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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(4)

Soils fieldwork, analysis, and interpretation to support hydraulic and hydrodynamic modelling in the Murray floodplains

Jai Vaze A D , Brian R. Jenkins B , Jin Teng A and Narendra K. Tuteja B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A NSW Office of Water (DECCW), PO Box 189, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia.

B Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, PO Box 189, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia.

C Bureau of Meteorology, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Present address: CSIRO Land & Water, PO Box 1666, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Email: Jai.Vaze@csiro.au

Australian Journal of Soil Research 48(4) 295-308 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR09195
Submitted: 2 November 2009  Accepted: 29 January 2010   Published: 16 June 2010

Abstract

There are limited datasets which cover the heavy clays found in the Murray floodplain area. To understand the processes associated with the water balance within the Koondrook–Perricoota Forest (KPF), detailed hydraulic and hydrodynamic modelling of the flood inundation patterns and overland flow in the KPF is required. Reliable and accurate soils information is critical for any credible hydrologic or hydrodynamic modelling results. Extensive fieldwork across the entire KPF and detailed laboratory testing of the collected samples was undertaken to produce soils information including: spatial distribution of soil types, soil stratigraphy along the surface and subsurface flowpaths, soil hydraulic properties, soil salinity, and soil organic matter. Soil sampling and soil profile descriptions were undertaken at 26 sites spread across the forest. Deep drilling was done at 12 sites to check the existence of ancestral streams and for salinity profiles; soil hydrology testing to estimate infiltration rates was undertaken at 10 sites. Rapid appraisal methods for soil infiltration were developed for the project. Results were compared to soil pedotransfer functions generated from laboratory results; soil indexes including the dispersibilty index and electrochemical stability index; and typical infiltration and permeability rates inferred from soil texture and structure. The results from this study and the archived soil physical and hydraulic datasets can be used for any detailed hydraulic or hydrodynamic modelling exercise in the Murray floodplain area with similar soil properties.

Additional keywords: Murray River, infiltration, river red gum, Vertosols.


Acknowledgments

This work was carried out under The Living Murray Environmental Works and Measures Program. The authors would like to thank Digby Jacobs, Mike Erny, and Vincent Kelly from NSW Office of Water (Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water) for their support and encouragement. Thanks to DECCW management, especially David Harris, Len Banks, Peter Barker, Dugald Black, and Ross Williams for their support. Thanks to GIS modellers/analysts Georgina Spencer, Gregory Summerell, and Sandy Grant for useful discussions and suggestions. Thanks to David Lislie, Gary Rodda, Gary Miller, and Lindsay Johnson from NSW State Forests. Thanks to department of Commerce, NSW (Fred Spain) for undertaking the field survey. The funding for this project was provided by MDBC and we acknowledge useful comments and suggestion from Andrew Keogh and Jolanta Skawinski.


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