Learn about all aspects of dam building, dam design & dam repairs
(A comprehensive guide to dam construction for every Tom, Dick & Harriet)
Dam Building dam design Dam quality
Important Vegetation Management for Dams: What to Plant and What to Remove
As a dam builder with over 30 years in the industry, I have seen first-hand how vegetation can make or break the long-term safety, functionality, and environmental value of a ...
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10 Ways to Select the Best Site for your Farm Dam
Water is the most important thing for any farm, and a well-placed farm dam can keep your water safe for decades. I've been building and designing dams for more than ...
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Solar Panels for Farm Dams to Stop Evaporation
Water is very important for farming. Farm dams are crucial for irrigation, cattle, and keeping rural communities alive in Australia and around the world. But every year, millions of litres ...
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Repairing Cracks and Seepage in Earth Dams
Earth dams are vital for water storage, flood control, irrigation, and environmental management. However, their safety and longevity are continually threatened by cracks and seepage—issues that, if neglected, can escalate ...
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Preparing Your Dam for Drought or Heavy Rainfall: A Comprehensive Guide
As an expert dam builder with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with managing dams through extreme weather events. Whether you’re a ...
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How To Calculate the Right Size and Capacity for Your Farm Dam
Calculating the right dam size and capacity for a farm dam requires balancing water demand, evaporation losses, catchment hydrology, and site-specific engineering factors. Here's a systematic approach refined over decades ...
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Key Design Considerations for New Farm Dams
Farm dams are critical infrastructure for agricultural operations in NSW, providing essential water security for livestock, irrigation, and firefighting. Proper design requires balancing hydrological needs, structural integrity, environmental protection, and ...
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How to Assess If You Need a Farm Dam on Your Property
Australia’s rural landscape is dotted with farm dams—vital water reservoirs that underpin agricultural productivity and drought resilience. But before you embark on the journey of building or upgrading a dam, ...
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Expert Guide to Expanding Your Farm Dam
Expanding an existing farm dam is a major investment that can transform your property’s water security, productivity, and resilience.
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Preventive Measures: Recognizing Signs of Dam Cracks and Leaks
Maintaining the integrity of an earth dam is a critical responsibility for any dam owner or operator. Early detection of cracks or leaks can prevent catastrophic failures, safeguard downstream communities, ...
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The Complete Handbook for Dam Maintenance
structured approach to maintenance. Drawing on three decades of hands-on experience and the latest best practices, this comprehensive guide breaks down what you should look for and do on a ...
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How Floating Covers and Windbreaks Stop Evaporation In Your Dam
Evaporation can cause significant water loss from lakes, reservoirs, and farm dams, particularly during hot and windy conditions. Traditional water management methods are no longer sufficient. This has led to ...
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Inspection and Maintenance of Your Dam
Without regular checks and proper maintenance, even a well-built dam can fail—risking property damage, environmental harm, and public safety. A dam inspection helps owners spot early warning signs before they ...
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Measuring Your Dam’s Surface Area for Evaporation Estimates
If you own or run a dam—whether it’s for irrigation, livestock, or just a big water feature in your yard—you need to know how much water you’re losing to evaporation. ...
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What Are The Reasons Dam Repairs Don’t Work?
Faced with extended dry periods, many Australian farmers are considering repairing failing or leaking dams to boost their water supply for when the rain returns. However, dam repairs are typically ...
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How Much Water Is Your Dam Losing To Evaporation?
Evaporation loss from farm dams in Australia is a great challenge to water security, ranging from 9% to 36% loss of total volume of water in summer. Reliable quantification and ...
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The Importance of Regulation Compliance in Dam Construction
Did you know that dam construction failures due to regulatory non-compliance have led to catastrophic losses of life, billions in property damage, and irreparable environmental harm? Behind every dam project ...
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Why Professional Dam Building is Essential for Commercial Projects
When it comes to commercial construction projects, dam building is one of the most crucial tasks that ensures the success and safety of the entire project. Dams play an essential ...
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Top 5 Signs Your Dam Needs Refurbishment and How We Can Help
Dams play a vital role in managing water resources, supporting irrigation, and generating power. They are strong structures, but they can weaken over time due to natural wear and tear ...
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How To Ensure Your Dam Construction Meets All Regulatory Requirements
Natural swimming pools, praised for their eco-friendliness and aesthetic appeal, face challenges like maintenance complexity, higher initial costs, design and space limitations, water quality issues, climate dependency, and wildlife attraction. ...
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The 7 Problems With Natural Swimming Pools
Natural swimming pools, praised for their eco-friendliness and aesthetic appeal, face challenges like maintenance complexity, higher initial costs, design and space limitations, water quality issues, climate dependency, and wildlife attraction. ...
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Which States of Australia are Most Likely to be Affected by Drought?
Australia grapples with recurrent droughts, impacting states differently due to factors like climate patterns, rainfall, temperature, and agricultural methods. Despite its diverse landscapes and wildlife, the nation faces significant drought ...
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How Heatwaves, Droughts, Wildfires, and Floods Are Made Worse by Climate Change
The article discusses how climate change exacerbates heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods. Rising temperatures, altered jet streams, feedback loops, and urban heat islands intensify heatwaves. Changes in precipitation patterns, evaporation ...
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New Research Reveals Environmental Threats Posed by Mine Tailings in Protected Areas
New research from the University of Queensland reveals that a significant portion of the world's mine tailings, about one-third, poses environmental threats to protected areas. Led by Bora Aska, the ...
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What Are the 15 Types of Dams?
Dams, the silent giants of engineering, stand tall, serving specific purposes across the globe. These crucial structures, designed for water resource management, flood control, and power generation, come in various ...
