SOIL MOISTURE AND METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FROM THE MURRUMBIDGEE CATCHMENT

Transcription

1 SOIL MOISTURE AND METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FROM THE MURRUMBIDGEE CATCHMENT Rodger Young, Jeffrey Walker, Nicholas Yeoh, Adam Smith, Kevin Ellett, Olivier Merlin and Andrew Western Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering The University of Melbourne 13 May, 2008 Acknowlegements : Initial site installation and maintenance was funded by the CRC for Hydrology (old sites) and Australian Research Council Discovery Grant DP (new sites). Ongoing site maintenance and sensor calibration (new sites) has been funded by Australian Research Council Discovery Grants DP and DP Support from the Australian Research Council Network for Earth System Science (ARCNESS) to develop a NetCDF version of the data set together with supporting documentation to facilitate its dissemination to the broader scientific community is also acknowledged.

2 0.0 SUMMARY: This report describes the soil moisture and meteorological data set from the 100,000km 2 Murrumbidgee experimental catchment in southern New South Wales, Australia. The data set includes soil moisture from 18 old sites since 2001 and 20 new sites since In addition to the rainfall data measured at the soil moisture sites, meteorological data from neighbouring Bureau of Meteorology automatic weather stations is also provided to facilitate the use of this data in land surface modelling studies. The diverse climatic, topographic and land cover characteristics of the Murrumbidgee, typical of much of Australia, make it an excellent demonstration test-bed for land surface model development. moisture monitoring sites are distributed across the catchment, with a concentration of sites in three regions. This data set and supporting documentation is available on the World Wide Web at The data is available in Excel, ascii and NetCDF formats. 1.0 DATA SET OVERVIEW: The Murrumbidgee Moisture Monitoring Network (MSMMN) consists of thirty eight stations distributed across the Murrumbidgee River Basin, NSW, Australia (see figures 1, 2 & 3). Over time two distinct monitoring stations configurations were established: 18 - old sites (see schematic 1 and table 1) and 20 - new sites (see schematic 2 and table 2). Tables 3 & 4 provide summaries of sensor characteristics for both the old and new sites respectively. Data measured at the old sites includes soil moisture, soil temperature, soil suction and rainfall (see table 5). The new sites replicate the old sites, but do not include soil suction instruments and only measure temperature at two depths (see table 6). At the old sites raingauges are installed at 2.5m and are above the canopy, while at new sites they are installed at 0.5m. All other sensors are in-ground sensors. Moreover, different soil moisture sensors were used in the two installations due to changes in sensor technology from 2001 to Figure 1. Variation in annual rainfall across Australia. The Murrumbidgee catchment is outlined in yellow. Figure 2: The Murrumbidgee Moisture Monitoring Network. The catchment topography is also shown.

3 Figure 3: The Murrumbidgee showing locations of soil moisture monitoring stations; background is a public domain real colur landsat image. The 18 - old sites numbered, M1-M7, A1-A5, K1-K5 and Y3, were established in 2001 under the CRC for Hydrology, while the 20 - new sites numbered, K6- K8, K10-K14, Y1, Y2 and Y4-Y13, were established in 2003 and maintained under a series of ARC grants (see tables 1 & 2 for precise locations). The old site data are available from the Austral spring 2001 to present, and the new site data are available from the Austral spring 2003 to present. The data set will be updated with new measurements periodically. 1.0 CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION: The Murrumbidgee is a 100,000 km 2 catchment located in southeast of Australia with latitude ranging from 33S to 37S and longitude from 143E to 150E. There is significant spatial variability in climate (alpine to semi-arid), soils, vegetation and land use. Figure 2 shows the catchment topography with elevation varying from 50m in the west of the catchment to in excess of 2000m in the east. Climate variations are primarily associated with elevation, varying from semi-arid in the west, where the average annual precipitation is 300mm, to temperate in the east, where average annual precipitation reaches 1900mm in the Snowy Mountains. The evapotranspiration (ET) in the Murrumbidgee is about the same as precipitation in the west but represents only half of the precipitation in the east. s in the Murrumbidgee vary from sandy to clayey, with the western plains being dominated by finer-textured soils and the eastern half of the catchment being dominated by medium-to-coarse textured soils.

