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Technology in Australia 1788-1988Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
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Table of Contents

Chapter 3

I Background

II Early European Settlements

III Assessment Of Available Water Resources

IV Water Supplies For Goldmining Development

V Irrigation Development

VI Farm And Stock Water Supplies

VII Urban Water Supplies

VIII Wastewater Management And Treatment

IX Water Quality Management
i Eppalock reservoir catchment project
ii Ord River catchment regeneration project
iii Salinity reduction

X Limnological And Water Quality Research

XI New Techniques In Water Resource Planning And Management

XII Legislation

XIII Conclusion

XIV List Of Abbreviations

XV Acknowledgements

XVI Plantations-high Productivity Resources

References

Index
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Eppalock reservoir catchment project

This project is an example of innovative technology from another field being employed to protect an important water supply project through comprehensive forward planning and appropriate government action.

Investigation of a proposed major storage on the Campaspe River in Northern Victoria showed that large sections of the catchment were very badly eroded, and that a comprehensive soil conservation scheme would be required to prevent excessive siltation of the future reservoir.

In 1959, a Parliamentary committee recommended that the storage be constructed, with a capacity of 320,000 ML, provided that funds were guaranteed over a 10-year period for erosion mitigation, soil conservation and extensive pasture improvement in the catchment; that the construction of the dam not be commenced until the catchment work was started; and that the Soil Conservation Authority carry out observations of the run-off from the catchment before and after the remedial works.

These recommendations were endorsed by the Government and work commenced. The Soil Conservation Authority applied a wide range of control measures after extensive soil and contour surveys. These measures included gully control structures and reinstatement works; protective fencing; erosion control earthworks; pasture improvement; farm re-design; and water supply. Comprehensive joint planning arrangements with landowners were an essential element.

Now, nearly thirty years later, the results have been very rewarding. The possible silt load entering the reservoir was reduced by over 80 per cent. Production from the catchment increased three-fold in many places. The catchment has been transformed, with improved pasture, the healing of erosion and the growth of thousands of trees. The combination of technologies and rural extension has been most successful.


Organisations in Australian Science at Work - Ord River Catchment Regeneration Project, W.A.; Victoria. Government Departments

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© 1988 Print Edition pages 182 - 183, Online Edition 2000
Published by Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre, using the Web Academic Resource Publisher
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