Towards defining sustainable limits to winter diversions in Victorian catchments

Abstract

This paper describes the process used to define a sustainable limit on diversions over the winterfill period in Victorian catchments. A scientific panel was assembled to help develop the recommendations, the objective being to define an upper limit on diversions beyond which there is an unacceptable risk that additional extractions would degrade the environment. The panel was comprised of researchers and practitioners with knowledge of stream ecology, water quality, geomorphology, hydrology, wetlands, and catchment management. Recommendations were developed by trialing various diversion rules on streamflow data obtained for 170 gauged sites. The suitability of different rules was assessed by..