Water Turbidity

AUS-AMR-LVG-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

25 NTU

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on this convergence of evidence, a chronic baseflow turbidity level of >25 NTU is proposed as the upper detrimental threshold.

Metric Definition:

Chronic baseflow turbidity level beyond which significant ecological harm occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the upper detrimental threshold for water turbidity, above which significant and widespread negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems are expected in the Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome under livestock grazing.

Justification:

Supported by multiple sources including ANZECC guidelines and Waterwatch program data indicating ecological harm above this level.

Sources (1)

Preview of Assessing Water Quality - Secondary Education Years 9 to 12 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, accessed August 12, 2025,

Assessing Water Quality - Secondary Education Years 9 to 12 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, accessed August 12, 2025, Journal

Assessing water quality - ACT Waterwatch.

Supporting Sources (35)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) The Impact of Extreme Low Flows on the Water Quality of the Lower Murray River and Lakes (South Australia) - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,

(PDF) The Impact of Extreme Low Flows on the Water Quality of the Lower Murray River and Lakes (South Australia) - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Shifting Goalposts: Setting Restoration Targets for Waterbirds in the Murray-Darling Basin Under Climate Change - Frontiers, accessed July 9, 2025

Preview of (PDF) Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,

(PDF) Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

Preview of 1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed July 30, 2025,

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source Government

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of 3.2.4 Sediment exposure, accessed July 30, 2025,

3.2.4 Sediment exposure, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

3.2.4 Sediment exposure, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of 5.5 Turbidity | Monitoring & Assessment - EPA Archives, accessed July 30, 2025,

5.5 Turbidity | Monitoring & Assessment - EPA Archives, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

5.5 Turbidity | Monitoring & Assessment - EPA Archives, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025

An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025

Contextual Support Government

An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025

Preview of Characterising the relationship between water quality and water quantity, accessed August 5, 2025

Characterising the relationship between water quality and water quantity, accessed August 5, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Turbidity | Australia state of the environment 2021

Preview of Development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems - NSW Environment Protection Authority, accessed July 30, 2025,

Development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems - NSW Environment Protection Authority, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009

Preview of Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,

Discover the Top 6 Benefits of Regenerative Farming in Australia, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 23, 2025

Preview of Effects of Sedimentation and Turbidity on Lotic Food Webs: A Concise Review for Natural Resource Managers - ResearchGate, accessed July 16, 2025,

Effects of Sedimentation and Turbidity on Lotic Food Webs: A Concise Review for Natural Resource Managers - ResearchGate, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support

The Natural Sediment Regime in Rivers: Broadening the Foundation for Ecosystem Management - ResearchGate

Preview of Exploring Stream Turbidity and Excess Sediment - Grand Valley State University, accessed July 30, 2025,

Exploring Stream Turbidity and Excess Sediment - Grand Valley State University, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Exploring Stream Turbidity and Excess Sediment - Grand Valley State University, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of Grazing the surface of agricultural effects on water quality – impacts of in-stream cattle activity - RSC Blogs - The Royal Society of Chemistry, accessed July 30, 2025,

Grazing the surface of agricultural effects on water quality – impacts of in-stream cattle activity - RSC Blogs - The Royal Society of Chemistry, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Water quality for primary industries, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 16, 2025,

Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 10, 2025,

Preview of How has Australia's river water quality changed over two decades?, accessed July 30, 2025,

How has Australia's river water quality changed over two decades?, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of Impacts of Natural Land Loss on Water Quality - WeConservePA Library, accessed July 30, 2025,

Impacts of Natural Land Loss on Water Quality - WeConservePA Library, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

3.2.4 Sediment exposure, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of Land-use effects on water quality in an intensively managed catchment in the Australian humid tropics | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,

Land-use effects on water quality in an intensively managed catchment in the Australian humid tropics | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Land-use effects on water quality in an intensively managed ...

Preview of Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,

Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture - Southern Queensland Landscapes, accessed July 27, 2025,

Preview of Linking Sediment Dynamics, Riparian Vegetation and Aquatic Ecology in the Ovens River – Part 2 - La Trobe, accessed July 30, 2025,

Linking Sediment Dynamics, Riparian Vegetation and Aquatic Ecology in the Ovens River – Part 2 - La Trobe, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support

Linking Sediment Dynamics, Riparian Vegetation and Aquatic Ecology in the Ovens River – Part 2 - La Trobe, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,

National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW

Preview of Northern and Yorke | Managing watercourses - Landscape South Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,

Northern and Yorke | Managing watercourses - Landscape South Australia, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Rivers and Streams - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed July 30, 2025

Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Rivers and Streams - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed July 30, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual: Rivers and Streams - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed August 17, 2025,

Preview of Preliminary information for developing sediment guidelines for streams of the West Coast, New Zealand - Envirolink, accessed August 17, 2025,

Preliminary information for developing sediment guidelines for streams of the West Coast, New Zealand - Envirolink, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Preliminary information for developing sediment guidelines for streams of the West Coast, New Zealand - Envirolink, accessed August 1, 2025,

Preview of Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province 6 Water quality - WetlandInfo, accessed July 16, 2025,

Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province 6 Water quality - WetlandInfo, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Review of the current state of knowledge for the monitoring of forestry impacts on waterway health in NSW coastal forests, accessed July 31, 2025,

Preview of Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria, accessed August 8, 2025

Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Grazing water quality risk framework 2017-2022, accessed July 10, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed July 20, 2025,

Preview of Requirements for graziers | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed July 30, 2025,

Requirements for graziers | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Reef protection regulations Grazing guide Version 2 - Queensland Government, accessed July 18, 2025

Preview of SA Arid Lands Landscape Regional Summary 2022 Aquatic ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

SA Arid Lands Landscape Regional Summary 2022 Aquatic ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in ...

Preview of Sediments | AIMS - The Australian Institute of Marine Science, accessed July 30, 2025,

Sediments | AIMS - The Australian Institute of Marine Science, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Sediments | AIMS - The Australian Institute of Marine Science, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 8, 2025

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of Water quality | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 11, 2025,

Water quality | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Drivers of water quality in Afromontane-savanna rivers - Frontiers

Preview of Water quality and the grazing animal - PubMed, accessed July 30, 2025,

Water quality and the grazing animal - PubMed, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Water quality and the grazing animal - PubMed, accessed July 30, 2025,

Preview of Water quality for farm water supplies | Managing dams - Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 1, 2025,

Water quality for farm water supplies | Managing dams - Agriculture Victoria, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Regenerative Agriculture and Livestock Integration on Australian Cattle Farms

Preview of Water quality for primary industries, accessed July 30, 2025,

Water quality for primary industries, accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Low turbidity in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) reduces feeding behavior and increases stress-related physiological parameters in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) during grow-out

Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,

Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000)

Preview of WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WATER QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR FRESH AND MARINE WATERS - DBCA Library, accessed July 16, 2025,

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WATER QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR FRESH AND MARINE WATERS - DBCA Library, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN WATER QUALITY ... - DBCA Library, accessed July 25, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 1 Jun 2026

Notes

This threshold applies to chronic baseflow conditions and is distinct from naturally high turbidity during flood events. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AMR-LVG-WTU family.