new sought Government quantitative and through trend consultants’ reports,that a analysis and contributed of critical to several or review hydrological reflected of and the social pendulum the swing. variables several Australian Government agencies: NSW State Water Corporation, Australian 25 % of NSWs’ fruittralia’s and rice vegetable production, production. 42 % Agriculturalover of $ production 1.9 NSW’s billion within grapes annually and the (Murrumbidgee half CMA, Murrumbidgee of 2006, Aus- is 2012). valuedexclusive focus at on agricultural development and food production in the initial stages and that it supplies sometion 40 of % 2.1 of million people. Australia’s InMDB food 2006 within needs more the than and 920 agricultural supports 000to industry, people a contributing the were resident Australian an employed economy across popula- average the (MDBA, of 2010). $ 15 billion per annum located in the south-east ofonly the representing MDB, approximately and 8 % hascounts of a for 22 the population % of MDB’s of area, over the 540 surface the 000. water Murrumbidgee Although diverted Basin for irrigation ac- and urban use. It contributes tems that are bothdependent fauna nationally species, and and more internationally thannomic half significant, success the including in nation’s native the 95 fishSouth MDB species. inundation- Wales, The is Queensland, eco- Victoria a and directernment South result Australia) to and of harness the historical its Commonwealth e Gov- water resources for agriculture. This is exemplified by the fact river systems in the south. It supports a great number of plants, animals and ecosys- ing approximately one-seventh oflandscape, Australia’s from landmass. semi-arid The ephemeral MDB river displays systems a in varied the north to highly regulated framework may provide useful lessonsbe for other undergoing river similar basins development. around the world that may 2 Location of study, data andThe methods Murray-Darling Basinfined (MDB) by is the Australia’s catchmenttaries most areas (Fig. of iconic 1). the The river MDB Murray system extends and over and Darling 1 million Rivers is km and de- their many tribu- the MDB and theof most human-water significantly interactions impacted.allocations that The between resulted humans paper and in will ecosystems,contributed and highlight the to the the “pendulum natural this and dynamics pendulum swing” societal swing.in factors in Understanding that the the relative causes Murrumbidgee water of river the basin pendulum swing within a quantitative and universal socio-hydrologic dynamics, including inherent bi-directionalIndeed, socio-hydrology feedbacks accounts between for a the balancingbeing, two of with economic sub-systems. consideration and for environmental changingof well- social the environment. norms or community attitudes in respect and a socio-hydrologic interpretationhuman-water of system. the In co-evolutionary particular,the dynamics MDB, it of but will the with chart coupled a particular the focus history on of the Murrumbidgee, water a utilization major within sub-catchment of drologic variability and associated environmentalturn changes influence and the possible human responses degradation and in were behavior not changes. In included the in past the these hydrologicalwater feedbacks predictions resource that management underpinned (IWRM). traditional Recently, integrated Sivapalana et socio-hydrologic al. (2012) framework have that proposed permits the study of coupled human-water system climate variability and human interferences on hydrologic variability, but also how hy- 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | 7204 7203 ect diverting much of the water that would have other- ff Figure 2 is a schematic describing the organization of the coupled human-water The above description refers to just the hydrologic dynamics in this human-managed is a far cry from what might have existed when agriculture first developed within the system specific to Murrumbidgee,in along Fig. the 2, lines humanin presented management a above. of system Clearly, of the asand enormous water seen the (apparent) system complexity, economic, over spanning policy the bothpricing. and In physical last fact, legal infrastructure 100 the yr frameworks systemthat has is governing even the water resulted more human-water availability, complex interactions use than is andthe and shown feedbacks basin in occur at Fig. in a 2 ain due range distributed to Fig. of the manner space 2, fact within and which time is scales. the The end complexity result of of the a linkages shown century of human management of the system, the rural lobby (actingbehalf on of the behalf environment). of Thegovernment the relative decisions strength irrigators) to of purchase and theenvironment water by green through rights and the construction from rural of green the lobbies specialized lobbying guides infrastructure irrigators, or geared (acting and enhancing towards to on protect- the support environment. the dams) and price ofthe water demand for for irrigation). irrigation, How as muchprice water well is depend as available upon (i.e. the climate stored climate over in themuch dams) itself and previous water (which at few years, what may determines but be increasinglyThe also allocated allocation upon to of how water the between environmentbenefits agriculture in and of environment the agriculture is form and governedwater of by the quality economic environmental value and flows. placed biodiversity. This byand competition society the for on environment water the is between environment, mediated irrigated including in agriculture the political arena, on the basis of arguments by landscape. However, in the intermediateslower term, dynamics this that dynamics has isrigation, accompanied to types by do other of with crops humanHow that much decisions will land of be is the put grown,decisions to area and that agriculture about to depend and on when the be externalities choice and put such of how as under crops commodity much are ir- prices, to normally availability decentralized irrigate. (i.e. in the sphere as transpiration. agriculture. The irrigation infrastructure,schemes such add as to dams or overlie and landscapeas weirs, features associated as hillslopes, with well wetlands, natural river as riparian basins,tures irrigation