Salinity Management in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In this article, the authors realize a broad synthesis of over 30 years of work on the salnity management in the Murray Darling Basin, Australia. This summary is first based on a detailed presentation of the study area. The available data and information are then synthesized in 3 parts concerning: hydrological processes of salinization; successively implemented salinity management strategies; and a focus on the main actions undertaken and their effectiveness. Information on the effectiveness of the various measures taken on the evolution of salinity is finally synthesized, as well as the expected developments in the future.
It is not, strictly speaking, a research article, or even an original work. However, I am completely convinced of the relevance and the interest of the approach allowing to put in perspective all the actions having contributed to what one can qualify as a "success story". There is no doubt that this experience will inspire the policies implemented by many countries in the future. In addition, the involvement of researchers in this type of approach should be encouraged. I therefore consider that this article deserves to be published in the newspaper subject to minor improvement.
It seems nevertheless regrettable that the scientific literature is so little mobilized to support the demonstration. The largest number of references come from authorities' reports. This is especially true when it comes to assessing the effectiveness of a number of measures or actions taken to manage salinity.
Author Response
We agree with the referee's comments regarding the originality of this paper.
We also note the comment regarding the lack of recording of successful implementation of strategies such as this salinity work in the scientific literature. This is one of the reasons we wished to publish this 'story'. Much of the story is in agency reports and as such will eventually be 'lost'.
The referee also recommended the paper be published 'subject to minor improvement', but did not indicate where these improvements might be made.
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript entitled “Salinity Management in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia” presents salinity management from the mid-1980’s to 2020 in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), Australia. This paper provided background to the salinity issue in the MDB, reviewed the three salinity management strategies, the various actions that have been implemented through these strategies to control salinity, and the role of the recent Basin Plan in salinity management. The paper further discussed the future of salinity in the MDB and identified the key success factors of the program. In general, the paper is well written and very informative to potential readers. I would like to recommend publication in the current form in the journal.
Author Response
We thank the referee for these comments
Reviewer 3 Report
This paper is a good quality technical report.
Author Response
We thank the referee for these comments.
Reviewer 4 Report
Dear Authors,
the submitted manuscript was very interesting to read, it is well written and except for a few minor changes to increase clarity on the units of measurement and in the graphics choose colors that do not blend together, I think it can be accepted in the current form.
Some commets details are inside the pdf version
My best regards
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
We thank the referee for these comments
We could only find two suggested changes in the attached pdf:
- Change 1,400 and 1,500 to 1400 and 1500 to avoid confusion regarding use of a comma as a full stop (in Europe)
- Colour scheme in Fig 5 - pink and red too close in colour
The changes have been made
