Information

Level 4 Data Summaries

Key Findings (Brief)

The surface hydrological characteristics of three low lying sugarcane fields were measured and it was found that the regional drainage system controlled the runoff from the fields. The runoff from the fields was mainly submerged flow with free flow occurring only at the very beginning and at the very end of the runoff event.

The use of simple height stage recorders such as weirs, to measure discharge rates is not appropriate in environments such as the Lower Herbert Valley. Low relief slopes and non integrated drainage design complemented with high intensity and high volume of rainfall restricts the movement of water from low lying fields.

The inundation of sugarcane field was not the major cause of yield loss. The Rudd and Chardon model was found to be an excellent predictor of yield of sugarcane under conditions of excess water.

Manning's equation provided a relationship for the description of overland flow for sugarcane trash blanket. The surface water balance of the Main Palma's site shows that the water furrows act as a preferential pathway for runoff. The surface water balance revealed that on average 36% of the runoff from the field exits by the rows.

Key tables and figures extracted from data, literature and miscellaneous publications

Mitchell PhD thesis

 

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