This project arose as a direct request for scientific support from two organisations in China: Ningxia Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NBGMR) and Changchun Institute of Geography, Chinese Academy of Science. Both organisations have identified and initiated research on serious problems of agricultural production and resource management in inland-irrigated areas of northern China. These arid areas are suffering from low crop productivity and continuing degradation of land and water resources. Particular high-priority problems are: serious shortages of irrigation and domestic water supplies, rapid expansion of waterlogged areas, the development of alkaline, sodic and saline soils, increasing salt discharges to rivers and lakes, depletion and contamination of groundwater, and increasing discharges of nutrients and pollutants to surface water systems. Detailed discussions between CSIRO staff, Dr Ian Willett (ACIAR) and staff from the two Chinese organisations were conducted in Yinchuan and Changchun followed by field visits to the sites in both areas to identify where CSIRO researchers with ACIAR support could best assist in developing solutions to these problems.
The project's overall objective is to improve water and salinity management of the Yinchuan and Songnen Plains in China and the Ord Irrigation Area (ORIA) in Australia with the aims of increasing the availability of good quality water for agricultural and other uses, increasing grain production, and reducing salt discharges to the major rivers. To alleviate the water shortage problems and ensure continuity of supply, the project will determine the appropriate amounts to be pumped from the different aquifers for irrigation and other uses without depleting the aquifers and endangering them with encroaching salinity.
To be able to establish the cause of these problems, this project will develop the appropriate methodology of surveying, monitoring and studying the processes that contribute to the problems and develop the best practical technologies which guarantee the long term sustainability of the water and land resources. The project will also develop an extensive training program to create a well-equipped Chinese cadre to continue the application of the developed techniques in Yinchuan, Songnen and other areas of inland, arid China.
Most of the problems that are already manifested in the Chinese irrigation areas are starting to develop in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA). This part of the project will complement some of the research studies that will be conducted in the Ord-Bonaparte Integrated Research project; the selected areas of study are the ones similar to the Chinese problems. The developed technologies in the ORIA will be applied in the Chinese areas. The ORIA will also be used for training the Chinese scientists on the application of the developed research technologies and long term monitoring methods. The ORIA project will also develop models that will be used for the selection of the best management options for controlling rising groundwater levels, expanding salinity and developing the best methodology for reducing offsite impacts on river water quality.
The outputs from this project will enable policy makers, manager/scientists and farmers to collectively work towards better utilisation and conservation of the land and water resources.

Most of the activites during the second year were concentrated on the completion of the training program, collation and setting up of data bases, the establishment of the experimental sites, installation of equipment and building up of the hydrological and hydrogeological conceptual models and geochemical interaction models. Preliminary interpretation of the basic data was also conducted and preliminary reports were written (see publication list).
Computerised GIS-Database for all the hydrological and hydrogeological relevant information was established for the Yinchuan Plain in Ningxia; Songen Plain in Chanchgun and Ord in Australia.
All research sites for the following experiments are now fully established and instrumented according to the project plan:
Yinchuan groundwater resources.
Monitoring of new irrigation techniques by Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.
Potential of drainage and amelioration techniques (4 sites).
Research sites to study Surface water - Groundwater interactions and salinity in Yinchuan area.
Feasibility and offsite impacts of using groundwater irrigation in closed depressions (Dongdapao irrigation area and Songen Plain).
Ord River: Surface - groundwater interaction at the local and regional scale.
All the experiments were conducted in farmers' properties with their assistance and the farmers were exposed to the improved practices with the aim of gaining their acceptance. Meeting with stake holders in the Ord to present the results and discuss future work took place in June 2002. The Chinese scientists are coordinating all their activites with the locals.
Hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and 2D and 3D numerical modelling are being constructed and tested for the Ord, Yincuan and Songen Plains. Hydrogeochemical model for the water quality along the flow path of each aquifer system, and the relationship between the surface and ground water systems was constructed for the Ord. Water balance model and interaction between large surface water bodies (Lake Kununarra and M1) and groundwater in the Ord is being carried out using WASIBAL model. Geochemical modelling and interaction between irrigation water including mixing with groundwater was modelled using PHREEQC and LEACHC for Dondgapoa in China, and the Ord in Australia.

Year 3 (01/01/2003--31/12/2003)
A mid-project meeting was held in BGMED, Yinchuan, Ningxia, during October 2003, attended by the ACIAR Program Manager, the Project Leader and various project staff.
Most of the activities during the third year were concentrated on completing the experimental sites, conducting field and laboratory tests, collection and collation of data from the experiments and setting up of data bases, together with building up of the hydrological and hydrogeological conceptual models and geochemical interaction models. Preliminary interpretation of the basic data was also conducted and preliminary reports were written. A computerised GIS-Database for all the relevant hydrological and hydrogeological information was established for the Yinchuan Plain in Ningxia; the Songen Plain in Jilin and the Ord in Australia.
Collation of data from the established research stations, analysis of data and development of conceptual/numerical models is progressing. For groundwater resources in Yinchuan a conceptual model of each of the three aquifers has been developed and work is underway to establish the interconnection using isotopes. Modelling of shallow aquifers pumping on water quantity and quality will also be conducted.
The Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry program was modified to include water saving techniques, estimation of seepage from irrigation structures and the effects of irrigation using shallow groundwater. Conceptual models for surface and groundwater interaction sites at Yinchuan Plain (Jinshan Lifted Canal, Sand Lake, Miotai and Jiangnan village) are now well developed. Groundwater models for two sites are now being constructed.
Feasibility and offsite impacts of using groundwater irrigation in closed depressions (Dongdapao irrigation area) was expanded to include the regional groundwater system that supplies the depressions and water balance of the To'er River.
For the Ord River surface - groundwater interactions at the local and regional scale are being developed. Hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical, and two and three dimensional numerical models are being constructed and tested for the Ord, Yinchuan and Songen Plains. Leakage models from the irrigation structures in the Ord area were constructed, and leakage under different management scenarios is being processed.
Reversal of groundwater levels due to rising water levels and development of salinity in the Packsaddle area has been evaluated. Groundwater pumping to reduce water levels in the Ivanhoe and Packsaddle Plains was found not to be effective due to recharge boundaries from irrigation channels. Siphons and drains seem to be the alternative management.

