Using hydraulic and chemical data to determine groundwater contribution to the Broken River, Victoria

Abstract

Understanding the contribution of groundwater to flows in lowland rivers is critical for the sustainable management of water resources. As part of a large research project ('Farms, Rivers, Markets') into optimising water resource and environmental benefits at the catchment scale, we use a range of hydraulic gradient and chemical data to identify the degree of groundwater interaction in the Broken River of north-eastern Victoria. Investigation of hydraulic gradients between river levels and unconfined groundwater in monitoring bores has identified gaining, losing and flow varying reaches of the Broken River. Further investigation of ionic and isotopic composition of surface water and groundwa..