This project seeks to design, develop and test an integrated measuring tool that can be installed and recovered from the bed of streams and rivers. The tool will comprise temperature and water level loggers and newly developed probes to monitor fluid electrical conductivity, the concentration of chloride in the water and oxygen levels (as a measure of water quality).This project will develop field equipment and a proven scientific methodology that will quantify surface water loss to groundwater below surface water bodies and therefore contribute to the mapping of the many and complex connections and interactions between groundwater and the surface water - dams, lakes, rivers, wetlands. The project will allow development of a prototype that should be capable of commercialisation.

As a result of this project, there will be much improved knowledge and understanding of a process that can, in turn, inform policy development and water allocation decisions. The new knowledge will allow development of consultancy services based upon deployment and interpretation of the sondes.

In addition field data acquired by the sondes could provide much needed independent confirmation of various other modelling studies.