Irrigation and Water Management

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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.

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