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Debunking the Effectiveness of Superabsorbent Polymers in Dam Repairs
In the world of dam repairs, superabsorbent polymers have their place but are far from being a universal solution. Dams play a crucial role in water security management, providing water ...
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NSW Drought Is Broken by Recent Rainfall
Farmers in New South Wales (NSW) experiencing drought have finally experienced a respite in the form of drought-breaking rainfall, in a much-anticipated turn of events. This week's storms that pounded ...
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The Role of Earth Dams in Flood Control and Disaster Management
Earth dams are versatile structures that serve a multifaceted role in flood control and disaster management. Floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters that can wreak havoc on ...
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Innovations in Spillway Design for Dams: Ensuring Safety and Efficiency
Innovations in spillway design for dams have significantly improved the safety and efficiency of these critical infrastructure projects. Dams play a vital role in managing water resources, providing hydroelectric power, ...
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Sydney’s Ambitious Plan to Double Water Supply through Desalination
The New South Wales (NSW) Government is setting its sights on doubling the water supply from Sydney's $2 billion desalination plant to counteract the anticipated rise in temperatures. According to ...
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5 Extreme Weather Forecasts: Australia’s Weekend Rollercoaster Ride
Australia is in for a turbulent weekend with extreme weather on both coasts. The west battles a scorching heatwave, while the east faces heavy rains and flash flooding threats. Temperatures ...
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What Causes a Lack of Rainfall? Understanding the Factors Behind Dry Spells
The factors contributing to a lack of rainfall are multifaceted and interconnected. Rainfall is a vital component of Earth's natural water cycle and plays a crucial role in supporting life, ...
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Decoding Polymer Innovations’ Advertising Strategies for Water$ave
Polymer Innovations' advertising of Water$ave may present an appealing solution to the pressing issue of dam leakage. But, before purchasing the product, it's imperative to investigate it thoroughly and treat ...
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Australians are ‘Sitting Ducks’ when it comes to Droughts
Australia's population growth, combined with the shortage of dams and other water infrastructure, has left the country vulnerable to the devastating impacts of droughts. Australia, known for its vast landscapes, ...
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Removing Weeds from a Farm Dam: A Comprehensive Guide
Removing weeds from your farm dam is essential for the overall health and productivity of your agricultural operation. Farm dams are vital resources for agricultural purposes, providing water for livestock, ...
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Sydney Should Prepare for Future Water Shortages
In September, The SMH raised an alarming issue – Sydney should prepare for future water shortages – as Sydney's water supply is dwindling rapidly, and the situation is expected to ...
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Understanding Superabsorbent Polymers: Why They Fall Short in Dam Sealing
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) such as Polymer Innovations Watersave product are unsuitable for dam sealing due to their to provide a durable, reliable seal, their potential incompatibility with dam materials, and ...
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Soil Testing Tools and Techniques for Better Farming
The foundation of successful agriculture lies beneath our feet: the soil. To maximize crop yields, improve soil health, and make sustainable farming decisions, it is essential to understand the composition ...
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Solving Low Rainfall: Strategies for Water Scarcity Mitigation
Low rainfall or drought is a pressing concern in many regions across the world, leading to water scarcity, crop failures, and environmental challenges. Climate change and natural variability have exacerbated ...
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Earth Dam Geology: Site Selection and Assessment
Earth dam geology is a critical factor in the successful construction and performance of these essential structures. Earth dams, also known as earthen embankments or levees, are important for water ...
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How to Prevent Dam Siltation: Strategies and Solutions
Preventing and mitigating dam siltation is essential to ensure the long-term effectiveness of these vital infrastructure projects. Dams are critical infrastructure that provides a range of benefits, from water supply ...
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Surviving with less water
Surviving with less water is a skill that can be valuable in various situations, from dealing with water scarcity in everyday life to emergency scenarios in the wild. Water is ...
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Unpredictable Drought Ravages NSW: A Farmer’s Tale of Struggle
The unpredictability of the drought wreaking havoc in NSW is a stark reminder of the tenacity and will of the Australian people. Australia, a country renowned for its stark environmental ...
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How Dams Reduce the Impact of Floods and Fires
Dams are essential components of our infrastructure that play a pivotal role in reducing the impact of floods and wildfires. Natural disasters such as floods and wildfires can wreak havoc ...
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Drought ‘already here’, Australia has driest three months ever
Australia is currently grappling with unprecedented dry conditions, with the past three months marking the driest quarter in the nation's recorded history. According to the latest findings from the Bureau ...
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QLD Government Considered Draining Wivenhoe Dam
QLD wanted to drain over a year’s worth of water from Wivenhoe dam Releasing up to 413 days’ worth of water supply from a key south-east Queensland dam last summer ...
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Does Polymer Innovations dam sealing product ‘Watersave’ work?
In evaluating the effectiveness of dam sealing products, it's crucial to navigate through a complex array of factors, including product composition, application methods, environmental impact, and long-term performance. The industry ...
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BHP pays out over Brazil dam disaster
BHP, the world’s largest mining group, has said publicly for the first time that it wants to reach a final settlement over a dam disaster in Brazil worth potentially tens ...
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The Politics of Dam Development
The construction of dams has long been a political chess piece in the development agendas of nations worldwide. The narrative that dams represent progress is deeply embedded in the political ...
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Why Watersave Won’t Stop Your Dam from Leaking
Water is one of our planet's most valuable resources, and managing it effectively is crucial. Dams play a significant role in water management, storing water for a variety of uses, ...
