Dam Building
Short answer: Building your first earth dam involves selecting a suitable site with impermeable soil, ...
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Dam Building
Short answer: The Roy Hill project involved constructing a major water storage dam in the ...
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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 of valuable water are lost to evaporation, especially in hot, dry places like much of inland Australia.
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 landholder with a farm dam or responsible for a larger water storage, preparing your dam for drought or heavy rainfall is essential for protecting your assets, ensuring water security, and safeguarding downstream communities. In this guide, we will help you learn how to prepare your dam effectively.
To effectively prepare your dam, understanding the specific risks associated with your location is key. Regularly assessing your dam’s condition will help you prepare your dam for changing weather patterns.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best practices, strategies, and maintenance routines to help your dam weather the extremes of drought and deluge.
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 of agricultural water management.
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 the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Australia is on the verge of experiencing its hottest summer on record in 2024, which is expected to heighten the risk of drought.
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 issues and contrasted beauty, is once again facing the terrible power of nature. Currently, towns and farmers in the state of New South Wales (NSW) are struggling due to an unpredictable drought, which poses a severe threat. We go deep into this dilemma in this blog article, telling the moving story of a farmer struggling against the wrath of nature.
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, including hydroelectric power production, drinking water supply, and irrigation.
However, dams are not immune to issues, and leakage is one of the most prevalent problems they face. While there are solutions available to address dam leakage, it’s essential to understand that Watersave, a polymer-based product known for its water retention capabilities, may not be the panacea for this particular challenge.
In this blog post, I’ll look at the complexities of dam leakage and why Watersave may not be the solution you’re looking for.
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 landscapes, is no stranger to water scarcity challenges. In recent years, the country has been facing a concerning trend: declining dam levels accompanied by surging water usage. This blog post delves into the factors contributing to this issue, its implications, and potential solutions to address the water crisis.
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 structures, dams are not impervious to wear and tear. Leaks are one of the major concerns when it comes to dam safety. A small leak, if unchecked, can escalate into a serious threat.
Here are seven reasons why a dam might leak…
Short answer: The dam news roundup for 18 January 2020 reflected ongoing water storage declines across eastern Australia, with the summer drought continuing to impact farm and urban water reserves alike. Sydney’s major dams were well below historical averages, and rural storages across NSW were approaching emergency levels. The situation underscored the urgent need for …
Short answer: The weekly dam level report for 15 January 2020 captured significant ongoing declines across NSW and Queensland storages as the summer drought continued to intensify. Both state and farm-level storages were trending downward, with little rainfall relief in the short-term forecast. Farmers were urged to actively manage water supplies and prepare contingency plans. …
Short answer: As Sydney’s water storages decline during drought, water restrictions are making garden watering an activity restricted to those who can afford alternative supplies like tank water, bores, or recycled water systems. The disparity highlights broader questions about water equity and the need for urban water security planning. Access to reliable garden water is …
Short answer: The federal government signalled its intent to push for new dam construction across Australia as part of a long-term strategy to boost national water security. Proposed new dams would support agricultural productivity, regional water supply, and drought resilience for farming communities across multiple states. The initiative reignited debate about the environmental, economic, and …
Short answer: Kempsey and its surrounding communities faced growing concerns over the reliability of dam water supplies as prolonged drought reduced storage levels in local catchments. Water authorities warned that continued dry conditions could threaten the town’s water security, prompting calls for urgent investment in alternative supplies and storage augmentation. The situation underscored the need …
Short answer: Long-range weather forecasts for the 2019-20 summer offered a cautious glimmer of hope, with some models suggesting above-average rainfall was possible for parts of drought-affected Australia. However, forecasters cautioned that even above-average rain would need to be significant and widespread to meaningfully replenish depleted dams and dry catchments. Landowners were advised to maximise …
Short answer: The NSW government moved to fast-track approvals for new dam construction as the drought emergency deepened across the state. Streamlined planning pathways aim to reduce red tape and enable landowners to build new water storage infrastructure more quickly. The initiative reflects growing recognition that on-farm water security is critical for agricultural resilience during …
Short answer: NSW dam levels in October 2019 continued to decline, with total storage across major catchments falling to some of the lowest levels recorded in decades. The ongoing drought left many rural towns and farming communities facing severe water shortages as summer approached. Water authorities and the NSW government urged urgent conservation measures and …
Short answer: Dam design at Armidale requires careful consideration of local topography, soil type, and catchment area to ensure reliable water storage throughout dry periods. Big Ditch Aquatecture brings specialist earthmoving expertise to design and construct dams that meet the specific needs of New England properties. A well-designed dam can provide years of reliable water …
Short answer: The NSW government announced $50 million in funding for drought projects aimed at supporting farmers and rural communities through the ongoing water crisis. Funding targets water infrastructure upgrades, including new dams, pipelines, and storage improvements across drought-affected regions. Eligible landholders can apply through relevant state government programs to access financial assistance. NSW Drought …
Short answer: Summer rainfall harvesting allows landowners to capture and store large volumes of water during heavy rain events, maximising every drop that falls on their property. Properly designed farm dams with adequate spillways and catchment areas can significantly boost on-farm water storage. Strategic earthworks and dam placement are key to making the most of …
Short answer: Big Ditch Aquatecture successfully completed a large-scale dam construction project for avocado grower Josh McMillan at Comboyne, NSW. The finished dam wall measures 50m wide by 150m long by 5m deep, providing reliable water storage for the McMillan family’s avocado operation. The project used two Caterpillar D7 bulldozers and a 20-tonne excavator, delivering …