Dam Building
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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.
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 the adoption of innovative solutions like windbreaks and floating covers. These approaches not only reduce evaporation but also improve water quality and promote sustainable water use.
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 prediction of losses are complicated by numerous factors that include meteorology, dam shape, and inaccuracies in measurement. This paper explores the complexities of evaporation estimation, the limitations of current practice, and the potential for improvement through advanced modeling and abatement technologies like floating covers and windbreaks. Understanding these dynamics is essential to effectively manage water in Australia’s agricultural regions.
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 challenges, with its arid climate heightening susceptibility. Key contributors include climate patterns, rainfall shortages, rising temperatures, soil quality, water storage, farming practices, population density, and climate change. States like Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory experience varying degrees of vulnerability. Sustainable water management, infrastructure investments, and climate change mitigation are vital for resilience.
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 the state provided an excess of desperately needed moisture; in certain places, over 100 mm of rain fell. More than 70% of NSW has been experiencing extreme drought conditions, according to the Department of Primary Industries, so this rainfall is a much-needed lifeline for farmers.
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.
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 in Western Australia’s south-west may reach 39°C, but relief is expected next week. Meanwhile, the east anticipates widespread showers and thunderstorms. South Australia also faces thunderstorms, while Brisbane and the Gold Coast brace for heavy rain. Stay informed and safe amidst this weekend’s meteorological challenges
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, agriculture, and ecosystems. However, in various parts of the world, there are periods when rainfall becomes scarce, leading to droughts and water shortages. In this article, we look at the complex factors that can cause a lack of rainfall, shedding light on the meteorological, geographical, and environmental aspects of this phenomenon.
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, unique wildlife, and thriving cities, faces a recurring challenge: drought. The continent has a long history of droughts, which can have devastating effects on its environment, economy, and people. While droughts are natural occurrences, Australia’s increasing population and a lack of sufficient dams have left many Australians feeling vulnerable in the face of these dry spells.
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 worsen with the increasing impacts of climate change and the city’s booming population.
The main problem lies in Sydney’s heavy reliance on rainwater to fill its dams, which then becomes the primary source of drinking water. However, as rainfall patterns become less predictable and droughts more frequent, this crucial water source is diminishing.
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 this issue, making it essential for communities to implement proactive strategies to address low rainfall and its consequences.
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 essential for life. It’s not just vital for staying hydrated, but also for cooking, cleaning, agriculture, and countless other daily activities. However, in certain situations, such as during droughts, emergencies, or while exploring remote regions, access to ample water may be limited.
In this article, I explore essential strategies and give you tips on how to survive with less water, ensuring that you can adapt and thrive even when faced with water scarcity.
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.
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 on communities, causing significant damage to property and posing serious threats to human lives. Climate change has caused an increase in the frequency and severity of catastrophic disasters in recent years. To mitigate the impact of these catastrophes, various strategies have been employed, and one of the most effective methods is the use of dams. Dams play a crucial role in reducing the impact of floods and fires by managing water resources, providing a source of firefighting water, and offering flood control. In this blog post, we will explore how dams serve as vital tools in mitigating the devastation caused by floods and wildfires.
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 of Meteorology, the country is enduring a significant rainfall deficit, with the situation particularly dire in Western Australia, Queensland, and South Australia.
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, but in recent years, the Australian government’s water policy has come under scrutiny and criticism from various quarters. This blog post aims to shed light on the reasons why many experts, environmentalists, and concerned citizens believe that the Australian government’s water policy is fundamentally flawed.
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.
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 an adequate water storage system in place is crucial. But how much water do you actually need in storage to achieve this level of security? In this blog post, we will explore the various factors and calculations required to determine the right amount of water you should store to withstand a drought effectively.
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 issue for many.
As responsible individuals, ensuring a consistent, clean, and adequate water supply for our families should be a top priority. Here’s a comprehensive guide on eight steps you can take to achieve water security for your family:
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 with water scarcity and its impact on their livelihoods.
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 Kaleb Bakker in the new Kobelco 23 ton Geospec zero swing excavator stripping the dam wall and preparing it for Bentonite layering. Day One Dam …
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
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 extreme drought, toxic-smoke, polluted water reserves and a record breaking heatwave. Australia was the hottest country worldwide last Thursday. Heatwaves are the most lethal natural …
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. Tests show that inside this sludge there is also aluminium, manganese, lithium, strontium, barium, titanium, zinc and nickel. The dams supply water to 600,000 people …
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 by June 2020 unless significant rain events materialise
“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 said “Topsoil sets you back 10 times that and also you pay for delivery,” claimed Dr Tooth Households ought to be charged more during the …
‘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 – however there has been pathetic 3 percent increase in dam storage. Despite the drought, we know that there always be significant rain events, and …
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 December, January and February period. If no significant rainfall is received, in a worst case scenario, these levels could reach zero by August next year. …
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.
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 by weather conditions from several different influences, so that makes it a very rare incident for rain-bearing clouds to not strike any of the country.
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 lifting however other states have not” he said Littleproud has warned it will take a minimum of two years for farmers to recoup their losses …
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 Bourke and surrounding areas over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd Nov 2019. Around 95mm was observed at Bourke and around 51mm at Brewarrina over …
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 constraints will be implemented in Mullumbimby. This follows a severe decline last week in the water feeding the Laverty’s Void Dam on Wilsons Creek which …
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 Richmond is the lucky town – and the water originates from the Great Artesian Basin The Richmond County Council Mayor John Wharton has presented …
Kempsey Shire Council water and sewer manager Wesley Trotter said Kempsey’s water supply now entirely reliant on rainfall
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 coming from the Commonwealth’s $4 billion water efficiency program. Two of the dam projects cost taxpayers nearly $30 million. The dam projects were subject to …
A public service announcement for unhappily married acreage-owning men who hope for a better future
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 Melinda Pavey and Planning Minister Rob Stokes to reduce the need to carry out biodiversity studies – leaving planning decisions to WaterNSW. WaterNSW said this …
. 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
Alan Jones rains tears over drought Alan Jones has broken down on his television program as he described the plight of drought-stricken farmers.
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 costs associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare needs and improves resilience to drought. The rebate is 25% …
There’s one thing that farmers really like – and when they get it, they like it long, hard & wet
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. Zegna is unique in the men’s fashion world for owning 100% of its supply chain. Ermenegildo Zegna spins ultrafine merino wool from farms in Australia …
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 confront the state’s H2O crisis situation. The Minister for Water announced the $50m to target a number of major water infrastucture initiatives $39 million will …
