Controlled surface hydrology

Controlled surface hydrology refers to the addition of activities and/or structures (e.g., bunds, pumps, etc.) consistent with water storage usage where surface hydrological flows are controlled. Typically, wetlands with controlled surface hydrology are semi-enclosed structures with pump facilities.

Quick links

• Wetland classification scheme
• Wetlands mapping data fields - Hydrological modifications (habitat scale)
• Wetlands mapping data fields - Hydrological modifications (landscape scale)
• Wetlands mapping attributes - Hydrological modifications (habitat scale)
• Wetlands mapping attributes - Hydrological modifications (landscape scale)
• Wetlands mapping classification table - Hydrological modifications

Controlled surface hydrology – Controlled surface hydrology outside a channel

Select from the tabs below

• Controlled surface hydrology creating an artificial wetland
• Controlled surface hydrology in a channel
• Controlled surface hydrology outside a channel

Controlled surface hydrology outside a channel refers to the addition of activities and/or structures (e.g., bunds, pumps, etc.) consistent with water storage usage where surface hydrological flows are controlled. Typically, wetlands with controlled surface hydrology are semi-enclosed structures with pump facilities. Unlike bunding, controlled surface hydrology completely disconnects a wetland from natural hydrological processes.

Controlled surface hydrology in a palustrine or lacustrine wetland

A palustrine or lacustrine wetland which has structures and/or activities for water storage use where surface hydrological flows are controlled. Controlled surface hydrology in a palustrine wetland may increase wetland extent and depth to such a degree converting the wetland to a lacustrine wetland system.

Applicable Wetland Habitat Hydrological Modification:

• ‘Modified – controlled surface hydrology outside a channel – freshwater wetland with no system change’ (H2-M6-a)
• ‘Modified – controlled surface hydrology outside a channel – freshwater wetland with system change’ (H2-M6-f)

Controlled surface hydrology in an intertidal wetland

Activities and/or structures that convert an intertidal wetland to a lacustrine or palustrine wetland upstream of a bund which is then used for water storage with surface hydrological flows are controlled. Controlled surface hydrology alters the tidal inundation regime upstream of a bund by completely excluding tidal inundation resulting in the conversion to a palustrine or lacustrine wetland system.

Applicable Wetland Habitat Hydrological Modification:

• ‘Modified – controlled surface hydrology outside a channel – intertidal wetland with system change’ (H2-M6-b)

Last updated: 7 June 2023