such areas have and altered river the networks. flowdrivers The dynamics (i.e. human that precipitation), would induced in normallywise struc- e result flowed down from the external river climatic wetlands network and to riparian the areas) oceanutilized now (and by to periodically agricultural targeted inundated crops irrigation precious towards areas, crop from yield, where and it eventually would returned be to the atmo- 3.1 Murrumbidgee Basin as human-water system The Murrumbidgee river basin isthe a highly past human 100 impacted yr, and theof managed basin system. human Over has built been infrastructure almost (e.g. fully dams transformed and through weirs) the to introduction support expansion of irrigated is the development of aerating perceptual within model the of Murrumbidgeesocial the basin, and coupled framing hydrologic socio-hydrologic it systems. system in Furthermore,cability op- terms across a of climatic perceptual and the model socio-economic two-way thating gradients coupling the has is drivers, of also wider and sought appli- interactions through and generaliz- feedbacks, in a manner that has wider applicability. 3 Results: how the Pendulum Swung in the Murrumbidgee production, and environmental flows areagriculture, correlated government with policy the and historytions investment, within social of the development issues, Murrumbidgee of catchment. and Thesupport environment results or condi- of the confirm trend the analyses narrativesment) are presented reports. used in to Guided previously by published these trends (including and Govern- narratives, a secondary goal of the exercise Water, Population and Communities. The trends in the data of water use, agricultural 5 5 25 15 20 10 20 25 15 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | orts were supported by ff 7206 7205 . In the next few sub-sections, we present a more detailed pendulum swing infrastructure Era 1: circa 1900–1980: development of irrigation andEra associated 2: infrastructure circa 1960–1990: gradual appearance of environmentalEra degradation 3: circa 1990–2007: awareness ofon broader consensus environmental impacts strategies and and a policies focus to achieve sustainable management Era 4: circa 2007–present:directed failure government of strategy to the achieve consensus environmentally sustainable model outcomes. and emergence of a cial government policy of populating the interior. Indeed, increasing the population – – – – Firstly, the development of agriculture was representative of the pre-eminence of Era 1 saw rapid growth of agriculture infrastructure. Growth of human population and ffi in western NSW wasirrigation (Wilkinson, one 1997). of In keeping the with objectives this policy, of following World the War NSW 1, returning Government expenditure on of, irrigated agriculture was motivated by several factors. agriculture in therumbidgee, along Australian with the economy MDB, becamea in Australia’s significant food bowl, fraction the growing of and all processing early20th fruits and century, to agriculture vegetables. For accounted example, mid-20th for during80 % up the century. first to of half The 35 Australia’s % of exports the Mur- o of (Productivity the Commission, Australian 2005). economy Secondly, and there 70– was the The situation changedcleared with forests and the nativesheep. settling grasses, They introduced built of farm new dams grasses, Europeans, andand cereal introduced more who irrigation crops, productive schemes use cattle displaced for ofgovernment intensive and lands aboriginals, cultivation investment on in the irrigation floodplains.ment These infrastructure coordination e in (e.g. the sharing dams of and waters. Government weirs) investment in, and and coordination govern- here as a description of the changes that happenedpast within 100 yr. the Murrumbidgee river basin over the 3.2.1 Era 1 (1900–1980): expansion of agriculture and associated irrigation Aboriginals had lived sustainably in the Australian landscape for thousands of years. dation continued unabated, Eramental 4 health, saw with a bothsharp major agricultural reverses, switch production and in increased andthe emphasis investment population environment. in towards growth In infrastructure environ- both this aimed papervelopment showing at the to enhancement switch a from new of the emphasis earlier on environmental emphasis health, on shown agriculture in de- Fig. 3, is referred to exploration of a range of strategies aimed at their mitigation. As environmental degra- awareness of environmental degradation,aid” but solutions. these Era were 3 addressed saw through appreciation “band- of broader environmental impacts, and led to Published studies have documented howculture the balance and in the water environment, utilization andover between associated the agri- infrastructure last development, 100 have yr. evolved Aquantitative synthesis analyses of carried previously out published foris reports this presented and schematically study the in resulted results Fig. inemphasis 3, of the placed which new evolutionary on organizes the agricultural history history development that andinto in environmental four terms health, distinct of and Eras: the is relative divided We next present alowed subsequently summary by of detailed description thesubstantiation of results by how the and of why results these the of happened, quantitative synthesis including analyses. presented inagricultural Fig. production 3, followed fol- into Era 2. By the end of Era 2 there was increasing become what it is today cansystems, inform and the will development of give models us ofsimilar the coupled management insights human-water crises and from a developing predictive in capability river that basins may in help3.2 other to avoid parts of Pendulum the swing world. in water utilization Murrumbidgee 100 yr ago. An understanding of how this complexity grew over time to 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 10 15 20 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ered from frequent severe droughts ff 7208 7207 However, the agricultural expansion described above did not happen uniformly The investment in infrastructure (dams, weirs, supply canals, etc.) facilitated the An indication of the nature of growth of agricultural activity can be obtained from the Much of the agricultural expansion