Water Resource Management Commons^™

Laser Levelling Land For Flood Irrigation, M D. Green, J. P. Middlemas

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

Since the introduction of laser levelling to Western Australia's South-West irrigation area five years ago, many farmers have benefited from this new and precise method of land-forming.

The use of lasser controlled earthmoving equipment to redevelop irrigated paddocks has led to improved irrigation efficiency and drainage. Less water is used for each irrigation, water is applied more evenly and less labour is needed. many older, grass-dominated paddocks have been reseeded to improve pasture species.

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.

Clay Cover For Roaded Catchments, J L. Frith, R. A. Nulsen

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

RECENT dry years have stimulated interest in improved catchments for farm dams. Although roaded catchments have been installed on many farm dams in Western Australia, most of them fall short of their potential for increasing run-off.

Water Conservation : The Storage Life Of Farm Dams, D J. Carder

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

HOW MANY stock can a dam of a certain size and depth be expected to carry and how long will the supply last?

What size of dam is needed in case the winter rains fail? How many stock can a dam support and still provide a drought supply?

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.

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.

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.

Flooding And Salt Problems In The Wheatbelt, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

VALUABLE land has become salty in parts of the West Australian agricultural areas because most of the surrounding land has been cleared and developed for agriculture.

This salting of a small proportion of the land is part of the price paid for the development of agriculture in this State.

Drainage is not the answer to the wheatbelt flooding and salt land problems.

A more practical approach is to limit runoff from sloping land, and to make good use of salt-affected land by growing salt tolerant perennial pastures on it, says the Soils Division of the Department of Agriculture.

Water Conservation On The Farm, John W. Lewis

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

SMALL scale conservation of water for agricultural use is becoming increasingly important throughout Australia.

As land development intensifies, it is natural that farmers turn to more dams and earthen tanks for stock water and irrigation.

Adequate water is essential to supply the carrying capacities made possible by improved pastures, and where greater quantities of water can be stored, fodder crops, pastures, orchards and vegetables can be irrigated.