Mole drainage for increased productivity in the south west irrigation area

Authors

D L. BennettFollow
Richard GeorgeFollow
Bill Russell

Files

Publication Date

1-2005

Series Number

4610

Abstract

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 from several mole drainage systems installed by Agriculture WA and members of the Dardanup and Wellesley LCDCs.

Number of Pages

12

ISSN

1448-0352

Keywords

Mole drainage, Design, Clay soils, Farm machinery, Soil types, Drainage Systems, South West Irrigation Area (W.A.), Western Australia

Disciplines

Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering | Environmental Engineering | Soil Science

Comments

Replaces Bulletin 4354

Recommended Citation

Bennett, D L, George, R, and Russell, B. (2005), Mole drainage for increased productivity in the south west irrigation area. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth. Bulletin 4610.

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