![[Farm-ily]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuDYSq5EPweb5CZ7W8NcUY4_T4lFZkLVN0DwbOwni4ZXBAAOxDyJGxvLd_RDakNspup1Q0RZBYzARRIbF_c4gb9v6EaIzJSk32VP4vEm1C7UkUYZFoueUzhGZvdTeK207GRyMDOZSIzE/s1028/76.+May+2021+Blog.jpg)
Murray River at Tocumwal today
If you have been following my blog for a
while, you’ll know that I try to focus on the positives; I try to find the beauty in each day. But in reality, things are not
quite so rosy. The Murray Darling Basin Plan and its rollout has devastated our
district.
Last July at the start of the irrigation season Dartmouth Dam was 89% full and we got 0% water allocation for the year. This year Dartmouth Dam was 63% and we are on zero allocation. Today’s water flow rate for the Murray River at Tocumwal is 15,422ML/day. This river is not in drought. It is running very high. So what will it take for us ever to get an allocation again?
Last July at the start of the irrigation season Dartmouth Dam was 89% full and we got 0% water allocation for the year. This year Dartmouth Dam was 63% and we are on zero allocation. Today’s water flow rate for the Murray River at Tocumwal is 15,422ML/day. This river is not in drought. It is running very high. So what will it take for us ever to get an allocation again?
In this week’s MDBA’s weekly report Dartmouth Dam storage capacity “decreased by 13
GL” and coincidently at the other end of the system i.e. lower lakes in South
Australia some 2,500kms downstream “13 GL of environmental water was released
through the barrages (out to sea) over the week… to provide environmental cues
and connection to support the movement of several migratory fish species”
So while dairy cattle are being sent to the slaughter, crops are
dying, citrus trees are being pulled out, and people are contemplating their
future…. while Australia is now importing wheat and dairy products the
migratory fish… in the ocean… are getting fresh water, through man made
barrages from a man-made fresh water lake that used to be a natural estuary. It
is nice to know where we all sit on the list of priorities with the government.
If you live within the Murray Darling Basin then I urge you to
take part in the Panel Engagement Sessions being held through-out the basin
over the next 2 weeks. If you can’t get to one of the sessions please, please
fill out the Community Experience Survey.
This survey is for all in the community not just the farmers. I urge you to take the time to fill out the survey.
(Click on the blue text above to access websites)
This survey is for all in the community not just the farmers. I urge you to take the time to fill out the survey.
(Click on the blue text above to access websites)
The MDBP has been a disaster. It should have killed off cotton and rice growing in the driest continent on earth, when so many other countries can do it so much better. While I don't have a great understanding of Victoria's water allocation to farmers, I don't know anything about the NSW water allocation. I think why don't you receive an allocation? I did think I understood the Coorong Estuary and that it needs the fresh water as part of its ecosystem, but maybe I don't. Politicians mouth nice words and spread around largess to help, but they don't seem to do anything in a correct and timely manner, thinking of all the water theft that went on. Environmental water flows are important and so is water for farmers. Not so for rich corporations who grow cotton and rice. Ah, sorry for the rant.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew, I don’t mind a rant at all. I don’t agree with you regarding rice in Australia though. You might be surprised to know that rice is actually native to Australia. And it is very suited to our drought & flooding rains climate as it is an annual crop so when there is water it is grown, when there is none it is not, unlike permanent plantings eg almonds that need water every year. Australian rice farmers are the most efficient producers in the world ie yield/mg of water used and the majority of rice is grown on family farms, not by corporations.
DeleteThe Coorong is very interesting. Historically Tilley Swamp drained into the Coorong. This was altered over time with the construction of the South East Drains commencing in 1940 and finished in 2011; the swamp and South East SA mostly now drains out to sea, bypassing the Coorong. Water historically flowed from the Coorong into Lake Alexandrina. The Barrages were built in the 1940’s and they dramatically changed Lake Alexandrina, a large estuary, into a freshwater lake. Since water no longer comes from Tilley Swamp for the Coorong, Lake Alexandrina now feeds the Coorong, remembering historically it was the other way around. And with no sea water now coming into Lake Alexandrina because of the barrages and the Basin Plan stating that it must be kept at 0.4m above sea level the only way to achieve this is by using fresh water from the Murray River. It's kind of like expecting the Yarra River to keep Port Philip Bay full of freshwater, which no doubt sounds ridiculous but that is what the barrages and the Murray Darling Basin Plan is doing.
