Abstract
Flow regulation in the River Murray and its tributaries has increased during the last 100 years by construction of storages, locked weirs and changes in operation strategies. This has resulted in considerable changes in the flow characteristics of the river system with implications for the river ecosystem. The main aim of this study was to examine the effects of the various regulatory structures on the flow characteristics of the River Murray and to investigate the effects of the weirs and locks on the water-level fluctuations along its lower reaches. The study indicates that the average monthly and annual flows are lower under the present conditions than those that existed under the natural conditions. The water-level regime of the lower Murray has also been considerably affected by weir operations, particularly through increases in average water-level elevations, decreased fluctuations at upstream pool gauges and increased fluctuations at downstream pool gauges.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Brewsher, A., 1980. Description of the River Murray System computer simulation program. Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra, 51p.
Close, A, 1990. The impact of man on the natural flow regime. In N. Mackay and D. Eastburn (Editors), The Murray, Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra, 61–76.
Finlayson, B.L. and McMahon, T.A., 1988. Australia vs. the world: a comparative analysis of streamflow characteristics. In R.F. Warner (Editor), Fluvial Geomorphology of Australia, Academic Press, Sydney, 17–39.
Maheshwari, B.L., Walker, K.F. and McMahon, T.A., 1993. Impact of Flow Regulation on the Hydrology of the River Murray and Its Ecological Implications. Centre for Environmental Applied Hydrology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia, 154p.
MDBMC, 1989. Background Papers: Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Strategy. Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, Canberra, 172p.
Petts, G.E. 1984. Impounded Rivers: Perspectives for Ecological Management. Wiley, Chichester, 326p.
Thorns, M.C. and Walker, K.F., 1992. Channel changes related to low-level weirs on the River Murray, South Australia. In P.A. Carling and G.E. Petts (Editors), Lowland Floodplain Rivers: Geomorphological Perspectives. Wiley, Chichester, 235–249.
Walker, K.F., 1992. A semi-arid lowland river: The River Murray, Australia. In P. Calow and G.E. Petts (Editors), The Rivers Handbook, Vol.1, Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, 472–492.
Walker, K.F. and Thorns, M.C., 1993. A case history of the environmental effects of flow regulation on a semi-arid lowland river: The River Murray, South Australia. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management, 8:103–119.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this paper
Cite this paper
Maheshwari, B.L., Walker, K.F., McMahon, T.A. (1996). Changes in Flow Characteristics of the River Murray in the Last 100 Years. In: Singh, V.P., Kumar, B. (eds) Proceedings of the International Conference on Hydrology and Water Resources, New Delhi, India, December 1993. Water Science and Technology Library, vol 16. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0389-3_31
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0389-3_31
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4174-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0389-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive