Groundwater recharge in south western New South Wales

Preliminary data suggest an approximately 100-fold increase in recharge under normal farming practices and on typical soil types often clearing mallee vegetation. At present the water table is rising only very slowly, but the rate will increase. At sites where the water table is approximately 10 m below the surface, preliminary calculations suggest that in 30 years time it will be rising at approximately 5 mm yr^-1. After 100 years it may rise at between 20 and 40 mm yr^-1. It is recommended that: the hydrological implications of the increase in recharge be estimated; an electromagnetic induction survey, in conjunction with some selected drilling be done to improve the data set in the most cost-effective way; the effect of clearing other native vegetation types nearby be investigated. -from Authors