Hydrology and stream sediments in a mountain catchment

Abstract

New Zealand attitudes to soil and water conservation have their origins in Europe and North America where legislation for the conservation of soil and water resources preceded research by 20 - 30 years. In the 1930's and 40's much New Zealand land was in a depleted and eroded condition. Those who first advocated soil conservation saw a clear need for remedial action in preference to research. North American attitudes, policies and research findings became the bases for New Zealand policies and programmes. Most surveys and investigations made in New Zealand mountain land were predicated on North American concern for soil surface conditions and Horton's concept of overland flow. In volume 2, problems of precipitation measurement are briefly reviewed, then information from one recording rain gauge is presented and compared with limited information from other sites. It is concluded that information from this one site can be used as a reliable index of catchment precipitation. Information from a 66 year record at nearby Mt. Torlesse station provides an assurance that precipitation values recorded during the study period are representative of the population of possible values. It also shows that while easterly storms are less common than southerly storms, they are more likely to produce floods. Volume 3 contains the data and appendices.