4 Landuse in the catchment is predominantly agricultural with the exception of steeper parts of the catchment, which are a mixture of native eucalypt forests and exotic forest plantations. Agricultural landuse varies greatly in intensity and includes pastoral, more intensive grazing, broad-acre cropping, and intensive agriculture in irrigation areas along the mid-lower Murrumbidgee. 2.0 INSTRUMENTATION DESCRIPTION: Each soil moisture site of the Murrumbidgee monitoring network measures the soil moisture at 0-5cm with soil dielectric sensor (Stevens Hydraprobe ) or 0-8cm, 0-30cm, 30-60cm and 60-90cm with water content reflectometers (Campbell Scientific) (see tables 5 & 6). Hydraprobes are soil dielectric sensor operating at 50MHz. At each measurement point, a volumetric soil moisture value is inferred from the real component of the measured relative dielectric constant (DC) and the conductivity (linked to salinity) from the imaginary component. Because the real component of DC(εr) may vary with temperature, a temperature correction is proposed by the manufacturer that uses the measured soil temperature at the sensor mean depth of 2.5cm. The water content was then calculated from the temperature-corrected real DC via a calibration equation that incorporates the effects of soil properties from samples that include a wide range of soil types ranging from sand to clay. Reflectometers consist of a printed circuit board connected to two parallel stainless steel rods that act as wave guides. They measure the travel time of an output pulse to estimate changes in the bulk soil dielectric constant. The period is converted to volumetric water content with a calibration equation parameterised with soil type and soil temperature. Such sensors operate in a lower range of frequencies ( MHz) than Time Domain Reflectometers TDR ( MHz). moisture sites also continuously monitor precipitation (using the tipping bucket raingauge TB4) and soil temperature. Additionally Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) sensors are installed and are monitored periodically when sites are visited to provide additional calibration information and ongoing checks on the reflectometers. All stations (except for one) in Yanco and (except for five) in Kyeamba were installed throughout late 2003 and early 2004 (new sites) while the eighteen other stations have operated since late 2001 (old sites). Schematics 1 and 2 illustrate the differences between the old and new sites. The old sites use the Water content reflectometer CS615 (Campbell, while the new sites use the updated version CS616 (Campbell, which operates at a somewhat higher measurement frequency (175MHz compared with 44MHz). The old sites monitor soil temperature and soil suction (in the kPa range) at the midpoint of the four layers 0-8cm, 0-30cm, 30-60cm and 60-90cm, whereas the new sites only monitor 15cm soil temperature from T-107 thermistors (Campbell, All new sites have been upgraded since April 2006 to include a 0-5cm soil moisture and 2.5cm soil temperature from a (modified) HydraProbe (Stevens Water; aspx?sku='70030').

5 Schematic 1 : Old site sensor installation. Schematic 2 : New site sensor installation.

6 Site # Table 1 Coordinates for each of the old site stations together with a summary of meteorological, topographical and landscape characteristics. Detailed soil characteristics are not currently available for these sites. The old site # refers to the numbering system used in earlier documentation that describes the old sites. Old Site # Annual Precipitation (mm) Annual areal potential evapotranspiration (mm) Name Latitude (WGS84) Longitude (WGS84) Elevation (m AHD) Land Use Slope (%) Aspect (deg) M1 1 Cooma Airfield Grassland ~ M2 2 Canberra Airport Grassland ~ M3 3 Cootamundra A drome Grassland ~ M4 4 West Wyalong Airfield Grassland ~ M5 5 Balranald-Bolton Park Grazing ~ M6 6 Hay AWS Grazing ~ M7 7 Griffith Aerodrome Grassland ~ A1 16 Keenan Grazing A2 17 Strathvale Grazing A3 15 Weeroona Grazing A4 10 Rochedale Grazing A5 18 Crawford Grazing K1 12 Waitara Grazing K2 14 Kyeamba Downs Grazing K3 13 Kyeamba Station Grazing K4 11 Ginninderra Crop/grazing K5 9 Ginninderra Grazing Y3 8 Yanco Research Station Grassland ~

