Whitford, J. A. and Newham, L. T. H. and Vigiak, O. and Melland, A. R. and Roberts, A. M. (2010) Rapid assessment of gully sidewall erosion rates in data-poor catchments: a case study in Australia. Geomorphology, 118 (3/4). pp. 330-338. ISSN 0169-555X
Abstract
Knowledge of erosion rates and sediment yields from gullies is critical for the effective prioritisation of management efforts aimed at reducing the impact of gully-derived sediments on water quality. This paper describes a rapid assessment method for estimating sidewall gully erosion rates for already established gully networks. It combines a conceptual-empirical model of the cycle of gully initiation and stabilisation with an easy-to-apply technique for assessing gully extent and dimensions. The method is illustrated using a case study of the Avon-Richardson Catchment of north-central Victoria, Australia. It is estimated that a total of 4.6×106tonnes of sediment have been generated in that catchment from gully erosion since the latest major phase of gullying in the mid 1800s. This is equivalent to 8.9tha-1y-1 if sediment generation was evenly distributed spatially and temporally across the 3300km2 catchment over 160years prior to 2010. Current rates of gully erosion are estimated to be 4700ty-1 (equivalent to 1.4tha-1y-1). The results are comparable with observed rates of sidewall erosion in the Avon-Richardson Catchment. Further testing is required to build confidence in its applicability to assess sediment yields and for assisting regional authorities to plan remediation efforts.
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| Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | © 2010 Elsevier B.V. Permanent restricted access to published version in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
| Faculty / Department / School: | Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Aug 2014 06:37 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Aug 2014 05:33 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | erosion rates; gully erosion model; rapid assessment; sediment generation |
| Fields of Research : | 04 Earth Sciences > 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience > 040608 Surfacewater Hydrology 04 Earth Sciences > 0403 Geology > 040310 Sedimentology 05 Environmental Sciences > 0503 Soil Sciences > 050302 Land Capability and Soil Degradation |
| Socio-Economic Objective: | D Environment > 96 Environment > 9614 Soils > 961499 Soils not elsewhere classified |
| Identification Number or DOI: | 10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.01.013 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/25778 |
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