It is important to break down the requirements of your assessment task before you start searching for information so that you can plan your approach.

Let's take a look at the subject outline:

The effect of river regulation on the seasonal flow regime of the Murrumbidgee River

The aim of this assessment is to provide students with experience in the analysis of flow data and to use the knowledge gained through reading about river regulation to discuss possible reasons for differences between historical (measured flow) and modelled data that represents the 'natural' flows.

The following tasks are to be undertaken:

1. Examine seasonal flow data for the Murrumbidgee River for the period 1970 to 1998 (Table 1). Because the last major water storage on the upper Murrumbidgee was constructed before 1970, this period can be thought of as representing the present regulated regime. Historical regulated flows are simply those recorded at the river gauge. The modelled 'natural' (IQQM, http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/Water-management/Modelling/Modelling/default.aspx) flows eliminate the effects of both water storage in dams and flow diversions into (from the Snowy Mountains Scheme) and out of the river (irrigation). In that sense, they approximate pre-regulation flows.

2. Calculate the average annual daily flow at the five gauges under historical and modelled conditions (you will need to average the flows across the four seasons).

3. What reasons can you suggest for the difference between the historical and modelled averages? To interpret your results you will need to read and cite literature on this system so you can understand the main sources of water and then main diversions in this system.

4. Calculate seasonal percentage flow differences between the historical and modelled flow regimes for each of the five sites. Identify increases and decreases. Present your data in a table. See example calculations: 

5. Prepare graphs showing seasonal differences between historical and modelled flows. Bar graphs are recommended.

6. With reference to your graphs, compare differences between historical regulated and modelled 'natural' seasonal flow regimes, focusing on the Wagga Wagga and Hay gauges. What are the major differences between the two stations? What reasons can you suggest for these differences? Consider the locations of major diversions, tributaries and irrigation areas in the Murrumbidgee Valley. Include map(s) of the Murrumbidgee Valley showing the Murrumbidgee River and the include locations of Wagga Wagga, Hay and the major irrigation areas.

 7. Complete a scientific report with the title, "The effect of river regulation on the seasonal flow regime of the Murrumbidgee River", based on the data and directions provided here. Length 2000-2500 words, excluding tables and figures.

• Abstract: 200 words maximum
• Introduction: Set the context of the study. Include some background on the broad topic (effects of river regulation on river hydrology) with appropriate references, then briefly introduce the Murrumbidgee case study, and include the aims of the study.
• Methods: Include a description of the Murrumbidgee catchment and history of dams and irrigation in the catchment. Include a detailed map of the study area, showing the location of the five gauges and the major irrigation areas. Include a description of the data sources and brief description of IQQM model. Describe how you analysed the data.
• Results: Present the results in tables and figures and describe the results in the text, citing all tables and figures in the text. Ensure that you address the analyses described in tasks 2, 4, and 5. 
• Discussion: Interpret and explain the results. Discuss each key finding in separate paragraphs. Ensure that you address the questions in Tasks 3 and 6, but present them within the report with a connecting narrative, not as questions and answers. Relate your results to other studies of the Murrumbidgee River and to literature on other regulated river systems. Interpret your results within the broader context of river regulation in Australia. Use other published studies to justify your interpretation. End this section with a short conclusion.
• References: List all references cited in your report.

See your subject site for more information and the table.

At first, you may feel a little overwhelmed by all of these requirements. However, with some thought and planning, you can come up with a research plan that will suit this assessment task.