commenced in about 1902 and continued until culture started in riparianof areas irrigation near expanded the tothe areas outlet construction away of from of the dams the basin, further riversion and upstream, (non-riparian also then migrated benefited lands) to with from and, upstream the theal. aided regions. government (2012) by onset This policy presented expan- of a populatingtural cartoon the development figure interior. (in that Sivapalan et illustrated termsirrigation) the within of upward the growth expansion Murrumbidgee, of of which agricul- is irrigation reproduced infrastructure in Fig. and 5. area put under in other sectors, suchdevelopment as in the the wine localwhich industry, community. is with Figure used extensive here 4d support as shows a and the surrogate supply for growth overall chain in agricultureacross production. rice the production, Murrumbidgee river basin; in fact, there was a spatial aspect to it. Agri- growth of the wholewithin community the and Murrumbidgee theand included vines, agricultural rice, as industry. well wheat, as Agricultural sheepin soybeans, production 1924 and canola, and cattle. subsequently The citrus, rice firstrice commercial production vegetables grew crop was rapidly of a (Lewis, rice 2012). very was Inindustry harvested profitable the grew crop early significantly, years compared leading to toLeeton other and the grains. Yanco, which construction Over generated of the greater rice employment. next Similar mills 30 growth yr in also the the occurred rice area around ngara, 1960; Talbingo, 1971). The LowbidgeeCID) Flood was Control established and 1945. Irrigation Itriver District basin, is (LF- upstream located of at Balranald. The theing of Maude downstream the and end Lowbidgee Redbank irrigation of weirs area facilitated theArea during the (CIA) Murrumbidgee the flood- winter/spring. area The was Coleambally established Irrigation in 1960 (Wilkinson, 1997; Lewis, 2012). (e.g. enlargement of Burrinjuck Dam during 1939–1956; Blowering Dam, 1968; Tanta- 1933). Construction of more dams to increase storage capacity occurred in tandem details presented in Figs. 1 andrumbidgee 4a–h. River As had early as been 1843 settleding much by of stock. European the Within colonists land along who the the usedaround Murrumbidgee Mur- the Hay irrigation water (Turral activity for et graz- commenced1907, al., in followed 2009). 1902 by the in Construction construction the of ofMurrumbidgee area diversion the Irrigation weirs Area Burrunjuck and (MIA) irrigation Dam commenced deliveryporating commenced in canals. the 1912 in The Yanco Irrigation and Area, quickly 1912; expandedtion Mirrool (incor- District, Irrigation 1930; Area, 1924; Benerembah Wah Irrigation Wah District, Irriga- 1933; and Tabbita Irrigation District, case of rice productionAgricultural was productivity severely also influenced expanded byexpansion dramatically, the of hitting irrigated drought a agriculture, between peak associatedtion, 2000–2010. infrastructure, around the size 2000. resulting of The agricultural the productivity humanover and popula- the measures last of 100 yr environmental (1910–2010) degradation are presented in summary form in Fig. 4a–h. rain-fed agriculture. The certainty of watertensive supply agriculture through production irrigation and resulted cultivation in of more more in- profitable crops. about 1980 with significant governmentseries funding of and dams coordination and (Wilkinson,invariably weirs 1997). followed, were A with built a from significanttinued about expansion up of 1910 until the about to 1980. area about Expansion undertial of 1970. irrigation agriculture growth Irrigation and which of irrigation activity con- population then within led to the a Murrumbidgee, substan- which hit a peak in 1990 and in the from Britain. However, peopling the interior,ing as government the policy, was 1950s abandoned and dur- of 1960s agriculture (Wilkinson, away from 1997). riparianlands Thirdly, lying lands irrigation further where away allowed from people the theand initially river. expansion irrigation Australia settled gave su to more certainty more of marginal water supply to these lands than was possible with soldiers were settled in the area, with the numbers being boosted by new immigrants 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 20 10 15 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ect the uti- ff cient irrigation practices, ffi . ff orts at remediating them, there was ff 7210 7209 cient delivery and usage of town water, and expanding tree plant- ffi degradation solutions Figure 3 does recognize the initiation of infrastructure targeted towards alleviating Salinity was not the only issue to impact the region. The summer of 1991–1992 saw Mitigation measures to tackle salinity were implemented in the Murray-Darling Basin. The first was the problem of saltwater intrusion. As water consumption in the MDB The second problem was salinization of lands due to irrigation. As part of agricultural largely complete by 1980.until 2000 However, irrigation (see Fig. water 5a), utilization although continued this growth to was increase moderated somewhat by the 2000– and the balance ofcatchment water wide utilisation approach remained consideringments with were human agriculture not influences yet (see and given Fig. proper environmental 3). recognition require- until A the3.2.3 holistic beginning of Era Era 3. 