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Why the Australia’s Water Policy Is Wrong
Australia is a country known for its diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and vast stretches of arid land. Water scarcity has always been a critical issue in the land down under, ...
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Queensland dams dry up
Rural communities in Queensland are grappling with a dire water crisis as dams and groundwater sources continue to dry up, leaving desperate farmers facing a bleak forecast for November.
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Australian Dam Levels Decline Amid Surging Water Usage
Water is one of our planet's most precious resources, and its availability plays a crucial role in sustaining life and supporting various activities. Australia, known for its vast and diverse ...
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The 10 Worst Dam Disasters in History
Dams are engineering marvels that have played a significant role in shaping the world we live in today. They provide essential services such as water supply, electricity generation, and flood ...
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What is Static Liquefaction, and How Could It Affect Your Dam?
Dams are vital infrastructure that serve various purposes, from providing water supply and flood control to generating hydroelectric power. Ensuring the stability and safety of dams is of utmost importance ...
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Warragamba Dam Wall Expansion is Abandoned
In a significant victory for indigenous custodians and environmental advocates, plans to raise the wall of the Warragamba Dam in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, have been officially scrapped. This ...
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12 Tips to Navigating Australia’s Perilous Water Future
Australia is a land of stark beauty, known for its diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and vibrant cities. However, beneath this captivating exterior lies a pressing issue that threatens the nation's ...
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Farm Dams May Be Carbon Sinks, Rather Than Emitters
Farmers and environmentalists alike have long been concerned about the environmental impact of farm dams, especially regarding their potential to release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Recent studies, however, have ...
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Super Absorbent Polymers: Production, Chemicals, and Environmental Consequences
Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are remarkable materials with the ability to absorb and retain large amounts of liquid relative to their own mass. They have found a wide range of ...
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Unmasking Polymer Innovations: The Dark Side of ‘Watersave’
Polymer Innovations, the company behind the product 'Watersave,' has gained a reputation in recent years for its questionable business practices and the divisive nature of its flagship product. In this ...
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Sydney’s Future Water Security
During the last El Niño event in Australia, major cities like Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne faced significant water supply challenges. Now, with three wet La Niña years behind us, ...
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A Comprehensive Guide to Enlarging a Farm Dam in 6 Steps
The decision to expand an existing farm dam is a significant step in the strategic development of agricultural resources. Whether the goal is to increase water capacity for irrigation, improve ...
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10 things To Look For When Choosing a Dam Builder: A Comprehensive Guide
Earth dams are essential structures that play a crucial role in managing water resources, preventing floods, and providing a sustainable source of water for various purposes. Building a robust earth ...
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Water Treatment Solutions for Farm Dams
How do golf courses keep their water features so clean? You can apply the same water treatment solutions to your farm dam Water is the lifeblood of any farm, and ...
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Why Do Dams Leak? Understanding the Factors Behind Dam Leakage
One common issue that has plagued dams over the years is leakage. Dam leakage occurs when water seeps through or around the dam structure, potentially compromising its stability and safety. ...
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8 Reasons Trees on Dam Walls Are Bad for Your Dam
Trees are often celebrated for their role in promoting environmental health, providing oxygen, and offering habitats for various species. However, when it comes to trees growing on dam walls, the ...
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6 Reasons why Liners for Dams are a Bad Idea
While liners for dams are sometimes viewed as a solution to seepage and environmental concerns, they come with a host of disadvantages and challenges.
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Exploring the Ten Largest Dams in the World
The ten largest dams in the world showcase the remarkable achievements of engineering and the importance of water management in modern society. Dams are engineering marvels that have been vital ...
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Australia’s Top 10 Largest Dams
Australia's vast and diverse landscape is dotted with numerous dams that serve essential functions in water supply, agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and more. Australia is a vast and diverse country, ...
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How Many Farm Dams Are There in Australia?
Australia, known for its vast landscapes and unique wildlife, is also a global agricultural powerhouse. Behind the scenes of this agricultural success story lies an essential, often overlooked feature: farm ...
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Why Polymer Sealers Are Not The Solution To A Leaking Dam
Note: Polymer Innovations have twice threatened to sue me for defamation because I write about my long experience with their disappointed customers and their products. You can read about their ...
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7 Ways To Create a Natural Pool
Imagine having a pristine, inviting oasis in your own backyard, where crystal-clear waters shimmer under the sun, and native plants thrive harmoniously with aquatic life. You don't have to dream ...
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8 Things To Do To Repair a Breached Earth Dam Wall
Earth dams play a vital role in water management, agriculture, and environmental conservation. These structures, however, are not immune to breaches, which can lead to devastating consequences. Repairing a breached ...
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Why Trees Are Bad for Dams
Dams are critical infrastructure that serves various purposes, from flood control to electricity generation and water supply. While dams are engineering marvels designed to withstand nature's forces, there's an unlikely ...
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Evaporation Balls: What Are They And How Do They Work
In an era marked by climate change and water scarcity, innovative solutions are essential to address the looming challenges. Among the many technological advances geared towards water conservation, one stands ...
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Earth Dams on Farms: Balancing Agricultural Needs with Sustainable Water Management
Earth dams on farms represent the age-old human endeavour to harness nature for sustenance. Farming has always been at the intersection of human ingenuity and nature's bounty. With the ever-growing ...
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The Ecological Footprint of Earth Dams
When one envisions the massive structures that hold back water, allowing for electricity generation, agricultural irrigation, and even recreation, the immense benefits of dams come into focus. Specifically, earth dams, ...
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The 10 Most Common Mistakes When Constructing a Dam
Dams are marvels of engineering. They provide a myriad of benefits like water storage, electricity generation, flood control, and even recreational opportunities. However, the construction of a dam is a ...