7 New Site Table 2 Coordinates for each of the new site stations together with a summary of meteorological, topographical and landscape characteristics. Detailed soil characteristics are provided in Appendix 2. Annual Precipitation (mm) Annual areal potential evapotranspiration (mm) # Name Latitude (WGS84) Longitude (WGS84) Elevation (m AHD) Land Use Slope (%) Aspect (deg) K6 Cox Grazing K7 Wollumbi Grazing ~ K8 Benwerrin Grazing K10 Alabama Grazing ~ K11 Silver Springs Grazing K12 Samarra Crop/grazing ~ K13 Evergreen Grazing K14 Kyeamba Mouth Grazing ~ Y1 Uri Park Crop/grazing ~ Y2 Banandra Grazing ~ Y4 Eulo Irrig.crop/grazing ~ Y5 Dry Lake Cropping ~ Y6 S. Coleambally Irrigated crop ~ Y7 Yamma Rd Grazing ~ Y8 Wynella Grazing ~ Y9 Yammacoona Irrigated crop ~ Y10 Cheverelis Grazing ~ Y11 Bundure Grazing ~ Y12 Spring Bank Crop/grazing ~ Y13 Widgiewa Grazing ~

8 Table 3: Old site sensor description and characteristics summary. Sensor Make and Model Accuracy Resolution Measurement range moisture temperature suction Campbell Scientific CS615 Water content reflectometer 0.025m 3 /m 3 rms error 0.001m 3 /m 3 Unidata 6507A Thermistors ±0.2 ºC 0.1ºC to 162ºC Measurement Engineering Australia Gypsum Block Hydrological Services TB4/0.2mm tipping bucket raingauge 1.5-4% of measured value ±5% 0.2mm kPa Table 4: New site sensor description and characteristics summary. Sensor Make and Model Accuracy Resolution Measurement range Surface soil moisture Surface soil temperature moisture temperature Stevens Hydra Probe 0.033m 3 /m 3 rms error 0.001m3/m3 Stevens Hydra Probe ±0.6 ºC 0.1ºC -10 to 65ºC Campbell Scientific CS616 Water content reflectometer Campbell Scientific T107 Temperature Thermistors Hydrological Services TB4/0.2mm tipping bucket raingauge m 3 /m 3 rms error 0.001m 3 /m 3 ±0.1ºC 0.1ºC -35 to 50ºC ±5% 0.2mm

9 Table 5: Old site sensor installation / measurement depths. New Site # M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 Y3 K5 A4 K4 K1 K3 K2 A3 A1 A2 A5 Name Cooma Airfield Canberra Airport Cootamundra Aerodrome West Wyalong Airfield Balranald- Bolton Park Hay AWS (UNSW Field Station) Griffith Aerodrome Yanco Research Station Kyeamba- Ginninderra (Gentle Slope) Adelong- Rochedale Kyeamba- Ginninderra (Flats) Kyeamba-Waitara Kyeamba Kyeamba- Kyeamba Downs Adelong- Weeroona Adelong-Keenan Adelong- Strathvale Adelong- Crawford(Flat) Moisture (cm) 0-8, 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, , 0-30, 30-60, temperature (cm) water suction (cm) 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 59 4, 15, 45, 59 4, 15, 45, , 15, 45, , 15, 45, 70 4, 15, 45, 66 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 42 4, 15, 42 4, 15, 45, 66 4, 15, 45, , 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 74 4, 15, 45, 74 4, 15, 45, , 15, 45, , 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75 4, 15, 45, 75

