Statistical power of detecting trends in total suspended sediment loads to the Great Barrier Reef

► We establish the power of detecting trends in sediment loads in two rivers in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. ► We describe a methodology for considering trends based on the notion that improvements would be reflected in lower expected concentration for a given discharge over time. ► We present a simulation study to consider a range of changes in sediment load and examine our ability to detect those changes.