NESP TWQ Project 1.7 - Reducing sediment sources to the Reef: testing the effectiveness of managing alluvial gully erosion, 2015-2016 (GU)

Updated: 2026-06-25

Alluvial gully erosion contributes 20-40% of fine sediment from the three largest sediment contributing catchments to the GBR, yet there has been limited effort to manage this major sediment source. Cost effective reduction of sediment from these alluvial gullies requires data on effective management strategies. We will take advantage of a ‘natural experiment’ that occurred when Cyclone Ita passed over existing trial management sites in the Normanby catchment. The project will evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies to reduce erosion from alluvial gullies. To complement this, we will collect baseline data at additional sites in the Normanby and Burdekin catchments.