Reduced water sediment load

Impact

Water sediment load refers to the quantity of soil particular material (usually fine clay or silt particles) suspended within the water.  Suspended fine sediment contributes to water turbidity.  The higher the turbidity (and suspended fine sediment) of the water the lower its clarity. Turbidity is influenced by a range of factors including but not  limited to: catchment soil erosion, streambank and bed erosion, wastewater release, stormwater drainage, algal growth, flow rate and salinity.  Turbidity determines the degree of scattering or absorption of light in the water and thus influences water temperature and the growth of aquatic plants and algae.

In general, water sediment load can be reduced through filtration (artifical or natural e.g. mangrove sediment trapping) and reduction of sediment inputs. 

Suggested indicators: Fine sediment in water+

Reduced water sediment load may be associated with:

Potential associated impacts Suggested indicators+
Increased light penetration promoting the photosynthesis and growth of aquatic plants and algae
  • Microalgae in water
  • In-stream habitat
Increased food sources for some species including increased ability of visual predators to hunt food
  • Fish
  • River & wetland fauna
  • Native land fauna
  • Exotic pest fauna
Suspended particles absorb heat, thus reduced turbity means reduced water temperature and increased dissolved oxygen.
  • Dissolved oxygen

Reduced suspended sediments settling to the streambed, thus reduced degradation of the habitat of bottom-dwelling organisms
  • In-stream habitat
  • Aquatic macro-invertebrates
Increased downstream water quality for agricultural, recreational, industrial and domestic uses.

Reduced water contamination

+ Descriptions of indicators (PDF, 76K)* provides a brief description of each indicator including techniques and purpose.

* Requires Adobe Reader

Last updated 7 September 2010

Land Manager's Monitoring Guide