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10 Reasons Why Depth in Dams Is So Important
Dams, those colossal structures that alter the flow of rivers, have been pivotal in human civilization's progress. They have been employed for numerous reasons – water supply, electricity generation, flood ...
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10 Reasons Why Water Is Important for the Survival of Civilization
Water plays a pivotal role in sustaining all forms of life on Earth, including human civilization. As the most essential resource, water impacts various aspects of our society, from agriculture ...
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The Role of Farm Dams in Microclimate Management on Farms
Farming is a delicate dance with nature, where every element of the environment plays a crucial role in crop and livestock management. One often-overlooked but essential aspect of farming is ...
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6 Reasons Why Investing $500 in a Site Inspection for your Dam is Critical
Dams are critical infrastructure that serve various purposes, from water supply to flood control and hydroelectric power generation. These structures are designed to withstand the test of time, but like ...
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10 Ways to Prepare for the Next 7 Years of Droughts
Climate change is causing shifts in weather patterns worldwide, leading to more frequent and severe droughts in various regions. These prolonged dry spells can have devastating consequences for agriculture, water ...
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8 Steps to Secure Water Storage for Droughts
Water is an essential resource for life, and its scarcity during droughts can pose significant challenges to communities and individuals alike. To ensure water security in times of drought, having ...
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3 Alternatives to Building a Dam
As the global population grows and the demand for water and energy increases, the construction of dams has often been seen as a solution. Dams serve several purposes - from ...
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6 Ways to Control Water Hyacinth in Dams
While its purple flowers are undeniably beautiful, the rapid growth and spread of this invasive plant can wreak havoc on dams and other water bodies. It impedes water flow, reduces ...
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7 Reasons a Dam Leaks
Dams are impressive feats of engineering. Designed to store or divert water, they play a pivotal role in generating electricity, providing irrigation, controlling floods, and more. However, like all man-made ...
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Choosing the Right Types of Clay to Seal a Dam
Constructing a dam is no small feat, and one of the most critical steps in ensuring its effectiveness is proper sealing. Dams, especially earthen ones, require an impervious barrier to ...
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The Role of Farm Dams in Managing Runoff and Stormwater on Farms
In the world of agriculture, the management of water resources is synonymous with the heartbeat of life itself. The inherent value of water is recognized universally, but perhaps nowhere is ...
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8 Steps to Achieving Water Security for Your Family
Water is the most essential resource we need to survive. With increasing global challenges, such as changing weather patterns, growing populations, and depleting resources, water security has become a critical ...
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The 10 Benefits of Integrating Water Plants in Dams
Dams have long been an integral part of our world's water management systems. These structures serve various purposes, from flood control to water supply and hydroelectric power generation. However, as ...
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Clear Water Dams
Maintaining the water quality in your dam is crucial to ensure its functionality and the overall health of the ecosystem it supports. The quest for clear water in your dam ...
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Hugelkultur: Harnessing Nature’s Wisdom for Permaculture Success
In the realm of sustainable and regenerative farming practices, Hugelkultur stands out as an innovative and effective technique. Rooted in centuries-old wisdom, Hugelkultur is a method that utilizes wood and ...
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10 Tips for Erosion Control Measures for Farm Dams
Farm dams are vital for irrigation, livestock watering, and flood control in rural areas, but they require erosion control. Without proper erosion control measures, these essential water bodies can become ...
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Nurturing Nature: 8 Tips for Sustainable Water Planning on Farms
In an era of growing environmental concerns and changing climate patterns, it's more important than ever for farmers to adopt sustainable water management practices. By incorporating effective water planning strategies, ...
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8 Effective Strategies to Minimize Evaporation Losses in Dams
Dams play a critical role in water resource management, providing water for irrigation, drinking, power generation, and other essential needs. However, one of the major challenges dams face is evaporation, ...
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10 Strategies for Adapting Dam Design for Climate Change
As the global climate continues to evolve, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are on the rise. This presents a pressing need to reevaluate and adapt critical infrastructure ...
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10 Essential Tips for Water-Wise Farming to Ensure Water Security
In an era of growing water scarcity and climate change, adopting water-wise farming practices has become more critical than ever. Water-wise farming not only ensures the sustainability of agricultural operations ...
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10 Permaculture Dam Design Principles
As concerns about environmental sustainability continue to grow, the need for innovative and eco-conscious engineering practices becomes more evident. One area that holds tremendous potential for incorporating sustainable principles is ...
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The 5 Reasons That Water Is the Next Oil
Water, often taken for granted as a readily available resource, is facing unprecedented challenges in today's world. Just as Peak Oil has played a pivotal role in shaping economies and ...
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Farm Dam Construction and Water Storage for Resilient Emergency Preparedness
In an ever-changing world, where climate uncertainties and unexpected challenges can disrupt the regular flow of resources, being prepared for emergencies is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural operations. One ...
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Farm Dam Maintenance
For small farm owners, a well-maintained farm dam is not only a vital water source but also a key component of the overall agricultural ecosystem. Proper farm dam maintenance ensures ...
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Designing Super Efficient Irrigation Systems
Efficient irrigation systems play a pivotal role in modern agriculture and landscaping. They ensure optimal water usage, minimize wastage, and contribute to sustainable resource management. Designing a super-efficient irrigation system ...
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Integrating Solar Energy Systems with Farm Dam Infrastructure
As the world seeks sustainable solutions to address the pressing challenges of climate change and energy consumption, innovative approaches that marry traditional agricultural practices with renewable energy sources are gaining ...
