Salinity Project - Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc

What is Salinity?

Salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts in water or soil. Salt is a natural part of the environment and comes from several sources, including:

Geological processes, such as the weathering of rocks and soils. Some rocks naturally contain salt, and as they weather over time, they release salt into the surrounding environment.
Rainfall and runoff, which dissolve salt particles, making them mobile. This allows salt to be carried to new locations, including waterways and other parts of our landscapes.
Wind can transport salinity through dust storms, spreading salt over long distances. Coastal winds can also carry salt particles inland, depositing new salt into areas far from the coast.
Evaporation, which draws salt up from water tables, leaving it closer to the soil surface. This process can concentrate salts in the root zones of plants or in water bodies, where it has a greater impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

The balance between salt and water is delicate, with changes in one often impacting the other.

Irrigation, which increases the amount of water input into the landscape. Excess water can cause groundwater levels to rise, bringing mobile salts closer to the ground surface and concentrating them. The water used in irrigation may also have a high salt content, further increasing salinity in the area.

Land clearing, which disturbs natural water flows and accelerates salt accumulation. Clearing deep-rooted plants, whether perennial pastures or trees, can have an immediate impact on the water table, as there are no longer deep roots to absorb water and keep the water table down. This leads to higher water tables and increased salt levels closer to the soil surface.

Resources:

Dryland salinity – causes and impacts

Salinity | Land and soil | Environment and Heritage

Water quality for livestock | Agriculture and Food

How is Salinity Measured?

Salinity in water and soil is commonly measured using a salinity meter, which works by passing an electric current between two electrodes in a sample of soil or water. The electrical conductivity (EC) of the sample is influenced by the concentration and composition of dissolved salts. Since salts increase the solution’s ability to conduct electricity, a higher EC value indicates a higher salinity level.

Electrical conductivity (EC) is a standard measurement unit for salinity. There are different units used to measure salinity, and the table below shows their relationships:

deciSiemens per meter (dS/m)	milliSiemens per centimeter (mS/cm)	microSiemens per centimeter (µS/cm)	electrical conductivity (EC)	parts per million (ppm)
1	1	1000	1000	640
4	4	4000	4000	2560

Resources:

How salinity is measured

How salty is salty?

- Murrumbidgee River: The salinity of the Murrumbidgee River generally ranges from 200 to 350 EC and is monitored closely and water added to the system not allowing it to increase to levels over 600EC.
- Sensitive crops such as rice: are affected by levels as low as 700 EC
- Human Impact: Salinity levels around 800 EC.
- Max Level for Human Consumption and Irrigation: Salinity should not exceed 950 EC.
- Impact on Freshwater Ecosystems: Freshwater ecosystems begin to experience significant negative effects at salinity levels of around 1,000 EC.
- Impact on Pregnant Sheep and Cattle: Salinity levels exceeding 3,500 EC can be harmful to pregnant livestock, causing dehydration and other health issues.
- Freshwater Plants, Farm and Native Animals: Impacts on freshwater plants and animals are noticeable when salinity reaches 1,500 EC, leading to stress and reduced biodiversity.
- Other corps like barley: Don’t show signs of decreased production in levels as high as 6,000 EC.
- Average seawater: Approximately 50,000 EC

See below more evidence on animal and plant production and salinity levels

Resources:

Salinity tolerance in irrigated crops

Water salinity and plant irrigation | Agriculture and Food

Water quality for livestock | Agriculture and Food

Indicators of Salinity

Indicators of Salinity:

Soil

Waterlogging: Soil remains wet, especially in dry conditions.
Salt Crystals & Stains: Visible salt deposits on the surface.
Bare Patches: Areas with no vegetation and exposed soil.
Erosion & Puffy Soil: Increased soil erosion and soft, “puffy” surface.

Water

Excessive Runoff: Due to low vegetative cover.
Clear Water: In dams or channels, often with a salty odor.
Reduced Biota: Fewer freshwater plants and animals.

Vegetation

Stressed Plants: Trees showing wilting, leaf burn, or defoliation.
Salt-Tolerant Species: Replacement of productive plants with salt-tolerant ones.
Reduced Yields & Poor Growth: Lower crop/pasture yields and poor plant establishment.

