Hydrology Commons^™

Northern Wheatbelt Water Supply Study, I A F Laing, R. M. Pridham

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

Department of Agriculture surveys have shown that many farms in Western australia's northern wheatbelt have inadequate water supplies. More than 80 per cent of all farms in that area depend soley on groundwater for watering livestock, a much higher percentage than for most other farming areas. Because groundwater salinities have increased in recent years, concern is held for the long-term future of this recource.

In contrast to more southern agricultural areas, farm dams in the northern wheatbelt are relatively uncommon. Only 30 per cent of the existing dams in the northern wheatbelt constitute effective water supplies. More than half of …

Drainage Prospects For Saline Wheatbelt Soils, P R. George

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

Sub-surface or groundwater drainage by buried tube drains or open ditches can reclaim saltland in the Western Australian wheatbelt. However, this method is expensive and not all sites can be drained cost-effectively. Each drainage site is unique, so careful investigation of each site is essential before recommendations on drainage method and design can be made.

Increasing Groundwater Salinity In The Northern Wheatbelt, R J. Mcgowan

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

Every farmer in western Australia's northern wheatbelt will know of a groundwater supply, be it bore, well or soak. that has become increasingly saline. The groundwater may have become more saline over a period of 15 years or more, or have been noticed only recently. Inevitably, the bore will lie within an area cleared for agriculture. This increase in groundwater salinity may be associated with soil salinisation. Although researchers have some understanding of the processes causing salinisation of groundwater in the wheatbelt and the extent of the problem, little is known about the rates of salinisation and groundwater rise. A …

Plant Collections For Saltland Revegetation And Soil Conservation, A J. Clarke, T C. Swaan, C V. Malcolm

Technical Bulletins

In 1967, during an overseas plant exploration trip, seeds of plants of reputed salt tolerance and forage value were obtained from seven countries. Since 1971, over 600 plants have been added to the original collection of 343 plants already under observation for suitability for forage production in saline and arid areas. Additions to the test programme since 1971, include shrubs from Algeria; Argentina; Australia; Chile; England; Iran; Israel; Libya; Morocco; Netherlands; Russia; South Africa; Spain; Tunis and the United States of America. This Bulletin includes details of all plant collections from 1966 to December 1983.

Soil Conservation Research In New South Wales And Its Significance To Research On Water Erosion In Western Australia, D J. Mcfarlane

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Water Erosion On Potato Land During The 1983 Growing Season Donnybrook, D J. Mcfarlane

Resource management technical reports

Soil losses over a three month period varied from 10 to 49 mm.. Soil loss was most highly correlated with length of slope of the plots. Other important factors appeared to be slope angle and soil textures. Grade furrows appear to be the best method of breaking-up long slope lengths. The low capacity of the furrows requires them to be on grades of about 4 to 4 per cent to prevent siltation and overtopping during high density storms.

Soil Types And Drainage, Eric Bettenay, N. J. Schofield

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

At least 90 per cent of the phosphorus entering the Peel-Harvey estuarine system comes from land cleared for agriculture, most of it from the coastal plain. These soils are naturally deficient on phosphorus and sulfur and this is supplied in superphosphate, which contains about 10 per cent phosphorus and 1 percent sulphur.

However, rain leaches some of this applied phosphorus from the land into drains and rivers which flow into the estuary. In 1981, farmers in the Harvey River-Mayfields Drain catchment lost the equivalent of 1,300 tonnes of superphosphate into the estuary. Between them they have in effect spent $120,000 …

Tackling The Problem Off The Farm, C M. Croft

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

Methods of redusing phosphorus losses from the catchment soils of the Peel-Harvey esturine system have been discussed in other articles in this Journal.

This article briefly discusses a range of 'off the farm' techniques to improve phosphorus flushing from Peel Inlet or Harvey Estuary to the sea and to treat the phosphorus and the algae. These techniques were among more than 100 management options evaluated by the Peel-Harvey Study Group.

Hydrological Studies In Soil Salinity, C J. Henschke

Resource management technical reports

Investigations involved examination of near-surface indurated layers to investigate their role in saltland formation. It was found that groundwater could move readily through this layer due to the presence of macro-pores. Close examination of apparently impermeable pallid zone clays, shows that decayed tree roots and large diameter voids provide a continuous pathway for the veritical transport of saline water from deeper aquifers.

Wheatbelt Salinity : A Review Of The Salt Land Problem In South Western Australia, C V. Malcolm

Technical Bulletins

Historical overview,Cause and nature of the salt problem, salt in rainfall, soils, topography and hydrology, effect of land use, Salt movement and accumulation on soil and groundwater, treatments for saltland, catchment measures, reclamation, re vegetation.

An Assessment Of Wisalts Banks At Dangin, C J. Henschke, J A. Bessell-Browne

Resource management technical reports

This report compares two alternative approaches for the treatment and management of salt affected land at Dangin, Western Australia by determining whether there are benefits from a WISALTS bank system which would not accrue from standard soil conservation recommendations; comparing the costs and benefits of the two systems; and determining the nature of the effects of the two systems, particularly with respect to soil salinity.

Review Of Current Drainage Investigations In Western Australia, R A. Nulsen

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Progress Report On Effects Of Contour Banking On Surface Runoff At The Berkshire Valley Experimental Catchment (Near Moora) 1961-82, K J. Bligh

Resource management technical reports

The time lag prior to peak runoff following rains of comparable high intensity increased by approximately 80 per cent in the largest event after the construction of contour banks. Although 80 per cent more runoff also occurred because the catchment was wetter and had been cultivated for three years in a row, the peak rate of runoff increased by only approximately 20 per cent. That the peak rate was not increased by 80 per cent, may be primarily attirbuted to the effect of the contour banks.