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Designing Farm Dams for Sediment Trapping and Water Quality Improvement
Farm dams play a critical role in agricultural landscapes, serving as reservoirs for irrigation, stock watering, and other agricultural needs. However, these dams also offer a unique opportunity to improve ...
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Enhancing Biodiversity with Farm Dams
In the face of increasing global environmental challenges, the conservation of biodiversity has become more critical than ever before. While agricultural practices have often been associated with negative impacts on ...
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Farm Dam Construction in Rocky Terrain
In farming communities, the construction of farm dams plays a crucial role in managing water resources, especially in regions with limited access to natural water bodies. However, building a farm ...
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The Role of Farm Dams in Drought Resilience
Droughts are natural phenomena that can have devastating effects on agriculture, particularly for small farms. As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of droughts are increasing, leaving farmers grappling ...
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Early Warning Signs for Earth Dam Failure
Earth dams are essential structures used to store water and manage water resources worldwide. While these dams serve critical purposes like irrigation, water supply, and flood control, they also carry ...
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What Farm Dam Safety Inspections Should You Undertake Regularly?
Farm dams are essential water storage structures that play a crucial role in agricultural operations. They provide water for irrigation, livestock, and other farming needs. However, as with any man-made ...
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How to Integrate Aquaculture into Your Farm Dam
As the global population continues to grow, the demand for food production escalates, putting pressure on traditional farming practices. In the pursuit of sustainable and efficient food production, integrating aquaculture ...
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Farm Dam Vegetation Management: Balancing Ecosystems and Infrastructure
Farm dams are essential to agricultural operations because they provide water for animals, irrigation, and other farming activities. However, over time, these water bodies can become susceptible to excessive vegetation ...
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Farm Dam Construction on Sloping Terrain: Design and Stability
Farm dams are essential water storage structures for agricultural operations, providing a reliable supply of water for irrigation, livestock, and domestic needs. Constructing a farm dam on sloping terrain presents ...
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The Environmental Benefits of Farm Dams on Small Farms
In recent years, the impact of agriculture on the environment has become a growing concern. As the global population increases, so does the demand for food production, which places significant ...
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Using Geomembranes in Farm Dam Construction for Enhanced Water Storage
Agriculture is the backbone of many economies, and effective water management plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of agricultural endeavors. In regions where water is scarce or irregularly ...
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Farm Dam Rehabilitation: Upgrading and Repairing an Existing Dam
Farm dams play a crucial role in the agricultural landscape, providing essential water storage for irrigation, livestock, and other farming activities. Over time, these structures may deteriorate due to various ...
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Farm Dam Seepage Control: Techniques and Best Practices
Farm dams are vital for agricultural operations, providing water storage for irrigation, livestock, and other farming activities. However, seepage, the leakage of water through dam structures, can lead to significant ...
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Assessing the Hydrological Conditions for Farm Dam Construction
Farm dams play a vital role in modern agriculture, providing a reliable and sustainable water supply for irrigation, livestock, and domestic use. However, constructing a farm dam requires careful planning ...
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Designing Spillways for Farm Dams: Ensuring Controlled Overflow
Farm dams play a vital role in agricultural practices, serving as a reliable water source for irrigation, livestock, and general farm operations. However, heavy rainfall or excessive water accumulation can ...
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How to Maximize Rainwater Harvesting on Small Farms
Water scarcity is a growing concern for farmers, especially those operating on small farms. In such scenarios, every drop of water counts, and implementing effective rainwater harvesting techniques becomes crucial. ...
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Farm Dam Maintenance: Essential Practices for Longevity
Farm dams play a crucial role in agricultural operations, providing water storage for irrigation, livestock, and domestic use. However, like any other infrastructure, they require regular maintenance to ensure their ...
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Common Challenges in Farm Dam Building and Effective Strategies for Overcoming Them
Farm dams are vital for agricultural operations, serving as a valuable water source for irrigation, livestock, and various farm activities. However, constructing a farm dam can be a complex endeavor, ...
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The Role of Farm Dams in Irrigation for Small Farms
For small-scale farmers, ensuring a reliable water supply is crucial for successful agriculture. In regions with irregular rainfall patterns or limited access to natural water sources, farm dams play a ...
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Understanding the Water Requirements for Farm Dam Construction
Farm dams are essential to agricultural operations because they offer a dependable and sustainable water source for livestock, irrigation, and other farming tasks. Water requirements are an important issue when ...
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Farm Dam Safety: How to Ensure Structural Integrity
Farm dams are essential for agricultural operations, providing water for irrigation, livestock, and various farm activities. However, ensuring the structural integrity of these dams is crucial to prevent catastrophic failures ...
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Beginner’s Guide to Building a Farm Dam on Your Property
Building a farm dam on your property can provide valuable water resources for irrigation, livestock watering, and other agricultural needs. While it may seem like a daunting task, with proper ...
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Farm Dam Construction: Planning and Design Considerations
Building a farm dam is a crucial step for small-scale farmers looking to secure a reliable water supply for irrigation, livestock watering, and other agricultural needs. However, successful dam construction ...
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The Importance of Farm Dams for Small-Scale Agriculture
In the world of small-scale agriculture, where every resource is precious, farm dams play a vital role in ensuring the success and sustainability of the operations. These man-made reservoirs hold ...
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Big Ditch Dam Building Company
Big Ditch Dam Building Company has established itself as a frontrunner in the field of dam construction. With its unwavering commitment to engineering excellence, superior project management, and a strong ...
