Ecological Hydraulic Analysis of Floodplains and Wetlands
Capabilities
- State-of-the-art hydrodynamic modelling of floodplain wetland environments
- Detailed understanding of the hydraulics of the existing environment
- Environmental water management options assessment, concept and detailed design
- Wetland water balance assessments
- Regulating structures design
- Fish passage structures design
- Evaluating ecological objectives
- Developing survey scopes for floodplain wetlands
- Design of physical and ecological monitoring programs
Overview
Floodplains and wetlands are an integral component of our catchments and rivers. They play an important role in shaping the hydrological flow regime of our waterways. They are the natural filters of the system, providing water quality benefits. They provide a unique and critical habitat for a great diversity of flora and fauna. All Australians, particularly indigenous Australians have developed strong links to our floodplains and wetlands. It is without question that our floodplains and wetlands are important features of our landscape, that require our understanding and care.
The Australian environment and ecology has developed to cope with high climatic variability. A recent feature of our occupation of the land is a great reduction in the variability in stream flow through river regulation. River regulation has led to a reduction in the magnitude, duration and frequency of flooding along our major river systems. Our floodplains and wetlands require this variability in flows in order to survive. In recent times we have seen a great decline in the general health of our floodplain wetlands. This requires immediate action.
Over the past four years Water Technology has established itself as a leader in environmental hydraulics, working on a number of floodplain wetland projects. In recognition of the specific requirements of these projects, Water Technology has established the Eco-Hydraulics Team led by Ben Tate. The Eco-Hydraulics Team are specialists in environmental hydraulics, with extensive experience using hydraulic modelling software, advanced analysis and GIS mapping techniques, to solve complex water related environmental problems.
It is imperative to the success of these studies that a tailored methodology be adopted specifically targeting the outcomes required by the client. The Eco-Hydraulics team has extensive experience in these studies, working on many of the Icon Sites of The Living Murray program. Through these studies the Eco-Hydraulics team has greatly assisted our clients to understand and manage these highly complex environments.
With a growing awareness of the complex issues facing our environment, and an increasing desire from our clients to preserve and restore its condition, Water Technology and the Eco-Hydraulics team can play a significant role in the future management of our environment by applying technical excellence to solving these critical environmental issues.
Selected Projects
Living Murray Hydrodynamic Modelling
Client: Goulburn Broken, North Central and Mallee Catchment Management Authorities, South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board
Water Technology has undertaken numerous hydrodynamic modelling projects under The Living Murray program. The principal objective of these projects was to create modelling tools capable of testing complex water management scenarios with detailed assessments of environmental performance. Read More…
Hydrodynamic Modelling of the Gwydir Wetlands
Client: Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (DECCW)
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) is currently in the process of developing hydrodynamic models for the Gwydir wetlands, the Macquarie Marshes and Yanga National Park as part of the science component of the Rivers Environmental Restoration Programme (RERP). A key objective of the RERP is to maximise the benefit of environmental water through improved scientific understanding of major wetland systems in NSW. Read More…