Assessor Resource

AHCNRM504A
Interpret and report on catchment hydrology

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit is applicable to a person employed in a technical capacity to collect, collate, analyse and report on hydrological data for use in floodplain management, asset protection and water allocation.

This unit of competency covers the interpretation of catchment hydrology and reporting on water quantity and quality within a catchment. It requires knowledge of hydrogeology, geology, geomorphology, hydrology and contemporary water allocation issues. It requires skills in interpreting geological maps and hydrological data, predicting water movement in catchments, identifying processes that have a negative impact on water quality and quantity and the use of software in hydrological data reporting. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The candidate must be able to locate, collect and assess a wide range of hydrological data. This data must then be interpreted and presented according to the requirements of the task. The candidate must be capable of determining the movement of water within a catchment from existing data and report on the impacts of environmental change on water quantity and quality in a catchment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

For valid assessment to take place candidates should have access to:

equipment used to analyse water quality and quantity

hydrological data in electronic form

geological maps and appropriate remotely sensed data

water management plans.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

access and collate existing hydrological information

analyse surface and groundwater hydrological processes in catchments

undertake field site assessments for the collection of hydrological data

identify and evaluate non-sustainable practices in catchments

estimate and assess the impact of hydrological events

present and interpret hydrological data in an appropriate form

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

hydrological cycle

chemical and physical properties of water

rock and soil types including weathering processes

fluvial geomorphology including:

drainage basin function

factors influencing stream flow rates

interactions between ground and surface water

stream hierarchy and ordering

human impacts on surface water quality and quantity

hydrogeology including:

aquifer types and properties

aquifer discharge and recharge

rates of water movement through aquifers

human impacts on groundwater quality and quantity

sustainable use of ground and surface water including:

uses of water in catchments

water allocation

policies and strategies determining water use.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Sources of information may include:

hydrological information

previous monitoring studies

geological data

hydrogeological data

land use studies

aerial photography

satellite imagery

maps

water quality and or irrigation data

environmental management studies

anecdotal information from land owners.

Field surveys may include:

slope analysis

land uses

soil surveys

occurrence of erosion and sedimentation

bed and bank stability

water quality and quantity.

Management objectives may include:

erosion control

water quality

salinity reduction

sustainable irrigation and environmental flows

flood protection

ground water usage.

Threats may include:

erosion and sedimentation

pest plant and animal infestation

loss of biodiversity

salinity

poor land use practices

point and diffuse sources of pollution

nutrient management issues.

Remediation measures may include:

fencing

revegetation

installation of sediment control structures

flood control structures

pest plant control

implementation of nutrient management strategies

changes to agricultural practices

community awareness programs.

Management objectives may include:

erosion control

water quality improvement

salinity reduction

sustainable irrigation environmental flows

flood protection

ground water usage.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Data collection priorities are determined in consultation with supervisor or team where appropriate. 
Sources of information are used to access catchment information. 
The accuracy and currency of information is evaluated and additional data requirements are identified. 
Land uses within the catchment are identified. 
Management units within the catchment are determined. 
Natural ground and surface water processes within the catchment are analysed. 
Man-made ground and surface water movement within a catchment are identified. 
Man-made impacts on water quantity within the catchment are determined and analysed. 
Appropriate representative sites for field surveys are identified for the collection of additional data where required. 
Objectives, locations and resource requirements for site assessments are determined in consultation with supervisor or team. 
Physical entities and processes, including threats, within representative management units are assessed. 
Site data is collected according to enterprise policies, practices and guidelines. 
A written overview on catchment hydrological behaviour is prepared, according to enterprise guidelines and templates. 
A visual overview of catchment hydrological behaviour is presented to meet the needs of stakeholders. 
Advice and guidance on remediation measures consistent with catchment management objectives is outlined. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCNRM504A - Interpret and report on catchment hydrology
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCNRM504A - Interpret and report on catchment hydrology

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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