In order to capture some of the major components of the Lachlan catchment, the hypothetical case study
incorporated two major headwater storages; water users representing a spatial distribution of demands; and a
16,000 ha terminal wetland, represented in terms of wetland vegetation response (using River Red Gum
(Eucalyptus camaldulensis) as an indicator species). The influence of groundwater/surface water (GW/SW)
interactions on ecosystem response and optimization outcomes was examined for dry versus wet periods.