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Red Algae blooms
Rhodophyta, or red algae, can develop for a number of reasons, such as nutrient availability and environmental circumstances. A few of the major causes of red algae include the following
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Talking About Water resources: Interesting Facts
If we didn’t have water, we’d die. Water resources are taken for granted, but here’s some interesting facts about H2O Facts about water in Africa and Asia China and Taiwan ...
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Overflow Strategies for Earth Dams
Dams are the primary structures used to store water on the planet. However, the failure of embankment dams can cause catastrophic disasters. It is a known fact that overtopping is ...
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Artificial Flooding to Achieve Environmental Flow Objectives
Floodplain ecosystems are among the most productive landscapes globally They offer various indirect and direct services and goods to humans and supporting various ecological communities. In most areas, the regulation ...
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Inland Water Systems Are Being Lost
Inland water systems continue to face great havoc This havoc has continued to become worse over the years. The most affected arethe species biodiversity in inland water systems. Changes in ...
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The Outlook on the Water Problem
The United Nations is dealing with the global water problem. However, their plans and solutions for dealing with this situation continue to be questionable. A critical concept that we looked ...
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The Future of Water
Erratic weather and climatic changes globally indicate that we are living in unknown times. The globe continues to experience harsh hot conditions and intense rainfall patterns. These changes in weather ...
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Alterations of Riparian Ecosystems Caused By River Regulation
Ecological changes resulting from dam operations At least two-thirds of freshwater flowing into the oceans is obstructed by approximately 800,000 smaller dams and about 40,000 larger dams that are more ...
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River restoration in Australia
Rivers are essential ecosystems There continues to be an increase in the demand for water to cater to the growing population, and this demand has led to overexploitation of rivers ...
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The Negative Environmental Effects of Gigalitre Super Dams
Why small farm dams better than massive reservoirs Dams provide massive benefits, with the most common being a great source of electricity and water for commercial and domestic needs. Despite ...
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Climate and the Role of Dams
Throughout history, humanity has always relied on water for survival Water is a source of comfort, without which life wouldn’t be normal. It’s a fact that water has specific properties ...
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Effect of climate change on freshwater ecosystems
Possible risks and adaptation methods Human-induced climate change will have a significant impact on freshwater ecosystems. Scientists foresee a decrease in wetter basins and an increase in drier basins in ...
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Challenge of Environmental Climate Change in Australia
Climate change presents a challenge to Australia’s water resources There is so much global warming in the world today that is mainly caused by artificial activities. Impacts resulting from climate ...
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Everything you need to know about Evaporation management
From ineffective design to poor dam maintenance, there are many factors that can lead to high rates of dam evaporation. It’s not a secret that the effect of climate change ...
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Procedures for Designing and Testing Filters for Dams
Filters for Dams: Introduction In a world marked by severe climate change and water scarcity, there’s no doubt that dams are in-demand human-made structures used for irrigation, water storage, and ...
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Particle Retention Lab Testing of Filters for Dams
The Importance of Filters in Dam Construction and Maintenance Given the importance of dams in agriculture, industrial processes, and human consumption worldwide, there’s no surprise that dam construction is a ...
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Foundation Filters in Embankment Management
In the previous post dedicated to foundation filters, we took a look at the different types of filters and their properties. We saw how appurtenant structures and other structures used ...
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Additional Application of Drainpipes and Dam Filters
Now that we have a firm understanding of the working of seepage and how it leads to piping, we will take a tour and assess further applications of filters. By ...
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Introduction to Filters Used in Embankment Dams for Evaporation
We understand the problems of erosion and seepage when it comes to embankment dams. Moreover, these dams usually suffer from evaporation adding on to the problem of water loss. Current ...
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4 Best Methods to Estimate Evaporation Levels in Semi-Arid Areas
Taking a look at global news, one is stormed with alarming news of climate change all over. Rainfall periods are increasingly becoming shorter but more intense all over. The worst-hit ...
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Best Aquatic Plants for Your Dam Or Pond: The Full Guide
Proper management of dams and ponds requires much. This is especially the case when such water reservoirs are needed in the long run. Nevertheless, when one fully utilizes the nitty-gritty ...
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The Role of Breach Mechanics in Dam Failures
Breach Mechanics in Overtopped Earthen Embankments Explained When thinking of dams, what comes to mind? A dam is a large structure holding a considerable amount of water to the point ...
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Breach Mechanics Theorem and Development
The first step in understanding breach mechanics was to evaluate soil mechanics in brief. We then proceeded to discuss the history and cases of breach mechanics in our previous blog. ...
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Air-Bubble Plume Destratification in Farm Dams
Farm owners in different places have experienced different problems when it comes to water storage. Over the millennia, agriculture and different empires have flourished from the ability to tap excess ...
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EVAPCO Evaporation Reduction Shade Balls
EVAPCO. Check out our big dam balls! Another load of our EVAPCO shade balls for evaporation reduction about to leave for future installation into a large multi-national gas company’s massive ...
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How to use Bentonite to seal a dam
Bentonite needs to be applied in a very precise way to ensure it works effectively and permanently The optimal result of using bentonite to seal a dam properly is achieved when ...
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Permeability of Soils and Seepage in Dams
To understand what soil permeability and seepage in dams entail, we will approach it using a backward approach. We will start by illustrating the practical application in the case of ...
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Biomimicry for Dams & Evaporation Management
Biomimetics, also known as biomimicry, is a discipline of science and a design methodology that observes the mechanics of natural systems and how they can be translated to problem-solve issues ...
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Is Evaporation Management Necessary for Dams?
Benefits of natural vegetation in dams In some states of Australia, experts are saying a farm dam can lose anywhere from 1.3m to over 2m of water annually from evaporation. ...