That's crazy and illogical! In the end, politics rule and the biggest lobby groups dominate, wherever you are in the world.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the sessions!
ReplyDeleteGood luck. It is a very, very worrying time not helped by our politicians.
ReplyDeleteWhat sad news though a superb photo. Hope you get some answers and the right ones. Diane
ReplyDeleteIt rains, just not where it is most needed which makes me sad...............
ReplyDeleteSad...
ReplyDeleteThat is very sad.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that your situation wasn't just from drought. I assumed the Murray was low too. Unbelieveable!
ReplyDeleteIt is a combination Helen. Yes, we are in drought like much of eastern Australia. Our 2nd year of zero water allocation is what really hurts though, which sadly has been caused by government’s water management more than anything else… but the drought has exasperated it. The Murray River is certainly not low. In fact the MDBA is flooding forests right now... in drought. That is certainly not a natural scenario and I would imagine would give nature the wrong cues.
DeleteMmmm. Another complex and divisive situation which for me, only creates questions. I'm big on questions; without sufficient and hopefully accurate information how can I arrive at anything which might vaguely resemble an informed opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnd so to my first question/s:
Who allocates the water? As the Murray borders Vic and NSW are both states governed by the same authority/body?
I found the link to the MDBA report very interesting but a pain to read it on my phone. I'll persevere...
While the main puropse of your blog might be photography and a positive outlook,
I'd like to suggest you might consider the occasional water information post - a Water Wednesday sort of thing.... I did have another idea but I this one is better :).
I certainly hope the sessions are well attended and something useful which is then executed comes out of these public meetings and submissions. This is vital for those communities immediately affected but it also impacts on all people living in eastern Australia. So, what can I do?
And because I never know when to leave well enough alone, (sigh) in your last comment the drought has exaggerated the problem and YOU are exasperated, most likely by the government's water management....
I'll just shut up now and go off to make enquiries about Bear's Castle, a Parisian afternoon tea and an advance care directive.
All the best
Alphie
Always happy to hear your thoughts Alphie.
DeleteSo who allocates the water? Water allocation is complicated; shared between 3 states with varying priorities depending on entitlements. Each state operates within their own water sharing plans... and different areas in each state have different water sharing plans. In our area we are all general security licence holders, which means we get allocated water last once all the other commitments have been met.
Firstly the river needs a certain amount of water to run taking into account evaporation, losses, dilution flows & environmental flows. The stored water (currently at 46% of capacity) is shared between SA, NSW & VIC in order of priority - stock & domestic, towns, high security, conveyance & lastly general security holders. All of SA’s irrigation water is high security, currently on 87%, VIC Murray is on 38%, we in the NSW Murray are general security water holders and are on 0%.
I'm not sure about your idea of a regular water information post. I really like your sentiment behind it... but water, or lack thereof, is such an emotive issue at the moment. I would find it emotionally hard to do, if that makes sense. I try very hard to focus on the positives for a very good reason... my sanity. Throwing the odd dose of the everyday reality, along with some facts… that I can do.
So what can you do? Visit the Murray Darling Basin. Holiday in drought affected areas. Spend money in small rural towns, stay in their motels or caravan parks, talk to the locals. Buy Australian made produce. Be informed.
Right. That's given me plenty to go on with but I think you should know when the occasion arises there will be more questions.
ReplyDeleteApologies for putting you on the spot about water, I'm a bit short on emotional intelligence some days.
Alphie
I applaud your efforts to tell the whole story of your farm! Thank you for this informative look at water in your region. We are in the midst of a water controversy in our part of Kansas as well. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge near us has petitioned the state Water Office for additional stream flow. This will impact irrigators in our area. It may also include putting wells on some farm ground neighboring Quivira, that will be piped to the refuge (including ours). There are many implications. The Kansas Water Pack is currently petitioning the state water office to try and lessen the affects on farmers. My best to you and other farmers affected by this! Just one of the many other things we can't control!
ReplyDeleteOh, my....I won't say anything but my heart goes out to you.
ReplyDelete