Preliminary Groundwater Investigations In Relation To Soil Salinity At Fitzgerald, Western Australia, C J. Henschke

Resource management technical reports

This study investigated soil salinity problems in relation to new land releases at Fitzgerald near the south coast of Western Australia. Fairly widely spaced set of bores was established to compare the groundwater hydrology regimes beneath cleared and virgin land. A large storage of soluble salts (over 100 kgm-2 in some profiles) was measured in the pallid zone clays under both cleared and virgin land conditions. Seasonal fresh to brackish perched watertables were found to overlie highly saline deep waterbles at a number of valley sites on land which has been cleared for agriculture during the past 15 years. Salinity …

Land Degradation In The Fitzroy Valley Of Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia. Rangeland Management Branch

Resource management technical reports

The report reassesses the condition of formerly valuable grazing lands of the Fitzroy River valley frontage lands. It is hoped that the submission will promote discussion on the problems of degenerated pastoral land and increase the resolve of all concerned to take the necessary action for their restoration. The frontage lands flank the major rivers of the area, the Fitzroy, the Margaret and the Meda and their tributaries. The frontage is capable of supporting the best pastures in the Kimberley, but unwise and uncontrolled stocking has profoundly degraded and eroded the most productive parts. There are about 5,800 square kilometres …

Cereal, Pasture Legume And Water Supply Prospects At Forrestania : Results Of Experimental Work East Of Hyden, Western Australia, T E. Mcdowell, M G. Mason, J W. Gartrell, William J. Toms, I A F Laing

Technical Bulletins

The agricultural potential of the Forrestania area appears at least equal to that of much of the settled eastern wheatbelt. The scrubplain soils of the Forrestania area have an average yield potential of at least 1 000 kg/ha wheat and carrying capacity of 1.8 to 3.7 sheep per hectare on improved pastures. The use of clover ley rotations would maintain these levels of potential yield. Partial crop failures caused by adverse seasonal conditions could be expected 10 years in every 100.

Effects Of Surface Drainage On Dryland Salinity, P R. George, T. R. Negus

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

Areas which are salt-affected are often also flooded. Although flooding is not the basic cause of salinity, surface drainage may improve conditions for plant growth, and this article describes suitable methods

Plants As Pumps, E A N Greenwood

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

Native species vary greatly in their ability to pump ground water.

CSIRO studies are measuring water use by different plants to plan revegetation strategies.

Landform, Natural Drainage And Salinity, Eric Bettenay

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

An understanding of salt movement in streams and groundwater may lead to better methods of control and prevention of salinity.

Soil Salinity In Western Australia : A Summary, T C. Stoneman

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

Soil salinity problems have long been recognised in Western Australia. The earliest published explanation in 1924 suggested that removing native vegetation increased stream salinity, and this basic cause has been confirmed by many studies since.

Deep Drainage As A Method Of Treating Saltland, Eric Bettenay

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

In some situations, deep drainage may be warranted to return salt-affected land to full production.

This method is being investigated at CSIRO's Yalanbee Experiment Station.

Western Australian Soils Store Large Quantities Of Salt, C V. Malcolm, R. A. Nulsen, C. Henschke

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

Enormous quantities of salt are stored in the soil in the agricultural areas of Western Australia. Small movements in this salt can produce large effects on farms.

Water Movement Through Soil, R A. Nulsen

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

Even a good quality stock water moving to the surface can cause a salinity problem in only a few years.

The Dryland Salinity Problem In North America, P R. George

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

North america also has a dryland salinity problem although the source is different.

Saltland And What To Do About It, C V. Malcolm

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

Saltland can be conveniently divided into three main types on the basis of cause. Within each type their is great variation, and the types may merge or overlap.

The three aims of a saltland treatment programme are; reduce the groundwater levels or seepage flows as much as possible,reduce the capillary action which brings salt to the surface, and to revegetate the soils with the most useful plants that can survive.

Water Supplies On Wheatbelt Farms : A General Picture, I A F Laing

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

In good rainfall years, farm dams provide water fo more than 50 per cent of the total stock in the wheatbelt.

Other sources include ground water supplies and the piped Comprehensive Water Scheme.

The March 1970 census included questions on farm water supplies including how farmers coped in the 1969-70 drought.

Farm Dams In The Wheatbelt, I A F Laing

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

Of the estimated 76 000 farm dams in the wheatbelt, about 8 per cent either leak or are salt affected. The remaining 70 000 dams are capable of holding water for livestock use and can be regarded as sercicable dams.

A great many of the serviceable dams are unreliable water supplies due to the combined effects of lack of runoff from catchments, shallow depth of storage and small size of storage in relation to expected demand from livestock and evaporation loss.

Design Standards For Farm Surface Water Supplies, J L. Frith

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

Design is usually concerned with getting adequate return from limited recources. Farm dams which dry up represent dam failure. Less seriously, so too do dams which, although not drying out, never fill; they waste a recource.

Groundwater In The Wheatbelt, E P. O'Driscoll

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

In general six factors affect the occurence of groundwater; rainfall, topography, rock type, rock structurs, vegetation, and local evaporation.

Variation in even one of these can affect the potential yield of a bore or well, the groundwater salinity, and even whether any groundwater occurs at all.

Sealing Farm Dams, I A F Laing, R. G. Pepper

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

Research over the past 10 years has shown that it is technically possible to seal many leaking farm dams. In some situations a cheap chemical treatment is effective but in most cases it is cheaper to construct a replacement dam.

This article reviews the situation in western Australia and outlines some of the methods used for sealing dams.