Sydney Catchment Authority - Macquarie University Collaborative Research Project on fire and other catastrophic events.
Between 2004-2006 Associate Professor Geoff Humphreys and PhD student Kerrie Tomkins worked on a collaborative research project with the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) titled, Evaluating the effects of fire and other catastrophic events on sediment and nutrient transfer within SCA Special Areas. The project followed on from a post-fire erosion study involving colleagues from the UK and Australia, to examine the types and likelihood of extreme erosion events that could affect the quality and quantity of water flowing into Sydney’s main water supply reservoirs, particularly Lake Burragorang (Warragamba Dam). Wildfire, heavy rainfall events, flooding and even landslide potential were investigated within protected parts of the catchment areas.
The findings of the study were presented as three major technical reports and a final summary report designed for senior managers. The links to these reports appear below. Much of the technical reports have been turned into publications for quality journals, invited book chapters and conference proceedings.
Introduction and project overview:
Technical Report 1:
Review of the hazards, triggers, mechanisms and frequency-magnitude of extreme erosion-sedimentation events in southeastern Australia with emphasis on post-fire erosion
Technical Report 2:
Upland swamp development and erosion on the Woronora Plateau during the Holocene
Technical Report 3:
Triggers of extreme erosion-sedimentation events on hillslopes in the Nattai catchment
Technical Report 4:
Research outcomes and implications for the Sydney Catchment Authority.