208-308 Irrigation and Water Management

On completion of this subject students should be able 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 environmental 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.

Three-hour examination (50%), a practical test (10%) and two assignments equivalent to 2500 words (each worth 20%).