The objective of this project is to improve Kangaroo Island farmers knowledge and understanding of techniques to improve water security on farm.
Key activities will include:
- Two workshop/field days covering KILB water security maps, dam design and placement, managing water quality and the use of graded catchments to improve run off into dams
- Development of case studies and fact sheet.
- Technical support
Project description:
Water security has been identified as a key priority by the KI Drought Hub reps on the Struan Node Stakeholder Advisory Group. With limited access to mains water and most underground water saline, farmers rely on dams for the majority of stock needs. This project will upskill farmers in techniques to better manage/maximise surface water capture into dams through field days, technical support, fact sheets and case studies. The project is made up of three key activities; workshop/field day, case study/fact sheets, and technical support.
Key achievements and results:
Why the work was done
Kangaroo Island (KI), like many similar winter high rainfall dependent rainfall zones, relies predominately on winter rain to fill dams. With limited access to mains water and most underground water saline, farmers rely on dams for the majority of stock needs. But with changing seasonal conditions, Kangaroo Island appears to have had less dam filling (heavy rainfall causing run-off) events in recent years. There is an identified need to upskill farmers in dam design and placement, managing water quality and the use of graded catchments to improve run off into dams.
As farmers learn best from local knowledge and ‘learning by seeing’ this project focused on field days at local sites, local case studies and a localised fact sheet. The work was further backed up by technical support from Govt officers stationed on Kangaroo Island (Kangaroo Island Landscape’s Board Water Officer and PIRSA’s local Soil and Land Management Officer).
What was achieved
Two field days were held on, one along the southern region coast and the other along the northern region. The field days covered dam design, site selection, graded catchment construction and maintenance plus the overall benefits of the system. Two case studies were developed using local farmers. One focussed on the ‘traditional’ clay based graded catchment and the other a plastic sheeted catchment. Both case studies covered off on why the farmers chose to construct a graded catchment, what was done (site selection, construction, post construction management) and the ongoing benefits. Initially, it was proposed that one case study would be graded catchment and the other based on water management ie dam design/placement, water quality. This was altered slightly to cover two different options for constructing graded catchments – with both covering off on design/placement and water quality. The fact sheet is a three page guide to graded catchments covering selecting a suitable location, construction, design options, maintenance and required approvals. Technical support was provided at both field days (through local PIRSA and Kangaroo Island staff) plus follow up phone calls. Due to the seasonal conditions creating an increasing work load for farmers (feeding stock, checking watering points, carting water, cleaning out dams etc). No actual site visits have occurred.
Who can benefit from the results
Whilst the project was initiated and delivered on Kangaroo Island the results and project learnings will be applicable to any similar region facing similar issues of lack of runoff into dams.
When the practices can be adopted / Who can be contacted to support adoption
The project findings can be adopted immediately for this region as all required knowledge is on KI i.e local earthmoving contractor has now constructed several graded catchments on KI and is now well trained and experienced in design and construction. Local PIRSA and KILB staff also have the required skills and knowledge plus local networks to help promote the system. KI farmers can utilise locally based experts who can be accessed at anytime for support and advice. The development of the factsheets and case studies can assist farmers in other regions to adopt the practice to their local areas.
Read the full technical report here.
Further information:
Project Images
Webpage main photo Credit: PIRSA