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WP2 Site Characterisation
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WADE
OBJECTIVES
APPROACH
STUDY AREAS
STUDY SITES
COMMUNITIY PARTICIPATION
WORK PACKAGES
WP2: Site
Characterisation
WP3: Palaeoflood Hydrology
WP4:
Hydrological Monitoring
WP5: TDR Demonstration
WP6: Modelling
WP7: Water Management
WP8: Results'
Dissemination
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS
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RESULTS
LATEST NEWS
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Objectives
Site characterisation has three principal goals: 1)
to determine the general characteristics and dynamics of the selected
ephemeral channels; 2) to choose the optimum sites for probe
installation and sample collection and 3) identify the role of alluvial
aquifers in the socio-economy of the catchments. Site characterisation
will integrate information from geomorphic, flood and palaeoflood
hydrology, soil and sediment information, knowledge on the local
groundwater and its use as a water resource.
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| Geomorphic Setting
Sedimentologic and geomorphic variables related to the flow and storage of
water along ephemeral channels will be evaluated to determine the best
sites for installation of soil probes and sampling and to form a
foundation for monitoring the results. This will include mapping of the
study reaches.
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| Riparian Ecosystems
Evapotranspiration by riparian ecosystems is a major loss component of
alluvial aquifers. The riparian ecosystems will be classified and
characterised. The distribution of classified riparian plant communities
will be mapped along the study reaches using ground mapping with base-maps,
photographs and ground truth evaluation. Evaporation losses will be
estimated based on existing eco-hydrological studies for the specified
classes of riparian vegetation.
Riparian vegetation of the Buffels River: Above, 305a
Acocks Aug 27th 1957; Below, 305b, Rohde & Hoffman, Nov 25th 2004.
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| Aquifer
Characterisation The aquifers at the study sites will be
delineated and represented in GIS compatible format as polygon maps of the
total elevation of the top and base of the aquifer. Aquifer thickness is
derived by discretisation of the aquifer boundaries and mathematical
raster rendering processes within a GIS environment. The physical
properties of alluvial aquifers – their hydraulic properties, conductivity
and effective porosity – are estimated based on a combination of field
data and previous sedimentological studies. Available stratigraphic
classifications are standardized and linked to databases of granulometric
studies and respective hydraulic properties in arid alluvial bodies.
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| Socio-economic
Characterisation To evaluate the socio-economic importance of
alluvial aquifers in terms of the available water resources within the
study catchments. Spatial and temporal patterns of water consumption will
be evaluated for the study catchments based on a socio-anthropological
approach and working closely with the WADE end-users. |
