Salinity in the large Macalister Salinity Province is mainly associated with irrigation induced high watertables and salinity of the Macalister Irrigation District. There is an underlying regional scale Groundwater Flow System (GFS) comprising alluvial sediments of the Seaspray - Sale group gravels overlain with a complex array of local to intermediate scale GFSs in younger alluvial sediments. Increased recharge due to irrigation and rainfall has resulted in high watertables, affecting farm productivity through soil damage and increasing salt and nutrient loads draining to the Gippsland Lakes.
Management actions have been developed as part of the Salinity Management Plans for the Clydebank, Nambrook, Heyfield, Maffra and Boisdale areas since the 1990s. Key actions include switching to more efficient irrigation practices, pumping and re-using shallow groundwater to control watertables and reduce salt building up in root zones, increasing plant water use and incorporating more salinity tolerant plants into the affected areas.
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