Hydrology of small catchments at Warra and hydrological effects of forest operations

Project name:	Hydrology of small catchments at Warra and hydrological effects of forest operations
Year started:	1997
Project number:	WRA031
Primary investigator:	Sandra Roberts
Other investigator(s):	Bill Neilsen, Carolyn Ringrose, Leon Bren, Rebecca Barton-Johnson, Sven Meyer
Enquiries:	warra.enquiries@forestrytas.com.au
Organisation(s):	Forestry Tasmania, University of Melbourne
Project type:	Professional
Project status:	Active

Project summary:

A major hydrology and water quality program has been established at the Warra Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Site. Weirs have been constructed on three streams, Warra Creek, Swanson Creek and King Creek, with a further 13 streams within the Warra Site sampled fortnightly.

The three objectives of the study are to:

characterise the variability of water quality in a pristine stream,

determine the impact of logging on stream hydrology and

obtain an overview of the water quality within the Warra LTER area.

Warra Creek, with a catchment of 442 ha, is to be retained as a pristine (control) catchment. Both Swanson Creek (84 ha) and King Creek (48 ha) catchments have been partially logged and further logging is planned. Initial data on water quality and quantity have now been analysed.

The three steams with weirs carry water that is coloured with organic matter. Although base flow turbidity for Warra Creek is low (<1 ntu), average turbidity is high at 11.5 ntu. Storm events in the area are generally associated with cold changes, resulting in drops in stream water temperature. Storm profiles are characterised by a rapid increase in stream flow followed by a gradual return to base levels. Turbidity is highest during initial storm flow, with a seasonal difference occurring in flow and turbidity. Streams in the Warra LTER site vary in their catchment geology and water chemistry. Work is under way to characterise the water colour and to determine the chemistry of the water.

Methodology:

Water quality/quantity measurements (flow, turbidity and tempertature) undertaken at 3 weirs and 13 streams fortnightly in the Warra LTER site. Water colour and chemistry to be undertaken…

Datasets:

None available.

Publications:

Ringrose, C., Meyer, S., Bren, L.J. & Neilsen, W.A. (2001). Hydrology of small catchments in the Warra LTER Site: objectives and preliminary analysis. Tasforests 13: 31-44.

Roberts, S. (2009). Water quality in the Warra Long-Term Ecological Research study area 1998-2006. CRC Forestry Technical Report 193.