3 (1990–2007): establishment of widespread environmental As seen in Fig.and 4a irrigated and areas) b, was investment in largely irrigation complete infrastructure by (e.g. 1970, dams and and growth weirs, of irrigation area was Commission (MDBC) (MDBC, 2011).combat These salinity, failed mitigation to reverse measures, the especially degradationtal as those causes they to did of not the address thegence rising fundamen- water of tables environmental caused problemscontinued by rapid and irrigation growth practices. some Despite of e the agriculture emer- production and population (see Fig. 4c and d), were the cause of excessthe nutrients Governments in to the upgrade river wastewater and treatmentIrrigation significant plants investment areas to was were reduce made the by identifiedfurther nutrient as measures loads. having were adopted another to large decrease impact nutrient runo on nutrientsalinity loads and algal and blooms (e.g.ment barrages, plants). SIS schemes There and werelization upgrading also of and attempts sewage sharing treat- to of institute waters, policy through extending changes the that role a of the Murray-Darling Basin water pumping and drainage projectspose them, that usually intercept by saline evaporation. groundwater flows and dis- the occurrence (over 1000 km ingreen the algae Murray-Darling) recorded of anywhere one in of the the world worst (MDBMC, blooms 1994). of Sewage blue- treatment plants schemes (SIS) to reduce salinity in the Murray River. The SISs are large scale ground- the Commonwealth Government, have funded the construction of salt interception table had risen to within 2already m of present the in surface. Rising the water soilwas tables compounded dissolved profile by salts and the that brought were application of themwaterlogging. irrigation The to damage water the due resulting to surface in salinity both (GWG,environment was salinisation of 1996). widespread, and with rivers This adverse and impacts wetlands, on built the infrastructure, and agricultural productivity. These included controllingimplementing rice e production, introducinging. Since e 1988, the NSW, Victoria and South Australia governments, together with development deep rooted nativecrops and vegetation pastures was which replacedFor changed by the example, water shallow before balance rooted therumbidgee and annual Irrigation introduction raised Area groundwater of (MIA) levels. rice, was 20 the m below groundwater the table land within surface. By the 2001 Mur- the water vironment. However, the situationenvironmental problems. began to change with theincreased appearance and of as several 250 flow km in upstream from the thefarmers rivers mouth along decreased, of the intrusion the lower Riverbarrages of reaches to Murray. This seawater keep of the impacted was the water landownersbarrages felt fresh river and was in up who completed the in strongly to lower 1940. reaches advocated of construction the River of Murray. Work on the The balance in waterwith utilisation heavy government over investment Era and 1no supported was by consideration, government in nor policy, yet favour even there of was any agriculture apparent development, awareness, of the requirements of the en- 3.2.2 Era 2 (1960–1990): onset of environmental degradation and band-aid 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | erent water bird groups and their over- ff 7212 7211 The most important changes happened in the policy and economic domains. The With the realization of the severity of the environmental degradation, which was Trend analyses of the number of species of di For example, Fivebough Swamp and Tuckerbil Swamp are Ramsar designated wet- The rapid growth in water utilization for agriculture also meant a reduction of residual ter Management Act (WMA) of 2000, the legislation underpinning the process to protect permanent in 1997 (MDBMC,was 2000). to Another construct initiative ofwhich fishways the was which now NSW would required state ofrivers allow government used all fish for significant irrigation. to upgrade As or pass result, renewal since barriers works 1985, undertaken within 27 in fishwaysCouncil the have the of been rivers, Australian built. Governments (COAG)age in which, 1994 for developed the a firstwater Water in time, Reform its recognised Pack- own right that (Arthington theThe and NSW environment Pusey, Government 2003; was in Schofield a 1997 et followed al., legitimate suit 2003; user with COAG, a 1994). of set of reforms culminating in the Wa- degradation. These covered the entireand spectrum also of economic new measures. infrastructure, Forissued policy example, after no changes 1986, new licenses even thoughto for water the expand extraction proportion on were of theintroduced flow basis a allocated temporary of to cap irrigation existing on continued licenses further expansion (Turral of et water al., extraction, 2009). which was In made 1993, the MDBC nificant loss or degradation of wetlands,Similar relative to to those water that birds, didalso not the been (e.g. native severely Paroo depleted. lakes). fish A communityfish survey within species by Gillian the were (2005) Murrumbidgee either showedto locally Basin that the extinct 8 has of or loss the survive ofdominant, 21 at both native native very in species, terms low a of abundances. number In large (71 addition %) number and of biomassproceeding (90 invasive %). unabated, fish several species measures have were become instituted to control the environmental all abundance were carriedacross out the Lowbidgee using floodplain, annual Fivebough Swamp, aerialble and 1, surveys the taken Paroo between from overflow Kingsford lakes 1983 and (Ta- of and Porter, NSW 1994). 2000 Paroo in lakes an are area locateda in relatively significant the reduction free north in from water west agricultural birds development. in This parts analysis of the showed Murrumbidgee that experienced sig- isted in 1902) have been lost or degraded. river, and in this way beganincluding to the impact ecosystem fauna health and of flora these that riparian depended environments, on these wetlands. lands. Both are located nearin Leeton, the within Murrumbidgee the MIA are (Fig. theMid-Murrumbidgee 1). Lowbidgee Wetlands, Other which Floodplain, are significant located riparian wetlands within wetlandsCarrathool, the between each LFCID, Wagga of and Wagga which and the coverthe significant areas. Lowbidgee Changes were to assessed thebetween wetland by areas 1902 Kingsford within and and 1998 Thomas some (2004), 232 276 who ha estimated of that wetlands (out of the 303 781 ha that ex- Wagga-Wagga. The flow reductionirrigation (see can Fig. 4e) be sourcedMIA, directly from CIA the attributed Murrumbidgee and River to LFCID andhas irrigation water utilized dropped areas. mainly to utilization in By a the for mere 2011the 10 the % frequency fraction (on average). and of The flow duration reduction reaching of of flows Balranald inundation significantly reduced of wetlands in the riparian areas near the until 1990 began toprofile decline of agriculture. (see Agricultural Fig.from share the 4c), 1950’s of which to the is itsexports Australian partly declined present economy to value attributed about started of to 20 just to % the 4 (Fig. decline % 4g) changing