Objectives 

PROJECT CONCLUSIONS

LINKS

CONTACTS

* To directly quantify the present-day processes of floodwater infiltration, transmission losses and percolation through the channel bed into shallow aquifers. This will be done using newly developed technology that enables TDR monitoring of the deep vadose zone.

* To establish isotope-based indicator methods to identify active recharge sections and, therefore, potential development areas along alluvial aquifers.

* To extend the record of flood magnitude and chronology in the study basins using palaeoflood hydrology to obtain a better understanding of the long-term temporal distribution of recharging floods. In addition to providing long-term flooding potential for improved water resource management the results will indicate the sensitivity of flooding to climatic variability.

* To determine the contemporary and historical use of water resources by the village communities and to examine relationships with climatic variability and development.

* To characterise the riparian vegetation along the study reaches and to determine the ecological water use.

* To formulate and quantify a model of groundwater recharge from floodwaters along long reaches of ephemeral rivers in dryland environments.

* To enhance cooperation and collaboration among scientists, engineers, risk analysts, policy makers, government/management agencies and local communities along a river.