Myth & the Murray
Myth & the Murray Measuring the real state of the river environment by Jennifer Marohasy We have all heard about the declining health of the Murray River, including poor water quality, dying red gums and threats to the continued survival of the Murray cod—this is the popular view in urban Australia. Along the river, communities believe that the end of commercial fishing, a substantial restocking effort, improvements in on-farm practices and the construction of salt-interception schemes have resulted in a healthier river. The available evidence supports the local view and suggests that, with the possible exception of native fish stocks, the river environment is healthy. Many of the scientific reports that have led to the perception that the Murray River is in poor health make their comparisons with a natural river, which is one without dams and locks, one that gushes and then runs dry. Such comparisons are misplaced. If the ultimate objective of the conservation movement is a natural river, then we must reject the cultural heritage and economic wealth created by the engineering works, including the Snowy Mountains Scheme. In its natural state, the Murray River could not provide for Adelaide’s water needs and it could not support the irrigation industries that have made the region the food bowl of Australia. Backgrounder December 2003, Vol. 15/5, rrp $22.00 Myth & the Murray: Measuring the real state of the river environment 2. INTRODUCTION buy the total amount of water proposed (1,500 gigalitres). ‘Myths embody popular ideas on natural and While spending money on the environment may social phenomena.’ seem like a worthy cause in itself, what would actually Oxford English Dictionary be achieved if this quantity of water were released? The Murray River environment is highly modified as In Australian cities, a popular idea about the Murray a consequence of the many dams and locks constructed River has emerged.
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