Animals

Stock Behavior: Animals licking surface salts or avoiding salty water.

Recourses:

Plants that grow on salt affected land in Australia – SALTdeck cards | Agriculture and Food

Project Aim:

Project Aim:

The aim of this project is to gather and provide crucial salinity data to Andrew Wooldridge, Salinity Technical Officer at the Basin Salinity Program, Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, to fill the gaps within the E-Spade database.

The project involves testing multiple catchments, waterways, and areas where data is missing, either due to a lack of water monitors or insufficient knowledge in that catchment. Since 2022, water samples from creeks and waterways have been collected routinely during both wet and dry periods to assess the salinity levels. This data helps to understand how salt is moving through the landscape, and what could be causing the problems is it natural or manmade. Over time if and area has indicated very low salinity we have stopped collection for these areas to focus on increasing data collection in identified salty areas to determine the sources and causes of salinity.

Over the years we have collated the data, created maps, Power Points of the different salinity loops with photo points and GPS points to that the information is not lost and can be replicated in years to come. Additionally, we have engaged local farmers, held workshops and talks with Landcare groups to raise awareness, educate, and increase local knowledge of salinity issues and the program.

Visit eSPADE Website

Map of the Salinity Testing Sites

Tarcutta loop
About the survey sites in this loop :
- 33 test locations
- 10 water systems – Livingstone creek, O’briens creek, Kyeamba Creek, Coreinbob creek, Tarcutta Creek, Mates Creek, Darlows Creek, Turners Creek, Yaven Yaven Creek, Nicki Nicki Creek.
- Data Ponts: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sBMjYkK9jxzZKH6h8
Junee Loop
About the survey sites in this loop :
- 24 test locations
- 14 water systems – Wantiool Creek, Billabong Creek, Nangus Creek, Rocky Gully Creek, Waterfall Creek, Mitta Mitta Creek, Cooba Creek, Yellow Creek, Merrybundinah Creek, Turveys Fall Creek, Ironbong Creek, Wandalyingel Creek, Wandalybingal Creek, Ulandra Creek.
- Data Ponts: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sBMjYkK9jxzZKH6h8
Muttama Loop
About the survey sites in this loop :
- 18 test locations
- 9 water systems – Muttama Creek, Burra Creek, Sheepstation Creek, Cullinga Creek, Stock Yard Gully, Cootamundra Creek, Salt Clay Creek, Jindalee Creek, Deep Creek.
- Data Points: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sBMjYkK9jxzZKH6h8
Harden Loop
About the survey sites in this loop :
- 21 test locations
- 10 water systems – Cooneys Creek, Cunningham Creek, Cunningham Plains creek, Currawong creek, Demondrille Creek, Wombat Creek, Moppity Creek, Blind creek, Douglas Creek, Barwang Creek.
- Data Points: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sBMjYkK9jxzZKH6h8
Bland Loop
About the survey sites in this loop:
- 27 test locations
- 11 water systems – Emu Creek, Tyagong Creek, Burrangong Creek, Bland Creek, Bribbaree Creek, Narraburra Creek, Wattle Retreat Flowline, Cudgell Creek, Bulla Creek, Ten Mile Gully flowline and Duffer Gully flowline.
- Data Points: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sBMjYkK9jxzZKH6h8
Tyagong Loop
About the survey sites in this loop:
- 27 test locations
- 6 water systems – Tyagong Creek, Bumbaldry Creek, Kellys Creek, Brundah Creek, Bungalong Creek and Murray’s Cree.
- Data Points: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sBMjYkK9jxzZKH6h8
Cowra Loop
About the survey sites in this loop :
- 47 test locations
- 24 water systems – Warrangong Creek, Crowther Creek, Morongala Creek, Neila Creek, Boorowa River, Lachlan River, Milburn Creek, Waugoola Creek, Conimbla Creek, Woods Flat Creek, Binni Creek, Noyeau Hollow, Limestone Creek, Snake Creek, Grubbenburn Creek, Mandurama Ponds, Belubula River, Coombing Creek, Belubula River, Emu Creek, Jacks Creek, Belubula River, Nyrang Creek, Canomdine Creek.
- Date Points: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sBMjYkK9jxzZKH6h8