Preliminary Investigation of Methane Emissions from Farm Dams in Western Australia

The pilot study found that dissolved methane concentrations in dam water did not always align with the methane emissions measured at the dam surface. This highlights the complexity of methane dynamics in farm dams and suggests that further research is required before specific management recommendations can be
made for Western Australian growers.

Overall, the results indicate that methane mitigation around farm dams is more complex than vegetation cover alone. While vegetation can deliver important co-benefits such as improved biodiversity, shade, and, depending on placement, reduced evaporation, it is unlikely to be a standalone solution for managing methane emissions. These findings reinforce the need to consider dam design, water quality, and physical processes alongside vegetation-based approaches.

In relation to water quality, observations from dams with unrestricted livestock access were consistent with findings from eastern Australia. This strengthens existing evidence that restricting livestock access to dams can improve water quality outcomes, with potential benefits for livestock health and farm management more broadly.