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Bird Deterrent Systems for Dams
Dams: A Refreshing Source of Life for Wildlife. Dams are a refreshing source of life. Water reservoirs are designed to benefit agriculture, irrigation, and water consumption across the globe. At ...
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Repair of Leaks in Dams: Risk Assessment & Client Communication
Leaks in Dams: How to Save Water, Time and Effort From large hydroelectric sites to private decorative reservoirs, dams are invaluable geographical areas. Given their various applications across industrial and ...
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Using Dam Covers to reduce Evaporation
Have you heard about safe water-covers also known as dam covers? They are used in areas where dams and other large storages of water are the main sources of clean ...
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Autumn Dam
“I think I have known Autumn too long” – E.E.Cummings American poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright. He wrote approximately 2,900 poems, two autobiographical novels and four plays
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Dam Fine Show at Crescent Head
Sometimes, you just look up and have to be amazed. The big fella upstairs doing some afternoon painting with clouds over the Big Ditch HQ Triangle dam and the Crescent ...
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The Razorback Dam Project Day 5
Day 5 of The Razorback Dam Project. Razorback Mountain. 1 hr south of Sydney The final 4 tonnes of Bentonite gets worked into the leaking dam wall. Previous parts: Days ...
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Old school dam building in action
While the dam building is not new and its roots can be traced back to 4th- 3d centuries B.C., throughout the history of the development, it underwent huge changes. The ...
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The Razorback Dam Seal Project
The Razorback Dam Seal works in progress. Day 3. Shake & bake. The false land bridge is rolled back on the leaking wall and Bentonite layers 1 & 2 go ...
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Razorback Project, Day 2. Solution for a Leaking Dam
Previous part Prepping the wedge wall through the middle of the existing dam as a solution for a leaking dam. This wall will then be rolled back in layers onto ...
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The Razorback Dam Project
The Razorback Dam Project – in the mountains one hour south of Sydney. Razorback is the home of multi-million dollar estates with million dollar views of Sydney Big Ditch apprentice ...
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Big Beautiful Buddhist Dam
This dam would have to be the most beautiful dam I have ever seen in 15 years of looking at dams globally. It is absolutely world class with cutting edge ...
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How Big Should my Dam Be?
When you want to calculate how big your dam should be - use this simple formula. 4 units of storage for every 1 unit of required water
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One Dam Refurbishment story
The Parry Project at Kendall NSW was a refurbishment of a 10 year old leaky dam that refused to hold any water for longer than a few weeks. The result ...
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Joining Dams? Don’t. Here’s Why
Is it a good idea to create a new dam around a small existing dam? Long story short, the answer is no - because dams need separation from each other. ...
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Herons Creek Dam No.4
The afternoon sun framing Overflow Dam No.4 behind Dam No.2 @ the Herons Creek Project. Completed 19 March 2020
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Creating Infinity Dams
Infinity dams are modelled on infinity pools that you find in the most expensive resort hotels around the world - and these dams are our speciality
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Beautiful Dam Redesign
This is the Arvidson No.2 Dam at Kundabung – and it is a refurbishment of an old dam that was finished in early 2019. Taking into account that the dam ...
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The Arvidson Dam
The Arvidson Dam @ Kundabung NSW was constructed in early 2019, the dam sat empty for close on 12 months. The Arvidson Dam transformation Over a period of two weeks ...
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Controlled Dam Overtopping
Dam overtopping can be non-destructive if the dam wall is designed with gentle rollover characteristics, so the flow over the wall doesn't dig into the wall and cause wall collapse
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The Evaporation Crisis
Australia loses over 1.4 trillion litres of water each year
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Roy Hill Dam Project
Gina Rinehart’s $10 billion Roy Hill mine in Karratha WA is Australia’s largest iron ore mine – and Ms. Rinehart is Australia’s richest person. They had a problem with the ...
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Australia is dam hot
Australia’s horrible beginning to the 2020/21 summer season seems like it will worsen, after the nation’s worst start to a summer in living memory. Australia suffered record-breaking wildfires, a debilitating ...
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Metal sludge pollutes Sydney dams
A metal sludge-like layer is infecting two dams that provide water for showering and drinking in Sydney The Cataract and Cordeaux dams have increased levels of iron, examinations have shown. ...
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Dam Levels Continue To Fall
On 2 December 2019, the rural dam levels in NSW averaged 28.2%. This was a decrease of 0.7% since last week. This indicates most rural farm dams will be empty ...
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Let’s Talk Dirty
The best clay for sealing a dam is white clay because it will create a permanent seal. Avoid using red clay, because it is dispersive, and it ill let water ...
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Only Sydney’s wealthy will water gardens in future
“Water in NSW is too cheap” claimed economist Richard Tooth, talking about Sydney Water’s most recent pricing proposals. “Water costs $2 a tonne. that’s 5 litres for a cent” he ...
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Super Premium Dam Redesign
Design concepts for the dam refurbishment & rehabilitation at Robert Oatley Olives. Robert Oatley was one of Australia’s greatest yachtsmen – known for owning the nine-time Sydney-Hobart-winning yacht Wild Oats ...
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Cutting Edge Dam Design VS Water Security
Design concepts for a unique destination & experience AirBNB project with a heavy emphasis on permaculture and organic style. Located in the hills outside of Port Macquarie, this ...
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Government Doesn’t Give A Dam
‘Dam-avoidance’ has penetrated practically every level of Australian Government. No big new water storage’s have been built for years. Since 1990, the population of Australia has expanded almost 50 percent ...
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Dam Levels Dry Up Rapidly
The total active storage in rural dams on 18 November 2019 was 29.6%. This was a decrease of 0.7% since last week. These levels will decrease more rapidly over the ...