and (Productivity Australia’s Commission,flow reliance 2005). (i.e. on environmental agricultural flows) inreduction the in river. Murrumbidgee This river is flows that illustratedfor reaches in locations) the Fig. over outlet 4f, near the which Balranald period (see shows 1900 Fig. the 1 to 2011, expressed as a fraction of the river flow at tural production (e.g. as reflectedin by agricultural growth output of was ricedecline achieved production, in by Fig. the strong 4d). agricultural This productivitymechanisation, work increase an growth force. increase (per in This corporate hectare) was farmingother and in practices sectors and a part a of movement a the of economy. result labour The to of population a in heavy the Murrumbidgee reliance which on grew rapidly 2010 drought. The growth of water utilization was also mirrored in the growth of agricul- 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | erential wa- ff ce of the Environmental Water on farms. In all states, the abil- ffi ff erent parts of the catchment are being as- ff 7214 7213 ciencies and transparency in the use of water is ffi in farm dams was restricted through new licensing requirements. ff ciency projects). ffi customer cient farm irrigation), and new infrastructure (weirs to flood wetlands, modification of The consequence of all of these actions is that irrigation infrastructure (in terms of Several other mitigation measures that the Government has introduced are intended As part of the Commonwealth government’s $ 12.9 billion program significant In 2007 the Commonwealth government announced a $ 10 billion national water re- ffi riod rice growers were able to make more money with less risk by selling their water to impose a solution, creationHolder), new of economic the measures MDBA (e.g. massive andwater funding, the buying trading), back o new of water technologies licences, e (e.g. incentives to changebridges, water the e type of crops grown, area put under irrigationthe and first associated 75 infrastructure) yr that of(Sivapalan was agricultural et moving development al., upstream is for 2012). now An expected example to of move back this downstream is that over the 2001–2009 drought pe- envisaged. Other projects include modificationflood of wetlands, bridges and to weirs to allow divert passage water of to water wetlands. to to reverse environmental degradation by reducing waterof allocation flows to agriculture to in the favor environment. These are in four main areas: new policies (i.e. legislation at upgrading infrastructure andtructure operational works processes. They designed includemetering to a of minimize suite customers in-stream of or reducing infras- part river water of losses these flowing projects to either more places detailedof through information where evaporation on improved it and the is cost infiltration of not losses)sembled. delivering required. to water This As (in will di terms allow furtherfor policy the development environment such from as areaster purchasing that water are pricing licenses more that costly will to deliver allow water further to. Di e groundwater systems within the MDB.to It optimize also environmental outcomes. included The an ActHolder environmental also to watering established protect an plan and Environmental Water restore the environmental assets within theprojects MDB within (Fig. the 4h). Murrumbidgee River are now being implemented. These are aimed It began to set sustainable diversion limits that can be taken from surface water and ity to capture runo The 2007 Water Act created an independent Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). form package (later increased to $which 12.9 billion, are Turral et part al., 2009). of Itment the called to MDB for the the to states Commonwealth transfer soduced. their that The constitutional comprehensive main powers MDB-wide thrust over reforms ofume water could the to $ be manage- agriculture 12.9 intro- billion in return planThis for was has system to also and reduce added on-farm the impetus investmentsflows, allocated to in the and water water need vol- to conservation. to monitor account and for surface control water the and capture groundwater of runo mental degradation and thewere failure highlighted to strongly develop bythe viable the solutions. 1990s. “green” Community This, lobby, which concerns combinedthe grew with mining in strong influence boom, fiscal since(Fig. and position at 4g), the changed that least community diminishing Australia attitudesCommonwealth role was towards the government’s in of hand. environment and thanks agriculture strengthened to the in the Australian economy (Schofield et al., 2003). 3.2.4 Era 4 (2007–present): remediation and emergence of the environmental In spite of the increasing recognitionmitigation of measures the instituted water during needs of Eramental the 3, degradation. environment these and Community did several not concerns manage started to to reverse environ- grow at the continued environ- that sought a balance betweenthe requirements of environment. industry, Other agriculture, domestic keythe use reforms and separation introduced of as water partsetting titles up of from of these land, a legislationssupply adoption water included of market, of water, full water and cost trading importantly, recovery arrangements institutional and and arrangements removal to of support cross subsidies these in reforms the environmental flow. Under the WMA Act, Water Sharing Plans (WSPs) were developed 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | ect they can ff ected local community and local stakehold- ff 7216 7215 ect, the Government was responding to changing community ff frameworks The pendulum swing, meanwhile, has been costly to the environment, local commu- The net result of all this is that the human-water system in the Murrumbidgee has Above all, the Murrumbidgee case study illustrates what could happen when the The mix of solutions imposed by Government during Era 4 was in part arbitrated by environment. It also raises several related questions: could the situation have been be considered as “emergent”pendulum dynamics. swing, could This not emergent haveframeworks. been dynamics, predicted which using we traditional call hydrologic prediction the nities and to Government.the Yet, there problem is forever. no Imposed guarantee