Dams

Dams threaten China's 'Grand Canyon of the east'

Chinese environmental groups warn that government plans for a slew of hydroelectric dams on the pristine Salween river could jeopardise biodiverse ecosystems and indigenous cultures.

Store surplus water underground, not in dams: study

Surplus rainwater should be stored underground instead of in dams to prepare for drought, a scientific study says.

Coalition readies $30b plan for 100 dams: report

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is reportedly considering building up to 100 dams across the country as part of a plan to prevent floods, fuel power stations and irrigate food bowls.

WA dams set to dry up by summer's end, expert warns

Courtney Trenwith Perth's drinking water supplies from dams will run out by the end of next summer even with decent rainfall, according to predictions by the Centre for Water Research.

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Big boost for Sydney's dams

The heavy rain that drenched Sydney last week may have caused havoc for some, but it delivered a healthy boost to the dams.

Melbourne dams back up to two-thirds full

Years of anxiously watching dam levels fall are over for Melburnians, with water storages back up to two-thirds full.

Overfishing and dams driving freshwater fish towards extinction

Richard Gray, London Freshwater fish are the most endangered group of animals on the planet, with more than a third facing extinction, according to a report British scientists are preparing.

Wild weather hinders search for deckhand

Ellen Lutton Torrential rain and wild weather are hampering the search for a 39-year-old deckhand who was washed overboard from a boat off the Gold Coast on Friday morning.

River researchers may face axe

Tom Arup The key scientific centre studying the environmental health of the Murray-Darling is preparing to cut staff and research in the wake of state government budget cuts to the authority overseeing the...

Fears for Snowy River as scientists ditched for industry-funded group

Ben Cubby, Tom Arup The future of environmental flows into the Snowy River are in doubt after the NSW government released a plan to replace its independent scientific committee with an industry-funded advisory group.

Experts split over value of raising dam wall

Peter Hannam, Ben Cubby RAISING the Warragamba Dam wall by 23 metres will cost up to $800 million, it has been claimed, with experts divided over its value for reducing flooding.

Climate change adds to Mississippi's toll

Global warming, linked to near-record low water levels on the Mississippi River this year as well as last year's severe floods along the Missouri River, is making life on America's major river system.

Algae find prompts beach fears as mercury rises

Deborah Gough As Victoria endures one of its hottest November days, authorities are warning beachgoers to avoid going near an algal bloom off the Surf Coast at Torquay.

Mine approved despite water catchment fears

Ben Cubby, Samantha-Jo Harris A NEW coalmine approved by the NSW government could cause ''significant cracking'' in the bedrock underneath Sydney's drinking water catchment, the Sydney Catchment Authority said.

Rescues and dam releases as deluge hits

Staff reporters Authorities have found a man previously feared to have been in a car which was swept off the road by flooding in central Queensland.

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The pros and cons of 'super-grids'

John Kemp The concept of a "super-grid" capable of moving huge amounts of electricity over long distances is popular with environmentalists and governments keen to promote the integration of more renewables...

Out of sight, out of mind: groundwater in peril

A doubling of Australia's population in coming decades combined with the crippling effects of future droughts means there will not be enough drinking water by the middle of this century if...

Murray-Darling gets biggest drink this winter

Rain is spreading across such a large area of eastern Australia that it is likely to drench the Murray-Darling Basin with its biggest falls since March.