10 Table 6: New site sensor installation / measurement depths. New Site # K6 K7 K8 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 Y1 Y2 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10 Y11 Y12 Y13 Name Cox Wollumbi Benwerrin Alambama Silver Springs Samarra Evergreen Kyeamba Mouth Uri Park Banandra Eulo Dry Lake S. Coleambally Yamma Rd. Wynella Yammacoona Cheverelis Bundure Spring Bank Widgiewa Moisture Temperature (cm) (cm) 0-5, 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , , 0-30, 30-60, , 15

11 4.0 SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR CALIBRATION Sensor response to soil moisture varies with salinity, density, soil type and temperature. Consequently soil moisture sensor calibration has being undertaken using both laboratory and field measurements. The in-situ calibration consists of comparing reflectometer measurements with both field gravimetric samples and occasional TDR readings. As the CS615 and CS616 sensors are particularly sensitive to soil temperature fluctuations the temperature sensors were installed to provide a continuous record of soil temperature at the midpoint of reflectometers. At the new sites, deeper temperatures are assumed to have the same characteristics across the Yanco and Kyeamba sites and are therefore estimated from soil temperature profile measurements made at the old soil moisture sites. Calibration of the CS615 sensors located at the old sites is detailed in Western et al. (2005) and Western and Seyfried (2005), while calibration of the CS616 sensors at the new sites is detailed in Yeoh et al. (2008). Calibration of the Stevens Hydra Probe is described in Merlin et al. (2007). The CS615, CS616 and Hydra Probe data have been temperature corrected and calibration relationships applied as per the documents above for each sensor. The calibration results suggested an overall root mean squared error of between 0.021m 3 /m 3 and 0.051m 3 /m 3 depending on the sensor type and sensor location (see tables 3 and 4). The processed soil moisture data shows some diurnal variations (see figures 4 & 5), which is believed to be a result of some residual temperature effects and actual diurnal variations in soil moisture due to ET flux and water potential gradients in the near surface soil.

12 K1 Spring 2006 Daily SM 0-8cm SM 0-30cm SM 30-60cm SM 60-90cm Moisture (%vol) Data Missed Daily (mm) Sep Sep Sep-06 1-Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov-06 / Time 0 Figure 4: Time series of soil moisture and rainfall plotted from one of the old sites at Kyeamba Creek showing diurnal variation in the soil moisture sensor responses. K14 Spring 2006 Daily SM 0-5cm SM 0-30cm SM 30-60cm SM 60-90cm Moisture (%vol) Daily (mm) Sep Sep Sep-06 1-Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov-06 / Time 0 Figure 5: Time series of soil moisture and rainfall plotted from one of the new sites at Kyeamba Creek also showing diurnal variation in the soil moisture sensor responses.

13 5.0 DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING: There are two components to this data set. The first component is the field measured rainfall, soil moisture, soil temperature and soil water suction from the Murrumbidgee Monitoring Network described in the earlier sections of this report. The second component is the model forcing data sets developed from observations made by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. These two components are discussed in turn. At the 18 old sites, soil moisture, soil temperature, soil suction and site measured rainfall data are recorded using Unidata Starloggers. The soil temperature and rainfall accumulation are measured at a six-minute interval, but provided at a 30- minute interval that matches the measurement interval for soil moisture and soil water suction. The soil moisture, soil temperature and soil suction are instantaneous measurements, and the rainfall is reported as 6-minute, 30-minute and daily accumulations. At the 20 new sites, soil moisture, soil temperature and site measured rainfall data are recorded using Campbell Scientific loggers. The soil moisture and soil temperature are measured as an average of 20 one-minute sensor readings, and the rainfall for every 0.2mm of rain collected (at one second resolution). The rainfall is reported here as 6-minute, 20-minute and daily accumulations. Raingauge calibrations have been checked using a raingauge calibrator that releases the equivalent of 20mm of water into the raingauge in a controlled manner over approximately 13 minutes. temperature data are required for temperature correcting the CS615 and CS616 signals, whereas the modified Hydra Probe itself measures soil temperature directly at an appropriate depth to correct the soil moisture component of the signal. Where soil temperature is missing (primarily at old sites) it has been infilled from nearby sites. Thus all soil moisture estimates supplied in the data set have been temperature corrected; however, the infilled temperature has not been included in the data made publicly available and has instead been flagged as missing. Sites were visited every few months so as to undertake various maintenance tasks. Data checking procedures are described in the section below. The model forcing data sets were developed primarily from Australian Bureau of Meteorology observations, with the exception of rainfall. For the old sites, rainfall was observed locally at the site but was supplemented by Bureau observations where there was missing data and for the period from 1 January 2000 to the establishment of each particular site in the observation network. The three intensive soil moisture monitoring areas, Kyeamba Creek, Adelong Creek, and Yanco, each have only one forcing data set. Some estimation and translation of observations was required and the methods used to achieve this are described in Siriwardena et al.

