Greening dams

 

Practical water solutions for drought resilience

 

Gippsland farmers are improving the function, water quality and longevity of their dams through practical, on-farm changes as part of the Green Dams project. Delivered in partnership with Food & Fibre Gippsland as the Gippsland Node of the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub, the project focuses on simple actions that improve dam function on farm.

 

Watch the video – see below

 

Demonstrating practical change on farm

 

The project was recently showcased on the South Gippsland beef property of Paul & Sam Crock, who have spent more than 20 years improving water and land management on their farm. Their property provided a practical setting to demonstrate how targeted dam improvements can deliver long-term benefits under real farm conditions.

This builds on earlier Vic Hub activities, including the Green Dams project field day at Cape Liptrap, where farmers explored practical approaches to dam and vegetation management.

Led by the South Gippsland Landcare Network, the project is working with farmers to test and demonstrate approaches that improve dam function and water quality.

 

Improving dam performance

 

Across participating farms, the focus is on practical, achievable changes, including:

• fencing to manage livestock access
• establishing vegetation around dam edges
• improving inflow and outflow design
• reducing sediment and nutrient run-off

These changes help stabilise dam banks, protect water quality and extend the usable life of farm dams.

 

Getting more from existing water on farm

 

Farm dams are a core part of many farming systems, but their condition can decline over time. Sediment build-up, nutrient run-off and unrestricted stock access all reduce how well they function — particularly during dry periods.

On the Crock property, the focus has been on improving how existing dams perform, rather than adding new infrastructure. Managing stock access and establishing vegetation around dam edges are helping protect water quality and reduce long-term degradation.

This approach is about making better use of the water already available on farm — a practical step as seasonal conditions become more variable.

 

Small changes, measurable gains

 

The Green Dams project shows how relatively small changes can deliver meaningful improvements without the need for major infrastructure investment.

The broader Green Dams project overview outlines how vegetation management contributes to maintaining water quantity and quality in dams as part of drought preparedness.

Farmer-led insights have also shaped the work, including Jillian Staton’s role in bringing the project to fruition, highlighting the importance of local leadership in driving adoption.

 

Funding and support

 

The Green Dams project is supported by South Gippsland Landcare Network, with funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub. Food & Fibre Gippsland contributes as the Gippsland Node of the Vic Hub.

The Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub is supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, which invests in practical, on-ground initiatives to build long-term drought preparedness.

 

Source

 

This article is an edited version of an original piece by Food & Fibre Gippsland:
Greening Dams: Practical Water Solutions for Resilient Gippsland Farms
https://www.foodandfibregippsland.com.au/articles/greening-dams-practical-water-solutions