Estimation of suspended sediment loads and delivery in an incised upland headwater catchment, south-eastern Australia

Abstract

Historically upland headwater catchments in south-eastern Australia have undergone extensive gully erosion that has removed large amounts of sediment to lowlands. Recent research suggests these upland areas may continue to dominate fine sediment loads in lowland rivers. Improved understanding of sediment transfer through upland headwater catchments may have implications for interpreting downstream sediment supply. In this study a nested catchment design was utilized to examine suspended sediment yields and delivery from a small tributary sub-catchment (1.64 km2) to the study catchment outlet (53.5 km2). Monitoring of suspended sediment concentration and discharge was undertaken for a period ..