14 (2003). This is particularly the case for radiation estimates, as there is only a sparse radiation observation network in Australia. 6.0 QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES All data from the soil moisture monitoring stations has been visually inspected to identify errors. This checking included comparisons between soil layers and with rainfall. In addition to visual inspections, tipping bucket raingauge data has been checked using double mass plots of daily accumulations to identify periods where gauges were not working. For most sites this was done by comparing the recorded data with Bureau of Meteorology data. Raingauge catch rates generally agreed within 5%. For the Kyeamba Creek and Adelong Creek, rainfall measurements from neighbouring soil moisture stations were compared. Erroneous data were removed from the data base and are flagged as missing data. 7.0 GAP FILLING PROCEDURES No gap filling of data from the soil moisture monitoring stations has been undertaken. All missing or poor quality data are flagged as -99. The methods used to develop the forcing data sets are described in detail in Siriwardena et al. (2003). 8.0 DATA REMARKS: These data are generally of high and known quality. There are two known artefacts in the data set. 1. The 0-5cm, 0-8cm and 0-30cm soil moisture data contain a diurnal variation that we believe may be partially due to an uncorrected temperature effect on the soil moisture measurements. 2. At the old sites, the tipping bucket raingauges are installed at 2.5m above the ground, making them vulnerable to some under-catch due to wind effects. Comparisons with daily data from co-located Bureau of Meteorology gauges installed below 1m indicate some evidence of an undercatch of mm for this for very daily small (<5 mm) rainfall totals at Balranald, Canberra, Cootamundra and West Wyalong. There is no discernable difference for larger events. These data (forcing data, soil moisture, soil temperature) have been used in a modelling study by Richter et al. (2004). No evidence of data problems was found during that study.

15 9.0 REFERENCE REQUIREMENTS: The following paper must be referenced in all publications derived from use of this data set. Smith A.B., Chiew, F.H.S., Ellett, K.M., Grayson, R.B., Pipunic, R.C., Richter, H., Shoemark, V., Siriwidena, L., Summerell, G., Walker, J.P., Western, A.W., and Young, R.I. The Murrumbidgee Moisture Monitoring Network Data Set, Water Resources Research, In review REFERENCES: Merlin, O., Walker, J. P., Panciera, R., Young, R., Kalma, J.D. and Kim, E.J., (2007). Calibration of a Moisture Sensor in Heterogeneous Terrain with the National Airborne Field Experiment (NAFE) Data. In Oxley L. and Kulasiri D. (Eds), MODSIM 2007 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand, December 2007, Richter, H., Western, A.W. and Chiew, F.H.S., (2004). The Effect of and Vegetation Parameters in the ECMWF Land Surface Scheme. Journal of Hydrometeorology, 5(6), Siriwardena, L., Chiew, F., Ritchter, H. and Western, A. (2003). Preparation of a climate data set for the Murrumbidgee river catchment for land surface modeling experiments. Working Document 03/1, CRC for Hydrology, February pp. Western, AW and Seyfried, MS, (2005). A Calibration and Temperature Correction Procedure for the Water Content Reflectometer. Hydrological Processes, 19, Western, A.W., Young, R.I., Chiew, F., (2005). Murrumbidgee Moisture Monitoring Network Field Calibration. Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrology. Yeoh, N., Walker, J.P., Young, R.I., Rudiger, C., Smith, A.B., Ellett, K.M., Pipunic, R.C., Western, A.W. (2008). Calibration of the Murrumbidgee Monitoring Network CS616 Moisture Sensors. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The University of Melbourne.