solutionssystems that by such the Governments as imposed on this solutionyears complex are will later inter-dependent seldom fix seldom successful align andsolutely with the the clear outcomes original what which objectives manifest the or many intentions. situation Indeed, will it be is not in ab- another 50 yr for the people, and for the aspect. Figure 5, reproduced fromthe Sivapalan growth et of al. irrigation (2012)eventual involved indicates the turn-around schematically upstream in that migration irrigation ofThis then indicators complex involved of dynamics, a irrigation. which downstreamthe The we migration two-way refer feedbacks of to between the the as same. hydrologic the and pendulum human swing, systems; were in the e result of locate water to thethemselves environment. a result In of other human-water words, system feedbacks. changes in normswitnessed and an values interesting were long-termago, dynamics or even that 50 yr could ago. In notits the eventual have time turnaround domain been this (as seen manifested shown asfor in a the Figs. area growth 100 of 3 yr under irrigation and irrigation, and 4a–h): amountsize irrigation of here of stands water human variously utilized population, in and irrigation, size agricultural of productivity, irrigation infrastructure. There is also a spatial tors: the realization ofone. the Another damage factor to isculture the the and environment growth food is of exports the theThirdly, as first, tied a economy but to fraction overall, is of and this,of the not the was the national the diminution the “green” and only of general lobby. regional All agri- growth economy of of (Fig. these 4g). environmental together awareness created and the growth conditions for decisions to real- to water and the environment have changed over the past century due to several fac- underlying preferences, i.e. what humansdiction value, frameworks could have not changed account over for these time changes. and The the values and pre- norms relating (i.e. during an individualing Era), the it best involved tools thethe available, implementation including problems of hydrologic only IWRM, prediction ostensibly gotfirstly tools. us- due worse Yet to in and poor the reached understandingsequently, long-term the or a environment was lack crisis not of valued situation awarenessto enough. By of by be the environmental valued, the time impacts; the there 1990s. con- environmentenvironmental were began This feedbacks no that was analyses impacted or on human prediction behaviour frameworks in that respect could of account water. for 4 Discussion: lessons learned – need for new socio-hydrologic prediction As we survey what transpired over the past century one can see that, in the short term interactions and feedbacks between theers, a and the increasingand political lobby groups. influence In ofattitudes, e environmentally even though aligned these political normallyany parties case, tend the to net lag resultronment. well As is behind a that the result the system of pendulumenhancement, the changes. has massive it In now funding is directed clearly expected at swungfurther, that environmental back and remediation the to agriculture and population the is within envi- expected to the follow. Murrumbidgee will decline rice growers helped downstream horticulturalistshorticulturalists to keep to their move plantings in alive,the to and Murrumbidgee, new grow e.g. highly Sunraysia profitableRiverland and produce, in in the Goulburn state areas regions of downstream of South of Australia the (NWI, state 2010, of 2011). Victoria and in the water trading market rather than by growing rice. The sales of water by the 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | 7218 7217 erent rates. Quantitative analyses of the drivers of ff However, the trajectory of co-evolution of coupled socio-hydrologic systems pre- Figure 6 provides the essence of a new conceptual framework of a socio-hydrology Instead of the costly pendulum swing experienced in the Murrumbidgee, more in- The Murrumbidgee experience teaches us that simplistic hydrologic predictive frame- a new generation of coupled models (Stern, 2004; Suri and Chapman, 1998). The EKC is work in progress (van Emmerik et al., 2013). sented here is not unique toor Murrumbidgee. “water Similar cases reallocation of to peaksuch nature” anthropogenic as water have in been the reported Rioin Grande, throughout Western Edwards the China Aquifer. in Similar developed the dynamics world, environmental Tarim are Basin also literature in being the Xinjiang reported Province U-shapeddegradation (Liu shown relationship et in al., Fig. between 2013). 4 GDP In has(EKC), been the and suggesting referred wider to the environmental as existence the of “Environmental a Kuznets Curve” common organizing principle that could underpin Insights into these dynamics cansuch be as gained those through presented carefulconceptual in analysis model Figs. of of 3 available the data, to Murrumbidgeeof 4a–h. socio-hydrologic the These system, complex picture as insights presented a have inbasis distilled helped Fig. of version to 2. simple, This lumped develop is numerical a presented models in of Fig. the 6, coupled and human-nature can system, form which the development is more deliberate andirrigation occurs over infrastructure a (e.g. longerrumbidgee period water of developed storages, over time. a irrigation For example, periodand systems of political etc.) 70 imperatives. yr, within governed Thetural by the growth macro-economic production and Mur- conditions follow dynamics the ofmulti-year growth delay. human On and the populations dynamics other in hand, ofput agricul- decisions irrigated to humans infrastructure, irrigation make about but and theto with the land medium-term types area a to variability of be in crops external grown occur drivers in such the as medium climate term, and in commodity response prices. sights and parameterizations necessary toing build such to coupled key models, feedbacks especially that relat- aspects influence of natural possible systems, trajectories such of asexternal the system surface changes co-evolution. hydrologic to system, Some reach respond promptly newics to equilibrium (Fig. levels. 