Changes in drainage networks since 1820, Southern Tablelands, N.S.W.

Summary

During the well‐documented period of exploration and initial settlement of the Southern Tablelands, many drainage lines contained chains of ponds. Cultural influences, particularly ringbarking of trees and the grazing of sheep, cattle and rabbits between 1840 and 1950, caused many chains of ponds to be destroyed by channel entrenchment. Changes since 1820 have followed the sequence: chain of ‘scour’ ponds, discontinuous gully, continuously incised channel, channel containing ‘fixed bar’ ponds, permanently flowing stream. Since 1950, improvements in farm management practices and the application of soil conservation methods in certain catchments have further increased the diversity of fluvial forms. Changes are illustrated by evidence from early survey plans, aerial photographs and fieldwork.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R. J. Eyles

Research for his article was conducted while he was a Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of Biogeography and Geomorphology, Australian National University, Canberra, during 1975.