16 11.0 CONTACTS: Assoc.Prof Jeffrey Walker Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia Phone : Fax: Assoc.Prof Andrew Western Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia a.western@unimelb.edu.au Phone : Fax:

17 APPENDIX 1 : OLD SITE DESCRIPTIONS SITE DESCRIPTION Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Adelong Creek A1 Lat Long Elev 834m Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 1360 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms A1 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006

18 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Adelong Creek A2 Lat Long Elev 567m Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 1193 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms A2 Data Availability Timeline Site destroyed by grass fire 13/1/05 (not replaced) 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006

19 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Adelong Creek A3 Lat Long Elev 503m Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 1329 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms A3 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

20 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Adelong Creek A4 Lat Long Elev 536m Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 900 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms A4 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

21 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Adelong Creek A5 Lat Long Elev 375m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 936 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms A5 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

22 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Kyeamba Creek K1 Lat Long Elev 435m Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 730 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms K1 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

23 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Kyeamba Creek K2 Lat Long Elev 338m Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 728 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms K2 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

24 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Kyeamba Creek K3 Lat Long Elev 311m Gentle Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 725 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms K3 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

25 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Kyeamba Creek K4 Lat Long Elev 295m Gentle Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 732 mm Improved pasture/oats Grazing/crop AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms K4 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

26 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Kyeamba Creek K5 Lat Long Elev 322m Gentle Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 749 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms K5 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

27 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Murrumbidgee M1 Lat Long Elev 937m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 555 mm Grass Grassland AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms M1 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

28 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Murrumbidgee M2 Lat Long Elev 576m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 643 mm Grass Grassland AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms M2 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

29 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Murrumbidgee M3 Lat Long Elev 333m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 668 mm Grass Grassland AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms M3 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

30 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Murrumbidgee M4 Lat Long Elev 257m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 506 mm Grass Grassland AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms M4 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

31 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Murrumbidgee M5 Lat Long Elev 62m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 333 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms M5 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

32 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Murrumbidgee M6 Lat Long Elev 89m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 368 mm Improved pasture Grazing AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms M6 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

33 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Murrumbidgee M7 Lat Long Elev 137m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 437 mm Grass Grassland AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms M7 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

34 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Murrumbidgee Y3 Lat Long Elev 144m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 442 mm Grass Grassland AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 1/12/01 Moist 0-8cms Moist 0-30cms Moist 30-60cms Moist 60-90cms Temp 4cms Temp 15cms Temp 45cms Temp 75cms Suct 4cms Suct 15cms Suct 45cms Suct 75cms Y3 Data Availability Timeline 1/12/ /03/ /06/ /09/2002 5/01/ /04/ /07/2003 1/11/2003 9/02/ /05/ /08/2004 5/12/ /03/ /06/2005 1/10/2005 9/01/ /04/ /07/2006 5/11/2006

35 APPENDIX 2 : NEW SITE DESCRIPTIONS SITE DESCRIPTION Site Name Location Kyeamba Creek K6 Lat Long Elev 317m Terrain Gentle sloping Silty loam: clay 6.51%/silt 38.3%/sand 55.2%, mm Annual Precipitation 768 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 10/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 5/11/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM K6 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 5/11/ /02/ /05/ /08/2004 9/12/ /03/ /06/2005 5/10/ /01/ /04/2006 1/08/2006 9/11/ /02/ /05/2007 5/09/ /12/2007