6). This On can the be other deemed as hand, fast the dynam- evolution of human systems such as infrastructure the socio-hydrological system and trajectories of their co-evolution can provide the in- systems that co-evolve, albeit at di subsystems in response tofood external prices), drivers (i.e. and climatetion). the variables, Better demand market yet, for conditions, theythat water provide can and the pave resource food the productivitydetrimental (i.e. to that way governed the humans for health aspire by self-organised of to human ecosystems. solutions that popula- nevertheless (Ostrom, are 2009) not model applicable to the(including Murrumbidgee quantitative) river analysis basin of that whatmodels naturally happened. of socio-hydrological The arose systems development from requires of historical the such formulation coupled of inter-connected sub- cremental shifts may bemodel possible that with includes a the properlySuch bi-directional developed models coupled feedbacks can between socio-hydrologic track humansystems, the and infrastructure, co-evolution water agricultural), of systems. and the environmental physical (biogeochemical, (hydrological), ecological) human (social multiple human users areintegrated also water resource not management adequate. (IWRM) Thesetrolling approach, which frameworks or has are managing as elements the itsenvironment. of water focus The con- system the Murrumbidgee to case reachof study desired the has outcomes IWRM clearly for demonstrated approachcentury society the for and time weakness sustainable the scales, water duebacks resource to between management hydrological the and over fact human decadalof that systems the to it that complex, have cannot emergent been dynamics account responsible witnessed for for in much the the bi-directional Murrumbidgee. feed- Could there be other alternative solutions?does Now the that future Government hold, has for intervened, the what people and the environment? works that link demand to populationthe growth or long-term. economic Likewise, growth traditional will not economic be frameworks adequate in that allocate water between avoided in the first place? What would happen if the Government had not intervened? 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | erent places, and ff erent organizing principle that ff orts to mitigate and reverse environ- ff orts to mediate the competition for water ff 7220 7219 erences in behaviour between di ff uent and thus concerned with broader issues than simply those ffl Although this case study described the particulars of the Murrumbidgee case study The history of conventional water management has given rise to complex emergent This paper has explored the history of water management in the Murrumbidgee river The socio-hydrologic prediction frameworks such as the one presented above can water from anthropogenic to ecological uses. Indeed improved environmentaloutcomes favorable economic conditions that emboldened theertheless, Government the to act pendulum decisively. swing Nev- hasties been and costly to to the the environment, Government,that the and supported local only conventional communi- arose integrated water because management hydrologicfeedbacks did prediction not between frameworks include the bi-directional humansuch and coupled hydrological models systems. may have The prevented availability widespread and environmental degradation. usein of great detail, the circumstancesbeen are observed not in several unique; other rather, cases. it Several authors typifies have a reported the trajectory reallocation that of has from agricultural development and foodto degradation production of in the the environment, firstmental to sustained 50 degradation yr, e and which restore contributed several ecosystem environmental and health. socio-economic The factors: evidence pendulum oftal swing worsening degradation, environmen- is evolution of a societal result norms of and values relating to the environment, and several mitigation measures implemented indevelopment, the and the form use of of policy economicvironmental measures. changes, degradation. These infrastructure Finally, initiatives Era failed 4 to saw reversedrastic, en- implementation imposed of by a Government mix to ofhave reverse set solutions, environmental in some degradation: motion these an seem environmentalcustomer”. remediation to and emergence of the “environmental dynamics, involving a pendulum swing that expresses a dramatic change in emphasis ment of agriculture withEra no 2 awareness (1960–1990) of, wasin or the the attention form paid period of to, whichof environmental salinity. saw remedial While issues. the the infrastructure, onset humanthe it problems of response did persisted. to environmental Era not 3 salinity problems saw address was further the immediate widespread environmental in fundamental degradation, terms causes with and therefore divided into four eras. In Era 1 (1910–1960) the focus was exclusively on develop- between irrigated agriculture andof the water health management of within the the riparian Murrumbidgee environment. river The basin history over the past 100 yr was systems. In particular, itand water showed use that or extrapolation simplistic ofcapture past relationships the hydrologic trends evolution such to of as thehydrologic water future between response systems. do not GDP The in adequately Murrumbidgee respectis case of influenced study relative by suggests allocation the that themselves to underlying shaped humans socio-economic by and and societal values. institutional the structures, environment which are basin in eastern Australia, with a focus on e 5 Conclusions The complex dynamics witnessedthe challenge in of the predicting Murrumbidgee long-term river hydrologic basin trajectories paper in illustrates coupled human-water also help interpret similarity andto di interpret them indevelopment terms of of coupled climatic,a models socio-economic more of and generalised socio-cultural socio-hydrological factors. frameworkpresented systems The that as everywhere is the requires widelythe outcome applicable. drivers of Cognisant and a of theapplicability further this, across resulting climatic distillation Fig. interactions and from and 7 socio-economic gradients feedbacks Fig. is (Ostrom, in 6, 2009). a through manner generalizing that has wider mental degradation represents the increasingly egalitarianprogressively concerns more of a a society thatthat is are