The relationship of gully sidewall shape to sediment production

Abstract

Reports of gully side erosion describe a range of side forms. The lack of information on the relative significance of the various forms in terms of sediment production hinders the identification of the major sediment sources within gullies. Observations of gully sides in a catchment in central New South Wales showed a range of side forms being eroded at significantly different rates. Side classification and measurement by survey and erosion pins showed that vertical sides, subject to undercutting, had the highest erosion rate (75 mm yr-l) followed by vertical fluted walls (37 mm yr-l). These different rates are critical in predicting present and future rates of erosion and identifying sediment sources within gully systems.