Waterways

A group of scientists walking alongside a canal.

The scientist helping Australia and India tackle common water quality challenges

CSIRO environmental toxicologist Dr Anu Kumar is leading a project tracking pollutants in the Ganges.

Revegetation and pile fields on the Mary River in January 2022, prior to recent flood events. Photograph by Caitlin Mill, Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee.

Researchers trust their tools when it comes to looking after the Great Barrier Reef

Deteriorating water quality is one of the biggest threats to the Great Barrier Reef. Vital protection and recovery efforts are taking place in the catchments adjoining this national treasure's coastline.

Brolga - large grey crane walking on pink vegetation

Waterbirds in northern Australia: birds of a feather, grouped together

Northern Australia is home to a diverse and unique range of waterbirds. Scientists have created four functional groups of waterbirds, helping decision makers better understand the potential impacts of water and agricultural development in the north.

Drone shot of river system with mangroves. blue skies.

Can we have healthy marine ecosystems and modify rivers in northern Australia?

We’ve used a novel ecosystem modelling approach to demonstrate how river flows are the lifeblood of marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Uncertainty: The X factor behind more reliable streamflow forecasts

A new national forecasting service is giving dam operators, river managers – even kayakers – a clearer picture of river and stream flows up to a week in advance. Paradoxically, uncertainty is a key to more reliable forecasts.

Three white birds taking flight from a wetland.

The challenge at the end of Australia’s mighty Murray-Darling system

Management of the Lower Lakes system in South Australia has been informed by extensive science. Understanding the impacts of climate change and adaptation remain future challenges for the region and the Murray-Darling Basin as a whole.

Understanding complex interactions the key to the freshwater croc’s future

A failure to grasp the details of the life of freshwater crocodiles in the places they live is likely to bedevil their conservation.

Understanding water pressures

With many surface water storages, such as reservoirs, empty or critically low, groundwater (underground aquifers fed by rainfall and found in cracks or pores in rock) supplies are critical for many Australian communities and industries.

Understanding ecosystem response to water management in the Murray-Darling Basin

While knowledge of water availability is key to managing Murray-Darling Basin water resources, a commensurate understanding of ecosystem ecological response to flow regulation is also required to aid environmental management.