36 Kyeamba Creek Site Name K7 Location Lat Long Elev 259m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 10.2%/silt 31.8%/sand 58.0%, mm Annual Precipitation 685 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 10/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 5/11/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp K7 Data Availability Timeline 5/11/ /02/ /05/ /08/2004 9/12/ /03/ /06/2005 5/10/ /01/ /04/2006 1/08/2006 9/11/ /02/ /05/2007 5/09/ /12/2007

37 Kyeamba Creek Site Name K8 Location Lat Long Elev 326m Terrain Gentle sloping Silty loam: clay 9.3%/silt 27.7%/sand 63.0%, mm Annual Precipitation 704 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 8/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 5/11/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM K8 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 5/11/ /02/ /05/ /08/2004 9/12/ /03/ /06/2005 5/10/ /01/ /04/2006 1/08/2006 9/11/ /02/ /05/2007 5/09/ /12/2007

38 Kyeamba Creek Site Name K10 Location Lat Long Elev 232m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 8.1%/silt 49.5%/sand 42.4%, mm Annual Precipitation 641 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 9/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 6/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp K10 Data Availability Timeline 6/12/ /03/ /06/2004 1/10/2004 9/01/ /04/ /07/2005 5/11/ /02/ /05/2006 1/09/ /12/ /03/ /06/2007 6/10/2007

39 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Kyeamba Creek K11 Lat Long Elev 327m Gentle Sloping n.a. Annual Precipitation 783 mm Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 9/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 4/11/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp K11 Data Availability Timeline 4/11/ /02/ /05/ /08/2004 8/12/ /03/ /06/2005 4/10/ /01/ /04/ /07/2006 8/11/ /02/ /05/2007 4/09/ /12/2007

40 Kyeamba Creek Site Name K12 Location Lat Long Elev 220m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 8.4%/silt 33.4%/sand 58.2%, mm Annual Precipitation 596 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 9/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 5/11/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM K12 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 5/11/ /02/ /05/ /08/2004 9/12/ /03/ /06/2005 5/10/ /01/ /04/2006 1/08/2006 9/11/ /02/ /05/2007 5/09/ /12/2007

41 Kyeamba Creek Site Name K13 Location Lat Long Elev 261m Terrain Gentle sloping Silty loam: clay 4.0%/silt 21.0%/sand 75.0%, mm Annual Precipitation 623 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 9/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 16/11/03 K13 Data Availability Timeline Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 16/11/ /02/2004 3/06/ /09/ /12/ /03/2005 8/07/ /10/ /01/2006 4/05/ /08/ /11/ /02/2007 8/06/ /09/ /12/2007

42 Kyeamba Creek Site Name K14 Location Lat Long Elev 184m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 10.2%/silt 50.9%/sand 38.9%, mm Annual Precipitation 544 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 9/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 6/11/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp K14 Data Availability Timeline 6/11/ /02/ /05/2004 1/09/ /12/ /03/ /06/2005 6/10/ /01/ /04/2006 2/08/ /11/ /02/ /05/2007 6/09/ /12/2007

43 Yanco-Coleambally Site Name Y1 Location Lat Long Elev 120m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 13.3%/silt 32.1%/sand 54.6%, mm Annual Precipitation 416 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 10/6/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 27/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM Y1 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 27/12/2003 5/04/ /07/ /10/ /01/ /05/ /08/ /11/2005 6/03/ /06/ /09/ /12/ /04/ /07/ /10/2007

44 Yanco-Coleambally Site Name Y2 Location Lat Long Elev 130m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 17.2%/silt 45.8%/sand 37.1%, mm Annual Precipitation 426 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 20/4/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 16/1/04 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM Y2 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 16/01/ /04/2004 3/08/ /11/ /02/ /05/2005 7/09/ /12/ /03/2006 4/07/ /10/ /01/ /04/2007 8/08/ /11/2007

45 Site Name Location Yanco-Coleambally Y4 Lat Long Elev 130m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 19.4%/silt 33.2%/sand 47.4%, mm Annual Precipitation 417 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Irrigated crop/grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 29/5/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 21/12/03 Y4 Data Availability Timeline Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 21/12/ /03/2004 8/07/ /10/ /01/2005 4/05/ /08/ /11/ /02/2006 8/06/ /09/ /12/2006 4/04/ /07/ /10/2007

