Drought proofing the farm : case studies

Authors

J L. Frith

Keywords

Drought, Water harvesting, Water conservation, Dams, Watersheds, Cost analysis

Disciplines

Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering | Hydrology | Sustainability | Water Resource Management

First Page Number

74

Last Page Number

77

ISSN

0021-8618

Abstract

For many years, Western Australia's north-eastern wheatbelthas suffered chronic shortages of water for stock and domestic use. The area's averageannual rainfall is generally low - less than 300 millimetres - and droughts in the 1970s caused futher problems. manydams in the area leak or have inadequate catchmentsand groundwater is scarce ormofmpoor quality.

In March 982, the Western Australian Government provided $100 000 for the Department of agriculture to demonstrate the potential of establishing permanent, drought-proof water supplies on farms in the north-eastern wheatbelt. The methods were to use exixting techniques to build dams and catchments. In a year of low rainfall, for example, a well maintained roaded catchment can yield one quarter of the rain falling on it. This article describes the project, the works undertaken, the costs and benefits.

Recommended Citation

Frith, J L. (1985) "Drought proofing the farm : case studies," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 26: No. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol26/iss3/4