Review of dynamic water allocation systems

Review of dynamic water allocation systems

Australian water allocations have developed under the assumption of climate stationarity, typically using a fixed volumetric approach to define water entitlements. These systems are limited in their ability to adapt to increased streamflow variability. As an alternative, dynamic water allocation systems geared to exploit the benefits of a relatively wet year and with the capacity to contract as water becomes scarce, have the potential to be robust across an uncertain climatic future.

A review was undertaken of international and Australian experiences in implementing dynamic water allocation systems in response to increasingly variable streamflows. Most dynamic water allocation approaches are designed to increase the yield of regulated river systems by incorporating seasonal climate prediction tools to estimate likely seasonal water availability. Centralised decision making and a conservative approach to risk associated with likely future streamflows are common.

An opportunity exists for research into alternative dynamic water allocation systems that can be implemented in river systems with both regulated and waterharvesting allocations, that devolves the risk management associated with water availability to the individual water user and shares the impact of variable streamflows between both consumptive water users and the environment.

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