791-053 Irrigation Technology

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to enable the students to:

• describe the scale and distribution of the major irrigation systems in south-eastern Australia;

• evaluate plant water requirements in terms of water quality and frequency of supply;

• apply basic principles of hydraulics to the selection of irrigation systems appurtenances and structures;

• assess irrigation systems in terms of efficiency, economy, energy-use and environment impact;

• recognise the advantages and disadvantages of common irrigation systems; and

• recognise the need for efficient irrigation drainage as well as water supply;

The content includes water supply potential for the development of irrigation systems, management planning and operation of water allocations, water law, cost benefit analysis, environmental and energy-use implications of resource utilisation and development, efficiency of irrigation systems and long term viability; climatic factors in irrigation development, rainfall, evaporation, evapotranspiration and hydrology; plant physiology and plant water use, transpiration crop water requirements in terms of water quality and quantity; soils and water, soil moisture retention and movement, plant root zones and development, infiltration and leaching. Irrigation scheduling, soil moisture measurement; and types of irrigation systems, selection of irrigation systems, irrigation drainage, seepage, surface and subsurface drainage systems, salinity, conveyance and disposal of drained effluent, re-use systems, management of irrigation systems, operations and maintenance requirements.

Assessment

2-hour exam (60%); project report of 3000 words (40%).