Salinity Province 106, Rutherglen

The small Rutherglen Salinity Province is characterised by low, rounded hills that form the northern limit of the Ovens Valley foothills. The Ovens Riverine Plain lies to the south and the Murray Riverine Plain to the north and west.

The Groundwater Flow Systems (GFSs) in this province are complex, with local to intermediate scale GFSs in fractured and weathered Palaeozoic rocks, local scale GFSs in sedimentary rocks with colluvial fans on the hills, and a regional scale GFS in the alluvial plains. The major recharge areas are the ridges and upper slopes of the hills, although the entire landscape would contribute some recharge. Groundwater discharge and dryland salinity is widespread around the outer edges of the hills and on the Murray Riverine Plain. There are also some outbreaks of salinity along the ‘break-of-slope’ and valley depressions within the hills.

Salinity management options include growing low-density tree plantations and perennial pastures on the ridges; ‘Alley Farming’ with trees and perennial pasture across the mid-slope areas, and the establishment of salt-tolerant pastures on the groundwater discharge areas on the lower slopes.