1.1.5 Surface water hydrology and water quality

Summary

The Hunter subregion contains rivers that flow into two major river basins: the Hunter river basin and the Macquarie Tuggerah basin. It also contains a small part of the Namoi river basin and a small part of the Karuah river basin. There are 23 dams within the Hunter subregion built for flood mitigation, hydro-electric power, irrigation, water supply and conservation. The major ones include Glenbawn Dam, Glennies Creek Dam, and Lostock Dam. Water quality (salinity) had been a considerable issue for the Hunter River. Since the introduction of the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme in 1995, the river salinity quality has improved considerably. The Hunter River has a long history of floods, the most notable being the February 1955 event. Wet and dry years for the river are strongly influenced by climate variability. High streamflow for the rivers within the subregion occurs in February, March and June; low streamflow occurs from September to December.

Last updated:
18 January 2019
Thumbnail of the Hunter subregion

Product Finalisation date

2015

ASSESSMENT