46 Yanco-Coleambally Site Name Y5 Location Lat Long Elev 136m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 11.7%/silt 21.4%/sand 66.9%, mm Annual Precipitation 435 mm Vegetation Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 12/10/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 29/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp Y5 Data Availability Timeline 29/12/2003 7/04/ /07/ /10/2004 1/02/ /05/ /08/ /11/2005 8/03/ /06/ /09/2006 2/01/ /04/ /07/ /10/2007

47 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Yanco-Coleambally Y6 Lat Long Elev 121m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 411 mm Oats Irrigated crop Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 4/7/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 21/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM Y6 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 21/12/ /03/2004 8/07/ /10/ /01/2005 4/05/ /08/ /11/ /02/2006 8/06/ /09/ /12/2006 4/04/ /07/ /10/2007

48 Yanco-Coleambally Site Name Y7 Location Lat Long Elev 128m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 25.1%/silt 36.3%/sand 38.6%, mm Vegetation Annual Precipitation 424 mm Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 13/10/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 17/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM Y7 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 17/12/ /03/2004 4/07/ /10/ /01/ /04/2005 8/08/ /11/ /02/2006 4/06/ /09/ /12/ /03/2007 9/07/ /10/2007

49 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Yanco-Coleambally Y8 Lat Long Elev 149m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 451 mm Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 11/10/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 11/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM Y8 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 11/12/ /03/ /06/2004 6/10/ /01/ /04/2005 2/08/ /11/ /02/ /05/2006 6/09/ /12/ /03/2007 3/07/ /10/2007

50 Yanco-Coleambally Site Name Y9 Location Lat Long Elev 122m Terrain Flat Silty loam: clay 13.9%/silt 32.8%/sand 53.3%, mm Vegetation Annual Precipitation 416 mm Oats Irrigated crop Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 13/10/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 17/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM Y9 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 17/12/ /03/2004 4/07/ /10/ /01/ /04/2005 8/08/ /11/ /02/2006 4/06/ /09/ /12/ /03/2007 9/07/ /10/2007

51 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Yanco-Coleambally Y10 Lat Long Elev 119m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 437 mm Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 13/10/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 9/1/04 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM Y10 Data Availability Timeline T107 15cm Temp 9/01/ /04/ /07/2004 4/11/ /02/ /05/ /08/2005 9/12/ /03/ /06/2006 5/10/ /01/ /04/2007 1/08/2007 9/11/2007

52 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Yanco-Coleambally Y11 Lat Long Elev 113m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 406 mm Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 13/10/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 8/1/04 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM Y11 Data Availability Timeline T107 15cm Temp 8/01/ /04/ /07/2004 3/11/ /02/ /05/ /08/2005 8/12/ /03/ /06/2006 4/10/ /01/ /04/ /07/2007 8/11/2007

53 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Yanco-Coleambally Y12 Lat Long Elev 120m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 428 mm Oats/improved pasture Crop/grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 13/10/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 11/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM Y12 Data Availability Timeline CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp 11/12/ /03/ /06/2004 6/10/ /01/ /04/2005 2/08/ /11/ /02/ /05/2006 6/09/ /12/ /03/2007 3/07/ /10/2007

54 Site Name Location Terrain, mm Vegetation Yanco-Coleambally Y13 Lat Long Elev 121m Flat n.a. Annual Precipitation 439 mm Improved pasture Grazing Site Upgrades : Hydra Probe installed 13/10/06. AVAILABLE DATA SINCE 11/12/03 Hydra Probe 0-5cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM CS cm SM T107 15cm Temp Y13 Data Availability Timeline 11/12/ /03/ /06/2004 6/10/ /01/ /04/2005 2/08/ /11/ /02/ /05/2006 6/09/ /12/ /03/2007 3/07/ /10/2007