Small Farm Dams

• Southern Farming Systems

Small farm dams are relied upon to provide stock and domestic water for many farms across Victoria. However our understanding of their capacity to provide adequate water during drought and climate change is being questioned.

This project uses spatial imagery and allows a farmer to ‘click’ on an existing dam on a map.  The tool being developed will automatically map the catchment above the dam and using 5 km climate grids, along with catchment runoff models, predict the frequency and volume of runoff at that dam.

 12 farm dams (involving 12 farmers) are being used to develop and calibrate the surface runoff model.  A major extension campaign will follow in 2023.

This project is being led by Southern Farming Systems and supported by Federation University, Riverine Plains, Birchip Cropping Group, Food and Fibre Gippsland, La Trobe University, University of Melbourne, Deakin University and Agriculture Victoria.