Introduction

As resource demands and pressure increases so to do the requirements of both management and information needs. Outlined below are the key issues facing the region as determined by the State / Territory water management agency.

What is the estimated demand for surface water in Victoria River?

How was this assessment undertaken in the Victoria River Surface Water Management Area?

Development Potential:

The method of assessment and assumptions for the evaluation of potential for development has been noted by the Office of Resource Development.

Estimated Use:

Tourism, Irrigated Agriculture, Marine and Riparian uses are the likely potential developments. The forecast usage of surface water is mainly for stock watering. The forecast use is based on the assumption that cattle numbers in the leasehold would be 85% of its carrying capacity in 2020, and 100% in 2050. This increase in the cattle numbers represents the growth rate noted in the NT Overview Report. Cattle consumption is assumed as 50 litres per day per head. It is also assumed that 25 to 30% of the stock water consumption is from surface water. It is also assumed that cotton would cover an area of 8000 ha in 2020 and 10,000 ha in 2050. The water consumption was assumed as 10 ML per ha. The forecast use for water supply was based on population growth reported in the NT Overview Report. The forecast use figures are only first pass estimates.

Developed Yield:

The developed yield is assumed as the forecast surface water usage for irrigation, and stock watering. The forecast developed yields are only first pass estimates.

Management goals and objectives:

Please see the section titled 'Management Goals and Objectives' in the NT Technical Report.

See NT Water Resources Assessment 2000 Report and Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report for comment on methods and assumptions.

Comments on Management Responses in the Victoria River Surface Water Management Area

Current Management Response:

Desired (Current) Management Response:

2020 Management Response:

Water allocation based on defined beneficial uses and the implementation of licensing.

2050 Management Response:

See NT Water Resources Assessment 2000 Report for comment on management responses.

Assessment of Monitoring

Efficacy of the network:

A review of current monitoring network in the context of monitoring requirements of natural flows, gauged flows, environmental flows and water quality is to be undertaken soon.

Data management requirements:

Please see the subsection titled "Data Management" in the NT Technical Report.

Protective management:

Identification of Environmental flow requirements and management options.

Options for monitoring:

(i) Identify new locations for Gauging Stations to monitor flows as well as water quality. Also new locations for pluviometers.

(ii) Installation of new Gauging stations, salinity monitoring stations and pluviometers.

(iii) Frequent gauging both low and high flows.

(iv) Replace instrumentations in the existing gauging stations with 'state-of-the-art' instruments.

(v) Update the existing data base of natural flow and water quality data. Also modify it for better access by public.

All these would require additional funding and resources.

See NT Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report for an assessment of monitoring

Data Availability, Gaps and Recommendations

Data Availability:

Natural flow data are only available for seventeen gauging sites. Data regarding surface water usage are not available. Water samples have been taken from four gauging sites and analysed. The water quality data are available. The number of samples taken at each site is between ten and twenty. The water quality from all the samples indicates that the salinity category is fresh.

Current Gaps and Recommendations:

Data Gaps: (i) Natural flow data for catchments other than those noted in this report. (ii) Water Quality data for other sites. Recommendations: Review current monitoring network for natural flows, environmental flows and water quality.

Future Gaps:

Please see the subsection titled "Data and Information Gaps" in the NT Technical Report.

See NT Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report for a review of data availability,gaps and recommendations.

Further information

• Northern Territory Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report
• Link to data available for download on the Surface Water Management Areas
• Link to the Map Maker to make a map using this information.