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NSW Dam Levels Continue To Decline
The total active storage percentage of rural water supplies in NSW dams on 11 November 2019 was 30.3%. This was a decrease of 0.4% since last week.
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Dam it. No rain today. Anywhere
Today is the first day in history where it didn’t rain anywhere in Australia Not a single raindrop has fallen across the whole land mass of Australia. Australia is effected ...
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Dam Fool Politicians And The Folly Of Dam Arrogance
National Party member & Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says there is no link between climate change and the current worsening bushfires. He said it is just the ravings of capital-city ...
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Government calls for Dam Building Programs
States should ‘raise their fingers and do a little bit with us’ says Federal Water Minister David Littleproud New South Wales “has actually done a great deal of heavy ...
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Dam storages down 0.3% this week
The total active storage percentage of rural water supplies on 4 November 2019 was 30.7%. This was a decrease of 0.3% since last week. Significant rainfall was recorded near ...
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No Dam Water For Marijuana Growers
Northern NSW marijuana capital gets dry mouth Mullumbimby Council have announced that if there is no rainfall in the Wilsons Creek catchment in the following week, Level 1 water ...
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$20 Million Dam Water Fraud: Federal minister involved
The Federal Minister in charge of Water Resources David Littleproud has family links to the $20 million Murray-Darling dam water fraud – which has led to Police filing charges in ...
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Outback town giving away free water
A Queensland town with a wealth of underground water is offering it free to other drought affected towns that are lacking the valuable resource. The Queensland hamlet of ...
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Dam worries for Kempsey
Kempsey Shire Council water and sewer manager Wesley Trotter said Kempsey’s water supply now entirely reliant on rainfall
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Some hope for summer rain in long range forecasts
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Climate and Water Briefing dated 22 October predicts a 50% chance of summer rain across NSW from November to January. However, rainfall is likely to ...
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30 private dams built with public money
Taxpayers have funded as many as 30 huge dams on land owned by private interests and big agriculture firms. These brand-new dams have been built on private property, with money ...
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Public Service Announcement
A public service announcement for unhappily married acreage-owning men who hope for a better future
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The Fast Dams Project
The Berejiklian administration’s contentious plans to sidestep environmental and planning rules in a bid to fast-track water facilities in drought-affected communities has been authorised by cabinet. This enables Water Minister ...
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Dam-it, that’s low!
. Dam levels across NSW hit record lows. It’s developing into a glass half empty situation with no rain in the long range weather forecast through to February 2020
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Alan Jones in tears
Alan Jones rains tears over drought Alan Jones has broken down on his television program as he described the plight of drought-stricken farmers.
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Dam cost refunds!
Get 25% of your dam investment refunded through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme. This program aims to provide funding for primary producers for the ...
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‘Farmer Porn’ October 2019 Advertising Poster
There’s one thing that farmers really like – and when they get it, they like it long, hard & wet
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Dam Levels Down During Sept 2019
The total active storage percentage of rural dam water supplies on 30 September 2019 was 32.6% of the total active storage capacity. This was a decrease of 0.4% since last ...
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Dam design at Armidale
A new 20,000,000 litre water security project for the ultra premium super-fine merino fleece producer in Australia and 3 time winner of the premium global Ermenegildo Zegna fine wool award. ...
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$50m For NSW Drought Projects
The State Government has reached into it’s pockets and pulled out $50 million for the current drought dilemma The NSW Government has decided to make it rain money to ...
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Catch Every Drop Of Rain This Summer
Big Ditch’s ‘Catch Every Drop’ tells the story of the crippling drought in Australia. This is the cinema long-form version edit of ‘Catch Every Drop’ – for showing at ...
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Big Ditch. Big Challenges
Big wind. Big challenges. Big wall. Big dam. Dungog NSW February 2019 Check more here
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I Like Big Butts And I Cannot Lie
One of our dozers, the D6T XL working the north spillway at Dungog in extreme winds & ferocious bulldust.
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Pushing Big Dirt
Pushing big dirt for a big dam with Big Henry at Dungog February 2019
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Arabella Project Day 7 Sunday at Tony’s Place
A Sunday morning at Tony’s Place in Dungog before building some more dams – investigating one of the world’s greatest sheds, and admiring 2,000 acres of some of the most ...
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The Arabella Project Day 6. The return of Mr Boggy Boggerson
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Dangerous Jobs Part 1. Big Ditch Heavy Earthmoving Machine Wrangler
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The Arabella Project Day 1
Today was day one of our massive five dam 100 mgl ‘Arabella Project’ on 2000 prime acres near Dungog NSW. These are the before photos of dams 1 & 2 ...
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Sydney desalination plant just days from starting up as dam levels dive
A spokesman for Don Harwin, the urban water minister, said households would pay as much as $35-a-year extra to cover the plant’s operations. He also said the public should follow the ...
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Dam checks: From barren lands to three harvests a year
To address the inadequate supply of water in the area, an integrated watershed project built 23 new check dams and revamped six existing dams in the region. Read more
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The man who dreamed dam big
The theme of dam buiilding is a subject that creates a lot of disputes, yet there is little doubt that once built, many of them are among the most stunning ...
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Will Hoover Dam ever fail?
Hoover dam was built in the 1930’s and we know that infrastructure deteriorates with time. So when will it need significant repair or replacement? No expense was spared in the ...
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Large dam for Josh McMillan completed
Large dams capture lost rainwater run-off for avocado growers Avocado growers always worry about their dam levels and their ability to effectively harvest rainwater. The dam for Josh McMillan is ...
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