Publication Date
2009
Publisher
Western Australian Agriculture Authority
City
Perth
Abstract
The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) has a 'flow through' irrigation system. That is, irrigation water is diverted from Lake Kununurra and any waste water from the irrigation system and farms flows directly back into the river downstream. This means that any sediment, nutrient or chemicals in tailwater from farms flows straight into the river.
The Ord Land and Water Management Plan 2000 specifies goals to improve surface water quality. The goals are to reduce the load of chemical and nutrient contamination and sediment in tailwater by 40 per cent.
The aim of this project was to develop and demonstrate different farming systems and identify best management practices (BMP) that minimise the impact on water quality in the Ord Catchment while maintaining economic viability. The project was built on previous research, including the National Action Plan for salinity and water quality (NAP) sub-projects 'Pesticide' and 'On-farm Water Use Efficiency Tool' from the first round of NAP funding.
The project showcased options through the establishment and management of demonstration sites under the direction of a grower steering group. It provided quantifiable evidence of the change that various technologies and practices have on the quality of tailwater run-off.
An economic analysis was undertaken to assess the cost-effectiveness of the on-farm management options to assist in assessing their feasibility for implementation.
Number of Pages
102
Keywords
Water Quality, Ord River, Western Australia, Irrigation water, Farming, Sustainable farm systems
Disciplines
Environmental Engineering | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Fresh Water Studies | Hydraulic Engineering | Hydrology | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Soil Science | Water Resource Management
Recommended Citation
Slaven, T,
Bright, F,
Hawley, J,
and
Sherrard, J.
(2009), Demonstrating sustainable farm management systems. Final report for RCG05-Ord13. Western Australian Agriculture Authority, Perth. Report.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/lr_researchrpts/6
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Included in
Environmental Engineering Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Fresh Water Studies Commons, Hydraulic Engineering Commons, Hydrology Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Soil Science Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
