Indicator protocols: depth to groundwater

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Rising trends in the average level of water tables may provide an early indication of an increased land salinity risk in a catchment. Similarly, falling water table levels may be an indicator of the effectiveness of mitigation strategies (Coram, Dyson & Evans 2001); it may also be a consequence of reduced recharge due to climatic factors or increased groundwater extraction from bores. Static water table depths indicate that recharge to the aquifer is equal to discharge.

By monitoring water table levels, we can identify whether and when groundwater levels are rising, falling or remaining static; and hence the areas at risk from salinity (DNRE 2001).

Salt in the landscape is a natural phenomena; salinisation is the process by which it impacts.