Hydrological effects of floodgate management on coastal floodplain agriculture

This project has examined the processes causing poor drainage water quality from acid sulfate soil backswamps, quantified the water quality improvements resulting from floodgate opening strategies, quantified the effectiveness of acid groundwater retention strategies, and examined the salinity risks to sugar cane from opening floodgates.

Project Objectives:

1. To identify and quantify the effects of changes to floodgate and land management practices on groundwater and surface water drainage processes (quantity and quality), soil water chemistry, fish habitat quality, and the agricultural productivity of land adjacent to tidal drains/streams and in low-lying acid backswamps.

2. To use this knowledge with councils, industry, and landholders to develop floodgate management guidelines based on general principles which when coupled with appropriate site specific knowledge will help improve water quality and fish habitat whilst maintaining productive agricultural industries and flood control on coastal floodplains.

Publications and Resources

None listed

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Hydrological effects of floodgate management on coastal floodplain agriculture. [Online] (Updated July 30th, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3650 [Accessed Tuesday 12th of March 2013 02:37:22 PM ].