Big Dry and Impacts

• The largest area affected by the Big Dry was …..

  The Murray Darling Basin
• During the Big Dry, most reservoirs fell to what % of their original capacity?

  roughly 40%
• Why was South Adelaide particularly vulnerable?

  It drew 40% of its drinking water from the River Murray, which in recent years is so over-extracted, almost no water has flowed at its mouth
• The Big Dry consisted of 6 years without significant rainfall, and was called the ‘worst drought in

  living memory’
• What are some of the social impacts of the Big Dry?

  Rural suicide rates rose, food imports led to higher prices, energy and water prices rose by 20%, ghost towns created as people moved away
• What water restrictions were put in place in cities during the Big Dry?

  water restrictions from levels 1-8 based on severity of water shortages
• What were some environmental impacts of the Big Dry?

  Increased bush fires and dust storms, toxic algae outbreaks, relying on gas fired power stations lead to pollution
• What were some agricultural impacts of the Big Dry?

  Annual crops weren’t planted, irrigation water was cut to allow more for people, farming income shrunk massively
• What were some economic impacts of the Big Dry?

  34% of rural businesses recorded a major impact, and 1% was wiped off the Australian economy. Tourism dropped significantly, affected the Alpine shores where 80% of income is from tourism