economic. The applicabilityunderpins of the EKC, pendulum or other swings,further di in investigation, the but is case beyond of the the scope of Murrumbidgee this basin paper. is worthy of describes the gradual shift towards the recognition and treatment of sustained environ- 5 5 25 15 20 10 25 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | = Year%20Book% = , last access: May 2013a. http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/ 1301.0&viewtitle Past%20Future%20Issues&prodno = = 7222 7221 , last access: May 2013b. & http://www.abs.gov.au/ = http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/lookup/1301. &view = view?ReadForm&prodno (last access: May 2013), 2005. + http://www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/annual-report/index. level The work on this paper has been supported in part by a supplementary + 2012&num = erent places are extremely complex and unique, there is some hope that ff article212005 + , last access: May 2013. 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J.: Flow restoration and protection in Australian rivers, River ABS: Australian Yearbook, Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS: 100 years of change in AustralianABS: Australian industry, Bureau of 1301.0 Statistics, – Year Book Australia, 2005, References Acknowledgements. grant from the US Nationalcle Science Dynamics Foundation to in the a Hydrologic(EAR-0636043, Changing Synthesis PI: Environment: project M. “Water Advancing Cy- Sivapalan). Hydrologicsightful The Science comments, authors through which thank Synthesis” helpedAdrian Veena Srinivasan to Williams, for Gurmeet substantially providing Singh improvehelpful very and the discussion. Daniel in- paper. 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They can also provide the “Environmental Kuznets Curve”.systems This in di suggests thatgeneral even organizing though principles individual may water still be found: this is leftthe nature for of further the research. interactions and feedbacks between the decisions of humans to utilize as societies become wealthier, has been described in terms of a phenomenon called 5 5 30 25 20 15 10 15 20 10 Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | http: le/0008/ ffi , (last access: , last access: Decem- 1 = http://www.tandfonline.com/ , 2004. 7223 7224 , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011. (last access: March 2013), 2012. http://sydney.edu.au/business/__data/assets/pd , 2011. http://www2.mdbc.gov.au/about/historymdbc.html 10.1016/j.worlddev.2004.03.004 10.1029/2011WR010991 practices, Canberra, Australia, Land and Water Australia, 2003. Briefing Paper No. 26/97, NSW1997. 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Page, 2006). TheMirrool Murrumbidgee Irrigation Irrigation Area, Wah Area WahIrrigation incorporates Irrigation District. District, the Benerembah the Irrigation District, Yanco and Irrigation Tabbita Area, Table 1. bidgee (1983 to 2001) (Kingsford and Thomas, 2004). Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | 7228 7227 The change in infrastructure, the environment, population and agriculture production in Conceptual model for catchment scale competition for water utilisation between agricul- the Murrumbidgee through fourciated eras: infrastructure, Era Era 1 2 1900–1960:degradation, 1960–1990: the Era a development 3 gradual irrigation 1990–2007: appreciation andconsensus awareness of asso- strategies of realisation and broader of policies environmental environmental2007–present: to impacts accepting achieve the and integrated failure a of andCommonwealth focus the Government sustainable on consensus strategy management, model, to Era with achieve environmental the 4 sustainable emergence outcomes. of a directed Fig. 3. Fig. 2. ture and environment using the socio-hydrology approach. Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | The (g) Environmental (h)

Rice production in the Murrumbidgee, (data (d)

32 7230 7229 Ratio of annual flow in the Murrumbidgee at Balranald to the annual flow at Wagga (f)

862 Irrigation flow utilisation in the Murrumbidgee Catchment (data sourced from DWR, 1989; ABS, 2013a; Development of storage in the Murrumbidgee Catchment (data sourced from NSW State Water Corpora- Population growth in the Murrumbidgee. Between 1900 and 1980 the population was estimated from data (e) (a) Development of irrigation areas in the Murrumbidgee Catchment. See Fig. 1 for locations of irrigation area. (c) (b) sourced from ABS, 2013b). Fig. 4. and State Water Corporation). Wagga, see Fig. 1 forcontribution locations of of agriculture Balranald to and the Wagga Australian (data economy sourced expressed from as NSW a State percent Water of Corporation). GDP (ABS, 2005). available in ABS year book. Fromof 1980 onward Canberra the and estimate Wagga is Wagga, for (data the population sourced of from Murrumbidgee ABS less 2013a,b). the population water holdings (water licenses) purchased by theenvironmental Commonwealth Government value and (wetlands, available etc.) to in water sites the of Murrumbidgee significant catchment,(data sourced from DSEWPC, 2013). Fig. 4. tion). Mirool, Yanco are in the MurrumbidgeeMurrumbidgee Irrigation Irrigation Area. Area Benerembah, but Tabita, not Wah shown2013b). Wah in and Fig. Gumly 1, are Lowbidgee districts irrigation area adjoin not included (data sourced from ABS, Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper |

: interactions and

36 7232 7231 modelling in the Murrumbidgee hydrologic - Framework Framework for socio

: Schematic of the evolution of the spatial patterns of irrigation (shaded area) in the Framework for socio-hydrologic modelling: interactions and feedbacks between human 6 ks between human and environmental systems humanks between environmental and Fig. 6. and environmental systems leading to new (whole system) dynamics. Fig. 5. Murrumbidgee. In the early 20thhas century started buying irrigation water moved rights upstream.based from Recently, on farmers the cutting to government back protect irrigation the upstream. environment. Panel 3 is a projection

Figure Figure feedbac Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | Discussion Paper | 7233 Generalised framework for socio-hydrologic modelling: interactions and feedbacks be- tween human and environmental systems leading to new outcomes. Fig. 7.