Using disaster to prevent catastrophe: Referencing the impacts of flow changes in large dryland rivers

This paper outlines the hydrological change associated with water resources development for six rivers within the Murray-Darling Basin. Hydrological c hange was assessed using simulated data from the Integrated Quantity and Qu ality Model (IQQM) and a range of relatively simple flow statistics: the an nual proportional flow deviation; the frequencies of medium or high flow ev ents; and the durations of low or no-now events. The changes in physical pr operties, water quality and biological characteristics within the six river systems were assessed from the literature and summarized. This information was used to construct a series of hypothetical curves (reference curves) s ummarizing ecological response to hydrological change. The suitability of t hese response curves was then checked using data from a seventh river, Coop er Creek, a relatively major pristine endorheic system in central Australia . Reference curves appear to be an effective tool for assessing the likely ecological responses of river systems to increased hydrological change. Cop yright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.