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Salinity Province 28, Dundonnell

Thumbnail image showing the location of Dundonnell Salinity Province in VictoriaThe Dundonnell Salinity Province is characterised by its late phase volcanic landscape, comprising composite volcanic cones, scoria cones, maars and basalt stony rises. Groundwater can readily recharge through some of these materials and the poorly developed and disrupted drainage has resulted in natural lakes and wetlands that are often primary salinity features. In general, local Groundwater Flow Systems (GFSs) in the more porous volcanic materials contribute a useable groundwater resource to lakes and streams. However, since land clearing, increased recharge to the underlying intermediate and regional scale GFSs in the basalt aquifers has also contributed to a higher watertable and the expansion of many primary salinity features.

Management options are limited and primarily need to focus on ‘living-with-salt’ options whilst minimising the expansion of saline areas during wet phases by better utilisation of local recharge, either as a fresh water resource or through higher water-use vegetation options. However, protection of the conservation values of salt lakes and wetlands should also be included in any management plans.



Province Attributes

Catchment Management Region:GLENELG-HOPKINS
Priority Status:High
Province Area:71,560 ha
Recorded Soil Salinity Area 1:2,427 ha
Dominant Surface Geology Type:Sedimentary
Influence of Geological Structure on Salinity Occurrence/s:None
Relevant Geomorphological Mapping Units (GMUs):6.1.X
Predominant Groundwater Flow Systems (GFSs):Local/Intermediate
Relevant Irrigation Areas:N/A


Dundonnell Salinity Province Map

A detailed map showing Dundonnell Salinity Province

Links to further reading and material related to the Glenelg Hopkins Salinity Province
Groundwater Flow Systems (GFS) in the Glenelg Hopkins CMR

For further information relating to groundwater levels and salinities in this Province please see: Visualising Victoria's Groundwater (VVG)

1 Please Note: The ‘Recorded Soil Salinity Area’ indicated in the Salinity Province Attribute Table, comprises the total geographic area that has been mapped as having, or showing symptoms of, dryland soil salinity at some time (past or present). As dryland salinity occurrence in the Victorian landscape exhibits many different levels of severity and can change due to climate, landuse and vegetation, previously mapped areas may no longer be showing symptoms. In addition, as not all parts of the State have been mapped, or mapped in the same way, the mapping may not have captured some occurrences.

The soil salinity mapping used to calculate this ‘area’ does not cover irrigation regions. In irrigation regions, depth to watertable and watertable salinity mapping has been used to convey the threat of high watertables on soil waterlogging and/or soil salinisation and these areas are not included in this ‘area‘ calculation.

Please contact the Department, your Catchment Management Authority or your rural water provider for more information about salinity in your location.
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