catchment features

Land types:

There are six different types in the Dawson Catchment based on similar vegetation, topography, geology and soils:

�     Mountains

�     Deeply Disected Tablelands

�     Hills

�     Tablelands and Plains

�     Undulating Plains

�     Alluvial Plains

Mountains

Mountains occupy 8% of the catchment area. Local relief is between 150 and 300 metres, containing a large proportion of steep slopes with shallow soils. Found mainly in the north-east with steeply dipping volcanics with interbedded sediemtns. Also rugged sandstone country in the west of the catchment area. Contains wet sclerophyll forest and shrub woodland.

Deeply Disected Tablelands

These occupy 8% of the catchment area. Mainly deeply dissected sandstone talbelands with a high proportion of shallow and rocky soils. Largely restricted to the south and almost entirely consists offorest.

Hills

Hills occupy 14% of the area. Local relief is between 30 and 150 metres. Characterised by steep slopes with shallow rocky soils. These lands support high forests, grassy woodland, large areas of softwood scrub, microphyll vine woodland.

Tablelands and Plains

These occupy 4% of the catchment area. Local relief is less than 30 metres. They occur most commonly in the north-west of the catchment, with a small area in the south and the centre. Consists mainly red and yellow earth soils and carry predominantly shrub woodland with small area of high forest.

Undulating Plains

Occupy 56% of the catchment area. Vegetation typres consist of brigalow, woodlands, softwood scrub and high forest. Local relief is almost entriely under 30 metres. Soils include mostly texture-contrast soils, cracking clays soils and clay soils. The area is of vast agricultural and pastoral potential.

Alluvial Plains

Occupy 8% of the catchment area and are associated with the main streamlines. Most carry grassy woodlands, with texture contrast soils. Some of the alluvial plains are unstable floodplains of main rivers, covered with channels. Many of these plains are flood grone and are suitable for nature conservation, recreation and cattle production.