1.1.6 Surface water – groundwater interactions

Summary

Surface water – groundwater interactions in the Gippsland Basin bioregion follow a pattern of rainfall recharge to outcropping aquifers in the highlands regions to the north of the bioregion (losing streams) and groundwater discharge to connected gaining surface water systems in the lowlands. Surface water – groundwater interactions are shown to be dynamic spatially (from highlands to lowlands) and temporally (seasonally to decades). Further studies and data collection would be needed to elucidate the processes and quantify the amount of surface water – groundwater interactions and the effects of changes in rainfall and groundwater extraction.