Engineering Commons^™

Using Agricultural Wastes To Treat Lead-Contaminated Water In Western Australia, Hanie Hashtroudi

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Aqueous solutions are becoming increasingly contaminated in all parts of the world (2015). Heavy metals are toxic contaminants that are mainly distributed in urban stormwater run-off and industrial wastewaters as a result of some mining operations, electronic assembly planting, battery manufacturing, and etching operations (Kadirvelu et al. 2001). Pb (II) is a heavy metal that causes significant damage in the human body. Drinking lead-contaminated water even at low concentrations may cause lifethreatening conditions such as cancer, kidney damage, brain damage, and liver problems (El-Said 2010). Therefore, it is necessary to remove lead from aqueous solutions.

Several conventional physical, chemical, and …

Roaded Catchments To Improve Reliability Of Farm Dams, David Stanton

Bulletins 4000 -

Maintaining reliable on-farm water supplies is an on-going challenge for landholders throughout Western Australia. Improving reliability of dams by constructing a roaded catchment is one of the most cost-effective methods of improving the performance and reliability of a farm water supply.

A roaded catchment is a water-harvesting structure designed to increase the amount of run-off from the catchment above a dam. The 'roads' of a roaded catchment are parallel ridges of earth with batters (or side slopes) that cause run-off to be directed into troughs or channels. The surface is lined with clay and compacted to make it smooth and …

Mole Drainage For Increased Productivity In The South West Irrigation Area, D L. Bennett, Richard George, Bill Russell

Bulletins 4000 -

Heavy soils, with low rates of soil-water movement, such as those found in the South-West Irrigation Area (SWIA), require closely spaced (2-6 m apart) subsoil drainage systems to provide sufficient water movement to control the effects of salt-waterlogging on pastures. Such close spacing using traditional buried pipe or tile drainage systems is impractical. As a result, mole drainage systems, used in other parts of the world for over 50 years, have gained popularity in the SWIA in recent years.

This Bulletin Farmnote reports the current ‘best-bet’ mole draining technique for SWIA conditions gathered from observations over a number of years …

Deep Drains To Manage Groundwater, Neil Cox, Sylvia Tetlow, Neil Coles

Bulletins 4000 -

A channel that is 1.0 m to 3.0 m in depth is considered to be a deep drain. The drain is excavated to a depth that is sufficient to intercept the watertable in order to capture and convey that groundwater from flat, poorly drained land.

The drain can either be ‘open’ to allow the inflow of surface water or ‘leeved’ to exclude surface water. An open deep drain has its spoil banks placed on one side or on alternate sides of the channel (Figure 1) while a leveed deep drain has continuous spoil banks placed on both sides of the …

Practical Hints For The Layout And Construction Of 10,000 M3 Circular Dams, Terry Babbington, J S. Addison

Bulletins 4000 -

These notes and illustrations have been compiled to assist earthmovers in the construction of circular excavated earth tank dams, with pipe inlets. Construction techniques tend to evolve over time, so the methods described in this publication will not be definitive, but, they may improve efficiency of construction in the interim. Although the example used in these notes refers to 10,000 m3 dams, the construction techniques, using a bulldozer, described here equally apply to dams of any volume of similar design. Only dimensions will vary. earthmovers using a scarper together with a bulldozer should be able to extract useful information from …

Seepage Interceptor Drains And Topsoil Salinity, T R. Negus

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The Department of Agriculture established 121 trials in its Narrogin advisory district starting in 1972 to measure the effect of bulldozer and grader built seepage interceptor banks and drains on the topsoil salinity of the land downslope of them.

After 14 years of moniterin, there was no evidence that seepage interceptor drains and banks reduced the top soil salinity on 10 of the 11 sites in the Pingelly, Brookton and Wickepin Shires.

Mogumber Drainage Works Succeed, L K. Lenane

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The loss of arable farmland from soil erosion, waterlogging and salinity is a severe problem on some Western Australian farms.

When the arable land comprises only 40 per cent of the total area within the Mogumber Soil Conservation District, this loss is a real cause for concern. So too is the resulting damage to roads, siltation of railway culverts, and deaths of roadside trees from rising saline watertables.

However, drainage, contour and other works undertaken by the Mogumber Soil Conservation District have halted this degredation. Badly eroded areas that were fenced off now have a satisfactory ground cover. A wheat …

West Midlands Development : Erosion Prevention And Control, G W. Spencer

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE prevention of soil erosion is essentially a matter of using each soil according to its potential, and treating it according to its needs.

Good land use and sound management practices are the best preventive measures.

West Midlands Development : Development Techniques, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Most clearing in the West Midlands is carried out by chaining, though the method chosen will depend on the country being cleared and on the resources of the farmer.

Septic Manure Ponds At Lower Kalgan, R Sprivulis

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

BETTER pastures, increasing herd sizes and better quality cows are all contributing to increased production of skim milk and an expansion in pig and calf raising in the dairying areas.

Land Grading In South West Irrigation Areas, 1966-67, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Land grading in the South West Irrigation Areas with modern earth moving equipment first commenced in 1949.

The advantages of land grading are well recognised by farmers and this season grading operations were carried out on 208 farms.

Piggery Septic System, N E. Macintyre

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ONE of the problems of intensive houses for pigs is the disposal of the dung and urine.

