Salinity Province 28, Dundonnell

The 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.