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Home>Water resources>Rivers and creeks
| What is surface water? | | Surface water is the generic term used to describe any water that can be found on the earth's surface. It includes water from rivers, creeks and catchment run-off water that is collected and stored in farm dams.
Surface water is replenished from rainfall. Although run-off from rainfall accounts for most of the water flow in rivers and creeks, a large number of permanent rivers and creeks start out as a result of groundwater (in the form of a spring) flowing into gullies and natural folds in the land.
Surface water is a limited resource, and needs to be managed sustainably to ensure that rivers and creeks, existing licence holders and the environment are protected.
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| How is surface water accessed? | | Surface water is commonly accessed by diverting water from rivers and creeks, usually by powered pumps or gravity fed systems.
Surface water is also commonly collected in farm dams (on-stream, hillside, gully dams and more). Further information about farm dams can be found by clicking here.
In most cases a licence is required to take and use surface water. For further information see the surface water licensing link to the left.
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| Surface water management in Southern Victoria | | Southern Rural Water's Groundwater and Rivers Business has a fundamental role in helping to protect and manage water resources across Southern Victoria in a region stretching from the South Australian border to the New South Wales border south of the Great Dividing Range.
Entire agricultural sectors and rural communities are built around these resources, including intensive dairy farming operations in South Western Victoria and the Gippsland region.
Vegetable and other horticultural crop production throughout Southern Victoria also relies on these vital water resources.
The Groundwater and Rivers Business manages licences to take and use surface water and has a number of responsibilities in accordance with the Water Act 1989 which include:
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 | Licence Management; ensuring that existing water users are complying with licence conditions to protect the resource, the environment, other users and stakeholders. | | Works Approvals; ensuring that proposed dams are properly constructed and sited. | | Water Allocations; assessing applications according to policies, environmental sustainability, and impacts on Victoria's water resources.
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| There are various rules, standards and regulations which apply to water users in Victoria.
All water users including irrigators, commercial and domestic and stock users should be aware of Victoria’s water rules.
The Water Act 1989 is the Act of Parliament under which Southern Rural Water operates and provides the basis for the rules under which Victoria's water users can access and take and use water.
Southern Rural Water aims to promote equitable management and access to Victoria’s water resources for all water users, the community and the environment.
The Groundwater and Rivers Business also supports the development and implementation of Stream Flow Management Plans. These plans document all existing licensed entitlements and identify proposed activities for managing restrictions, rosters and diversion limits.
Further information about surface water management is available by clicking here.
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| More information | | For more information, please contact us.
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