Water Turbidity

AUS-TGP-LVG-WTU General High confidence

Benchmark Value

5 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

Therefore, the proposed benchmark for the median turbidity in surface waters draining from temperate grassy woodlands and plains under best-practice, sustainable grazing during baseflow conditions is: ≤ 5 NTU

Metric Definition:

Median turbidity in surface waters during baseflow conditions

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available environmental condition for surface waters in Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains under sustainable or regenerative livestock grazing during baseflow conditions.

Justification:

It aligns with the most stringent operational targets, falls within the 'Excellent' category (<10 NTU) defined by regional bodies like the Corangamite CMA, and represents the lowest end of the ANZECC 2000 default trigger value range for upland temperate rivers.

Sources (3)

Preview of ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 12, 2025
ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 12, 2025 Government

ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines - Water Quality Australia

View Source
Preview of Water for livestock: interpreting water quality tests | NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 25, 2025,
Water for livestock: interpreting water quality tests | NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 25, 2025, Government

Water quality for farm water supplies | Managing dams - Agriculture Victoria

View Source
Preview of Water quality ratings 13 Corangamite CMA - River Detectives
Water quality ratings 13 Corangamite CMA - River Detectives Journal

Water quality ratings – Corangamite CMA - River Detectives

View Source

Supporting Sources (27)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of 'CARE' OF COUNTRY: GRAZING MANAGEMENT AND SENSE OF PLACE - University of Tasmania, accessed August 6, 2025,
'CARE' OF COUNTRY: GRAZING MANAGEMENT AND SENSE OF PLACE - University of Tasmania, accessed August 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

'CARE' OF COUNTRY: GRAZING MANAGEMENT AND SENSE OF PLACE - University of Tasmania, accessed August 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025,
An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria.

View Source
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,
Contextual Support Journal

Assessing water quality - ACT Waterwatch.

View Source
Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Northern Territory Government (2020) Darwin Harbour Region Water Quality Objectives, Report Card Section 3.0.

View Source
Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, accessed August 2, 2025,
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support

ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines - Water Quality Australia

View Source
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

View Source
Preview of Effects of livestock on riparian zone vegetation in a Australian Dryland River - ResearchGate
Effects of livestock on riparian zone vegetation in a Australian Dryland River - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Effects of suspended solids on benthic macroinvertebrate fauna downstream of a road crossing, Jim Jim Creek, Kakadu - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025,
Effects of suspended solids on benthic macroinvertebrate fauna downstream of a road crossing, Jim Jim Creek, Kakadu - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support

Effects of suspended solids on benthic macroinvertebrate fauna downstream of a road crossing, Jim Jim Creek, Kakadu - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of Feeling sedimental: celebrating our impact improving water quality on the Reef, accessed July 25, 2025,
Feeling sedimental: celebrating our impact improving water quality on the Reef, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Feeling sedimental: celebrating our impact improving water quality on the Reef, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Grazing Management National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Pollution from Agriculture - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Grazing Management National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Pollution from Agriculture - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Contextual Support Journal

Grazing Management National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Pollution from Agriculture - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

View Source
Preview of Historical land-use influences the long-term stream turbidity response to a wildfire - PubMed
Historical land-use influences the long-term stream turbidity response to a wildfire - PubMed
Contextual Support Journal

Historical land-use influences the long-term stream turbidity response to a wildfire - PubMed

View Source
Preview of Influence of a cattle access point on temporal changes in stream turbidity - ScienceOpen
Influence of a cattle access point on temporal changes in stream turbidity - ScienceOpen
Contextual Support Journal

Influence of a cattle access point on temporal changes in stream turbidity - ScienceOpen

View Source
Preview of Inland Waters - EPA, South Australia
Inland Waters - EPA, South Australia
Contextual Support Journal

Assessing translucent environmental water releases in the

View Source
Preview of Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Long-term monitoring and modelling of pasture regeneration and water quality from a Bothriochloa pertusa site in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 10, 2025,
Long-term monitoring and modelling of pasture regeneration and water quality from a Bothriochloa pertusa site in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Long-term monitoring and modelling of pasture regeneration and water quality from a Bothriochloa pertusa site in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Pasture growth | MLA, accessed August 28, 2025,
Pasture growth | MLA, accessed August 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The impact of cattle grazing and treading on soil properties and the transport of phosphorus, sediment and E. coli in surface runoff from grazed pasture - Taylor & Francis

View Source
Preview of Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff
Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff
Contextual Support Journal

Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff

View Source
Preview of Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria
Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria
Contextual Support Government

Reducing the impacts of grazing on water quality - EPA Victoria

View Source
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,

View Source
Preview of Riparian design guidelines to inform the ecological repair of urban waterways - CRC for Water sensitive cities
Riparian design guidelines to inform the ecological repair of urban waterways - CRC for Water sensitive cities
Contextual Support Journal

Riparian design guidelines to inform the ecological repair of urban waterways - CRC for Water sensitive cities

View Source
Preview of Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 6, 2025,
Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 6, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Sustainable land management practices for graziers - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 10, 2026

View Source
Preview of The water quality and economic benefits of agricultural management practices, accessed August 5, 2025
The water quality and economic benefits of agricultural management practices, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

DRINKING WATER QUALITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023 - Alpine Resorts Victoria

View Source
Preview of Understanding the relationship between livestock grazing and wetland condition - Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
Understanding the relationship between livestock grazing and wetland condition - Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

SURVEY OF LIVESTOCK INFLUENCES ON STREAM AND RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES - CiteSeerX

View Source
Preview of Water Assessment Water Quality Report Series
Water Assessment Water Quality Report Series
Contextual Support Journal

Water Assessment Water Quality Report Series

View Source
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

View Source
Preview of Water Quality Standards - Turbidity Technical Review - Oregon.gov, accessed August 11, 2025,
Water Quality Standards - Turbidity Technical Review - Oregon.gov, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Positive responses of benthic macroinvertebrates to spatial and temporal reductions in water pollution downstream from a trout farm outlet | Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, accessed August 17, 2025

View Source
Preview of Water supply in stock containment areas | Managing dams - Agriculture Victoria
Water supply in stock containment areas | Managing dams - Agriculture Victoria
Contextual Support Journal

Water supply in stock containment areas | Managing dams - Agriculture Victoria

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 10 Jun 2026
  • Effective To 10 Jun 2026

Notes

This benchmark represents the best available environmental condition for surface waters in Australian Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains under sustainable or regenerative livestock grazing. Achieving this benchmark is contingent on the implementation of best management practices, primarily the exclusion of livestock from riparian zones and the maintenance of >80% perennial groundcover to minimise soil erosion. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

25 NTU Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v2
2 NTU Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Active v2
— NTU High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v2
5 NTU High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Superseded v2
2 NTU Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Superseded v1
— NTU High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Not Stated
OptimalRange Superseded v1