ANU Sustainable Farms

Supporting sustainable farming to help conserve Australia’s unique biodiversity.

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  • About Us
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    • Introduction
    • Support biodiversity
    • Enhance farm dams
    • Establish shelterbelts
    • Enhance rocky outcrops
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  • Farmer Stories
    • Introduction
    • Tony and Vicky Geddes, Yallock
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An initiative of the Australian National University
  • Introduction

    • Farm Dams Technical Guide

    • What is an enhanced dam?

    • Benefits of farm dam enhancement

  • Section 1: Water planning and dam decision-making

    • Introduction

    • Importance of farm water planning

    • Farm Water Planning Steps

    • Dam decision-making options

  • Section 2: Enhancing farm dams

    • Introduction

    • Considerations for choosing which dams to enhance

    • How to enhance a farm dam

  • Section 3: Optimising dam construction for multiple benefits

    • Introduction

    • Key features of a well-designed farm dam

    • Planning a new farm dam

    • Enlarging an existing dam

    • Dam maintenance and de-silting

  • Appendices and further info

    • Appendix 1: Planning a farm dam – a worked example

    • Appendix 2: Plant lists for revegetating farm dams

    • Further information

    • Acknowledgements

  1. Technical Guides
  2. Farms Dams Technical Guide
  3. Introduction
  4. Farm Dams Technical Guide

Farm Dams Technical Guide

Design and construction of high-performing dams

Farm dams are a key asset in the agricultural landscapes of eastern Australia, providing essential water for stock, crops, households and for native wildlife.

In the context of a changing climate, water loss from farm dams by evaporation is likely to increase due more extended dry periods, meaning traditional dams may become a less secure farm water source. This heightens the need for careful farm water planning and dam management.

Good design, construction and management of farm dams can pay significant dividends for farm productivity and for the environment. Enhancement of existing dams has significant benefits for agricultural productivity, biodiversity and climate management, through improved water quality, improved water persistence, improved provision of ecosystem services and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

This guide provides detailed technical information to support the process of dam enhancement and dam construction, in order to optimise dam performance.



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Last update: February 24, 2023
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    Sustainable Farms is an Australian National University initiative supported by funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, as well as by philanthropic organisations and industry groups. We work closely with Landcare groups and NRM agencies in NSW and Victoria.

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    Help tackle the challenges of modern-day agriculture in south-eastern Australia. Support sustainable farming and help to conserve Australia’s unique biodiversity.

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