Dr Nik Callow from the University of Western Australia shares insights from the WaterSmart Dams project, which aims to build resilient water supplies for cropping and livestock operations.
The episode highlights the issue of dams receiving less water due to lower rainfall, low runoff from catchments, and ageing dams; all exacerbating water shortages, especially during consecutive low rainfall years.
Solutions discussed include using repurposed tarpaulins to increase catchment runoff, daisy dam covers and vegetation to reduce evaporation, repurposing subsurface drainage systems, and decreasing leakage losses. Many strategies were grower-led, with the project aiming to understand and quantify benefits. Implementing a suite of solutions tailored to individual farming needs may yield better results for securing long-term water supply.
Water quality is also addressed, with some farmers offsetting water treatment costs through increased herbicide efficacy.
An episode on the Water Evaluation Platform (WEP) will be released soon.
The WaterSmart Dams project is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Western Australian state government’s Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund, and is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Grower Group Alliance.
Episode links
Farming in the Wheatbelt podcast:
- Not all Water is equal: Water quality is the key to WaterSmart Dams (and Farms)
- WaterSmart Farms: Reverse Osmosis trials giving rural communities fresh water for the future
- WaterSmart Farms: Unlocking Opportunities with Desalination – From Stockwater to Spray Quality
- WaterSmart Farms Deep Drilling project with Dr. Richard George
- WaterSmart Farms: Wongutha CAPS
- Catching Every Drop: MADFIG’s Role in the WaterSmart Dams Project (Roaded Catchment)
- Diving into WaterSmart Farms with Dr. Richard George (DPIRD)
Additional resources
WaterSmart Dams: Making dams work again – Grower Group Alliance (GGA)
WaterSmart Farms: Water Security and Resilience in a Drying Climate – DPIRD
