Scientists have launched a series of research projects to determine how River Murray environments are responding to the recent flooding.

The Department for Environment and Water is working with the Goyder Institute for Water Research and its partners to fill knowledge gaps to inform the future management of riverine, floodplain and wetland habitats.

Researchers will capture data while high flows continue to exit the Murray Mouth to better understand environmental responses to the flood. 

Dr Alec Rolston is Interim Director of the Goyder Institute for Water Research.

He says this work is critical to inform the state’s future management of river flows and environmental watering. 

“Future changes in our climate will likely increase the duration and intensity of extreme flood and drought events.

“Understanding responses to events such as these high flows is important for improving our water management to ensure the environmental, economic, cultural and social values of our waters are maintained.”

This research will focus on four key areas:

• The water quality of the River Murray flow, and the influence of the freshwater flows on marine habitats and species outside of the Murray Mouth.
• How salt moves and is flushed from the floodplain into groundwater during and after extensive flooding.
• The risks associated with blackwater.
• Responses in carp breeding and abundance.

Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Susan Close says the flood has created some difficult challenges for our South Australian communities, but the flows represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to understand how such a flood event affects the river and surrounding environments.

“While the high flows will create many positive environmental responses, blackwater events and potential pest species may pose a significant risk to endangered and threatened species.

“Improving our understanding of ecological responses to a wider range of flow conditions will be important in how we manage the River Murray in our changing climate.”