A review of rejected irrigation orders

Abstract

The River Murray and the Murray Irrigation District, in NSW, are intrinsically linked, as irrigation water must travel four days in the River Murray from its initial release point (Hume Reservoir) prior to entering the irrigation system. Releases from Hume Reservoir are triggered by four day advanced orders placed by irrigators. Irrigators have until 36 hours prior to their irrigation commencing to reject any portion of their ordered water. Rejected orders remain in the River Murray causing environmental degradation (due to an increase in the frequency of flooding between December and April) to the ecologically sensitive Barmah-Millewa Forest, located approximately 100 km downstream of the M..