​​​​​​​The sustainable management of water resources depends on accurate hydrological information on catchment water availability, the degree of current water use and environmental water needs. Tools that provide this information are essential for informed decision making regarding catchment water allocation, water management planning and investigating the feasibility of large scale water development projects. Since 2003, Water and Marine Resources Division through Hydro Tasmania Consulting has developed 69 surface water models to provide the best available information on catchment hydrology.

The vast majority of model development has been undertaken through two projects. The first project was conducted under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ) developing 13 surface water models in the National Action Plan region.

The second project has been conducted under the Australian Governments Water Fund - Water Smart Australia Program and the Tasmanian Government, commencing in 2006. This project completes the modelling of the remaining 54 priority catchments.

An additional model for the Little Swanport catchment was developed in 2004 by Sinclair Knight Merz to support the development of a water management plan for that catchment. The REALM (Resource Allocation Model) model developed for this catchment is also a water balance model and similar in approach to the AWBM (Australian Water Balance Model) models developed for other catchments.

Information provided by the models contributes to a suite of objectives, outcomes and actions identified in the National Water Initiative related to the improved management of surface water resources.

Two projects, CSIRO Susta​inable Yields ​and Climate Futures fo​​r Tasmania​, will add valuable information on what effects climate change will have on Tasmanian water resources. Collectively the information provided by NRE Tas surface water models and these new projects will allow strategic use of water resources in Tasmanian catchments that recognises the needs of current water users and the environment but also takes into account a changing climate.

NAP Region Hydrological Model - Reports

NRE Tas Surface Water Models - Reports