Training of Chinese scientists enabled them to conduct and report research at the International Conference organised by the project team in Changchun, China, during July 2004. Presentation of technical papers demonstrated their ability not only to conduct research but also write and present results in English at an international forum.
A computerised GIS-Database established for the Yinchuan Plain in Ningxia; the Songnen Plain in Changchun and the Ord in Australia has been successfully used in the development of various surface water, groundwater and geochemical models. These data together with aerial photography and remote sensing have also been used in the mapping of salt/alkaline affected areas in the Yinchuan and Songnen plains.
Data collection, from all experimental sites, continued during 2004. These data along with data collected during previous years were analysed to produce outputs and develop various surface water and groundwater models. Results produced based on analyses of the collected data and their use in various models were presented in the international conference and to the external review panel in Changchun and Ningxia, China during July 2004. Further analyses of the data collected during 2004 are under way. Development and calibration of various models completed with the help of collected data. Scenario modelling is progressing according to plan.
Yinchuan Groundwater Resources: A groundwater model for each of the three aquifers has been developed and calibrated. A number of 'what-if' scenarios have been formulated for modelling. Interconnection between these three aquifers using isotopes techniques has been determined. The impacts of pumping shallow groundwater on water quality and quantity have been evaluated. The main findings are:
Shallow groundwater in the Yinchaun Plain is mainly controlled by both stationary and dynamic surface water bodies.
Leakage from irrigation and drainage systems is one of the primary sources of groundwater recharge.
Excessive irrigation also contributes to a significant portion of total groundwater recharge.
During most of the year, groundwater discharges to the Yellow River.
During irrigation periods the lakes are recharged by groundwater and during times of no irrigation the groundwater is recharged by lakes.
Following from these findings, the government of Ningxia province has taken steps to reduce the leakage from irrigation and drainage systems. This will help lower the groundwater levels and soil salinity in the Yinchuan Plain.
Modelling of 'what-if' scenarios is currently underway which will help devise best management strategies for the long term sustainability of groundwater resources of the Yinchuan Plain.
The Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry program has been conducting field experiments on new irrigation techniques, water saving techniques, estimation of seepage from irrigation structures and effects of using shallow groundwater for irrigation. The field experimental data have been analysed to improve water use efficiency, feasibility of conjunctive water use and minimise seepage from irrigation system.
Surface and groundwater interaction models developed for various sites in the Yinchuan Plain (Jinshan Lifted Canal, Sand Lake, Miotai and Jiangnan village) suggested that there is a high likelihood of geochemical interactions between soil and shallow groundwater helping the development of secondary salinity in the Yinchuan Plain; the groundwater is not suitable for irrigation and the conjunctive water use is not a feasible option in most of the Yinchuan Plain. Work on the evaluation of various irrigation management options on the accumulation of salts and chemistry in the root zone area is currently underway.
A groundwater model developed for the Sand Lake area showed the significance of groundwater levels in controlling lake water levels and developing and expanding adjacent brackish areas. Scenario modelling of lake water and groundwater levels and their impacts on the surrounding agricultural land is currently underway.
A surface water model (LASCAM) was developed for the Ord, Songnen Plain and Yinchuan Plain to study the impacts of landuse and climate change on the quantity and quality of flow from the catchment. The model was successfully calibrated using the long term flow and quality data. One Australian scientist travelled to Yinchuan during November 2004 for further training and to provide help in the formulation of modelling scenarios. These scenarios of various landuse options and climate changes are now being modelled.
A groundwater model for assessing the feasibility and offsite impacts of using groundwater irrigation in closed depressions (Dongdapao irrigation area and Songnen Plain) including regional groundwater system that supplies the depressions and water balance of the Tao'er River was developed and calibrated. Scenario modelling of groundwater pumping and its likely impacts both onsite and offsite are currently being carried out.
Field data have been collected and models for determining water use efficiencies for various crops and soil types have been constructed. The impacts of various irrigation management strategies on soil root zone salinity are currently being determined using LEACHC models.
Scenario modelling of various irrigation and drainage management strategies is underway and the impacts of these strategies on the sustainability of the water resources of the Ord irrigation area, Yinchuan Plain and Songnen Plain are being evaluated.
A successful international conference on water security for future generations was held between 26-31 July in Changchun, China. The conference was attended by 120 scientists from over 12 foreign countries and China. Key people included Dr Ian Willet and Mr. Chris Brittenden (ACIAR); Dr. Ramsis Salama and Dr. Riasat Ali (CSIRO Land and Water); Wu Jiamin, Zhang Yongting and Yao Jianhua (NBGMR); Deng Wei, Wang Zhichun, Zhang Guangxin and Hu Jingmin (NEIGAE).