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Salinity Province 106, Rutherglen

Thumbnail image showing the location of the Rutherglen Salinity Province in VictoriaThe 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.



Province Attributes

Catchment Management Region:NORTH EAST
Priority Status:High
Province Area:10,380 ha
Recorded Soil Salinity Area 1:117 ha
Dominant Surface Geology Type:Sedimentary
Influence of Geological Structure on Salinity Occurrence/s:Possible
Relevant Geomorphological Mapping Units (GMUs):4.3, 4.X
Predominant Groundwater Flow Systems (GFSs):Local, Regional & Local/Intermediate
Relevant Irrigation Areas:N/A


Rutherglen Salinity Province Map

A detailed map showing Rutherglen Salinity Province


Links to further reading and material related to the North East Salinity Province
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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