If proper arrangements are not made to remove this, it soon accumulates in an offensive pile at one end of the piggery, making an excellent breeding ground for flies.

Planning A Dairy Farm, A W. Hobbs

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE average dairy farmer makes improvements to his property as opportunity offers, working towards a goal he has formulated in his mind.

This gradual development may eventually lead to his desired layout.

Lot Feeding Of Beef Cattle. 3. Facilities Required For A Feed Lot, W J O Wilkie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

MANY THINGS must be considered in planning a feed lot.

The site must be well chosen, fencing, gates and yards must be adequate for the cattle carried and feeding and watering facilities should be of a high standard.

Other things to consider are the provision of shelter and shade for the cattle and buildings for feed storage and other purposes.

Fence Out Those Rabbits, J C. Rowbotham

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THERE is probably no more distressing sight to orchardists' eyes than two or three hundred young fruit trees that have been damaged by rabbits.

The New Yilgarn Vermin Fence, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE State's vermin fence system, forming a barrier between the outer edges of the agricultural areas and the pastoral areas, has been extended 162 miles with the completion of the Yilgarn Vermin Fence this year.

Lot Feeding Of Beef Cattle. 1. Introduction, W J O Wilkie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

"LOT FEEDING" of cattle is the name given to the operation of bringing cattle in from pasture and giving them the total ration they are to receive in open or partly roofed yards.

The roof would be intended to protect the feed trough and not the cattle.

Attack The Rabbit At Home : Destroy Warrens And Harbourage, J S. Crawford

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Effective rabbit destruction often calls for a carefully worked out control programme consisting of poisoning, fumigating and warren and harbourage destruction.

Possibly the most effective means of not only controlling rabbits but ultimately eradicating them from holdings is the destruction of warrens and harbourage.

Migratory Movements Of Emus And Control Efforts, John L. Long, T. J. Tozer

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ALTHOUGH little data has been recorded on movements or migrations of the Emu (Dromaius novea-hollandiae), it is well known throughout the farming community that some such movement occurs in September and October in most years at least.

Planning New Farm Dams : Excavated Earth Tanks, J E. Watson, J. C. Grasby

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A GOOD farm dam is a valuable asset, and well worth its cost, but there are many aspects to consider when a new dam is required. Careful planning with adequate testing and checking will help to get the best value for money and reduce the chance of costly failures.

This article discusses these aspects in relation to the excavated earth tank type of dam.

Crossings For Channels And Drains In The Ord River Area, K S. Cole

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ON farms irrigated by surface methods it is essential to provide crossings over channels and drains.

These crossings must be wide and strong enough to take the biggest farm machinery.

Swing Fence Flood Crossing For Creeks In The Kimberleys, A L. Payne

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

FENCING is the basis of the regeneration programme on the eroded Ord River catchment area, and the fences constructed must cross numerous creeks.

But heavy downpours of short duration characterise the wet season experienced in this area.

Because the rain falls on to bare, compacted ground, run-off is intense and gullies and creeks rise rapidly, causing serious damage to conventional fences and flood gates across watercourses.

Land Preparation For Border Irrigation, B Swan

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

LARGE amounts of water may be lost through excess run-off and deep percolation.

Proper preparation of irrigation land can help to minimise these losses.

This preparation is done by grading or levelling so that the original ground surface is shaped to allow for a more uniform distribution of water.

Well Designed Cattle Yards, W J O Wilkie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

GOOD yards are those in which cattle can be handled quietly, safely and efficiently.

The manner of handling is as important as the design of the yards.

Too much dog or whip can make cattle difficult, in even the best of yards.

A Practical Guide To Building Contour Banks With A Road Grader, J E. Watson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THOUSANDS of miles of contour banks have been built in Western Australia, and most of this earthmoving has been done by tractor and disc plough* or by road grader.

This article describes the technique recommended for bank construction with the road grader.

Farm Dams In The Wheatbelt, J E. Watson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

MANY new farm dams are sunk each year in the wheatbelt and much money is spent on them.

With continued development of new land, and increasing stock carrying capacity of older land under legume pastures, the need for more water supplies will continue for a long time.

Siphon Tubes For Furrow Irrigation In The Kimberleys, K S. Cole

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Irrigation soils in the Ord River area have a high clay content and erode easily under the influence of running water.

To overcome the problem of erosion in cuts between the head channels and irrigation furrows polythene siphon tubes have been found the most satisfactory.

In this article K. S. Cole, B.Sc. (Agric), Agricultural Adviser, Kununurra, describes the use of siphon tubes for furrow irrigation in the Kimberleys.

Farm Water Storage : Circular Brick Reservoirs, R P. Harington

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A circular brick tank is a cheap and efficient water storage which can be easily built on any farm. The method described below by Kimberley Research Station manager R. P. Harington was used to build a swimming pool—storage on the station.

Orchard Planting Systems, K T. Whitely

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

HAVING decided on the location of the orchard and the types of fruit trees to be planted, the grower is still faced with the problem of layout of the trees in the new orchard.

Irrigating Dry Season Crops In The Ord Valley : How To Prepare Land For Sowing, D F. Beech

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE best way to grow dry season crops of safflower, linseed and rapeseed under irrigation in the Ord Valley is by sowing on to broad flat ridges, separated by small furrows 3 ft. 6 in. apart.

This system of sowing is called the "corrugation" method.