IMPACT | Episode 7 | Slowing the flow could solve Australian water issues

In major flood events tonnes of sediment and nutrients flow out of river systems into the ocean, and in some parts of Queensland directly onto the Great Barrier Reef.  But what if we slowed the flow? CQUniversity flood and water expert Dr Adam Rose believes slowing the velocity of water during flood events could have huge benefits for the environment, economies and communities. After researching multiple floods in Central Queensland, he recommends that retaining water upstream in river systems, through contouring, revegetation, and specialised water storage areas, could give water more time to infiltrate and percolate into our soils reducing sediment, nutrients and plastics flowing into the reef. And it's Adam's research that is making its way into a children's storybook in the hope of changing the current narrative about water issues in Australia. On today's podcast we chat with Dr Rose and book illustrator Yvonne McDonald.  This is the seventh episode of CQUniversity’s newest podcast series: IMPACT, exploring groundbreaking research projects and their real-world impacts.